Rising, he hurried across the room and wrenched open the door, causing Alexis Malvern to stagger and fall against him. Dropping the folder, he grabbed her and held her tightly with both hands, preventing her from dropping to the floor.
They were both so startled by this strange encounter that neither of them could speak for a moment. They just clung together, stupefied.
It was James who pulled himself together first. He righted her carefully, making sure she was properly balanced on her feet.
He stared at her. God, she was beautiful. Beyond belief.
She stared back, still disconcerted by this odd accident and discovered she couldn’t look away. His eyes were so blue, they were mesmerizing.
She blinked and took a deep breath. ‘I was just about to knock,’ she murmured by way of an explanation.
‘It was my fault,’ he answered swiftly. Taking her arm gently, he led her into his office. ‘I’m afraid I have a bad habit of rushing around, and wrenching doors open too quickly. I’m so sorry. I hope you’re not hurt?’
‘No, I’m not. I’m fine, thank you.’
‘Come and sit down for a moment, to recover your equilibrium.’ He led her across the room to a large window, in front of which two chairs and a small table stood.
She did as he asked, and watched him as he picked up several pieces of paper and a folder, which he placed on his desk.
Her reticule? Where was it? She then saw it still hanging on her arm. Letting out a sigh, she leaned back in the chair, attempting to relax.
A moment later he was leaning towards her, offering her a glass of water. Taking it from him, she thanked him, and began to drink. He sat down in the other chair and drank some of his own water.
After a while, he said, ‘I didn’t know you had started to come to the office. I thought it was to be next week.’
‘Oh, it is, you’re quite right!’ she exclaimed. ‘But I had a bite to eat with Lady Jane at midday, then we had to go and look at the outside of a house, which took all of twenty minutes. She had to leave me for another appointment afterwards. I had time to spare, so I thought I would come and say hello to you … and apologize for being so rude to you when you came to Goldenhurst. So, I’m sorry, Mr Falconer. I wasn’t very nice. I have no excuse for being so beastly. However, it was a bad period of time for me.’
James, though taken aback, said in an even voice, ‘Thank you for apologizing, Miss Malvern, and for taking the trouble to come here today. It’s very nice of you.’
‘I wanted it to be … well, a fresh start, since we are going to be working together, and for a whole year.’
She smiled, her green eyes sparkling with eagerness, with life, with warmth.
He inclined his head, wondering how on earth he was going to cope. He was experiencing that strange tension in the pit of his stomach again, blinded by her incredible natural beauty.
In the light from the window, her auburn hair was like a burnished helmet around her alabaster face. She was ravishing. And so desirable.
Suddenly realizing she was gazing at him intently, he cleared his throat and asked, ‘Do you wish me to introduce you to Peter Keller? Some of the other division heads?’
‘Oh, no, no, not at all. It’s not necessary. Actually, I came to see just you … to make amends, as I explained a moment ago.’
‘You have done so, and we’ll leave the introductions for next week. But since you are here, I would like to ask you a question. I’m not certain whether or not Mr Henry has told you that you will have to travel. To Hull, where the new arcade is a huge success, and to the arcades that you know in Leeds and Harrogate.’
‘He did mention it in passing. That doesn’t present a problem at all. He also explained that your contract finishes at the end of the year, after which you will leave Malvern’s, and I will become managing director.’ She paused and hesitated, before asking, ‘Do you think I’ll be ready?’
Without hesitation, he answered, ‘Absolutely. When you worked here before you were excellent. Nobody better. You’re very clever and intelligent. You’ll pick everything up very swiftly. You’ll see the changes I’ve made are not very huge. But they have succeeded.’
‘I’m glad you have faith in me, Mr Falconer,’ she said, and stood up. ‘I must leave you to get on with your work.’
‘Yes, and I must give these papers to Keller.’ Taking them from the desk, he went on, ‘Are you going to see Mr Henry now?’
‘Oh no, he’s not here. I believe he had a meeting at midday in Mayfair, and then went home.’
‘Is your carriage waiting outside?’
‘Yes, it is,’ she answered, and wanted to offer him a lift but didn’t dare.
‘Then I’ll escort you downstairs,’ he said in a firm voice. ‘I’ll just give this folder to Keller. He is in the next office to me.’
Once he had handed the folder to Keller, he left his office immediately. Alexis was waiting in the corridor and, putting his hand under her elbow, James walked with her down the staircase. Neither of them spoke, caught up in their own thoughts. About each other, although they did not know this.
After he had handed her up into her carriage, she lowered the window and her eyes locked on his.
‘I will do everything you want me to do, Mr Falconer,’ she promised. A small smile suddenly flickered on her mouth and was gone.
‘I sincerely hope you will, Miss Malvern,’ James answered, before turning and going back into the Malvern building without a backward glance.
When he was inside, he leaned against a wall, taking a few deep breaths. How would he be able to handle this situation? This woman spelled trouble. She had a terrible effect on him, aroused him in a way no other woman ever had.
He had never forgotten that trip to Paris, and how he had believed she felt the same as he did. Only to be discarded and avoided on their return to London.
Their odd collision in his doorway just now had been an accident, due to their timing. But oh, how it had thrilled him to hold her in his arms, her body pressed close to his, feeling that rush of desire, that stirring in his loins, the oncoming erection, which he had managed to control as he moved away from her as fast as possible.
He must endeavour to put distance between them when dealing with other matters. That was a given. And he must think with his head, not his heart. It occurred to him that he must include other people when he informed her about each division. The division heads must be present. That was important.
The contract was the key to his future, the beginning of his dream, his retailing empire. Nothing could get in his way, or block his rise. Not even Alexis Malvern.
THIRTY-THREE
What a relief it was to be in the cool, dark carriage. Alexis closed her eyes, trying to calm herself and gather her scattered senses as they drew away from Malvern House.
She was embarrassed and dismayed to recall how rudely she had behaved towards James Falconer when he had arrived at Goldenhurst to deliver her father’s letter. Her manners had been appalling that day. He hadn’t deserved that humiliation in front of Reggie and Jane. In fact, he hadn’t deserved any of her other slights and bad behaviour. Actually, he had been perfect in every way during their encounters. It was all her fault. She was totally to blame, and why she had been so mean she had no idea.
Of course, now he had the upper hand as managing director of Malvern’s. Although her father had explained he was easy to work with, he also pointed out that James was tough and ran a tight ship. ‘Don’t be surprised if you hear his private office called “the lion’s den”, which often happens. But I can assure you that his roar is worse than his bite.’
Alexis had smiled at this odd reference to his office. Lion’s den indeed, she thought, as the carriage moved along Piccadilly, pushing through the heavy late-afternoon traffic. He had been calm, charming and well mannered, and had accepted her apology at once. Batted it away genially.
She suddenly laughed to herself about the way she had tumbled into his office. A
total accident. She had been thrown against him unexpectedly, and now she realized how much she had wanted to be held by him. In fact, she had forgotten how good-looking he was. He was a real matinée idol, as the newspapers often called the very handsome young men who starred in stage plays in the West End. And he surely had an actor’s voice, melodious and cultured.
I like him, Alexis thought. Her mind still focused on Falconer. No, it’s much more than that, she decided. She was physically attracted to him, and rather strongly at that. A sigh trickled out of her as she admitted she really wanted him. Instantly, she saw a difficult time ahead. She must put him out of her mind and concentrate on learning how to run the business which one day would be hers.
She must also make an effort to go to Haven House, the charity she had started several years ago. And she would go because she had promised Jane. Claudia would be pleased, too, for her to be back on the team.
There were no two ways about it, Alexis knew she had to become truly involved with Haven House again, now that she had returned to London. But she must be on top of her form to be of any use to them. She was angry with herself that she had let those poor battered women down, and all because she had mooned too long for the man she loved who had died too young.
The women who came to Haven House did so because they had nowhere else to go to be safe from the men in their lives who abused them, treated them badly in the most horrendous ways. They needed to be taken care of, given comfort, both physically and mentally, and helped to become whole again.
She remembered how pitiful they had been, and yet how soon they had come alive again, knowing they were safe from harm, had food to eat, and decent clothes to wear. Yes, physical wounds healed fairly quickly, but the mental wounds took longer. The women needed to talk, to get things off their chests, to have someone who would listen to them, allow them to vent, to express their feelings.
Alexis knew she was not a psychologist, but she had been treated in Vienna by Dr Freud, and had learned a lot from him. She was equipped to handle some of the more terrified women, who were lost, felt helpless, unable to start over.
That would be her goal. To help those women who needed her the most. To help them to start again, to make new lives for themselves.
Her thoughts returned to Claudia. Always her closest friend, the daughter of Sebastian, who had had to become like a mother to her sisters after their real mother had died. She had run the house and been her father’s hostess. And had done it all very well without complaint.
Thankfully, they were still friends, after Claudia had driven down to Kent to give her a strong lecture about her behaviour and missing Lavinia’s birthday party. So Claudia had been tough with her, but the combination of toughness and yet true concern for her welfare had worked. Alexis had listened and had begun to see herself as she really was. Fat. And also she understood she had neglected herself; let her looks go to waste in the worst way.
There’s nothing like the truth, she decided. I will always tell the truth in the future. Even if the truth hurts.
Tilda was so thrilled to be back in Madame Valance’s elegant salon – amongst lovely clothes – that her excitement was infectious. Alexis hurried over to join her when she beckoned, smiling broadly. Tilda was holding a lime-green silk gown, and put it against Alexis’s body.
‘This colour is marvellous for you, Miss Alexis,’ Tilda said. ‘And look at that purple velvet jacket over there.’
Alexis followed the direction of her gaze, and nodded.
‘It’s so elegant, and it must go with that draped purple skirt made of taffeta.’ As she spoke, Alexis walked over to the outfit spread out on a long banquette, eyeing it critically.
At this moment, Madame Valance returned with several dresses over her arm, accompanied by her two assistants. After placing the outfits on the banquette, Madame Valance joined Alexis. Tilting her head slightly and smiling, the couturière said, ‘I’m so happy to see you in London, Miss Malvern, and looking so well. I can’t wait to see you in some of my latest creations.’
‘They all look wonderful, madame,’ Alexis responded, smiling at her. ‘I love this velvet jacket and the skirt, and the lime-green silk gown is a colour that suits me. I’d like to try on both of those, and perhaps you have some suits, the kind I could wear to work.’
The designer nodded. ‘I do, shall we go to a dressing room, mademoiselle?’
‘Oh yes, let’s do that,’ Alexis agreed warmly. Suddenly she was glad she had given in to Tilda’s pleadings to go shopping for new clothes.
She had been a little reluctant at first, but Tilda had talked her into it. In Kent she hadn’t really needed fancy, stylish dresses and outfits, but once back in London she had to be as elegant as she had been in the past.
The grey-and-white jacket-and-skirt suit she was wearing looked good on her, because Tilda had remade the jacket, brought it more up-to-date, and a large white silk rose on one of the lapels added a chic touch.
In the past, when she worked for her father, everyone had commented on her sense of style, and her good taste. Of course, she didn’t have much competition, as women who worked in offices were few and far between. She could only think of one other woman who went into an office every day, and she had inherited a bank. Like Alexis, that particular lady had been an only child.
When Tilda had finished helping her to get out of her suit, Alexis stepped into the lime-green dress, and waited as Tilda fastened the buttons down the back. Her maid stared at her when she had finished and exclaimed, ‘My goodness, Miss Alexis! Just look at yourself, here in the mirror.’ Tilda took hold of her arm and led her across the fitting room. ‘Look how the lime green makes your eyes look even greener, and your auburn hair even lovelier. That’s your crowning glory, it really is, Miss Alexis.’
Looking in the mirror, Alexis instantly knew why Tilda had been so startled. The lovely silk gown with a high frothy neckline, long tight sleeves with semi-mutton-chop shoulders, a slender tight skirt with a frill at the hemline, fitted her perfectly. And Tilda was right, her auburn hair appeared to shine.
Nodding her head, Alexis said to Tilda, ‘Shall we see what Madame Valance thinks?’
Tilda laughed. ‘She will be proud of her design, I know that, and happy that you are going to purchase the dress. You are, aren’t you?’
Laughing, Alexis said, ‘I certainly am, and I think I will like the purple velvet jacket and taffeta skirt as well. The skirt looks unique.’
Tilda opened the door of the fitting room, and Alexis walked out, smiling when she saw the beaming face of the designer.
‘Mon Dieu!’ Madame Valance exclaimed. ‘I must have been thinking of you, Miss Malvern, when I sat at my drawing board. The gown was made for you and only you.’
Sitting having a cup of tea with her father at their house in Mayfair, Alexis was explaining to him that she had been to Malvern House. And told him why. He looked the happiest that she’d seen him since she had been home, and this gave her a sense of happiness.
‘Well, done, darling. You’ve shown your true colours to Falconer, and to me. I think it was a wise move, a clever move, even though I know it was sincere on your part. You want to start with a clean slate.’
Alexis nodded. ‘At least he doesn’t appear to hold a grudge.’
‘He’s not that type. He’s down to earth, matter of fact. No side to him. Everyone treated with charm and grace. No wonder the staff love him,’ Henry said, picking up his cup. ‘You’ll get on with him all right, Alexis. You really will.’ Inside his head, Henry hoped it would go beyond that, become something … permanent.
A little later, Alexis went upstairs to her suite of rooms. She found Tilda ironing a dress in the wardrobe room which opened off the boudoir.
She looked up at the sight of Alexis, and said, ‘Good afternoon, Miss Alexis. Did you enjoy tea with Mr Malvern?’
Alexis nodded. ‘I did. I told him about the office this morning. I think it will be a challenge, but I need a challenge. It’ll
do me good, Tilda, working. Would you help me out of my clothes, please?’
Tilda did so, placing the jacket, dress, and underwear on a nearby chaise longue. She then slipped a silk robe on Alexis, and asked, ‘Do you want a massage, Miss Alexis?’
‘Thank you, Tilda, I’m fine. Instead, I’m going to have a soothing bath.’
Alone in the bathroom, Alexis took off the robe and hung it up. Then she went and stood in front of the cheval mirror in one corner. Staring at her naked body, studying herself, she slid her hands over her breasts, viewing them intently. They were full, quite voluptuous, but firm, did not droop at all. She smoothed one hand across her hip, and was glad she had dropped the weight. Yes, she had a lovely figure once again, and smiled, wondering if Falconer would like her body.
Turning away from the mirror, Alexis went to the bath and turned on both taps, filled the tub. After throwing in lavender bath salts, Alexis lowered herself into the tub of water.
Closing her eyes, she relaxed, letting the water lap around her. It was warm and soothing. As she lay there in the quietness, she let her mind wander, and inevitably she finally came back to the man she had seen earlier today.
James Lionel Falconer.
She placed her hands on her stomach. Thank God it was now flat, not blown up and bulging as it once had been. She allowed her hand to slide down to her mound, and touched herself gently. Then she simply drifted with her erotic thoughts, visualizing Falconer undressed, touching her, kissing her, and eventually taking her to him. Making love to her.
Oh yes, she did want that, wanted him. What about him? Maybe he wouldn’t want her, in view of their past, the unpleasantness. He was a sensual man. She was certain of that, and no doubt he liked women. He was so handsome. Women must have thrown themselves at his feet. Still did, no doubt. She felt a sudden rush of jealousy, and then smiled ironically. What right did she have to be jealous? No right at all.
She knew quite a lot about men, their moods, their desires and their needs. And Sebastian had taught her a great deal about pleasing a man, bringing him to ecstasy, pleasuring him.
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