In the Millionaire's Possession Read Online Free Page B

this weekend, I ’ m afraid. It ’ s the chairman ’ s birthday, and he ’ s celebrating with a weekend party at his place in Sussex, so duty calls. ’ His smile was swift and light. ‘ And now I have to dash. I have a two-thirty meeting. The bill goes straight to my office, so order yourself a pudding if you want, darling, and coffee. See you later. ’ He blew her a kiss, and was gone.

    Once again she was sitting alone, she thought as she pushed her plate away. A fact that would doubtless not be lost on her adversary across the room. She risked a lightning glance from under her lashes, and realised with a surge of relief that his table was empty and being cleared. At least he hadn ’ t witnessed her cavalier treatment at Nigel ’ s hands. Nor would she have to grit her teeth and thank him for that bloody drink. With luck, she would never have to set eyes on him again. End of story.

    She ’ d wanted this to be a great day in her life, she thought with a silent sigh, but since she ’ d first set eyes on Marc Delaroche it seemed to have been downhill all the way.

    And now she had better go and catch her train. She was just reaching for her bag when Gaspard arrived, bearing a tray which he placed in front of her with a flourish.

    ‘ There must be some mistake, ’ Helen protested, watching him unload a cafetière, cups, saucers, two glasses and a bottle of armagnac. ‘ I didn ’ t order any of this. ’

    ‘ But I did, ’ Marc Delaroche said softly. ‘ Because you look as if you need it. So do not refuse me, ma belle , je vous en prie . ’

    And before she could utter any kind of protest, he took the seat opposite her, so recently vacated by Nigel, and smiled into her startled eyes.

    CHAPTER TWO

    ‘ I THOUGHT you ’ d gone. ’ The words were out before she could stop herself, implying that she took even a remote interest in his actions.

    ‘ I was merely bidding au revoir to my friends. ’ He filled her cup from the cafetière. ‘ Before returning to offer you a digestif . ’ He poured a judicious amount of armagnac into each crystal bowl, and pushed one towards her. ‘ Something your companion should consider, perhaps, ’ he added meditatively. ‘ If he continues to rush through his meals at such a rate he will have an ulcer before he is forty. ’

    ‘ Thank you. ’ Helen lifted her chin. ‘ I ’ ll be sure to pass your warning on to him. ’

    ‘ I intended it for you, ’ he said. ‘ I presume he is the man you plan to marry at Monteagle with such panache? ’ He slanted a smile at her. ‘ After all, it is a wife ’ s duty to look after the physical well-being of her husband — in every way. Don ’ t you think so? ’

    ‘ You don ’ t want to know what I think. ’ Helen bit her lip. ‘ You really are some kind of dinosaur. ’

    His smile widened. ‘ And a man with a ruined digestion is an even more savage beast, believe me, ’ he told her softly. ‘ Just as a beautiful girl left alone in a restaurant is an offence against nature. ’ He raised his glass. Salut . ’

    ‘ Oh, spare me. ’ Helen gritted her teeth. ‘ I don ’ t need your compliments — or your company. ’

    ‘ Perhaps not, ’ he said. ‘ But you require my vote on the committee, so maybe you should force yourself to be civil for this short time, and drink with me. ’

    Smouldering, Helen drank some of her coffee. ‘ What made you choose this restaurant particularly? ’ she asked, after a loaded pause.

    His brows lifted mockingly. ‘ You suspect some sinister motive? That I am following you, perhaps? ’ He shook his head. ‘ You are wrong. I was invited here by my companions — who have a financial interest in the place and wished my opinion. Also I arrived first, remember, so I could accuse you of stalking me. ’

    Helen stiffened. ‘ That, of course, is just so likely. ’ Her tone bit.

    ‘ No, ’ he returned coolly. ‘ To my infinite regret, it is not likely at all. ’

    Helen felt