‘No, I haven’t forgotten,’ he snapped, before leading the way into the inner sanctum.
Mark’s huge office was luxuriously carpeted and furnished, with an imposing desk and a built-in bar. Displayed in a glass case were several cups and trophies, and a series of first-class sporting prints adorned the walls.
By this time reaction had set in. Feeling distinctly shaky, Loris dropped her bag, pulled off her mac, and took a seat in one of the big leather armchairs. Mark—perhaps because it gave him back his feeling of authority—chose to sit behind his desk.
On his desk top, along with all the latest technology, was a picture of Loris.
She was oddly touched to see it there.
Before she could decide just how to begin, he said brusquely, his heavy face set and angry, ‘You’d better start by telling me why you broke your promise not to see Drummond again.’
Sounding cooler than she actually was, she said, ‘I didn’t break my promise. Well, not on purpose…’
‘Then what were you two doing together?’
‘I’d decided to have lunch before going on to my next appointment. I was looking at the menu when he suddenly appeared and sat down at my table.’
‘Out of the whole of London, he just happened to choose the same restaurant? What a remarkable coincidence!’ Mark said incredulously.
‘It wasn’t exactly a coincidence,’ she admitted. ‘While he was at Monkswood I mentioned that when I was in town I often lunched at Il Lupo, as it was good and cheap… And of course it’s quite close to here.’
‘So he went there purposely, hoping to see you?’
Instinctively trying to save Jonathan’s skin, she lied, ‘I can’t say whether he went purposely or not. Maybe it just happened…’
‘So when you’d shared a nice cosy lunch, you couldn’t bear to leave him?’
‘No… I left the restaurant first. I was waiting to cross Shear Lane when he caught up with me, and we walked the rest of the way here together.’
‘Why did you come here rather than going on to your next appointment?’
‘I wanted to see you. I need to talk to you.’
‘And whatever it is couldn’t have waited until tomorrow night?’
‘No, it couldn’t,’ she said flatly. ‘It’s important.’
Unconvinced, he brushed her assurance aside, and went back to his interrogation. ‘So what the devil was Drummond doing mauling you about?’
Though his kiss had rocked her, she remembered the lightness of it, the finesse, and she objected, ‘I’d hardly call it “mauling me about”…’
Mark’s scowl told her she was making things worse.
In an effort to be more conciliatory, she explained, ‘I was leaving him, intending to come up to your office, when he stopped me. He said I’d walked away without even saying goodbye. That’s when he…he kissed me.’
‘He wasn’t afraid I’d see him?’
‘Quite the opposite,’ she said drily. Then wanted to kick herself.
Mark cottoned on immediately. ‘You mean he’d seen me come in, and he did it on purpose to annoy me?’
‘I’m afraid so.’
‘Well, believe me, he’ll live to regret it… After the way he tried to make a fool of me in front of quite a number of the staff—’
‘I thought he was trying to stop you making a fool of yourself.’ Realising she’d been less than diplomatic, Loris wished she’d guarded her unruly tongue.
‘Of course you would have to stick up for that swine,’ Mark said harshly.
‘I’m not sticking up for him. But remember you promised that, no matter what, you wouldn’t take any action against him. That was why I agreed to bring the wedding forward.’
His face tense, he demanded, ‘You’re not backing out now, just because of Drummond?’
Knowing there was little else she could do until Mark had calmed down, and reminding herself that Jonathan had asked for everything he’d got, she said, ‘No, I’m not backing out. But I would like you to keep your side of the bargain.’
Noting more than a hint of relief mingling with the anger in his brown eyes, she added, ‘Please, Mark, can’t we let the matter drop and get onto what I came for?’
He moved his heavy shoulders in an irritable gesture. ‘Very well. You said it was important, so I suppose it’s something to do with the arrangements for the wedding?’
‘Not exactly.’ She swallowed. ‘You told me that after you and your wife split up you didn’t have a relationship until I came along.’
When he said nothing, she added, ‘Is that true?’
His expression closed, he said, ‘Yes, it is.’
‘You didn’t get engaged to anyone else?’
‘Engaged? Certainly not.’
‘But you lived with someone?’
‘Look, what are you getting at?’
‘I heard there was another woman in your life—’
‘You are, and have been, the only woman I’ve had a relationship with since my marriage broke up.’ Then, quickly, ‘If you’re thinking of Pamela, I’d never even set eyes on her before the party. She was just a one-night stand, and you know quite well why. You’re not still holding that against me?’
‘No, this has nothing to do with Pamela.’
Sounding impatient now, he asked, ‘Then what has it to do with?’
‘I heard that after your wife left you lived with someone else, and that she had a baby by you.’
‘What?’ He jumped to his feet. ‘Where in hell’s name did you hear a preposterous story like that?’
‘Where I heard it isn’t important. Is it true?’
‘Of course it isn’t true!’ Mark looked so upset she believed him straight away. She told herself she felt relieved and her face softened. ‘I’m sorry, Mark.’
He shook his head and replied, ‘I don’t blame you for thinking the worst of me—especially after Pamela. But I’ve learnt my lesson. I may have been a bit too easily led when it came to the opposite sex in the past, but when we’re married I swear I won’t so much as look at another woman. You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and with you in my bed, and a family of my own, I’ll be the happiest man in the world.’
Before she could reply, he came around the desk and kissed her. When he pulled back and smiled at her, Loris told herself that his speech was all that she could have wanted, and that she was doing the right thing in marrying him. But she couldn’t help feeling slightly uneasy at the memory of Jonathan’s earnest face as he’d told her of Mark’s supposed mistress and child. He’d almost convinced her!
Breaking into her thoughts, Mark asked, ‘Where did you hear about this, anyway? I’d very much like to know.’
Shaking her head, she said, ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘It matters to me. Damn it, Loris, who told you? Whoever dug it up was clearly just trying to make trouble.’
Watching his big frame stiffen, she knew he had guessed the truth.
‘Drummond! Who else? It was him, wasn’t it? I ought to have realised at once… Well, this time he’ll find he’s definitely overstepped the mark. I’ll show him who’s boss. I’ll get him sacked if it’s the last thing I do!’
Loris bit her lip. Though she didn’t believe Jonathan’s story, she thought he did. The person who’d fed him the lies could well have been one of the business enemies Mark had made in the past, trying to discredit him with Cosby’s. Yes, that was the most likely explanation—so it wasn’t really Jonathan’s fault.
Only too aware that it was touch and go, and she’d have to tread carefully, she said, without undue emphasis, ‘Don’t you think you might be jumping to conclusions? Allowing yourself to be prejudiced?’
‘You mean it wasn’t Drummond?’
‘Is it likely he’d know a thing like that when he’s only been over from the States a short time?’
‘Well, if it wasn’t him, who the devil was it?’
‘As I’ve already said, it doesn’t matter.’
; Seeing he looked far from happy at being put off, she smiled at him. ‘And I know the truth, so, rather than keep talking about it, I’d much sooner forget the whole thing.’
Anxious to get away before he pressed her any further, she reminded him, ‘Haven’t you a meeting scheduled for two-thirty?’
‘Yes.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘They’ll be here any minute.’
‘Then I’d better go.’
He took her in his arms again and smiled down at her, his face transformed by charm. It was easy to see why so many women fell for him.
She felt a stirring of the old excitement, the kind of attraction that had first drawn her to him, and when he kissed her she kissed him back with an enthusiasm she hadn’t displayed recently.
‘That’s much more like it,’ he said with satisfaction, and kissed her again, enjoying the warmth of her response.
In just over a week they would be married, she thought with a little glow, and once they were man and wife, the tension that of late had soured their relationship should soon disappear. They would be at ease with one another, free to enjoy their future together…
Mark drew back with a sigh, and, glancing at the couch, said ruefully, ‘It’s a great pity about that meeting, but I’m afraid it’s far too late to cancel it.’
Flustered, blushing a little at the thought of making love in his office, she pulled on her mac, gathered up her bag, and headed for the door.
Her hand was on the doorknob, when he said, ‘If the flight’s on time, I’ll be round at your place about six-thirty tomorrow evening.’
‘Fine.’ She turned to smile at him and blow him a kiss before closing the door behind her.
She was still smiling when she reached the end of the corridor and turned towards the lifts.
The smile died from her lips when she saw Jonathan, his eyes on her face, leaning nonchalantly against the wall opposite. He had dried off, she noticed, and his hair, once more smoothly brushed, had returned to its normal fairness.
Oddly disconcerted by his presence, she asked crossly, ‘Have you nothing better to do than lie in wait for me?’
His eyebrows shot up. ‘You think I was lying in wait for you?’
‘Yes. Otherwise what would you be doing lurking in the corridor?’
‘Would you believe it if I told you I’m en route to join a meeting in Longton’s office?’
Made suspicious by the way the question was phrased, she demanded, ‘Are you?’
‘I’m supposed to be.’ Shamelessly, he added, ‘Though I must admit that my real object was to lie in wait for you and find out how things had gone.’
Pressing the call button for the lift, she said haughtily, ‘Well, as I’ve no intention of telling you, perhaps you’d better get on your way rather than waste the firm’s time.’
A gleam in his green eyes, he mocked, ‘You’re starting to sound just like the boss’s daughter.’
‘I am the boss’s daughter,’ she reminded him tartly as the lift sighed to a halt and the doors slid open.
It was empty, and without a backward glance she stepped inside.
Jonathan followed close on her heels.
‘I thought you were supposed to be going to the meeting,’ she said sharply, as he reached to touch one of the buttons.
‘There are more important things in life than attending meetings.’
Drily, she observed, ‘I just hope Mr Grant agrees with you.’
‘I’m sure he will. He’s a good man, and on most things we’re in complete accord. He’ll back me all the way.’
‘For your sake, I hope so.’
‘Does that mean Longton’s gunning for me?’
‘It means you can’t afford to take any more risks.’ As she finished speaking the lift sighed to a stop and the doors slid open.
Eager to escape, Loris was halfway out when she realised that they were on the second floor, rather than in the foyer.
Before she could dig her toes in Jonathan had thrown a firm arm around her waist, swept her across the corridor, through a door opposite, and into a small, functional office, the antithesis of Mark’s.
‘What are you doing?’ she cried, pulling free. ‘I haven’t got time to play silly games.’
‘It wasn’t silly games I had in mind. More a serious talk.’
‘I’ve an appointment in Bayswater at three-thirty,’ she said coldly.
‘That will give us ample time. I’ll call you a taxi when we’ve finished.’
As she started to protest, he added smoothly, ‘I’ll even pay for it.’
He was standing between her and the door, and though his stance was casual she felt convinced he had no intention of letting her leave until he’d learnt what he wanted to know.
‘Won’t you sit down?’ he suggested politely.
Her common sense insisted that he wasn’t likely to man-handle her, and she toyed briefly with the idea of telling him to go to hell and simply walking out.
But, as though his will was stronger than hers, she found herself weakly taking a seat in one of the plastic-covered swivel chairs.
He came and sat on the corner of the desk, and, crossing his arms, asked, ‘So how did it go?’
‘How did what go?’
Ignoring her attempt to stonewall, he said, ‘When you rounded that corner you were smiling.’
‘There’s no law against it.’
‘You hardly looked like a woman who’s just learnt her fiancé isn’t to be trusted.’
‘Perhaps that’s because I hadn’t learnt any such thing.’
‘So you didn’t ask him?’
‘Yes, I did.’
‘And he denied the whole thing?’
‘I don’t see that what went on between Mark and me is any of your business.’
‘For reasons that I won’t go into at the moment, I’m making it my business.’
When she sat stubbornly silent, he sighed. ‘Oh, well, if you won’t tell me what happened, I’ll have to ask Longton.’
‘Do you really think he’d tell you?’ she demanded incredulously.
‘He might see sense. But if I have no alternative I’m prepared to beat it out of him.’
That quietly spoken threat should have seemed ridiculous, but she had no doubt—not only that Jonathan meant what he said, but that he could do it.
She shuddered, before asking caustically, ‘Wouldn’t it be easier to beat it out of me?’
‘I’ve never struck a woman in my life, and I’ve no intention of starting now. Though there are other more enjoyable ways…’ All at once he was standing over her, his eyes on her mouth.
Panic-stricken at the thought of him kissing her, she cried, ‘Don’t! Don’t you dare touch me… All right, I’ll tell you…’
‘Dear me,’ he murmured mildly. ‘If I’d realised what an effective approach that was I’d have used it earlier.’
‘And I thought Mark was good at intimidation,’ she said bitterly.
Jonathan’s smile was grim. ‘He might be good at intimidation, but, remembering how happy you looked when you left him, I strongly suspect he’s better at lying.’
‘I happen to believe him,’ she said stoutly.
‘If you’d care to tell me what he said, I’ll be able to judge for myself.’
Reluctantly, she said, ‘He denied it completely.’
‘And you believe that load of clap-trap?’ Jonathan asked incredulously. ‘Use your brains, Loris. He’s lied to you before and he’s lying to you now.’
Back on the see-saw of doubt, and hating it, she jumped to her feet, forcing him to step back a pace.
‘You’re wasting your time,’ she said coldly. ‘And I’d much prefer it if in future you stopped trying to interfere in my life and kept your nose out of Mark’s affairs. In fact it would be better all round if you went back to the States. Now, if you don’t mind, I want to leave.’
‘Would you like me to call you a taxi?’
‘No, thank you.’ Picking up her bag, she headed
for the door.
CHAPTER SEVEN
JONATHAN easily got there first, and for a moment she thought he was going to prevent her leaving, but instead he reached to open the door for her.
‘Au revoir, Miss Bergman.’
‘Goodbye, Mr Drummond.’
‘Oh, just one more thing…’
Like a fool, she paused and turned.
The door was promptly closed.
A split-second later her bag thudded to the floor, her arms were pinned to her sides, and his mouth was on hers.
This time she struggled hard, but he held her easily, effortlessly. When she attempted to kick his shins her feet were neatly hooked from beneath her, leaving her completely off balance.
At first his kiss was punitive, conveying only too clearly the anger he felt. But after a moment or two it gentled and turned into a series of soft, plucking baby-kisses, kisses that coaxed and beguiled and made her want to open her mouth to him.
Her lips pressed tightly together, she was trying to resist the temptation when, with a suddenness that caught her by surprise, he nipped her bottom lip between his teeth.
It was just hard enough to make her gasp, and he took instant advantage, deepening the kiss until the world reeled and heat surged through her body.
She was lost, mindless, when he lifted his head, and, setting her on her feet, bent to retrieve her bag and hand it to her.
An instant later there was a tap at the door, and it opened to admit one of the girls belonging to the junior staff.
Perhaps sensitive to atmosphere, she glanced curiously from one to the other. ‘Sorry to disturb you, Mr Drummond, but Mr Grant asked me to remind you about the meeting.’
‘Thank you, Caley. Please will you tell him I’ll be along directly?’
As, looking as though she’d like to linger, the girl turned to go, Jonathan said to Loris, ‘Well, I’ll say au revoir, Miss Bergman. Many thanks for your time and help… Allow me to see you out.’
His obsequious manner was contradicted by the devilish gleam in his eyes.
Gritting her teeth, she stalked past him without a word and, too agitated to wait for the lift, took the stairs down to the foyer.
It was still raining hard, and, retrieving her umbrella, she set off through the downpour. At the corner she spotted a cruising taxi and flagged it down. It would be the last straw if she was late for her appointment.
Marriage on the Agenda Page 10