by Miranda Lee
Her boss gave her another thoughtful look. ‘A man doesn’t teach a young lady to drive because he wants to, Audrey. He usually has some ulterior motive. Has it ever occurred to you that Mr Knight might be interested in your money? After all, he’s already had one rich wife.’
Audrey stiffened with outrage. Really, Edward could take his lack of tact too far sometimes. ‘I don’t think that—’
‘I apologise for being blunt,’ he interrupted, ‘but I knew your father wouldn’t warn you.’
Audrey was side-tracked by this statement. ‘Why...why wouldn’t he?’
Edward turned and walked slowly back towards her desk, briefcase in hand. ‘Because he doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with a man marrying a woman for her money.’
Audrey felt a tightening in her throat.
‘You’re an attractive young lady, Audrey,’ her boss went on more kindly. ‘Much more attractive than you’ve ever given yourself credit for. Though you’ve really blossomed lately. You deserve better than the Russells of this world. Incidentally, you might like to hear I fired Russell yesterday.’
Audrey gasped with shock.
‘Caught him pilfering car stock. Can’t have that. Diane’s handed in her notice as well.’
‘Diane? But surely she wasn’t stealing as well, was she?’
‘No. But she seemed to have a disruptive influence on a certain valued member of my staff. I subtly suggested a week or so back that she might be happier elsewhere.’
Audrey didn’t know what to say. She had no idea her boss had even noticed—or cared—about her happiness.
Edward’s smile was full of a surprising warmth. ‘As I said, Audrey, I don’t want to lose you. Besides,’ his smile widened with that cheeky charm he could turn on when he wanted to, ‘I’m looking after my own job here. I can well see you running this company one day.’
She was startled. ‘Me?’
‘Yes, you. You have a flair for administration and organisation. You also have an instinct for machines. You know more about the inner workings of the computers and printers and copiers we distribute than anyone else around here. Heck, you even fixed your own typewriter the other week with your own little hands. I was most impressed. I’ll bet you’re turning into a damned good driver.’
Her chin lifted. ‘Yes...I am.’ There was pride and confidence in her voice.
Edward nodded sagely. ‘Good. Just one thing, though. Don’t be too quick to give your heart to your instructor.’
When he went to walk off, Audrey jumped to her feet. ‘Edward!’
‘Yes?’ he said, turning back with a serious face.
‘Why did you say that? About Elliot? Do you know something I don’t know about him?’
‘Not at all. But I get the impression you don’t know nearly enough either. What of his family, his background, his past? What has he told you about them?’
‘Not very much,’ she admitted slowly. Nothing at all, she realised with a sickening jolt.
‘Then isn’t it time you started asking questions, before it’s too late?’
Edward’s advice rolled around in Audrey’s mind all day. She didn’t believe for a moment that Elliot was after her money. If he had been he would have pursued her from the start. Nevertheless, she conceded she should know more about the man she was going to go to bed with in just over a week’s time. Love didn’t have to be that blind.
By the time Elliot pulled up outside the office shortly after four-thirty, she felt far too uptight for a driving lesson.
‘Elliot,’ she said, as soon as she climbed into the Magna, ‘do you think we could give the driving lesson a miss for today?’
His glance was penetrating. ‘Sure. Any particular reason?’
‘Yes, I...’ She broke off, swallowing. All of a sudden she couldn’t do it, couldn’t give Elliot the third degree she’d been intending to. Maybe she was a coward but she just didn’t want to find out anything that could prevent their spending the following weekend together. She knew it was weak and stupid of her but she just couldn’t help it.
‘I—er—I’ve made an appointment at the hairdresser’s,’ she invented in desperation. ‘Since you’re picking me up for the races at eleven in the morning, that doesn’t give me enough time to go tomorrow, so I thought I’d go this evening. They stay open till nine on a Friday night.’
‘Ah.’ He shot a worried look over at her. ‘What are you going to do with your hair?’
‘I’m not sure yet. I’ll probably get it cut, then have some of this burgundy colour stripped out.’
‘Mmmm. Yes, I guess that would look OK.’
‘I wasn’t asking for your approval,’ she said quite sharply.
This brought another glance. This one rather puzzled. ‘My, my, aren’t we pernickety this afternoon? Bad day?’
‘Not at all,’ she lied with a tone that gave her away. ‘Edward told me Russell’s been fired and Diane’s leaving. I couldn’t be happier.’
‘So I see...’ Elliot’s tone was very dry.
She refused to look his way, even though it sounded like he didn’t see at all. And if he did, he was seeing it all wrong. Did he think she was upset that Russell was gone? God, she was thrilled! She never wanted to see that bastard again. She was angry, however, angry with herself for not having the courage to tackle Elliot with a few simple questions about himself. What was she afraid of? Elliot had never been anything but honest with her. OK, so he didn’t like talking about himself. A lot of men were like that.
‘Which way to your hairdressing establishment?’ Elliot asked somewhat brusquely.
‘Just drop me off down the main street of Newport, next to the newsagent’s.’
There was a small salon tucked away in an arcade there that Audrey had walked past a few times. It was rarely full and she felt sure she could be fitted in without an appointment. Now that she had made such an excuse, she saw no reason not to go through with it. It was what she intended doing some day anyway. Why not tonight? ‘I’ll catch a taxi home afterwards,’ she told him.
‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come and pick you up?’
‘No, I have no idea when I’ll be finished. You go home and study your form guide. I don’t know one end of a horse from the other so I’ll be looking for you to give me some tips tomorrow.’
His chuckle was wry. ‘You might be broke by the end of the day, though I guess that won’t worry the heiress of Modern Office Supplies. I read in the Financial Times only this morning that it’s an up-and-coming company, profits growing each year.’
The hairs on the back of Audrey’s neck prickled. ‘Oh? You make a habit of reading the Financial Times, do you?’
He shrugged. ‘I haven’t for a while, but I thought it was time I got back to work. Friday’s paper is full of good jobs.’
Audrey fell silent. Was Elliot going back to work because he needed the money? Had he perhaps already run through his wife’s?
More questions abounded on the tip of her tongue. Where do you come from? Who were your parents? How did you meet your wife? Did you really love her?
Damn it all! Why couldn’t she just come out with a few of them? It was quite normal and natural for her to want to know more about him.
‘This do?’ he asked, pulling over to the kerb.
She blinked. ‘Oh, yes...fine.’ She opened the door and went to get out when Elliot’s hand on her shoulder stilled her.
She turned slowly to look at him. God, but he was devastatingly handsome. Handsome and sexy, but too darned enigmatic for her peace of mind. ‘Yes?’ she asked, her big brown eyes projecting a pained dismay at her thoughts.
‘Nothing,’ he said softly. ‘Just this...’ And he leant over and kissed her.
It was their first kiss since last Saturday and she couldn’t help wondering if it was a kiss with a purpose, designed to cloud not clarify, to seduce not soothe.
But oh, the feel of his lips on hers was heaven. She sighed into his mouth, meeting his tongue hal
fway, welcoming its rather leisurely but exquisitely arousing exploration. Her hands clutched at his shirt and before she knew it, she was pulling him closer...closer...
It was Elliot who ended the kiss, Elliot who sent her off aching for him, Elliot who waved a cool goodbye, grey eyes glittering in a face carved like granite.
She watched him drive off, suddenly consumed with real alarm. Had his kiss been a deliberate ploy to keep her under his spell, because he had seen her slipping away from him? Did he have an ulterior motive in continuing to see her? Other than sex, that was. Marriage, maybe?
But that was far-fetched and ridiculous! She was imagining things. Edward had put ideas into her mind, ideas that had no basis in fact. Elliot might not be a saint but he had his own brand of honour and she loved him. Loved him and wanted him. What was more, she was going to have him. And nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to stand in her way!
CHAPTER SEVEN
WHEN Audrey arrived home shortly after nine that night she was caught going upstairs to her room by a scowling Lavinia striding across the foyer. Her stepmother looked even more livid when she glanced up and saw Audrey’s hair.
Audrey knew why. Her hair looked terrific. Gone was the hideous frizz, replaced by a sleek, chic bob that swept across her forehead from a side-parting to curve softly around her ears and jawline. Gone was the burgundy colour, replaced by a warm golden blonde, lustrous and flattering to her fair complexion.
‘Good God!’ Lavina exclaimed derisively, black eyes flashing. ‘What have you done to your hair?’
Audrey was ready for her in every way. ‘Nothing,’ she retorted blithely. ‘It was all my new hairdresser’s doing, actually.’
‘Very smart, Audrey,’ the other woman sneered. ‘I must say your turning twenty-one hasn’t improved your manners. Or maybe it’s the company you’re keeping. But I do think you might inform us when you’re not coming home for dinner. Poor Elsie cooked for you for nothing!’
‘I tried to telephone from the hairdresser’s,’ Audrey defended. ‘But the number was always engaged. Besides, you told me you and Father were going out to dinner tonight and Elsie always goes to a movie when you do that. I didn’t realise I was putting anyone out.’
‘Yes, well, your father had to stay home to take some business calls from overseas.’
‘I could hardly have been expected to know that, surely, Lavinia.’
‘Know what?’ asked a male voice.
Lavinia totally changed her demeanour at her husband’s sudden appearance. All aggression dissipated, a feminine coyness in its place. ‘About our staying in tonight, darling,’ she continued. ‘It seems Audrey didn’t go out with Elliot after all. She went to the hairdresser.’
Warwick Farnsworth gave his daughter a smiling scrutiny. ‘She certainly did. Audrey, my dear, you’re transformed! I would have walked past you in the street and not recognised you. You look so different as a blonde. Older...more sophisticated.’
‘Why, thank you, Father. I like my new look too. I’m not so sure Lavinia does, though.’
He gave his wife a frowning look. ‘I don’t know how she couldn’t. And I see you’ve been clothes shopping.’ He nodded towards the various plastic bags she was carrying.
‘Yes. I’m off to the races tomorrow with Elliot. I thought a new outfit was in order.’
Warwick looked surprised. ‘The races? Horse-racing or car-racing?’
‘Horse-racing. Didn’t Lavinia tell you? Elliot owns a part share of a horse, a filly named Little Girl Pink.’
‘No, she didn’t.’ There was a tightening of his mouth as a sharp glance passed between him and Lavinia. It was the first inkling Audrey had ever had that their relationship might not always be sweet sailing. But she found it hard to feel sympathy for her father in this. He’d married one woman for money and another for sex, neither very admirable reasons. He’d made his bed with Lavinia. Now he had to lie in it.
‘I must go,’ Audrey said, and hurried up the rest of the stairs. ‘I have a lot to do before tomorrow.’
Which she did.
Her hours at the hairdresser’s had proved a real boon. Not only had she been delighted with the way they’d done her hair, but the owner of the shop—a warm, friendly woman—was a good friend of the lady who managed the boutique next door. They’d got talking, and soon Audrey was being shown outfit after outfit as she sat under the drier. By the end of her stay she had chosen several new dresses and suits, along with matching accessories. She’d also been persuaded to have her face made up by the salon’s beautician, and had subsequently purchased the whole range of products the girl had used on her.
But she really needed to practise what she’d been shown before she forgot how to do it for herself.
Audrey dashed into her room and dumped all the bags on her bed. Finding the one with the make-up in it, she carefully arranged all the jars and bottles and tubes and brushes on her dressing-table, then sat down to stare in the mirror and admire her new look.
Of course the main change was her hair, with its softening effect. But she did so like the way the beautician had pencilled more definition into her eyebrows. As for her eyes... They looked large and appealing with the multi shadings of brown around them, not to mention the lashings of mascara.
Her hands lifted to trace over cheekbones she hadn’t known she had. But there they were, highlighted with a sweep of blusher from her cheek to her temple. Her mouth looked less girlish too, the dark lip-liner and shimmering gloss inside producing a lushly full effect. All in all, Audrey thought she looked... Dared she think it? Sexy? Or was that going too far? Maybe she should settle for sophisticated. Yes... That would do. Sophisticated.
She wondered what Elliot would think of her.
Butterflies churned in her stomach.
She dived on to her bed, rolling over on to her back and laughing happily.
Elliot...
She bounced off the bed, feeling another burst of wild elation as she caught sight of her reflection once more.
‘You won’t get away from me now, Elliot Knight,’ she cried, and hugged her new self in delight.
* * *
‘Good God!’ Elliot exclaimed, startled eyes sweeping over Audrey as she stepped out on to the landing, shutting the front door firmly behind her.
‘Don’t you like it?’ she asked coyly, well aware of the admiring flashes in his astonished gaze.
‘What’s it?’ he laughed. ‘Your hair, your face, or that smashing dress?’
She flushed with sheer pleasure. ‘The lot, I guess.’
His gaze zoomed down the row of black buttons that went from the deep V neckline down to the hem of the sleek cream woollen dress, then back up to her swinging blonde hairstyle and perfectly made-up face. Before he could say another word, she lifted the black straw picture hat she was holding and placed it saucily on her head. ‘And what about this?’ she smiled, even more confident now.
‘Fantastic!’ he said, shaking his head in awe.
He looked pretty fantastic himself, in a light grey three-piece suit and white silk shirt. There was none of the stubble he’d been sporting all week, his very male jaw-line satin smooth. Every lock of his thick dark hair was in place as well, slicked back away from his incredibly handsome face and fine grey eyes.
This time next week, came the unexpected thought, and Audrey’s stomach did a somersault.
‘Would you have recognised me if you passed me on the street?’ Audrey asked swiftly, needing a distraction from X-rated thoughts.
‘Of course!’
‘Oh, yes?’ she scoffed lightly. ‘My father said he wouldn’t have.’
Elliot’s smile was far too sexy for words. ‘Honey, I’d recognise those eyes of yours no matter what you did to them. And that mouth...’ One hand reached out to touch the shining bronze gloss with a soft fingertip. ‘Keep close today, darling,’ he whispered. ‘I don’t want to smash some daring gambler’s teeth in when he tries to chat you up. Now put that hat of yours un
der your arm and come along. Your future awaits.’
‘My future?’ She froze for a second and blinked up at him.
He laughed. ‘The races, then.’
But Audrey had thought he meant something else for a moment. Edward’s warnings popped back into her mind again and she darted Elliot a worried glance. She didn’t think he’d planned it all along, but was it possible that, having encountered her revamped appearance, he was thinking about marrying her for her money?
She felt shaken with the realisation that she didn’t automatically reject that idea.
‘I still can’t get over how great you look as a blonde,’ he said as he handed her into the passenger side of the black Saab.
Audrey’s smile felt stiff to her but Elliot didn’t appear to notice. He seemed in a very good mood all of a sudden, which worried her all the more. Though perhaps she was misreading the whole situation. Perhaps he just felt better about presenting a better-turned-out Audrey Farnsworth to his friends today.
She didn’t know, would never know anything much about Elliot if she just kept on sitting there with her stupid mouth shut. Say something! Ask him a few questions! Get some answers!
But she couldn’t seem to find the right words. Or the courage to say them.
Elliot chatted to her on and off all the way to Rosehill.
And revealed absolutely nothing.
Audrey had no idea how he did it. Or why.
She comforted herself with the thought that he couldn’t force her to marry him if that was his plan. She might love him like crazy, and be prepared to go to bed with him. But till she knew a lot more about him, that was as far as their relationship would go.
The race-course came into sight, the expanse of green grass looking odd against a background of factory chimneys and roofs. Audrey had never been to Rosehill before. She had gone along to Randwick once on Derby Day, when her father had been a guest of one of his many millionaire acquaintances. The races seemed to be full of people like that. Extremely wealthy owners, or rich businessmen out to impress clients with a day’s lavish entertainment at the sport of kings.