Sweet Surrender (The Dysarts) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Kate?’
    â€˜Always the same old question,’ she said, resigned. ‘And it’s always the same old answer, Adam. Contrary to some people’s belief, I like my life and I love my job.’
    â€œâ€˜Some people” meaning Alasdair?’
    â€˜Who else? Due to my famed qualifications he thinks I’m mad to teach at a village school.’ Kate shot him a look. ‘Do you still agree with him?’
    â€˜Of course not. Like everyone else, I was a bit surprised at first, but it’s very obviously what you want to do, so I’m happy for you.’
    â€˜You don’t mind that I’m never likely to win the Nobel prize, then?’
    â€˜No way.’ Adam smiled crookedly. ‘In fact, I’d rather you met some guy who’ll make you as happy as I am with Gabriel.’
    â€˜Don’t hold your breath,’ Kate warned him, laughing. ‘If I do feel the need for a male presence in my life one day I’ll get a dog like Pan.’
    Adam chuckled. ‘Tell me when and I’ll buy you one.’ He eyed her curiously. ‘Now he’s back in this country, will you be seeing Alasdair more often?’
    Kate shook her head. ‘I doubt it. I live in deepest Herefordshire, and Alasdair intends living in theGloucester house his grandmother left him. It’s not exactly next door.’
    â€˜Near enough for him to come calling round twice in two days,’ he reminded her.
    Kate’s mouth compressed. ‘I’ll make sure he doesn’t make a habit of it.’
    â€˜Is there someone else, then?’
    She shrugged impatiently. ‘You know perfectly well I see Toby Anderson and Phil Dent when I’m home.’
    Adam rolled his eyes. ‘The accountant and the sports master. Wild passionate affairs both, of course.’
    â€˜How do you know what they’re like?’ said Kate indignantly.
    â€˜Because you go out with both of them. I can’t see you leaping in and out of bed with two blokes, turn and turn about!’
    Kate gave him a shove, laughing. ‘Not everyone wants wild, passionate affairs.’
    â€˜How about marriage, then?’
    â€˜One day, maybe,’ she said lightly. ‘At the moment I’m happy with my role of maiden aunt to the Dysart young.’

CHAPTER THREE
    N EXT morning, Fenny knocked on Kate’s door and came in with two mugs of tea, then perched, yawning, on the end of the bed.
    â€˜This is very good of you,’ said Kate, surprised. ‘Thanks, Fen.’
    â€˜My pleasure. So how are things, schoolteacher?’ Fenny’s green eyes sparkled below a tangled mass of hair as dark as Kate’s. ‘Life in the sticks as scintillating as usual?’
    â€˜A laugh a minute,’ agreed Kate, and sat up to drink her tea. ‘Who drove you home last night?’
    â€˜Prue’s boyfriend. She came home for the weekend, too.’
    â€˜But she lives in Marlborough.’
    â€˜After he dropped her off he insisted on driving me all the way here, so who was I to refuse?’
    â€˜You should have invited him in to supper.’
    â€˜No way.’ Fenny grinned. ‘Time for that when it’s my boyfriend, not someone else’s.’
    â€˜You’re incorrigible!’
    â€˜But cute with it.’
    â€˜Oh, yes,’ sighed Kate. ‘You’re cute, all right. But don’t push your luck, Fen.’
    â€˜With blokes, you mean? Don’t worry. I’m quite sensible really. And I’m going to wear a skirt today.’
    â€˜No! I suppose that means I have to as well, then.’
    â€˜I bet you were anyway, Miss Sobersides.’
    Kate gave her a sharp look. ‘Is that how you see me?’
    â€˜Lately, yes,’ said Fenny candidly. ‘So for heaven’s sake let that gorgeous hair down today, Kate—literally, I mean—and wear something to knock the vicar’s eye out.’
    â€˜Is that why you brought me the tea? So