A High Price to Pay Read Online Free PDF

parked outside the front door. She didn't recognise the
    number plate, she thought frowningly, as she switched off her engine
    and got out, and she certainly wasn't expecting visitors.
    As she walked into the hall, Mrs Horner appeared. 'It's that Mr
    Bristow,' she said in an undertone. 'He's been here over an hour.
    Asked for you specific, and not for madam, so I made him some
    coffee and hope I did right.'
    'Quite right,' Alison said promptly, her spirits plummeting. 'Is he in
    the drawing room?'
    'He is, miss. I told him madam wasn't too well, and that you were at
    work, but it made no difference. Said he'd wait.'
    'Oh?' Alison returned wanly, as she unbuttoned her jacket.
    He was standing by the fireplace, one arm resting on the mantelshelf,
    as he looked broodingly down into the flames. His head came round
    sharply as Alison closed the drawing room door.
    'You're late, Miss Mortimer,' he remarked impatiently. 'I didn't know
    your work included overtime.'
    'It doesn't as a rule.' She dropped her jacket over the back of a chair,
    aware of the disparaging glance he sent her plain navy dress. 'Just as I
    was leaving, my boss called me back to say he'd heard about a cottage
    that might suit us.'
    'Oh.' He didn't appear to receive the news with ill-concealed delight.
    In fact, he frowned slightly. 'Where is this place?'

    'Far enough away for us to be able to avoid each other,' she returned
    composedly.
    His lips tightened. 'I see. And have you made an offer for it.?'
    'Hardly. My mother and I have to see it first.' Alison touched the
    coffee pot and grimaced. 'This is cold. May I offer you some fresh?'
    'No, thanks,' he said. 'But I'd sell my soul for a large Scotch—it's been
    one hell of a day.'
    She gave him a surprised look under her lashes as she turned to get his
    drink. She was probably imagining things, but he seemed almost ill at
    ease.
    'And- you'd better have one too.' His voice followed her. 'You may
    need it.'
    She poured a measure of Scotch into a glass and handed it to him. 'No,
    thank you. I've managed to cope so far without propping myself up
    with alcohol.'
    'My congratulations.' He raised his glass in a parody of a toast.
    'You're clearly not as fragile as you look. I hope you can overlook the
    weaknesses of lesser mortals.'
    'Admitting to weakness?' Alison asked sweetly. 'How very
    uncharacteristic!'
    'Make the most of it,' he drawled, his eyes glinting. There was a brief
    silence, then he said abruptly, 'I didn't intend to come here in person. I
    was going to approach you through Alex Liddell in the first instance.'
    She stared at him, suddenly dry-mouthed. She said huskily, 'I suppose
    you want us to leave.'

    'No, on the contrary ...'
    'You've changed your mind? You're going to let us stay here?'
    Alison's heart leapt in joyous incredulity as she stared at him.
    He frowned again. 'I'm afraid it's not as simple as th^t. A few days ago
    I contacted Liddell, and told him I would prefer it if the present staff
    continued working for me, if they were willing. I mentioned I'd like to
    meet the housekeeper for a preliminary chat.' He paused again. 'I
    must confess his reply staggered me.'
    Alison sat down. 'He told you I was the housekeeper?' She shrugged.
    'There's no problem, Mr Bristow. I can guarantee I won't take you to
    the industrial tribunal for firing me, and hiring someone else.'
    He said abruptly, 'Isn't this formality rather overdone? My name is
    Nick.'
    'To your friends, perhaps,' she said coolly. 'But you'll never count me
    in that small and exclusive company. I prefer formality.'
    'As you wish,' he said coldly. 'But it imposes additional difficulties on
    the proposition I'm about to put to you.'
    Alison's brows shot up. 'You're not offering me the job of
    housekeeper, I hope?'
    'Yes, I am,' he said shortly. 'And before you turn me down, perhaps
    you'd better listen to the whole deal.'
    'You think any deal on earth could persuade me to be your servant?'
    Alison asked dazedly. 'My God, you have