One Reckless Night Read Online Free PDF

than that.’ Zanna put down her spoon with a sigh I was just expecting a fish-pie.’
    ‘And what’s your excuse?’
    he shrugged. ‘I’m a lonely bachelor who has to forage for himself, so she takes pity on me once in a while.’
    If he was so lonely, Zanna thought wryly, then it had to be through his own choice. Or perhaps he was simply too busy trying to maintain a small business to organize a private life as well.
    That was something she could understand. She’d acted hostess for her father times without number, but she couldn’t remember, she thought with bewilderment, the last time she had dined a deux with a man.
    Few, if any, of the men who’d sought her company had passed muster after Sir Gerald’s rigorous vetting.
    ‘you’re my daughter, Zanna,’ her father had constantly reminded her. ‘My heiress. How can you ever be sure if it’s you they want or my money?’
    it was a lesson which had gone home, however much it might have hurt.
    But this time there was no real risk involved, she assured herself. Because the man facing her across the table had no idea who or what she was. And she firmly intended to keep it that way.
    As if picking up some unspoken cue, he said, ‘We’ve never actually introduced ourselves, have we?’
    ‘No.’ Zanna’s mind worked quickly. ‘I’m Susan,’ she announced. ‘Susan—er—Smith.’
    ‘Really?’ The firm mouth quirked slightly. ‘How unusual. And I'm Jake.' He paused. 'Jake-er-Brown,' he added, with sardonic emphasis.
      Zanna felt her cheeks pinken, but she made herself meet his glance with apparent unconcern. After all, what did it matter? she comforted herself. They were ships passing in the night. Nothing more. And she had no more wish to know his real identity than to reveal her own.
      The arrival of the next course relieved the awkwardness of the moment. The fish pie more than lived up to its recommendation. Under its creamy mashed potato and cheese topping, cod, smoked haddock and prawns jostled for precedence in a delicious creamy sauce, and then, to finish with, there was a sumptuously rich chocolate mousse with a wicked undercurrent of brandy.
      Jake led the conversation throughout the meal, but he kept to general topics, touching lightly on places of interest in the locality and leading on to the success of the exhibition. Nothing on a personal level, she noted with relief.
      Finally Trudy brought excellent coffee and a smooth Armagnac.
      Who could ask for anything more? Zanna wondered as she leaned against the high back of the wooden settle, cradling the goblet in her hand and contemplating the flames leaping around the sweet apple logs.
      'Don't get too comfortable.' His smile reached her across the candle-flame, sending a faint, troublous shiver down her spine. 'I'm claiming the first waltz.'
      She sat up with a startled jerk. 'But I'm not going to the dance.'
      'Why not? There's nothing else to do tonight.'
      'I don't dance.'
      'I'll teach you.'
      'And I'm not dressed for it,' she added swiftly.
      'You could be-with a few adjustments.' He rose and came round the table to her side.
      Stunned, Zanna felt him release the ribbon holding her hair.
      'Now that is so much better,' he said softly as the blonde strands fell forward to curve round her face.
      He reached down, almost in the same movement, and undid the top button of her blouse.
      Her hand lifted swiftly to check him as the blood stormed into her face. 'What the hell do you think you're doing?'
      'Only this.' With total insouciance he tied the ribbon round her exposed throat in a neat bow, then lifted her to her feet, making her face the mirror over the fireplace. 'So, Cinderella, you shall go to the ball.'
      Unwillingly, Zanna looked at herself. Her cheeks were still flushed and her eyes looked twice their normal size. Against her throat, the dark band of ribbon was a perfect foil for her creamy skin, while the neckline of her blouse revealed a