Mortified by her reckless, uninhibited surrender, Eleri forced herself to go limp for an instant, then gave a sudden, violent heave which precipitated her over the side of the bed into a sprawling heap on the floor. For a moment she stayed there, her body vibrating with her still clamouring senses, then she scrambled awkwardly to her feet to face James, who was kneeling on the bed, his appalled eyes wide with shock.
Eleri tugged down her sweater, thrust her tumbled hair out of her eyes and manhandled James back against the pillows.
‘Eleri, I thought I was dreaming,’ he said through chattering teeth. ‘What can I say? I’m hellish sorry. Did I—hurt you?’
‘No.’ She let out a long, shaky breath. ‘You didn’t know me.’
James’s eyes met hers. ‘I really did think I was dreaming. But I knew it was you.’
Shaken and crimson-faced, Eleri took a look at her watch. A while to go yet before his next medication. ‘If you can make it unaided to the bathroom,’ she said unevenly, ‘I’ll change the bed. You’ve been perspiring pretty freely.’
‘Sweating like a pig, you mean.’
‘Try to stand up.’
James got to his feet with care, and professed himself able to manage unaided.
‘Don’t have a shower this time,’ she ordered, and went to the chest for a fresh pair of pyjamas. ‘Just rub yourself down with a bathtowel and put these on.’
He took them from her, eyeing her morosely, and headed for the bathroom. Eleri stripped the bed as quickly as she could manage with trembling hands, and remade it just in time for James to slide, shivering, between the covers.
‘I wish my thermostat would start working properly,’ he said irascibly. ‘I’m either freezing or at boiling point. Is it time for more pills?’
‘Not quite yet. Don’t worry, I’ll wake you,’ she assured him.
‘And if I go berserk again hit me over the head with a book,’ he ordered as Eleri settled back into her nest of blankets. ‘I’m hellish sorry I frightened you.’
‘You didn’t frighten me, exactly.’ Which was true enough. It was her own behaviour which had scared her witless, not his. ‘No harm done. Try to sleep.’
‘What if I attack you again?’
‘I’ll be better prepared next time. But there won’t be a next time. Would you like me to read to you again?’
James shook his head, eyeing her closely. ‘You’ve got circles under your eyes.’
‘So have you.’ She smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I’m tired, not ill. I’m as strong as a horse.’ Which she devoutly hoped would be proved true, because it would be nothing short of a miracle if she escaped infection, one way and another.
‘Talk to me,’ he commanded, sliding lower in the bed. ‘Tell me about yourself. Has it been hard, Eleri, to make such a change in your life?’
‘Harder than I expected,’ she admitted, glad of a less inflammatory topic of conversation. ‘Don’t mis-understand—I love my family. But running the coffee-shop doesn’t stretch me the way the Northwold job did.’ She smiled ruefully. ‘Nor can I get away so easily. These days I need a special dispensation to get to London for a weekend.’
He frowned. ‘Life must be a touch on the quiet side for you.’
Eleri nodded. ‘But I’ll get used to it. At least my parents are happy. I used to talk about getting a job in London, which my typically Latin father found hard to take. He’d prefer me to copy my sister Claudia. She didn’t leave home until she married.’
James smiled. ‘Not your idea of a good move, I take it.’
‘No.’ She looked at her watch. ‘Right. I think you can take your pills now.’
James groaned. ‘Which means half a gallon of water again, I suppose?’
‘Absolutely.’ Eleri stood over him while he drank it down, then ordered him off to the bathroom again.
‘Have you thought of joining the army?’ he demanded bitterly as he slid out of bed. ‘You’d make a great sergeant major.’
‘Don’t be ungrateful.’ She held out a dressing gown. ‘Here, put this on.’
He glared at her, but slid his arms into it and made for the bathroom—looking, she noted, brightening, a lot steadier than before. She tidied the bed quickly, turned back a corner of the sheet neatly, then wrapped herself in her blankets and curled up in the chair before James came back to get into bed.
‘You didn’t wait to tuck me up,’ he said accusingly.
Eleri smiled sweetly. ‘Since I’m neither your nanny nor an army sergeant I decided you could manage that by yourself. I think you’re on the mend.’
‘No, I’m not,’ he said instantly. ‘I need a lot more tender, loving care.’
‘This is a one-off tonight, James. Tomorrow you can fend for yourself.’ She laughed at his look of dismay. ‘I’ve got a job to do.’
‘I know,’ he said morosely. ‘And it isn’t even with me at Northwold.’
‘No,’ she agreed, suddenly depressed. ‘It isn’t. Goodnight, James. Try to sleep.’ And to call a halt to any more talking she switched off the light.
To Eleri’s surprise she slept quite heavily, despite the confines of the chair, and woke with a start when her watch alarm went off at five-fifteen. All was quiet in the room as she got up stiffly to check on the invalid. James was sleeping very tidily, all the covers neatly drawn up to his chin. He looked pale and hollow-cheeked, the dark stubble along his jaw no help to his appearance, but despite the dark rings under his closed eyes he looked better. His lids shot up as she bent over him, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.
‘Hi,’ he said hoarsely.
‘Hi, yourself.’ Eleri straightened, pushing her hair behind her ears. ‘How do you feel?’
James thought for a moment. ‘I’m not up to running a marathon, but compared with yesterday I feel a hell of a lot better.’
‘Good. Here are your pills. You’re down to two at a time now. And,’ she added, smiling at him, ‘instead of water, I’ll make you some tea.’
‘Wonderful!’ He caught her by the hand. ‘What would I have done without you?’
‘Made your own tea, I suppose!’
CHAPTER SIX
ONCE James had taken his medication and drunk enough liquid to satisfy her, Eleri folded the blankets she’d slept in and left them in a neat pile on the chest at the foot of the bed.
‘Are you going now?’ James asked quietly.
‘No. But there’s no point in trying to sleep again at this hour. Not for me, anyway. You, on the other hand, can do with all the sleep you can get for a while, as a healing process.’ Eleri smiled at him cheerfully. ‘I’m going next door for a bath, then I shall haul Nico out of bed and raid your fridge to make him some breakfast. I shall bully you into eating something, too.’
He tugged at a forelock. ‘Yes, ma’am. And Eleri...’ he added as she went to the door.
‘Yes?’
‘Thank you.’
She smiled and went out of the room, suddenly desperate to remove the clothes she’d slept in and soak in a hot bath for a while. Afterwards, a towel swathed round her damp hair, she opened James’s door a crack and found that he was sleeping, just as she’d hoped.
Deciding it was too early to disturb Nico, Eleri went up to the kitchen, made herself some coffee and toast, and ate it in blissful solitude at James’s kitchen table with only Radio Four for company. Later, when Nico arrived in the kitchen ready in the sober uniform of his school, she won his deep approval by presenting him with a plate of bacon and eggs.
‘Fab! How’s James?’ he asked. ‘I popped my head round his door just now, but he was sleeping.’
‘He’s not wonderful, but he’s a lot better. The medication’s working. His temperature’s down this morning.’
‘Was he off his head again last night at all?’
‘Only once. Nothing I couldn’t handle.’ Eleri busied herself with pouring coffee to hide her heightened colour.
‘Are you staying here today, El? I could come back again tonight, if
you like,’ he offered eagerly, mouth full.
‘I thought you had football practice.’
‘I do, but I could come round after that.’
Eleri laughed. ‘So you can take advantage of my kind heart and stay up late again, I suppose?’
‘No,’ he retorted, wounded. ‘I just thought I could help, that’s all.’
‘And you did,’ she said warmly. ‘I’d never have got James off the floor without you.’
‘He’s cool,’ said Nico casually, downing his coffee. ‘I like him.’
‘Good. In that case you can go downstairs and see if he’s awake.’
While Eleri was clearing away his breakfast Nico came bounding back. ‘James is awake, but he doesn’t look all that marvellous, El.’
‘No. He’s only marginally better than yesterday,’ she agreed, frowning, and ushered her brother out into the hall. ‘Mind how you get that bike out. Are you warm enough in just a blazer?’
‘Those are Ma’s lines, not yours!’ He grinned, wheeled his bicycle outside carefully, punched the air in salute and rode off, leaving Eleri staring after him, hugging her arms across her chest. After a moment she breathed in deeply, shut the door, and went downstairs to ask James what he wanted for breakfast.
‘I’m not exactly ravenous, Nurse,’ he said warily.
‘I don’t imagine you are. How about a spoonful of scrambled egg and a finger or two of toast?’
He heaved a deep sigh. ‘For you, Miss Conti, anything.’
She smiled slyly. ‘Or you could have some devilled kidneys.’
‘How you do go on about kidneys,’ he said, shuddering. ‘Never mention them in my hearing again—devilled or otherwise. Scrambled eggs would be wonderful. And good, strong coffee? I lust for caffeine.’
When Eleri returned with a loaded tray a few minutes later, James pressed her to stay and keep him company while he ate.
‘Because I’ve had an idea,’ he said, as he began on his breakfast.
Eleri poured herself some coffee and sat down, looking at him expectantly.
‘This is good,’ he said appreciatively. ‘I’m more hungry than I thought.’
‘You ate nothing yesterday,’ she reminded him. ‘What was this idea?’
‘When you were talking about the coffee-shop you worried me, Eleri,’ he said, surprising her.
‘Really? Why?’
‘There was such a trapped, hunted look about you. So I gave it some thought. If I approached your parents personally, told them how much I’d like you back at Northwold, perhaps they’d find it easier to part with you.’
She poured coffee for him and took the empty plate away. ‘They might.’
James looked at her over his cup. ‘They’d have to part with you one day, anyway. In the natural way of things you’re unlikely to work at either the coffee-shop or Northwold for ever.’
She frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Eleri, you’re clever, good-looking, highly efficient and—more of a rarity—compassionate. You proved that beyond all doubt last night by staying here to care for me.’ James smiled at her. ‘Some lucky guy’s bound to sweep you off with him sooner or later—and, hey presto, a home of your own.’
Eleri smiled wryly. ‘But I wouldn’t be living alone in it.’
‘Is that what you want?’
‘Yes. Preferably in a flat like this. Unlike you, I’ve never had a place of my own. Time for your pills,’ she added inexorably.
When the ritual was over James looked at her intently. ‘You haven’t commented on the bit I threw in there, about coming back to Northwold. Change your mind, Eleri. I never really suspected you of leaking information, but placed as we were I was forced to ask. So forgive me. Please. And come back?’
She eyed him curiously. ‘But why, James? Surely there must be someone out there who could easily take my place.’
‘I want someone who can use her own initiative—someone, moreover, who knows the brewing industry inside out.’ He coughed a little, then lay back against the pillows. ‘I need someone I can trust to keep things functioning smoothly when I’m away from the office—accompany me sometimes on my travels when an assistant’s called for. In short—you, Eleri.’
The prospect of travelling anywhere with James Kincaid was so ravishing it took Eleri’s breath away. She sat motionless for a moment, thinking furiously. If she asked them she knew perfectly well her parents would find someone to replace her at the restaurant. In which case it was a bit silly to refuse the Northwold job solely because of her secret feelings for the managing director. After all, she reminded herself, they were nothing new. Nor was the episode last night anything to worry about either. That had been an accident arising from James’s delirium, with no danger of any future repetition. If she did go back to Northwold all she had to do was make sure her future relationship with James remained a purely businesslike arrangement. Just as it had always been.
‘I’ll think it over,’ she said slowly at last.
James brightened. ‘Does that mean you’ll discuss it with your family?’
‘When the right moment presents itself, yes.’
‘How about this evening?’
Eleri smiled. ‘Are things so bad back at the office, then?’
‘Utter chaos,’ he said promptly. ‘Which will only get worse if I’m off sick for a while.’
‘Which you will be,’ she assured him. ‘Nico went back to school too soon after his dose of flu and had to take more time off. And he,’ she added with cruel emphasis, ‘is a supremely fit teenager.’
‘You mean a doddering old chap like me needs to be more careful!’
Eleri grinned. ‘I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but yes. At least wait until you’ve finished the antibiotics.’
‘If you’re willing to stay here and nurse me I’m happy to stay off work indefinitely,’ he said promptly, eyes dancing. Then he sobered. ‘But seriously, I can manage perfectly well now, Eleri. You look tired. It’s time you went home.’
‘I thought I’d stay here until after lunch. Then I’ll go home, and pop back here for an hour this evening and organise dinner,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘You won’t need to take any pills through the night, so you can manage on your own after that.’
He nodded morosely. ‘I know. But I’ll miss my nurse.’
Suddenly Eleri felt irritated. It was all well and good to be praised for her compassion as a nurse and her efficiency as an assistant. But it would be rather nice if James Kincaid simply thought of her as a woman for once—preferably when he was in his right mind, and not hallucinating.
Later that evening Eleri dined with her family before her parents went off, as usual, to the trattoria.
‘You look tired, cara,’ said her father disapprovingly. ‘This man Kincaid. Has he no family he can call on to look after him?’
Eleri explained the circumstances. ‘I could hardly leave him, Pa. He was very ill last night.’
‘Looked terrible,’ agreed Nico. ‘He’s a nice bloke, though, Pop. You’d like him.’
Mario Conti’s expression made it plain he doubted that very much. ‘Eleri, I trust you are not intending to spend another night with this man?’
She shook her head. ‘After this I’m going over there for an hour to give him something to eat, then I’m coming home. Don’t worry,’ she added rather cuttingly, ‘I’ll be ready to report for duty in the morning.’
‘That’s not fair!’ said her mother sharply. ‘We weren’t worried on that score, and well you know it, my girl.’
‘Yes. I do,’ said Eleri with contrition. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘If she does need to stay with James, I can go with her,’ offered Nico eagerly.
‘James, is it?’ said Catrin.
‘He said to call him that,’ said Nico indignantly. ‘And I was a help, just as you said.’
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ she retorted, and eyed Eleri’s abandoned meal anxiously. ‘Not hungry?’
‘No.’
Mario frowned. ‘Do you feel ill?’
‘No. Just tired.’ She turned heavy dark eyes on his face. ‘And nervous. I’ve got something to say, and I’m trying to find the best way to go about it.’
Nico eyed her uneasily. ‘Want me to go?’
‘No.’ She smiled at him, a hint of appeal in her eyes.
He looked at her narrowly for a moment, then returned the smile. ‘I wanted more pudding anyway.’
‘What is it, Eleri?’ her mother asked anxiously. ‘Is it something to do with the coffee-shop?’
‘Yes.’ Eleri breathed in deeply. ‘Now please don’t be hurt, but this has to be said. I’m just not suited to the coffee-shop. I miss the kind of work I did at Northwold. So I think I’ll revert to my original plan and start applying for jobs in London.’
Her father stiffened visibly. ‘You mean leave Pennington?’
She nodded. ‘I love you all. You know that. But, unlike Vicky and most of my friends, I’ve never had a place of my own.’ She gave a nervous little chuckle. ‘I’m a dinosaur—an anachronism.’
‘Time to leave home when you marry!’ stated her father flatly.
‘Pa, don’t be so medieval!’ said Eleri in despair.
‘You never talked about London jobs when you worked at Northwold,’ said Catrin thoughtfully, getting up to collect plates.
‘But I used to go to London at weekends.’
‘You still can do that, if you give us notice,’ interjected her father.
‘I know! That’s not what I’m talking about.’
‘No more now,’ advised her mother. ‘We’ll discuss it later.’
‘It won’t make any difference,’ warned Eleri.
Catrin Conti gave her a quelling look. ‘Leave it for now. I’ve made a pan of cawl. You can take it over to Mr Kincaid for his supper, and there’s enough to be reheated tomorrow. I expect he can manage to do that for himself.’
‘He’s a pretty competent sort of man, Mother,’ said Eleri tartly. ‘Normally I imagine he can manage most things. That’s what he is by profession after all—managing director at the Gloucester plant of Northwold.’ She bit her lip. ‘But thank you, that was a very kind thought. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.’
Bargaining With The Boss (Harlequin Romance) Page 7