Seducing the Secret Heiress

by Seducing the Secret Heiress (epub)

  ‘I’ll have to hit the gym when I get back,’ Gabe said after scraping the last remains of the crèmebrûlée from his ramekin. ‘How did you learn to cook like this if you’ve had no training?’

  Charlie’s nerves jumped to red alert. Her gaze dropped to her plate.

  ‘Er . . .’ She couldn’t really say the housekeeper, a series of nannies and the occasional caterer had allowed her into the kitchen during her parents’ endless series of dinners and cocktail parties. Or that she’d devoured her mother’s food magazines.

  ‘From my mum.’

  Her stomach tightened as another lie tumbled from her mouth. She’d had no idea that after the first one had been accepted, so many more would follow.

  ‘One day I’d like to meet her and thank her.’

  If Gabe didn’t fancy rich people, he’d despise her mother. Elizabeth Wentworth was a tireless charity worker as long as her face continued to mark the social pages. She could also add shameless socialite, professional gossip and absent mother to her resume.

  ‘I can’t believe it’s back to England tomorrow,’ Gabe said, leaning back in his chair.

  ‘Mmm.’ Charlie couldn’t bring herself to say anymore on that topic. ‘And I’m off to Milan.’

  ‘Be careful or you’ll spend every cent on leather jackets and handbags. Speaking of which, did you sort out the cash crisis?’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, fiddling with the napkin in her lap. She didn’t think she’d ever been more humiliated in her life. ‘I’m going to have to send you the money when I get home.’

  ‘Forget it. The clothes are a gift.’

  ‘Come on, Gabe, I insist on paying my way.’

  ‘Buy me a drink when you stop over in London on your way home.’

  She could tell she wasn’t going to win this fight. ‘Okay.’

  ‘Speaking of gifts, the kids and I bought you a present today.’

  Charlie sat straighter in her chair. ‘Aren’t I supposed to be thanking you? I’m the one who crashed your family holiday and can’t even pay my own way.’

  ‘I owe you a debt for life. You saved Amelia and before you arrived on the scene, I was only just managing the kids. But the last few days have been terrific for all of us, don’t you think?’ He looked at her for a long moment.

  A warm flush crept up her neck and the few glasses of prosecco she’d consumed had nothing to do with it.

  ‘Yes, it’s been great,’ she said a little breathlessly.

  Gabe reached under the table and pulled out a gaudily wrapped gift.

  ‘For you,’ he said as he passed it across the table. ‘The kids wrapped it.’

  A comforting joy touched her heart. Her presents were usually so professionally wrapped, she used to wonder if the was starched. She didn’t think she’d ever received anything that had actually been wrapped by the person giving it to her.

  ‘Gabe, you shouldn’t—’

  ‘We should and we did.’

  She pulled at the paper. A foot-tall Snoopy toy fell from the packaging. She held him up.

  ‘Can’t be without Snoopy for too long,’ he said.

  At that moment she didn’t think she’d ever been given a present that meant more.

  ‘Thanks. I love him,’ she said, hugging the toy to her chest. The silly plush toy would have a special place in her heart forever, just like the man who gave it to her.

  ‘The kids chose him.’ He reached under the table again. ‘And I chose this.’ Gabe slid a small, beautifully wrapped package across the tablecloth.

  She didn’t want to touch it. She simply wished the moment would last forever. Sitting on an Italian terrace listening to the sound of the waves with Gabe.

  ‘Go on,’ he said, pushing the present a little closer. His encouraging smile sent her pulse racing.

  She unwrapped it carefully, not wanting to rip the paper. She opened the rectangular, sapphire-blue box and separated the soft pink tissue paper. A delicate silver bracelet lay in fine tissue. She slid it tentatively from the box and held it in her hand.

  ‘Oh, Gabe. It’s beautiful.’

  Gabe stood and walked around to her.

  ‘May I?’ he asked.

  She held up the bracelet. He took it and clicked the clasp around her wrist.

  ‘There. Now you won’t be allowed to forget us.’ He held her hand up so she could admire the bracelet. It held one charm: a little silver Leaning Tower of Pisa. The air sizzled between them but Gabe let her hand fall and stepped back. She looked away, sure disappointment was showing across her face.

  ‘Well, we’ve got an early start,’ he said. ‘I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to wrangling those kids onto the plane,’ he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. ‘Coming out, Rupert spent his time running up and down the cabin singing a pirate song and pretending to climb a ship’s mast.’

  Charlie laughed as casually as she could manage. But they were parting company in the morning and a dull ache of foreboding had lodged in her stomach.

  ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine.’ She sounded lame, but she couldn’t manage witty.

  ‘Okay,’ Gabe replied, again taking another step back and picking up the dishes. He looked at her for a long time. ‘See you in the morning.’ He disappeared inside.

  Charlie slumped back in her chair. She was determined to find her own way in the world, on her own terms, so why was watching Gabe walk away so hard?

  Gabe flipped onto his back again. He couldn’t get comfortable. Sleep eluded him. His thoughts kept straying to Charlie, who lay in a bed just a few metres away.

  He’d so nearly asked her to come back to England with him. But she was in Italy to recover from her low-life fiancé. He shouldn’t mess with that. Anyway, she lived on the other side of the world.

  He shifted again onto his side.

  They were leaving for England and Charlie would continue her Italian trip and return to Australia. That was just the way it had to be.

  But the image of her beautiful face shining as she gazed at the bracelet had him thumping his pillow with frustration.

  The morning came with an insane rush of last-minute packing, bolted breakfast and the hauling of suitcases. Before she knew it, Charlie was holding Rupert’s hand and standing on the pavement outside the apartment building. Gabe and Amelia were making a final check of the apartment. A taxi idled outside, waiting for them to bring the remaining suitcases.

  ‘Right, all present and accounted for,’ Gabe said as he emerged from the apartment block. He hoisted the last of the bags into the boot of the taxi. ‘Okay, kids, time to say goodbye to Charlie.’

  The children rushed at her and she kneeled to cuddle them both. Tears blurred her vision but she quickly blinked them back.

  ‘We’ve had such a good time, haven’t we?’ she said, pulling them close.

  Rupert sniffed. ‘Will we ever see you again?’

  ‘Of course, darling. I’ll be coming to England in a few weeks. Just overnight, but we might be able to catch up then.’

  ‘Okay,’ he said, but his arms tightened around her neck.

  ‘Sorry, chaps, we have to go. We’ll miss our flight,’ Gabe said, gently drawing the children towards the taxi.

  Charlie helped bundle them into their seats. Then once again she and Gabe were facing each other on an Italian pavement.

  ‘Well, thanks again,’ Charlie started formally. ‘I’ll give you a ring when—’

  ‘Come here.’ Gabe pulled her into a hug. ‘I’m going to miss you,’ he whispered in her ear. He stepped away quickly and slid into the cab. ‘Make sure you call me when you arrive. Bye.’

  ‘Bye,’ she said with a little wave. She hoped her face didn’t reveal the despair taking hold.

  The cab shot off down the street and Charlie stared after the vehicle until it turned out of sight. She leaned down to pick up her new backpack. This finding life on your own terms sometimes just sucked.

  ‘Airport,’ Gabe said to the taxi driver.

/>   He turned and just caught sight of Charlie picking up her pack before she disappeared from view.

  ‘I like Charlie,’ Amelia said from the back seat.

  ‘I do too,’ Gabe answered.

  ‘She saved me.’

  ‘Yes, we will always owe her big time for that.’

  Owe her! What was he doing?

  ‘Turn around,’ he said urgently to the driver.

  ‘Que?’

  Gabe made a frantic circle gesture with his fingers.

  He owed her and there he was leaving her on the street. She obviously she had money trouble. No, she was coming with him until he was sure she was okay.

  The taxi turned into the street where they’d left Charlie. Gabe scanned the pavement. She’d gone. He swallowed hard against the bile that rose in his throat. What if he couldn’t find her?

  ‘Train station,’ he said pointing to a sign down the street. ‘Go to the train station.’ The taxi driver understood and followed Gabe’s directions.

  He spotted her. Shoulders hunched, trudging slowly forward. He expelled a long breath. The taxi pulled up behind her.

  ‘Turns out there’s a spare seat on the plane with your name on it,’ he called out the window.

  She snapped her head around. He laughed hard at her shocked expression.

  He got out. ‘Forget Italy. Spend the last of your holiday in London. I know a great place you can stay. And all above board, I promise.’

  She stared open mouthed.

  ‘Come on, Charlie. The kids are distraught.’ The kids giggled in the background.

  ‘All right, she said slowly as if considering the proposition carefully. ‘But there’s something I need . . . Ah . . .’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Nothing.’ She pulled her pack from her shoulders and he threw it in the boot. Charlie shuffled into the back seat with the kids.

  ‘So, what’s England like?’ she asked.

  ‘Rainy,’ Amelia said instantly.

  ‘You’ll love it,’ Gabe countered.

  He wondered if he ever wanted his debt to Charlie to be fully paid.

  Chapter Five

  The English weather lived up to its reputation. All the way into London from Heathrow airport, Charlie watched the drizzle slide down the taxi windows.

  They’d said goodbye to Amelia and Rupert at Gabe’s sister’s house. She’d liked Emma immediately. Emma had hugged her for the longest time. She’d said she’d never be able to thank her enough for saving Amelia’s life. People seemed to really love Charlie Brown.

  As the taxi slowed in front of an enormous Victorian terrace house in the fashionable area of Notting Hill, Charlie’s eyes widened. When Gabe opened the front door for her, she stood and stared.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said.

  Their little apartment in Genoa had been cute and practical. It hadn’t crossed her mind that Gabe might be rich, but the instant she entered his home, she was surrounded by the trappings of a very successful man.

  ‘I guess,’ he said dismissively.

  He led her through to the living room. A smattering of gorgeous antiques highlighted the room. Two classic Chesterfield sofas in deep burgundy rested on a gold thread Persian carpet. A huge, gilt-framed mirror dominated one wall and reflected back the luxury. The muted lamp lighting was complemented by the soft glow from a crystal chandelier set in the ornate ceiling that rose high above them. The room epitomised old England and serious affluence.

  Gabe set the bags down.

  ‘We need a drink,’ he said and disappeared from the room.

  Charlie walked slowly around admiring the various ornaments and the photographs. Some of the people in the photos looked vaguely familiar.

  On the mantelpiece a gold mask caught her eye. She leaned forward and read the plaque.

  ‘Gabe Grenville, Director of Fiction, Celebrity Shipwreck, Grenville Productions,’ she read aloud. ‘British Academy of Film and Television Art.’

  Her eyes bulged. So Gabe wasn’t just some television executive. He owned the company.

  Gabe returned holding two glasses. He held one out to her.

  ‘Gin and tonic,’ he said.

  Charlie put her hands on her hips. ‘I don’t think you’ve been completely honest with me, Mr Grenville.’

  Did I just say that? What a hypocrite.

  ‘Hmm,’ Gabe said, popping both glasses on the coffee table.

  ‘You said you were a TV executive,’ she said.

  ‘I am.’

  She pointed to the statuette.

  ‘Okay.’ Gabe took a seat on the fine leather. ‘Yes, I own a production company.’

  ‘What sort of shows do you make?’ she asked, taking the seat opposite.

  ‘Just reality television.’

  ‘Doesn’t look like there is anything “just” about it.’

  He shrugged.

  ‘Would I know any of your shows?’

  He considered for a moment. ‘At the moment Australia is showing Garden Rescue and My Life After Lotto.’

  ‘I love Garden Rescue,’ she exclaimed.

  Gabe grinned. ‘Produced and directed.’

  She put her glass down and walked back to the mantelpiece. Picking up the statue, she admired it more closely.

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were some hot-shot TV director?’

  He took a slow sip of his drink as if he were considering the question carefully.

  ‘I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to escape the whole scene for a while. It can be pretty intense.’

  ‘Did you think I’d want you to make me a star?’ she teased, giving a little sway of her hips.

  The expression that flared across his face made her wish she could snatch back the words and crumple them in her hands. She quickly sat down on the sofa opposite him.

  Gabe peered at his glass and clinked the ice against the sides.

  ‘It’s been a problem in the past,’ he said with ill-disguised bitterness.

  ‘Oh.’ She snatched up her glass and glanced around the room, desperate for something tospark a change of conversation.

  ‘You have a beautiful house.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  Silence.

  Gabe’s usually sparkling eyes grew dark and brooding. She suddenly felt like an unwelcome visitor.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, leaning forward. ‘I’ve obviously put my foot in it.’

  ‘No, it’s not you.’ He paused for a long moment. ‘Before I left on holiday I’d just wrapped up an ugly court case that had dragged on for years. The woman suing me had been a cast member on one of my shows.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Don’t worry.’ He drained his drink. ‘I won.’

  The ferocity of his voice surprised her. She sipped her drink as she didn’t know what else to do or say.

  Placing his empty glass on the coffee table, Gabe stood up.

  ‘I’ll show you your room. Then I have to work.’ He walked briskly into the hall.

  Charlie followed with a heavy heart. Had Gabe only invited her to stay to repay what he considered his debt for saving Amelia’s life? All the fun of their Italian adventure seemed a distant memory.

  Gabe left Charlie to settle in and unpack. He couldn’t concentrate until he’d fleshed out the concept for First-Class Chef. He took a seat in front of his computer in his office and began to type. After a few sentences, he stopped and leaned back in his chair.

  Make me a star. He hated that those words had tumbled from Charlie’s mouth. Of course, she’d only meant it as a joke, but still, things had changed now she knew who he was.

  He rubbed his hand across his brow. The days they’d spent in Italy together had been magic. Charlie’s charming company; Charlie’s fabulous dinners; no talk of work except for a brilliant new concept; no starlets clamouring for his attention. No-one wanting anything from him.

  His body reacted instantly as the image of Charlie in her black bikini burst into his mind. Slowly his eyes focused back on th
e screen. He shrugged his shoulders. Oh well, he had to succumb to reality sometime. Soon she’d be on the other side of the world and his life would be consumed by castings and production schedules once more.

  He ran his hand through his hair as he waited for inspiration to strike. His eyes settled on the glass-fronted cabinet. Although it was stuffed full of various statuettes and awards, the big one still eluded him. Not an Oscar in sight. His movie script had been bouncing around LA for years. Not one bite.

  He turned back to his computer and tapped out an introduction, striking the keys just a little too hard.

  Charlie wandered back down the stairs. Gabe wasn’t in the living room so she went looking for him.

  At the back of the house she found the kitchen. Although it was huge, it wasn’t a cook’s kitchen. She walked around the vast room and peeked in some of the cupboards. No mortar and pestle, no wooden chopping boards and clearly the stove had rarely been used. She ran her finger over the highly polished surface. If ever.

  The pantry stood empty of cooking essentials. No oils. No vinegars. No spices.

  She vowed one day she’d come back and fit out Gabe’s kitchen with some decent utensils. A thank you for all his help. Of course, she might also have to teach him to cook.

  Back in the hall, she admired the art work on the walls. Further down the corridor, she could hear Gabe tapping at a keyboard. She hesitated. Surely it was only polite to let him know she was going out. She crept down the corridor and peered into his study.

  Gabe was hunched over his computer. He didn’t look up.

  She bit her lip. As she retreated, she bumped into the wall.

  He glanced up, but immediately returned to his work. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Sorry to disturb you, but I’m just going out to buy some milk and other things.’

  ‘Okay.’ Gabe stopped typing and read over the words on his screen, completely engrossed. The change in his demeanour unnerved her. In Italy, he’d been so attentive.

  She stepped from the room and closed the door. Accepting his invitation to stay had been a mistake. She was clearly intruding. London had changed everything.

  She walked down the hall and opened the front door. She drew her cardigan further across her chest; more drizzle and the temperature was dropping, but it wasn’t the weather that made her shiver. Gabe didn’t want her in his house. The holiday friendship wasn’t the same in London.