“I would never have guessed.” He smiled woefully and Georgina didn’t miss the sarcasm in his tone.
“Do you like nature? You know, animals, icebergs, that kind of thing?” Georgina narrowed her eyes. Was he taunting her?
“Sure, I watch National Geographic,” she shrugged off-handedly. She really hadn’t thought about it much. “Oh, and I go skiing every year.”
“Really, well that’s something I suppose. Where do you ski?”
“I have a chalet in Klosters. That’s in Switzerland,” she added, at his blank look.
“Ah, isn’t that where your royal family hang out?” he asked.
“Yes, that’s the place! My father bought it for me for my twenty-first birthday, but I haven’t used it much in the last six years.”
“I see.” He looked doubtful.
“If you’re worried about the expedition, don’t be. I came prepared,” she felt obliged to tell him.
“In Antarctica, coming prepared means a little more than making sure you’ve packed your hairdryer.” His tone was gentle, but there was no mistaking his meaning. What did he think she was, some airhead without a brain? She bit her tongue and forced herself not to react. It would not do to get off on the wrong foot now, would it?
Instead she smiled vacantly and said in her best airhead voice, “I’m sure I’ll be fine. After all, it’s a cruise liner. How hard can it be?”
He made an odd coughing noise and chocked out, “Cruise liner? You think we’re going on the QE2? Perhaps its time you read the brochure.”
“Well no, of course not the QE2, but something similar?” she said in a small voice. Eric had assured her it was a big ship, fully equipped.
Taj Andrews gave her a wry grin, “Not exactly. It’s a former Russian research vessel, which is a nice way of saying spy ship. It’s purpose-built to navigate the frozen waters of the Russian arctic. We’re hiring it for this expedition.”
“Ah, well that’s all right then.” What was his problem?
“Have you ever seen one?”
“Sure, in pictures. They’re big, well equipped and warm.” She tried smiling at him and attempted a joke, “What more could a girl want?”
He didn’t smile back.
“Just make sure you bring warm clothes okay. Last year we couldn’t get the heaters to work on board until the voyage home.”
That did not sound like fun.
She tried to appear upbeat. “I’ve got my ski jacket and my Sheepskin Uggs, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
She would never admit that she’d taken one look in her wardrobe and rushed out in a blind panic to buy everything from thermal underwear and polar fleece’s to snow goggles and a GPS in the outdoor store. Whether she’d actually use any of them she wasn’t so sure. The goggles made her look like Ugly Betty and if anyone at her magazine saw her sporting a thermal vest she’d be ostracised on the spot. One could not make those kind of fashion fauxpas in the magazine industry. She made a mental note to take the tags off everything as soon as she reached her hotel room in Santiago just in case, or on second thoughts – she cast a glance at the sombre Taj - maybe she’d just leave them on.
She saw him glance at the big diving watch on her wrist.
“You dive?” he asked with interest.
“Nope. It’s my father’s, or it was before he died.”
“So he was a diver?”
She shook her head. “My mother gave it to him. I don’t think he ever used it for diving. Strange isn’t it? I’ve often wondered why she gave him a diving watch as a gift.”
“Perhaps he used to dive when he was younger?”
She pondered that for a moment. “Mm… unlikely, my father was a newspaper editor and a workaholic. He hardly had time for me, let alone recreational activities.”
Taj raised an eyebrow. “Like father, like daughter perhaps?”
Georgina started at him thinking that was a bit presumptuous. “There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious,” she said curtly. Taj raised an eyebrow, probably at her sudden defensiveness. “No, there isn’t. But there is something wrong with not ever having any fun, or any time for your family.”
Were they talking about her or her father now? She wasn’t sure, but she didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Too personal for you?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.
For a moment she stared back. Did this man not have any boundaries? They’d only just met. She didn’t talk about her relationship with her parents with anyone. Not even Charles.
“Yes, actually,” she replied.
He turned away and broke eye contact.
“Sorry, I tend to be a little direct sometimes. It often gets me into trouble. I think it’s because so often people pretend to be something they’re not. You know what I mean? I like to try and cut through all that.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” she said softly. After all, it was why she became a writer.
The plane reached its cruising altitude and levelled out. The seatbelt lights went off and Taj unbuckled and pushed his chair back into a reclining position. Georgina reopened her laptop, pulled the blind down again and settled in to work, trying to ignore the man beside her. When she did risk a glance, she saw he’d closed his eyes, and was breathing evenly. She tried to read his biography, but concentration evaded her. She found it impossible to study her subject when he was slumped so casually in the seat next to her, his powerful thigh inches away from hers, his long muscular legs extended into the aisle. She studied his face. How could a man possibly have eyelashes that long? They were almost stroking his bronzed cheekbones. She sighed. He was just too distracting. She had to admit, the February issue would be a sell out with him on the cover.
A few hours later Georgina was desperate for the ladies. In order to get there she had to climb over Taj Andrews’ sleeping frame. Although still asleep he was taking up every inch of space. Georgina sighed and shifted in her chair. She hailed a passing air hostess.
“Excuse me, is there another vacant seat anywhere, I tend to walk about a lot on planes and…” she nodded at Taj Andrew’s sleeping form.
The airhostess smiled knowingly. “I’ll just see what’s available,” she promised and sashayed down the aisle. Georgina sighed again. What were the chances? She wriggled out of her seat and tried to climb over the sleeping photographer.
She had managed to get one leg over and was straddling him when he suddenly woke up. Georgina stared, horrified, as he opened his long lashes and focused on her. She wobbled and balanced herself by putting a hand on his thigh. It was rock solid.
“Sorry,” she said a little breathlessly. If she removed her hand she’d fall forwards onto him, so she had no choice but to keep gripping his leg. She flushed with embarrassment.
“Don’t be,” he murmured disconcertingly his eyes lowered to her skirt which was stretched to breaking point across his knees. “I’m quite enjoying this.”
Georgina sighed. The man was incorrigible. “If you hadn’t noticed, I’m trying desperately to get past you. Now that you’re awake, would you mind leaning back a bit?”
“Sure,” he did as she asked, but he didn’t let it go. “If you’re having this much difficulty getting out of your seat in that outfit, can you image how much fun you’re going to have climbing on and off the research vessel and the landing boat?”
She paused for a moment. Landing boat? Yeah right. She wasn’t leaving the ship.
“Well unless I’m going to have to climb over you in the process, I should manage just fine,” she replied haughtily.
He shrugged and looked irritated, but didn’t retort.
Georgina went to the toilet and freshened up. She was about to ask Taj Andrews to move so she could get passed when the air hostess stopped her.
“Miss, I asked the head steward and there’s a vacant seat in the first class compartment if you’d prefer?” sh
e told Georgina. “We don’t usually do this, but it is a little crowded in here and I’m sure Mr Andrews could do with the extra space,” she looked flirtatiously at Taj. He didn’t seem to notice.
“Why thank you, that would be marvellous,” Georgina gushed, reaching across Taj for her bag and laptop. She knew she was probably giving him an eyeful of cleavage, but she didn’t care.
“You actually asked to be moved to first class?” he asked her incredulously.
“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” she asked sweetly. He stared at her. She shrugged. “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh man. This is going to be one fun trip.”
Georgina decided to ignore that last comment and swished through the dividing curtains into first class. Much better. At least now she could read about Taj in private, and later maybe even get some sleep.
CHAPTER TWO
Taj had been getting ready in his hotel room for the welcome party in Santiago, when his publicity agent phoned.
“Phil, you’re just the guy I wanted to speak to.”
“Your journalist turned up then, I suppose?” Phil said without preamble.
“How’d you know?” Taj joked. “But seriously man, I don’t know about this one. The girl’s going to take serious strain out there.”
“She’s a journalist, Taj, she can stay on board and write articles. That’s her job.”
Taj sighed. “I hear you Phil, but she doesn’t know a penguin from a sea lion. It’s going to be hell.”
Phil sounded amused. “That’s not your problem. You just do your thing and give her a couple of interviews. That was the deal. Oh, and try to be nice, won’t you? I don’t want to read a scathing review. It’s not quite the image we were going for.”
“I’ll try,” he sighed.
“That’s my boy.”
Taj made one last ditch attempt. “Are you sure she can’t interview me here before we leave? Does she really have to come along for the whole trip?”
Philip’s voice lost some of its humour. “It was your idea, remember? You were the one who said you didn’t have time before or after the trip. This was the only alternative.”
“Great, now you’re saying it’s my fault?”
Phil tried to pacify him. “Remember the long term goal. You need the international exposure. They’re doing us a favour. Verve is the fastest growing women’s magazine in England. We need to focus on the European market. Think financing for your next project.”
“I hear you,” Taj sighed. “It’s just so inconvenient.”
“Listen, all she needs is enough information for one article. She’s not writing a book on you. A couple of facts, a few personal experiences and it’s a wrap. Tell her about Kenya, that’s always a good story.”
“Kenya, yeah. Okay. Listen, I gotta go. Presentation is in twenty minutes.”
“Okay, but remember, be nice!”
They said goodbye and he hung up. Well, that was it then. He was stuck with her for the duration of the voyage. Ten whole days! He’d take Phil’s advice. Give her a couple of stories and ignore her for the rest of the trip. The thought made him feel marginally better.
Taj entered the plush hotel bar where the expedition welcome meeting was taking place. He’d spent the afternoon wondering around the city. He loved Santiago at this time of year. February was late summer in the southern hemisphere and this afternoon he’d spent many pleasant hours admiring the mix of European, Spanish, colonial and modern architecture, with sun-mellowed facades, lush palms and the Andes as a backdrop. It was a photographer’s paradise.
“I heard you were lurking around somewhere.” Taj turned to see his old college friend Don Mackley standing behind him, a wide grin on his handsome, freckled face.
“Don! I didn’t know you were heading up this trip? What happened to Colombia?”
“Ah, yes. Change of plans. Some kind of guerrilla skirmish, they’re not letting anyone in right now.”
“Bad luck.”
Don shrugged. “It happens. Maria is relieved, she was convinced I was going to get kidnapped.”
“Nah, they wouldn’t get much for you, old buddy.” They slipped easily back into their old camaraderie.
Don laughed. “That’s what I told her, she seems to think I’m worth more.”
“How is Maria?” Last time Taj had seen Don’s beautiful wife they’d just discovered she was pregnant.
“Two months to go,” Don growled, “and still sexy as hell.”
“Not long now,” Taj laughed. It was funny to see his friend so settled.
Don leant forward and said, “Interesting group on this expedition.” Taj did not miss the wicked grin in his friend’s eye.
“I’ve just met the producer, Max Copeland. He’s the big, bald guy over there. He wants to scout the peninsular for a nature documentary.”
“I think I’ve heard of him,” Taj mumbled. “Didn’t he do that Great White Shark documentary somewhere off the South African coast last year?”
“Yup, that’s the one,” Don nodded.
“I’d like to meet him.”
“Well, now you can. We also have a small team of marine biologists, Amy and Claude Flores, who want to collect samples from the geothermals at Deception Island, so you’ll have some company diving Neptune’s Bellows this time.”
“Great, why are marine biologists the only breed crazy enough to dive in water temperatures of 34’F and below?”
“Apart from photographers you mean?” Don commented dryly.
“Point taken…” Taj murmured.
“And…” Don paused significantly, “We have an extremely attractive young journalist who’s doing research for an article she’s writing for her magazine. But then I’m sure you already knew that?”
How did Taj know that was coming? His old friend never missed an opportunity to set him up. Ever since Don had fallen for the lovely Maria, he’d been true love’s biggest advocate. Don’s womanising ways were now firmly buried in his all too colourful past.
Don was waiting expectantly, the conspiratorial grin still on his face.
“Very observant, as always,” Taj commended his friend.
“Just looking out for your best interests, old buddy.”
“Forget it Don, she’s not my type.”
“How do you know? You haven’t even met her yet.”
“Actually, we met on the plane.” He smiled as he recalled Georgina’s surprise when she’d found out who he was. “She’s very… English,” he said, searching for a better word but not finding one.
“She’s also gorgeous,” Don pushed his point. “I saw her check in. And she’s going to be working with you for two whole weeks.”
“Unfortunately.” Taj muttered.
Don shook his head. “You need to get your priorities straight, my friend. I’ll tell you a little secret, if I was single…”
“Which you’re not,” Taj reminded him quickly.
“Nor do I wish to be. I wouldn’t give up Maria for the world. I said if I was single…”
Just then the subject under discussion waltzed straight into the bar and every male head in the room turned to stare. Georgina looked around her appearing not to notice.
“She sure knows how to make an entrance,” Don muttered.
“That she does,” Taj acknowledged. “Unfortunately she’s in way over her head.”
“What are you talking about?” Don was still staring at Georgina.
“She’s totally unsuitable for this kind of assignment. I spoke to her on the plane. She thinks we’re going on a luxury cruise!”
“Tell me you’re kidding?” Don dragged his eyes away from Georgina momentarily.
“I wish I was,” Taj told him. “She’ll probably kick up a fuss if she can’t get a decent cappuccino on board.”
“Okay, well she’ll need a little orientation then.”
Taj rolled his eyes and his friend chuckled.
Georgina was scanning the
room. Finally her eyes settled on Taj and she advanced in his direction.
“Uh-oh, here she comes,” Taj murmured under his breath.
“Does she ever,” agreed Don softly.
The tight black velvet skirt she wore was buttoned at her waste and clung to her slender thighs, ending fashionably just below the knee. She’d complemented it with a wide belt decorated with tiny silver studs. The snug-fitting black T-shirt was made of a sheer lycra fabric and would have left little to the imagination had she not worn a cropped waste-coast over it. Several long strands of beads hung loosely around her neck and the dark colour of her outfit contrasted vividly with her bright red hair, which Taj now noticed had different strands of colour shot through it varying from orange to dark auburn. She looked every bit the fashionable London journalist.
“Hello again.” She spoke with friendly, confident air and made direct eye contact with Taj. He noticed she wore a lot more make-up then on the plane. It emphasised her lips, but made her blue eyes look colder somehow.
“Hello! How are you?” Don stuck his hand out under her nose.
Taj grinned at his friend’s obvious enthusiasm and made the introductions. “Georgina, this is Don Mackley. He is leading this expedition. I know he looks a bit scruffy but I assure you we’re in very good hands. Don, Georgina McKellar, from Verve Magazine.”
Georgina laughed and they shook hands. “I’m so pleased to meet you, Don. I’m very excited about this trip. I’ve never been on a ship before.”
Don purposely didn’t look at Taj. “Well there’s a first time for everything,” he said smoothly. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Antarctica is a very beautiful place and there’s no one like Taj here,” he whacked his friend on the back, “to show it to you in all its splendour.”
She looked at Taj and nodded, “Great.”
“Would you like a drink?” Don asked.
“Sure, I’ll have a glass of dry white wine. Thank you.”
“No problem,” said Don as he beckoned to the barman.
He ordered two beers and a glass of wine and it was when Georgina reached up to take the glass that Taj noticed the ring, or rather the rock on her finger. It was hard to miss. For someone who was so fashionable, he was surprised at the garish stone. Now that would put a spanner in Don’s matchmaking plans. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed the ring before. Perhaps she hadn’t been wearing it on the plane.
Antarctic Affair Page 2