The Yuletide Engagement & A Yuletide Seduction Read Online Free

inside his office, his secretary having closed the door behind her as she left.
    â€œYou have?” Ellie frowned; how could he possibly have been expecting her when until half an hour ago she hadn’t expected to be here herself?
    â€œCall it a hunch.” He nodded. “You can sit down, you know, Ellie,” he added mockingly. “There’s no charge!”
    He seemed different today, Ellie realized, more the thirty-eight-year-old successful businessman that he was. He was dressed formally too, in a dark grey suit with a white silk shirt, a light grey tie knotted meticulously at his throat.
    She made no move to sit in the chair he indicated, knowing that she had made a mistake in coming here today, that she should have taken the time to think after all, that—
    â€œI still have Friday evening free, if you’re interested,” he told her huskily.
    Her eyes widened. “You do?”
    He nodded. “Are you interested?”
    She swallowed hard, wishing she could say no but knowing that, after what she had learnt today, she badly needed this man’s presence at her side on Friday evening—for moral support if nothing else.
    â€œEllie…?” he prompted at her continued silence.
    â€œI’m interested,” she admitted abruptly.
    â€œHas something happened?” he asked shrewdly.
    Had something happened! Gareth, that selfish, unthinking, uncaring—
    â€œSomething’s happened,” Patrick acknowledged ruefully, standing up to pour her a cup of coffee from the hot percolator that stood on the side. “I’m sorry it’s nothing stronger,” he apologised dryly as he handed her the cup and saucer. “You look as if you could do with a double whisky!”
    â€œI don’t drink whisky,” she said vaguely, taking a sip of the hot coffee. Not because she thought it would make her feel any better, more for something to do with her shaking hands.
    Cold hands, she realised belatedly as she wrapped them about the cup; the snow that had been threatening to fall all week had finally come tumbling down this morning. And in her agitation Ellie had completely forgotten to collect her outer coat and gloves before leaving the office earlier.
    â€œIs it anything I should know about?” Patrick gently urged.
    â€œAnything…? It isn’t Toby, if that’s what you’re worried about,” she hastened to reassure him.
    â€œI didn’t think for a moment that it was; as far as I’m aware Toby is in York today, with—with another of my employees,” Patrick dismissed lightly. “I wish you would sit down, Ellie,” he said softly.
    Of course. He wouldn’t sit down if she didn’t. Ellie sat, the cup rattling precariously in the saucer as she did so.
    Patrick moved back to sit behind his desk. “Take your time,” he invited. “I don’t have any appointments for a couple of hours.”
    â€œIt isn’t going to take me that long to—!” She brokeoff, her face pale as she brought herself under control. “My ex-boyfriend intends announcing his engagement at the dinner on Friday evening,” she bit out reluctantly.
    â€œAh,” Patrick murmured comprehendingly.
    Ellie looked across at him sharply. “It doesn’t bother me,” she assured him.
    He raised dark brows. “It doesn’t?”
    â€œLook, Mr—Patrick,” she amended as he raised those brows even higher. “I don’t know what Toby told you about the end of my relationship with Gareth, but—”
    â€œNothing at all, as it happens,” he assured her dryly. “Toby can be discreet when he needs to be,” he added at her sceptical look. “He wouldn’t have lasted long as my assistant if he couldn’t!”
    â€œYes. Well.” Ellie grimaced. “I was the one to end my relationship with Gareth.”
    Patrick frowned. “Then