Jed Hunter's Reluctant Bride

by James, Susanne

  They got into the car and set off. This thing didn’t drive along—it glided, Cryssie thought. She couldn’t help smiling to herself.

  ‘Something amuses you?’ Jed asked, glancing across at her briefly.

  ‘I was just comparing this with the old car that dear Great-Aunt Josie taught me to drive in,’ she said.

  ‘Doesn’t matter—as long as you passed your test.’

  ‘I did. First time,’ Cryssie said at once. ‘Our great-aunt was a bit old-fashioned, but she knew a thing or two, and she passed a lot of it on to us…me.’ She paused. ‘We lived with her after our parents were killed in an accident. We were just children at the time.’

  There was silence for a moment, then Jed said quietly, ‘That must have been a very tough deal…I’m sorry…’

  Cryssie shrugged. ‘Well, you know…kids are resilient. And Josie was always kind to us.’ She paused. ‘I’m glad she was no longer around when Polly got pregnant.’ She looked across ruefully. ‘So, you see, all the worrying has been passed on to me.’

  Jed didn’t reply to that.

  He cleared his throat. ‘Did you manage to sort things out at home? Will Milo forgive me for taking you away for the day?’

  Cryssie smiled faintly, and nodded. ‘He’s going to see the latest kids’ film this afternoon, with Polly.’ She turned to look at Jed, her chest tightening. His powerful masculinity exuded from him with every movement he made, and a tremor ran through her which she tried to stifle. She waited a few moments before going on. ‘What exactly is happening today?’ she asked, returning her gaze to the road ahead.

  ‘Something I hope I’ll be able to sort out,’ he said. ‘But I thought it might be useful for you to come along and look the place over—see the sort of enterprise I’m involved with for future reference.’ He paused. ‘I’ve been so caught up with things at Hydebound I’m afraid I’ve let one or two other matters slip, so I’ve got some catching up to do. I haven’t had time to put in an appearance at this hotel for a bit, and I like to keep my finger on every button where possible.’ He frowned impatiently. ‘It’s something to do with the staff, by the sound of it, and I could do without that at the moment. It’s bad enough trying to make a decent profit these days, without blasted personnel problems.’

  ‘Personnel are people—human beings with feelings,’ Cryssie said at once. ‘If something’s wrong, there’s bound to be a good reason.’

  ‘I know that,’ Jed said, ‘and that’s what I’m hoping to find out.’ He frowned. ‘It can be difficult to get to the heart of a situation…People don’t always say what they mean. To me, at any rate.’ There was a brief silence, and then, without looking at her, he said, ‘It’s good you’re coming with me today. And, by the way, I shall pay you your first new paycheque next week…Obviously it won’t go through the office accounts at Hydebound.’

  He turned to look at her, taking in her appearance in one swift glance. ‘And today we’ll drop down into Bath and visit a department store in Milsom Street—I know one of the buyers there—and purchase a warmer coat for you.’ He paused. ‘I noticed that you shivered just now, and the one you’re wearing is—’

  ‘Is not very nice at all,’ Cryssie interrupted quickly. ‘And I’ve had it for years. But when I see the price of them in the shops I can’t justify spending that sort of money. This one is perfectly serviceable,’ she added defiantly, ‘and, since I’m not at all interested in fashion, the fact that it’s not up to the minute doesn’t faze me in the slightest.’ She tried not to let her annoyance at his remarks show, but he’d better not think he was going to take over her life completely!

  He glanced at the dashboard clock. ‘There’s plenty of time to shop before we go over the bridge,’ he said casually.

  Cryssie gave him a sharp look. So he didn’t want to be seen out and about with her dressed as she was today! And if it meant forking out for a new coat it would be worth it to him, as a face-saving exercise. She pursed her lips to stop herself from making an ungracious retort as these thoughts filtered through her mind.

  As soon as they entered the long-established store, Cryssie was aware straight away of the attention that Jed attracted. He strode in front of her towards the ladies’ wear department, and spoke briefly to the first assistant he came across.

  ‘Is Ms Fletcher in today? Would you mention my name—Jeremy Hunter—and ask if she could spare us a few minutes?’

  Almost at once Ms Fletcher gushingly presented herself.

  ‘Jeremy!’ The voice was audible to everyone within fifty feet. ‘Why didn’t you ring to say you were coming? I’d have put out the red carpet!’

  Jeremy smiled darkly at the woman, and planted a brief kiss on both her cheeks. ‘Hello, Lucinda. Good to see you again.’ He paused. ‘My assistant wants to buy a coat to wrap herself in against this cold wind.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Impress me—we’ve about forty minutes.’

  Cryssie was amazed—and aghast—at the man’s cheek…and at his influence! He’d not only told her and everyone else that she needed a new coat, he’d automatically assumed that she was incapable of choosing one for herself! But, even though this fact irritated her, she could hardly blame the man. Any dress sense she might once have possessed had been swallowed up with the passing of time.

  She followed the woman to the changing room, and eventually a beautiful fine woollen coat of an Italian design and fabric was decided on, in a deep aubergine, with a cosy collar that could be pulled up around the face and neck. Cryssie knew it suited her as soon as she put it on. Lastly, she was told that a pair of black high-heeled leather boots were an absolute must. Surveying herself in the long mirror, Cryssie had to admit that she’d never looked as good in anything in her life.

  Jed’s quick appreciative glance at her as she went back said it all, and he reached for his wallet immediately—much to Cryssie’s embarrassment. She didn’t want him settling her debts—especially as he’d told her that she would soon have plenty of money of her own in the bank!

  Cryssie’s jacket and sensible shoes had been put into a large bag, it having been assumed that the new purchases were to be worn straight away, and together Jed and Cryssie left the shop. Cryssie’s head was in a complete whirl. Someone else was suddenly in control of her life, she thought. It wasn’t an unpleasant change to be looked after for once, but she felt anxious and concerned. Who knew where all this was going?

  Outside, she hesitated. ‘Could we find a toy shop?’ she asked, looking up at Jed. ‘I’d like to take something back for Milo.’

  ‘Good idea!’ Jed replied at once. ‘There’s a place just around the corner.’

  They spent longer in the shop than they’d intended, as Jed kept finding things to amuse him. Cryssie had already paid for the puzzle and book she’d chosen when he joined her at the counter with a computerized toy that made loud squeaks and buzzes every time he pressed the brightly coloured buttons.

  ‘I haven’t seen any of these in our stock,’ he said, ‘but I think Milo will like it, don’t you?’

  ‘Oh, yes…but you shouldn’t, Jed. I think you’ve spent quite enough on us today.’

  ‘Well, let’s just say that I like giving people things,’ he said casually.

  ‘Well, all that tells me is that if you ever have a family of your own they’ll be ruined!’

  He smiled darkly at her. ‘That’s a possibility,’ he agreed, thinking how well the new coat suited Cryssie’s figure. It fitted provocatively over the hips, and the gently flared hem skimming her slim calves was seductive. And the colour—the colour was just perfect for her, he thought.

  She glanced up and saw him staring at her. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

  ‘Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. Why should there be?’

  She shrugged. ‘I thought perhaps you were regretting buying me this coat…for which many thanks, by the way.’ She paused. ‘There was no need, Jed. I’ll be able to treat myself, now, won’t I?’ She patted her side. ‘It’s got lovely deep pocke
ts as well. In fact…it’s probably the nicest thing I’ve ever possessed…’

  He smiled down into her eyes, which were sparkling like a child’s. He wanted to say that it was money well spent—but he didn’t dare. He thought of her sense of pride and self-sufficiency. She’d probably had to grit her teeth, accepting such a gift from him!

  Just before lunch they arrived at the large, imposing hotel, and Jed swept into the car park at the side. Quickly releasing her seat belt, Cryssie slipped off the new coat and boots and reached for the bag containing her own things, which she’d thrown onto the back seat.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Jed asked

  ‘Oh, I never wear anything new straight away,’ Cryssie said. ‘I like to leave it on a hanger in my wardrobe, getting used to the idea of owning it, saving up the pleasure. It’s just one of my many foibles,’ she murmured.

  He shrugged, plainly mystified, and presently they entered the building, to be greeted by a middle-aged man with gelled hair to whom Cryssie, for some reason, took an instant dislike. Jed introduced him as Kevin, ‘My indispensable manager, who runs the place like a military operation. And this is Ms Rowe, Kevin—one of my new assistants,’ he added.

  ‘Mr Hunter—you should have told us you were coming!’ the manager protested, and Cryssie realised at once that Jed had deliberately not given notice of his arrival.

  ‘Oh, I didn’t know I could make it until this morning—but I’d be grateful if we could go over one or two things for an hour, Kevin…and we’d like lunch first, please,’ he said.

  ‘Of course—the dining room is not full,’ the manager said, ‘and Max is the chef on duty.’

  ‘Ah, Max…’ Jed turned to Cryssie. ‘Max is fully qualified, of course, but he’s also proving to be an ingenious chef. I’m very impressed with the guy.’

  ‘I hope he serves lobster and pigeon,’ Cryssie murmured, out of Kevin’s earshot, as Jed guided her towards the dining room.

  As they ate, Jed found himself wishing fervently that they were here to enjoy themselves—perhaps go for a long walk later, then dinner, and maybe an early night! But that was taking wishful thinking too far! He had enjoyed the long drive in her company, and the easy conversation that had flowed. He found her uniqueness totally appealing. She was the proverbial breath of fresh air, he concluded.

  Presently Jed went into the manager’s office for discussion with Kevin, and Cryssie was invited to go off by herself for an unofficial tour of the hotel. As she wandered around she hoped that Jed was finding out all he wanted to know about the problem he’d mentioned, and that it wasn’t going to take for ever to solve. She’d told him that she didn’t want to be late getting home, but exploring another of the Hunter ownerships was proving quite interesting, she thought, as she wandered the long corridors.

  Eventually she found her way back to the reception area—via one of the lounges, where she was offered tea—to find Jed just coming out from the office. And soon they were on their way back home.

  ‘Did you manage to sort everything out?’ she asked

  ‘Well, I suppose it was a useful enough exercise,’ he replied. ‘Though I didn’t discover what, if anything, is going on behind the scenes.’

  ‘Who told you that anything was?’ Cryssie asked.

  ‘Oh…didn’t I say? I received an anonymous tip-off in the post this morning. That’s why I wanted to act at once. But although I asked Kevin many searching questions, hopefully without arousing suspicion, he assured me that everything is “cracking along just fine”—his words. So perhaps the tip-off was just a bit of malicious nonsense after all.’ He waited to overtake a lorry before accelerating sharply away again. ‘Kevin’s so good at everything,’ he went on. ‘Managers like him are hard to find.’

  Cryssie waited for a few seconds before speaking. ‘No one’s indispensable,’ she said. ‘You’d probably find a good enough replacement if you had to.’

  He glanced across at her. ‘What makes you say a thing like that?’

  ‘Well, while I was wandering around—and eavesdropping, I’m afraid—I overheard a discussion in the corridor between two of the female staff upstairs…’

  ‘And?’

  ‘I think you’ve got real problems, Jed.’ She paused. ‘Apparently your wonderful Kevin is having an affair—with Max’s wife. She works there too, doesn’t she? One of the waitresses? Well, poor Max is in the dark, and his wife is acting Lady Muck—not pulling her weight, and Kevin’s always giving her time off, spending some of it with her in private. The atmosphere amongst the rest of the staff is understandably tense and resentful. Especially as they all seem to like Max—much more than they like Kevin—and don’t want to see him hurt.’ She glanced across. ‘Your name was mentioned—plus the fact that they all know Kevin’s your “golden boy”…No one’s got the guts to tell you, because they’re afraid of causing even more trouble. So there you have it. In a not-very-nice nutshell.’

  She could see that Jed was gobsmacked at this piece of information. ‘I can’t believe it,’ he said at last. ‘Kevin’s married—with four kids! The man gave such a good account of himself today—and of everybody else.’ He whistled briefly through his teeth. ‘I thought him trustworthy—in all respects. How wrong can you be?’

  They drove in silence for a few seconds, Jed’s brows knitted in the formidable way that Cryssie knew only too well.

  He cursed under his breath. ‘Well, that’s a hell of a dilemma,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to lose either Max or Kevin, but from what you’ve told me I’ve got to do something about this—and fast.’ The strong mouth was set in a grim line, and Cryssie could understand what the women she’d overheard had meant about not wanting to be the one to pass on bad news!

  ‘Everything was going so well there,’ Jed went on. ‘Who was it that said hell is other people?’ he asked flatly.

  ‘I don’t know who said that,’ she remarked slowly, ‘but they have a point, don’t they?’ Yes, Jeremy Hunter, she thought. And if they thought about it, the entire staff at Hydebound would be looking straight at you!

  After dropping Cryssie home, Jed made his way back to Shepherd’s Keep, the family mansion, deep in thought. He wasn’t too sure how to sort things out now—what a bloody fool Kevin was! And how would Max react when he found out what had been going on between his wife and the manager? This could mean an almighty upheaval all round.

  Sweeping into the long drive, he sighed, feeling empty and frustrated, wishing with all his heart that he was not going to be spending the evening with his parents—who would naturally want to know what he’d been doing all day. It would have been great to be chatting things over with Cryssie, just the two of them. His brow cleared momentarily as he thought over their time together earlier. When she’d emerged from the changing cubicle in the shop he’d almost done a double-take. She’d looked beautiful, standing there waiting for his verdict.

  He smiled to himself then, as he sat there with the engine switched off. He’d not been able, at first, to make out why she’d taken the new coat off in the car—but of course he should have guessed straight away! He knew that he’d made it impossible for her to refuse his gift, but when and where she’d be wearing it was to be her choice, not his!

  Chapter 9

  The following morning Polly decided that, as she’d had to entertain her son for the whole of yesterday, today it was to be Cryssie’s turn.

  ‘I feel quite tired,’ she said as, still wearing her dressing gown, she watched Cryssie clean the grate and set the fire ready for lighting. ‘So I’m going to have a long hot bath and give myself a makeover. You don’t mind if I stay here while you take Milo out, do you, Cryssie? I just feel like a day spent doing absolutely nothing.’

  ‘Of course I don’t mind, Poll,’ Cryssie said at once, privately thinking that a day doing nothing sounded rather attractive. But ‘doing nothing’ didn’t mean not spending time with Milo, and being alone with her little nephew would suit her fine!

  She was just get
ting herself and the child ready to go out when the phone rang, and Jed’s voice throbbed across the wires. Cryssie sighed briefly. The man’s intrusion into her life was becoming a habit!

  ‘Cryssie? Um—I’ve been thinking…It’s a superb day today—really warm for early April…so different from yesterday—and I was wondering whether you—and the family—would like to come over here and admire our spring flowers.’ He paused. ‘I feel bad, having used up half your weekend on business, and I thought you might appreciate a few hours in the country.’ He hesitated. ‘Milo could bring his football—there’s masses of space for a kick-around.’

  The rush of pleasure that swept over her took Cryssie by surprise. She would just love to visit Shepherd’s Keep—the grand place the Hunters owned—and see how the other half of the world lived! But, much more than that, his suggestion that Milo might like to play in the grounds pleased her more than anything.

  ‘Oh—that’s very kind, Jed,’ she said hesitantly. ‘But I’ll have to ask Milo—he thinks we’re going swimming.’ She looked down at the child, who was standing by her side. ‘Swimming or football, Milo?’ she asked. ‘You choose.’

  ‘Football,’ Milo answered promptly. ‘Are we going to the park?’

  ‘Sort of.’ Cryssie smiled. ‘A different one—and one you’ll like!’ She spoke into the phone handset again. ‘Milo thanks you very much and is pleased to accept,’ she said. ‘But Polly won’t be joining us.’

  ‘Okay—fine—I’ll be over at ten-thirty.’

  After she’d rung off, Cryssie told Polly about the arrangements for the day and wasn’t surprised when her sister’s face fell.

  ‘Oh…I might have liked to come too—if I wasn’t so tired,’ she said. ‘You must tell me all about it when you come home, and I’ll come next time.’