Act of Betrayal Read Online Free PDF

them, and
    watching Celia exercise her blatant wiles on Jason. The kitchen
    was full of delicious baking smells, and Mrs Fraser, looking
    harassed was removing a tray from the oven. 'Miss Celia wants
    tea,' Laura said rinsing the jug and glass under the tap. 'But
    you seem to haveyour hands full already.' Mrs Fraser snorted
    ungraciously. 'A drinks party— and at the last
    moment—expecting cheese straws and canapes to appear from thin
    air.' 'I'm sorry.' Laura walked warily. 'Is there anything I can
    do to help?'
    ' I can cope, thank you.' The older woman's voice was ungracious
    but Laura was used to that. 'Although ' she paused. 'Well, you
    could get a tea tray ready, and save me the job.' Laura's heart
    sank. She'd hoped to deliver the message and escape upstairs to
    her room. But being allowed to make any contribution was a
    concession, she thought drily. She'd never been the housekeeper's
    favourite as a child, but since her return, the woman's attitude
    had been practically hostile. So, she filled the kettle and set
    it to boil, while she laid a tray with cups and saucers under Mrs
    Fraser's critical eye. 'You could have knocked me down with a
    feather when I saw who was at the door,' the housekeeper
    volunteered at last, producing a tin of homemade biscuits from a
    cupboard and handing them to Laura. 'Looks more affluent than he
    did in the old days,' she added, with another snort. 'Back for
    good, is he?' Laura shrugged. ' I really couldn't say. I
    understand he's here on business.' 'Not looking for a
    reconciliation then?' Mrs Fraser's sharp eyes were bright with
    malice, and Laura bit her Up, controlling a number of heated
    replies. She said, with cool politeness. 'As I said, Mrs Fraser,
    he seems to have business in the area. Would you like me to take
    the tray in as well.' The housekeeper sniffed, and turned back to
    her baking. ' I f it wouldn't trouble you too much.' 'Oh, you've
    only brought two cups,' Celia exclaimed as Laura set the tray
    down on the low table which fronted the sofa. 'But I meant you to
    join us sweetie, naturally.' 'Thank you,' Laura said evenly. 'But
    I have things to do.' 'Nothing that can't wait, I'm sure.' Celia
    gave her a limpid look. 'You're being rather silly, you know.
    We're bound to be seeing a lot of Jason once the Tristan projects
    get under way locally. You may as well get accustomed to the
    fact, and have tea with us in a civilized manner.' 'Civilised'
    was fast becoming her least favourite word, Laura reflected
    bitterly. She said tautly, 'Some other time.' 'There's no time
    like the present,' Jason said smoothly. He rose to his feet, his
    lean body straightening in one lithe movement. 'Sit down, Laura.
    I'm sure your cousin won't mind fetching another cup.' To judge
    by the expression which fleetingly crossed Celia's face, he'd
    made a big mistake there, Laura thought drily. She began, ' I ' l
    l get i t . . . ' but his hands descended on her shoulders,
    pushing her firmly down on to the softness of the sofa. ' I said
    sit down,' he reminded her gently. Celia said with a small,
    artificial laugh. 'How very masterful. I'd better go and get that
    cup.' The door closed behind her. Laura sat rigidly, her hands
    linked round her knees in a parody of relaxation, staring down at
    the carpet. 'Alone together over the teacups,' Jason said softly.
    'What a moment of pure nostalgia for us to savour, darling.' She
    said, 'What the hell are you doing here, Jason? Whatever
    impression Celia may have given, you must know you're not welcome
    in this house.' 'On the contrary,' he sounded amused. ' I
    confidently expect to become the year's most honoured guest. As
    for why I'm here—I came to return this to you.' He took a small
    gold cylinder from his pocket, and tossed it towards her. 'So, if
    you were imagining that I'd followed you here, drooling with
    lust, think again.' She looked stupidly down at her own lipstick.
    'Where
    ...? Oh, it must have fallen out of my bag