The Finest Line Read Online Free

incident with your
daughter this afternoon which will effect my immediate dismissal
and whatever other action you deem necessary.”
    “What the hell are talking about
James?”
    “I threatened Mairead with a
spanking to her bare bottom.”
    There was a long silence.
Mairead held her breath waiting for the bellowing boom of her
father’s wrath. She could almost feel sorry for James and a little
sad that he would be handed his marching orders. However her
compassion vanished when the next sound she heard was her father’s
roaring laughter.
    “When I hired you, the agency
told me that you had been decorated for bravery in Afghanistan.”
Sean Kavanagh laughed again. “But going up against Mairead... what
on earth was her reaction?”
    “I believe she was frightened
sir.”
    “Mairead frightened! Is that
even possible? It’s usually my staff being terrified by her.” There
was a long silence before Kavanagh spoke again. “The last time I
saw Mairead frightened was when we lowered her mother’s coffin into
the grave. She was six years old and I’ve never forgotten the look
on her face. I resolved to do everything I could to make her smile
again. It just seemed right to let her have her own way and do
whatever she wanted to do. These last few years have proved that to
be a mistake.”
    “I will forfeit all termination
pay and leave immediately.”
    “Rubbish. There will be no
termination and I will not accept your resignation either.”
    “Mr. Kavanagh...”
    “James. In the several months
that you have been here your services have been exemplary. I do not
believe I have ever met a more disciplined and educated young man.
No doubt your time with the British Army has had much to do with
that. The fact that my daughter was able to infuriate even you...”
Kavanagh laughed again. “Tell me what she did.”
    “Her vocabulary included several
words that I deemed unsuitable for her age, for my ears or indeed
for the local pub.”
    Kavanagh groaned. “Yes. I’ve
been sorely tempted to take a bar of soap to her mouth myself on
several occasions.”
    “I still believe Sir that my
behaviour warrants dismissal.”
    “It’s not going to happen,
James.” Sean was firm. “With our government newly formed, my
appointment as Minister of Development, I need my household to
function like a machine and I need staff upon whom I can solidly
rely. You are Mairead’s driver and security and if she is a little
intimidated by you then so be it. Let’s leave it there James.”
    There was another long pause
before James answered, “If that is your final decision...”
    “It is James.”
    Their alliance had been forged
at her expense and Mairead was furious. She was about to burst
through the doors when her father’s next words stopped her in her
tracks.
    “Oh and James,” He chuckled
slightly. “Try not to leave any bruises.”
    “I won’t Sir.”
    Mairead flew up the stairs,
propelled by rage and betrayal. She tried to calm herself with the
belief that her father was joking yet a niggling feeling remained
that he had just given the chauffeur permission to spank her.
    The nurse returned with a
wheelchair and Mairead shook her head. “I am not leaving here in
that.”
    “It is hospital policy Miss
Kavanagh,” she explained. “We’re releasing you a little earlier
than we intended and we can’t have you collapsing on your
departure.”
    “I’m fine,” she lied, very aware
of how drowsy she was feeling. “I can walk.”
    “But you won’t,” James took the
wheelchair. “Get in Miss Kavanagh.”
    Again she reluctantly complied
but she was growing tired of his audacity. She had no idea why she
was still so cautious of him. He had never enacted on his threat of
physical discipline and she was annoyed that she had ever believed
he would. He certainly wasn’t going to try anything now that she
was an adult.
    Mairead showed no interest when
the nurse explained her aftercare. All she heard was that alcohol
was off the