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in that lovely room with—with that lot in there.’
    Brad Stuart tilted back his chair—their eyes met and held. Then suddenly he smiled, displaying very white teeth in his brown face, a smile which dramatically changed him from a tyrant to a man. ‘Very well, Miss Firecracker, you win. I see that to keep you I’ll have to make you happy. We’ll go into Shrewsbury in the morning and you can choose whatever you need.’
    Because her victory was easier than she had anticipated Laura felt no elation, merely thanking him before going to her room to shower and change for dinner. The man was an enigma. She had fully expected him to turn on her, to question her audacity. But to laugh and agree— it was the last reaction she had counted on. It showed a side to his character yet unknown—a side she could learn to like!
    Mrs. Jennings on the other hand was very amused when Laura told her about their conversation. ‘I can just imagine his face when you told him! No one's ever dared speak like that before, except me, of course. I can get anything out of him. He's not so masterful as he makes out—just a little thoughtless. His work is so much on his mind that he hasn’t the time for anything else.’
    'I expect you’re right,’ said Laura absently. She was remembering the smile that had transformed his face. Despite his ability to bring out the worst in her she was not immune to his attractions, even though there was no chance of her falling in love with him. David was her sort of person—kind, considerate and patient—a complete contrast to Brad Stuart with his overbearing superiority.
     
    Brad appeared in the dining-room almost before Laura had finished her breakfast the next morning. 'The car's outside. Are you ready?’
    'Just give me a minute to collect my coat,’ she replied, gulping down the last mouthful of coffee and wiping her mouth on a napkin, knowing instinctively that he was not the sort of person who liked to be kept waiting.
    He was revving up the engine when she slipped into the seat beside him, immediately easing the gleaming silver Jaguar along the drive on to the open road.
    Glancing at her curiously, he asked, ‘Is driving one of your talents, Miss Templeton?’
    'Yes,' replied Laura cautiously, not wishing to be drawn into retaliation by the caustic tones of his voice. ‘I do drive, although I’ve never possessed a car of my own.’
    ‘There’s a Mini in the garage—you can use it if you like. The bus service is atrocious, as you probably found out the day you arrived.’ His voice was suddenly friendly and Laura smiled.
    ‘Thank you, but I hope to do some walking while I’m here, even if I am a little out of practice.’
    ‘Oh, yes, I’d forgotten you were a country girl. Who knows, I may join you one of these days. I enjoy a good tramp.’
    Surprised, Laura said, ‘That would be very nice,’ if a little disconcerting, she added to herself. He was dangerously attractive in this friendly mood and even though love was out of the question his presence was disturbing. She felt oddly breathless and scolded herself for allowing a few kind words to have this effect, especially after the way he had previously treated her.
    Silence fell between them and for the rest of the journey Laura was content to relax and enjoy the passing scenery. She had been too annoyed on her journey here to take much notice of her surroundings but now was able to appreciate the beauty of the countryside in which she found herself. The delightful patchwork of fields, the trees in varying shades of green and gold. It was all very beautiful and a far cry from the concrete jungle that had been her home for the last six years.
    When they reached Shrewsbury her employer stopped outside a large modem office equipment shop. ‘I’ll leave you to choose. You probably have a better idea than me.’
    Laura looked at him wide-eyed. ‘But I don’t know how much you're prepared to spend.’
    He smiled, grey eyes crinkling kindly