Home is Where the Heart Is Read Online Free Page B

surprised to find herself thinking along these lines. After all, why ever should it matter to her?
    Andrew set down his empty cup. "Cigarette?"
    "Thanks." He lit it for her and they smoked in silence for a few moments. Lindsey wondered idly if he took all his cousin's housekeepers out for coffee, or if she was privileged.
    "And now you can tell me all about yourself," Andrew said suddenly. "I'm intrigued with you, you know. I sense some mystery—a broken romance perhaps? Whatever is a girl like you doing in a job like this?"
    "It's the work I'm best suited to, and I liked the idea of living with a family," Lindsey replied promptly.
    Andrew hooted with laughter, "Some family! You obviously didn't know what you were letting yourself in for—a couple of wild, unruly kids and a morose professor. What a girl you are. And the romance?"
    Lindsey laughed. "You must be psychic! As a matter of fact you're right, I have got a boyfriend, but I can assure you there's no mystery about it. We're just having a period of separation for a few months that's all, because I for one don't believe in rushing into marriage without thinking about it carefully first."
    "Well, while you're thinking, is there any reason why you shouldn't be free to have the occasional date with me?"
    "Only if your cousin forgets to give me any off-duty."
    They laughed and Lindsey deftly threw the ball back into his court, before he ferretted out any more information about her.
    "And you—what about you, Dr. Kirkby? Are you a doctor of medicine?"
    "Yes, but actually I do research in the path lab at the local hospital here— Surprised?"
    "Not really, you've obviously got an enquiring mind, but then surely you should be just plain mister?"
    "Touché. It's been a sort of habit with the locals to call me, 'Dr' ever since I qualified. It tickled them pink I reckon, because I was rather a rebel as a schoolboy; always up to some kind of mischief. Mind you, to be fair, I do help out in emergencies, deliver the occasional baby, dress a wound, etc."
    "It's a wonder they trust you, knowing your past reputation! How come you're free at this time in the afternoon?" she asked curiously, stubbing out her cigarette end carefully into the large glass ash-tray provided.
    "Oh I've had a few days holiday owing to me—a bit of off duty you know. That's how I was able to meet your train." He leant towards her. "You know I've got a feeling we're going to get on famously together. I'm determined not to let you remain incarcerated in that chilly mansion more than you have to. Tell you what; I'll take you out to dinner when you have a free evening, show you off to the locals. There's nowhere very exciting round here, unfortunately, although I believe `The White Swan,' at Cambrook is quite good since there's been a change of management."
    Lindsey took all his flattery with a pinch of salt, but at the mention of Cambrook, she found it hard to conceal her interest.
    "Cambrook? That rings a bell—is it far from here?"
    But before he had a chance to reply, the door burst open and there stood Susan, hat in hand, coat undone and decidedly breathless.
    "Hello Uncle Andrew. I saw the Fiat in the car park and guessed you'd be in here…" Her face fell, as she suddenly caught sight of Lindsey. "Oh, what are you doing here?"
    "That was precisely the same question I was about to ask you young lady," Andrew said sternly. "Miss Meredith was going to collect you at four o'clock, and it's now only half past three, so what have you got to say for yourself?"
    "Oh don't be cross, Uncle Andrew. They let us out early so I came down to the shops instead of hanging round the gates. It's freezing cold…Can I have a coffee?" She took his arm and smiled up at him with all the feminine guile she possessed.
    Andrew bought her coffee and a cream doughnut, and Susan tucked in.
    "This child's always hungry and she certainly knows how to get round me."
    "Obviously— You'll have to be quick, Susan," Lindsey told her