by Mather, Anne
It brought a lump to Rachel’s throat and, as if sensing the honour he had been granted, Gabriel lifted a hand as if to stroke her cheek. But then, apparently thinking better of it, he turned back to the wheelchair and the little girl who was watching his every move.
I’d be delighted,’ he said, gesturing to his chauffeur to drive on, and Rachel moved aside so that he could take her place.
His fingers brushed hers as he took charge of the wheelchair, and although his hands were cool, and should have been impersonal, Rachel felt a jolt of electricity spring between them. The heat of his touch seemed to burn the length of her arm and her fingers moved instinctively to protect herself.
Gabriel’s eyes darkened as he looked at her, and she wondered if he had experienced the same shock of awareness that she had. But surely a man like Gabriel Webb wouldn’t get excited just because he’d touched a woman’s hand, she chided herself. How naive she must seem.
‘What happened to your escort?’
Gabriel was speaking and Rachel forced herself to concentrate on what he was saying. ‘Joe wasn’t my escort,’ she said, a little stiffly. And then, because she didn’t want him to think she felt the need to convince him, she added, ‘I mean—he’s just a friend. We didn’t go to the fair together.’ ‘I’m glad.’ Gabriel spoke softly. ‘He obviously doesn’t like the fact that he’s got some competition.’ Rachel stared at him. You are joking, of course.’
‘No, I’m not.’ Gabriel shook his head. ‘Rachel, why is it so hard for you to believe that I find you attractive? You’re a beautiful woman. And—’ his lips twisted ‘—despite my advanced years, I still have the usual male urges, however shocking that might sound to you.’
Rachel caught her breath. You shouldn’t say things like that in—in front of Hannah,’ she whispered, and his lips curved into a devastating smile.
‘Is it all right if I say them when we’re alone together?’ he enquired mockingly, and Rachel’s face burned.
‘What are you talking about?’ asked Hannah, before she could think of a reply. The little girl looked up at them with indignant eyes. ‘I can’t hear you. Grandma says it’s rude to whisper when other people are there.’
‘We weren’t whispering,’ lied Rachel breathily, aware that Hannah would relate everything that had happened to her grandmother. ‘Urn-Mr Webb was just saying that—that—’
‘I was wondering what your grandmother will think of your new hat,’ put in Gabriel coolly, and Rachel flashed him an incredulous look. Trust him to have a ready answer, she thought, not without a certain amount of envy. ‘Will you be wearing it for school?’ he went on easily. ‘If so, I’m sure all the boys are going to be dazzled by your beauty.’
Hannah giggled. ‘Do you think I’m beautiful?’ she exclaimed delightedly, and Rachel gave him a warning look.
‘Sure you are, sweetcakes,’ he assured her, his eyes moving briefly to Rachel’s mouth. ‘You’re going to dazzle all the boys when you grow up.’ Hannah pursed her lips. ‘I don’t have anything to do with boys,’ she said firmly, and Gabriel frowned. ‘Why not?’
‘I hope it’s not going to rain,’ put in Rachel, wanting to change the subject, but Hannah wasn’t listening to her. ‘I don’t like boys,’ she said. They’re too rough.’
‘Was that a spot of rain?’ Rachel tried to quicken the pace. ‘What a good job Grandma’s coming to pick us up. We don’t want to get wet, do we?’ ‘Who says boys are too rough?’ persisted Gabriel, as indifferent to Rachel’s pleas as her daughter, and she sighed. ‘Does it matter?’ she exclaimed, giving him a telling look. ‘Here’s the cafe. Are you coming in?’
‘Is that an invitation?’ he asked, at last responding to her efforts to divert the conversation, and Rachel gave an awkward nod. ‘If you like,’ she said, going ahead of them to open the door. ‘It looks like we just got here in time.’
It did indeed start to rain in earnest as they entered the cafe, and Rachel hurried across to speak to Stephanie as Gabriel wheeled Hannah’s chair to one of the many unoccupied tables. At this hour of the afternoon there were only a couple of customers left, sitting at the table near the door, and they stared at Hannah with openly pitying eyes.
Rachel noticed this as Stephanie came through from the kitchen to see who had come in, and her blood boiled at their lack of sensitivity. Hadn’t they ever seen a child in a wheelchair before? Didn’t they understand that the last thing Hannah needed was for people to treat her as an oddity?
‘Is that who I think it is?’ asked Stephanie in a hushed voice as Gabriel turned his back on them to speak to Hannah, and Rachel nodded. ‘I expect so,’ she said drily. ‘How are things? Did you manage okay?’
‘Yeah, no problem.’ But Stephanie couldn’t seem to drag her eyes away from Gabriel. ‘How come?’ ‘How come what?’
Stephanie pulled a wry face. ‘Like you don’t know.’
‘Oh—he was at the craft fair,’ said Rachel offhandedly. ‘He walked back with us.’
‘Just like that?’
‘More or less.’ Rachel glanced around. ‘Where’s Patsy?’
‘I let her go about half an hour ago,’ replied her friend carelessly. ‘Will you be having tea?’
Rachel hesitated. ‘I guess so. But don’t you worry, Steph. I can get it. You can go, if you like. I can close up.’
‘What? And miss seeing you and him together?’ Stephanie grimaced. ‘Not likely.’
‘Oh, Steph—’ Rachel began, and then broke off at the sight of Gabriel lifting Hannah out of her chair. ‘What the hell does he think he’s doing?’
‘Wait!’ Stephanie caught her arm as she would have charged towards them. ‘Look, he’s putting her on one of the ordinary chairs, that’s all. And, judging by Hannah’s expression, she doesn’t have any objections.’
It was true. Hannah’s arms had been around Gabriel’s neck as he lifted her, and now she sat on one of the cafe chairs, beaming at him. Her dangling legs looked paler than normal perhaps, but Rachel realised that, looking at her now, no one would suspect she was paralysed.
‘Why do you think he’s done that?’ she said, half to herself, but Stephanie heard her.
‘I imagine because it’s one in the eye for those two over there,’ she muttered, glaring at the man and woman who had stared as they came in. ‘Condescending bastards! They should know better.’
Andrew didn’t, thought Rachel ruefully, but thankfully this time she kept her words to herself. ‘Ill get the tea,’ she said, and lifted a china teapot down from the upper shelf.
‘Ill go and see if Hannah wants a milkshake, shall I?’ suggested Stephanie slyly, and Rachel gave an exasperated smile. ‘All right,’ she said. ‘If you must. But don’t say anything unpleasant, please!’ ‘As if I would,’ exclaimed Stephanie indignantly, and sauntered away.
She was back a few minutes later, her fair cheeks flushed with becoming colour. ‘God, he’s sexy, isn’t he?’ she hissed, brushing past Rachel to take a carton of milk from the fridge. ‘No wonder you won’t have a word said against him!’
‘Steph!’
‘Well, it’s true, isn’t it?’ Stephanie poured milk into the blender. ‘I mean, I don’t blame you. Sexy and rich! What an irresistible combination!’ Rachel expelled a weary breath. ‘I’m not interested in his money.’
‘Does that mean you are interested in him?’ Stephanie arched a mocking brow. ‘Of course you are. There’s no point in denying it.’ She paused. ‘Are you sleeping with him?’
‘No!’ Rachel was horrified, and she cast an anxious look in Gabriel’s direction. But he couldn’t possibly have heard, she reassured herself, before continuing, ‘For God’s sake, Steph, we hardly know one another.’
‘Are you sure?’ Stephanie wasn’t convinced. That was some bouquet of flowers he sent you.’
‘I’m not going to listen to this.’ Rachel began setting cups and saucers on a tray. ‘He—he’s far too old for me. You said it yourself.’
‘No, I didn’t.’ Ste
phanie added strawberry puree to the milk and set the blender going. ‘I was fairly blasé about his age. And what was it you said? There’s seventeen years between you? That’s nothing nowadays.’
‘It’s nothing like that,’ persisted Rachel, making the tea. ‘All right, so he seems to like coming here. So what? He’s bored and I’m available—or he thinks I am,’ she amended hurriedly. I’m not going to delude myself by thinking he’s really attracted to me.’
Stephanie gave her a sideways glance. ‘Has he said he is?’
Rachel’s face burned. ‘Please, Steph! Not now.’
‘So he has.’ Stephanie was admiring. ‘Way to go, girl!’ She paused. ‘Has he told you why he’s had to give up his position in the company?’ ‘No.’ Rachel was impatient. Then, curiously, ‘How do you know he has?’
‘I don’t. Not for certain,’ admitted Stephanie ruefully. ‘But, I mean, if he’s having to have medical treatment in Oxford, he’s not going to be able to go on running Webb’s Pharmaceuticals, is he?’
Rachel’s lips tightened. You don’t know that.’
‘Don’t I?’ Stephanie put her hands on her hips. ‘So how come he’s able to come in here practically every other day?’
‘He doesn’t come in here every other day,’ exclaimed Rachel shortly. ‘And if you tell my mother things like that, no wonder she’s always on my back about him.’ ‘Hey, I’ve said nothing to your mother since you warned me off,’ retorted her friend, looking indignant, and Rachel shook her head. ‘Yeah, yeah,’ she said. ‘I know. And I’m sorry if I’m being touchy again. It’s just—it’s just—’
Y’ou can’t believe he’s interested in you,’ Stephanie finished for her. ‘Well, stranger things have happened. And, if you keep your head, I see no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy it.’
‘While it lasts?’ suggested Rachel wryly, and her friend grimaced. Y’ou said it. Not me.’
By the time Rachel carried the tray to the table where Gabriel and Hannah were sitting she was feeling quite worn out. Arguing with Stephanie had exhausted her, and Gabriel looked at her a little concernedly as he got up to assist her into the chair.
‘Is everything all right?’ he asked, in a low voice, and Rachel gave him a resigned look.
‘What could be wrong?’ she asked, relieved at least that the other two customers had departed in her absence. ‘I— Steph was just bringing me up to speed on what’s been happening while I’ve been away.’ But she couldn’t look at him as she added, ‘Sorry to be so long.’
‘Gabe’s been telling me about his horses,’ put in Hannah eagerly, for once neglecting her milkshake in favour of delivering her own piece of news. ‘He says that I—’ ‘Gabe?’ broke in Rachel, aghast, and Hannah vigorously nodded her head.
That’s right,’ she exclaimed, not immediately noticing her mother’s expression. ‘He says we can go and see them, and maybe even give them a lump of sugar...’ ‘Hannah!’ Rachel spoke harshly, grasping her daughter’s arm with unknowing force. ‘Calm down, can’t you?’ And when the little girl yelped in protest, ‘Oh—sorry, sorry.’ She shook her head, relaxing her grip, and Hannah pulled away. ‘Who gave you permission to call Mr Webb—Gabe?’ ‘I did,’ said Gabriel mildly, resuming his seat. ‘I wish you’d call me that, too.’
‘What I call you or don’t call you isn’t at issue here,’ said Rachel stiffly, forced into an involuntary glance in his direction. Then, turning back to Hannah, ‘And I don’t think we can presume upon Mr Webb’s good nature by taking him up on his offer.’ ‘But, Mummy—’
‘I believe riding is considered good exercise for para—for children who can’t walk,’ remarked Gabriel flatly, deliberately choosing words he knew Hannah would understand. ‘But obviously I’m not suggesting Hannah should attempt anything like that. Not yet, at any rate.’ Rachel met his gaze with angry eyes. ‘And you’d know all about it, I suppose?’ ‘I didn’t say that.’
‘No, but you’ve said enough to raise a little girl’s hopes without even mentioning it to me, let alone taking my feelings into account,’ exclaimed Rachel fiercely. You had no right to do that.’
Gabriel blew out a breath. ‘Okay. Point taken. I should have discussed it with you first.’
Y’es, you should.’
He inclined his head. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘So may I go, Mummy?’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’ Hannah’s face had crumpled. ‘What’s wrong with going and seeing the horses? I’ve never seen a horse up close before.’
Rachel’s jaws ground together. ‘Gabe’ had said altogether too much, she thought furiously. She should never have left Hannah alone with him. She should have known when he lifted her out of the wheelchair that he was getting far too involved in their lives. ‘Is it okay if I go now?’
Stephanie’s voice had a curiously upsetting effect on Rachel. Suddenly she was aware of how unreasonable she was being, and, meeting her friend’s speculative gaze, she had no doubt that Stephanie had decided to get out before she turned her anger on her.
‘Of course,’ Rachel said now, but her voice still betrayed the tension she was trying so hard to conceal. ‘Um—see you on Monday.’
‘Right.’ Stephanie nodded and then, tugging on the little girl’s braid, ‘Bye, Hannah.’ She didn’t speak to Gabriel, but she did cast a small smile in his direction before sauntering casually to the door.
It slammed behind her, the bell tinkling on for several seconds after she’d departed. Rachel didn’t know what to say, so she busied herself with setting out the teacups to give herself time to think. But it didn’t work. She was no nearer finding a solution when Hannah, who had been staring at her sulkily, said, ‘I don’t want anything,’ in a tearful voice.
‘But you said you wanted a milkshake,’ protested Rachel. ‘You can’t waste it.’
‘I don’t want it,’ insisted Hannah, turning her head away. ‘I want to go home.’
‘Oh, God!’
‘Why are you so angry, Rachel?’ It was Gabriel who spoke now, and she felt the colour pouring into her cheeks again. ‘Don’t blame the child because you’re angry with me.’
I’m not angry with you,’ she mumbled untruthfully, grateful that for the moment Hannah didn’t appear to be listening to them, and Gabriel gave her a retiring
look.
‘Aren’t you?’
‘Why should I be?’ She countered his question with one of her own and he gave a wry smile.
‘Because you resent me talking to your daughter?’ he suggested. ‘Because you don’t think I should have lifted her out of her chair?’ He paused, and then added softly, ‘Or because your friend thought we might be sleeping together?’ Rachael’s jaw dropped. You heard what she said?’
‘When the cafe is empty, voices carry,’ he explained simply, and her shoulders rounded. Then her gaze darted to her daughter. ‘Did—did—?’
‘I doubt if what was said meant anything to Hannah,’ he assured her, with a shake of his head. ‘But, just in case, I distracted her by telling her about my horses.’ Rachel groaned. ‘Oh, Lord!’ She felt terrible now. ‘So that was why you...’
‘Not entirely,’ he admitted honestly. ‘I would like to invite you and Hannah to Copleys. I’m not entirely selfless. I want you to come and see my house, to have lunch with me. And if, after I’ve seduced you with good food and wine, we should make our way down to the stables, then both Hannah and myself would have something to look forward to.’
‘Oh, yes, Mummy.’ Clearly Hannah had heard this, and her head swung round instantly. ‘Can we go to Copleys? Can we? Can we? Please! Please!’ TVIay we,’ corrected Rachel automatically, but her eyes were held by Gabriel’s dark compelling gaze. ‘I—don’t know.’ ‘Oh, Mummy!’
Rachel was aware of Hannah staring frustratedly at her, but she couldn’t help it. She kept hearing that word seduced, and its associations had nothing to do with food or wine or horses. It spelled silk sheets and sex, and danger, and she was very much afrai
d he was seducing her.
‘Why—why would you want us to come to Copleys?’ she protested huskily. Your mother lives there, doesn’t she? Won’t she object?’ ‘Copleys belongs to me,’ he told her gently. ‘Even so...’
‘Rachel, you know why I want you to accept my invitation.’ He expelled a longish sigh. ‘But don’t worry. It doesn’t commit you to anything but a couple of hours in my company.’ He paused. ‘If you’d rather not come—’ ‘I—I didn’t say that.’ ‘So what are you saying?’ ‘I don’t know.’
And that was the truth. Rachel didn’t know what she was saying, what she wanted to say. The idea of going to Copleys was so unexpected—so outrageous—she couldn’t think of anything else.
‘Well, I just want you to know that if you can’t accept then I’ll have to live with it,’ he remarked quietly. ‘But, please, don’t insult me by pretending you think I feel some land of obligation towards you for the way Andrew behaved. I don’t. This is between us. No one else.’
Rachel poured the tea with a trembling hand, pushing his cup towards him because she was afraid that if she picked it up she might humiliate herself completely by dropping it. This couldn’t be happening, she thought weakly. A man like Gabriel Webb, a man as influential and wealthy as Gabriel Webb, didn’t get involved with a woman like her. He didn’t. It was as she had said to Stephanie: he was bored, that was all, looking for a diversion, and it was amusing him right now to turn her world upside-down.
And yet...
‘Can we—may we go, Mummy, please?’ Hannah begged again, and Rachel felt dizzy with the knowledge that she wanted to say yes.
CHAPTER SIX
IT WAS just as well that Rachel got up early on Sunday morning. She had breakfast to prepare—her mother had apparently gone on strike for the day—and an excited Hannah to bathe and get ready before she even started on herself. Which wasn’t easy when the little girl persisted in delaying matters by asking dozens of questions that Rachel couldn’t answer. But telling Hannah that she knew no more about Copleys than her daughter did didn’t seem to get through to her, and Rachel didn’t want to spoil the day by being a total wet blanket.