Where the Heart Belongs Read Online Free Page A

take a friend’s recommendation on board and act on it quickly.
    Running a conference centre held responsibilities so he must have a lot of experience gained over many years. She had already seen for herself that he was a confident man, completely sure of himself and his ability to cope with everything that such a position threw up.
    She got up at last, checked she had her bag with her and then left. Liz, busy at the till, didn’t see her go.
    *   *   *
    Turning into the drive to Ferniehope Castle today felt like coming home this time and that was a good sign surely? The sunny front of the building looked welcoming and she parked her car to one side and crunched across the gravel and up the short flight of stone steps.
    Jack Cullen opened the door himself. She was expecting this but it was still a shock to see him dressed in a white shirt that looked as if it had been freshly ironed and his black brogues highly polished. He seemed older today, late thirties probably.
    â€˜Miss Renison, I do believe?’ He took her hand in his and pressed it. ‘Come in, come in. A good journey from whence you came this fine morning?’
    Shona smiled. ‘I enjoyed the drive.’
    â€˜That’s good.’
    He pressed a button on the desk in the large hall. ‘Coffee for two, please, Ingrid, in the conservatory,’ he ordered when a door at the far end opened.
    Shona glanced about her, liking the comfortable feeling of dark furniture and velvet curtains. There was even an ample stone fireplace filled with fir cones with a tapestry screen to one side. The faint scent of roses lingered in the air. A new-scented furniture polish or had someone been spraying in here?
    Jack Cullen turned to her. ‘Shona . . . may I? And I’m Jack to everyone. Coffee first and then a guided tour. I’ll fill you in on a few things while we drink it. OK with you?’
    â€˜Very much so,’ she said.
    He led the way to the conservatory that overlooked the sunny back lawn. Donald had done a good job with the mowing, she thought, but there was no sign of him today.
    â€˜Take a seat, Shona. Coffee won’t be long.’
    He waited until she seated herself in a creaking basket chair and then sat down opposite her. She glanced around her. The plants here in this shady conservatory looked well tended. She exclaimed in pleasure at the display of orchids on low tables out of the direct sunlight and at the white jasmine climbing against the glass walls. The sweet scent from it mingled with another richer one and was almost overpowering.
    Jack looked at the orchids with pride. ‘I’ve been collecting these for a while now,’ he said. ‘When I started out I didn’t realise there were so many varieties.’
    She smiled. ‘I can see that someone loves them.’
    â€˜I’ve got some beauties like that Miltoniopsis over there, Red Knight.’ His face shone with enthusiasm and for a moment she saw a softer side to him than the rather hard man who had first greeted her. He got up and smoothed the dark shiny leaves of the flamboyant orchid on the windowsill near her. ‘This fellow likes a west facing position and what a scent he’s got.’
    â€˜It’s lovely,’ said Shona.
    â€˜You like them too?’ He leaned forward eagerly. ‘I’m a bit of a fanatic on the quiet, but Ingrid keeps me in check.’
    â€˜Ingrid?’
    â€˜My secretary, Donald’s daughter. Her mother, Mags, does the cooking and oversees the cleaning. They live in the cottage near the back gate. We employ other staff too as you’ll see. But so far no one to act as hostess to the guests and that’s why you’re here.’ He sounded as if he was pleased with himself for employing her. She hoped he wouldn’t regret it.
    There was a clatter of china and an exclamation of annoyance from the open doorway.
    â€˜Ah, here’s Ingrid now.’
    He took the