His Convenient Marriage Read Online Free PDF Page B

other's eyes.
    The Fewstons must have a romantic streak, Chessie thought, buttering her bread roll, still warm from the oven. But it had led them severely astray this time.
    She'd have settled for a wall of delphiniums and holly¬hocks to shelter behind. Or even a privet hedge.
    While their plates were being changed, Chessie hurried into speech, asking about the film script, and what would be involved in adapting the book.
    It wasn't just an excuse to find an impersonal topic, she told herself. She was genuinely interested, and after all she was going to be closely involved in the project.
    But what next? The weather? Would it be a hot summer, and was it really the greenhouse effect?
     
    Brilliant, she thought. What a conversational ball of fire you are, Chessie, my dear.
    'Am I really such a difficult companion?' Miles leaned back in his chair, the blue eyes hooded.
    Rocked back on her heels, Chessie took a gulp of wine feeling her face warm with sudden colour.
    'No, of course not,' she managed. Although he could be a mind-reader.
    'Perhaps I should have told you to bring a notebook, and dictated a few letters between courses,' he went on. 'You might have felt more at ease then.'
    'I doubt it.' She put down her glass. 'I still don't under¬stand what I'm doing here.'
    'You're eating an excellent meal,' he said. 'Which you haven't had to prepare, cook, and wash up after.'
    'And that's all there is to it?' She felt oddly breathless.
    'No, but the rest can wait.' The cool face was enigmatic, the scar silver in the candlelight. 'May I refill your glass?
    'I don't think so.' Chessie covered it with a protective hand. 'Something tells me I need to keep a clear head.'
    His smile mocked her ` I haven't seduction in mind, if that's what you're thinking.'
    'It never crossed my mind.'
    'How incredibly pure of you,' he murmured. 'Considering the amount of time we spend alone together, have you really never wondered why I've never made a pass at you? Or do you think my scars have rendered me immune from the normal male urges?'
    She bit her lip ` I don't suppose that for a moment. But I took it for granted that passes were out because of our situation—the terms of my employment. And because...` She paused.
    'Yes?' Miles prompted.
    She swallowed. 'Because it would be—inappropriate be¬haviour, and tacky as well. The amorous boss and his secretary—that's a cliche, and you don't deal in cliches,' she added in a rush.
     
    'Thank you—I think,' he remarked sardonically. 'Yet it was our—situation that I wanted to discuss with you.'
    'Have you decided to sell the house?' Her last exquisite mouthful of guinea fowl turned to ashes in her mouth. Suddenly she was contemplating the prospect of being homeless and back on the job market at the same time.
    It had always been a possibility, she supposed, yet just lately—stupidly—she'd allowed herself to feel settled. Safe even.
    ‘Absolutely not.' He looked genuinely surprised. 'What gave you that idea? Didn't you hear me say I was planning to do some entertaining?'
    'Yes—I'm sorry.' She hesitated. 'I suppose insecurity makes you paranoid.'
    `I can appreciate that.' He put down his knife and fork, frowning slightly. 'That's part of the reason I want you to consider a change in your terms of employment.'
    'A change?' Chessie was puzzled. Her contract with Miles had been carefully and meticulously defined. There were no obvious loopholes or room for manoeuvre. 'What kind of change?'
    He drank some more wine, the blue eyes meditative as he studied her across the top of the glass.
    He said, 'I thought we might get married.'
    Chessie had a curious feeling that the entire world had come to a sudden halt, throwing her sideways. The subdued hum of conversation and laughter around them faded under the swift roar of blood in her ears.
    Her whole body was rigid as she stared at him, lips parted in astonishment as she tried to make sense of what he'd just said.
    'I'm sorry,' she said at last in a