A Wicked Persuasion

by Catherine George

  He flushed angrily. ‘That’s not a very pleasant thing to say, Harriet.’

  ‘You haven’t answered my question, so let me put it another way. You took over from my father at the bank, so when you heard the marriage rumours about him perhaps you fancied taking his place at River House, too. And the only way to do that would be through marriage. With me.’

  Nick’s practised charm fell away from him like a discarded coat. ‘Why the hell not?’ he said arrogantly. ‘You could do a lot worse than me, Harriet. There are plenty of women here in town who’d say yes in a flash if I proposed.’

  ‘Then marry one of them,’ she advised, and picked up her bag. ‘I’m afraid the answer’s no. But thank you for asking—and for dinner. Goodnight.’

  On the drive home Harriet was half inclined to confront her father immediately and ask if the rumours were accurate, but decided against it when she reached the Lodge. Her evening had been unsettling enough as it was. If she’d had the remotest idea about Nick’s ambitions she would have turned the offer of dinner down flat before he got to his ridiculous proposal. She sighed heavily. Her self-esteem was taking quite a hammering these days. It was obvious now that Nick Corbett’s sole reason for seeking her company these past few months had been to get a foot in at River House.

  Harriet heard no more from James, other than news from Moira that at the moment he was too heavily involved with the expansion of his Live Wires Group for visits to the Old Rectory.

  ‘Which is just as well, because now the plumbing’s sorted—at astronomic expense—I think I’m coming down with flu. In the meantime I’m going stir-crazy. I hope we can get together soon for the lunch that never happened, Harriet.’

  ‘We’ll sort something out when you’re better.’

  ‘How are you now, Harriet? No more migraines?’

  ‘No, indeed. Thanks to my holiday by the sea, I’m absolutely fine.’

  This was pure fiction, but Harriet was sure that if she said it often enough it might become fact, and made a note to send get well flowers to Moira.

  The Sunday lunch passed off with reasonable success, mainly because Harriet had warned her sisters in advance that their father had invited a friend to join them. Julia, of course, merely felt amused curiosity and, since Gervase was on hand to curb Sophie’s jealous reaction to Madeleine Fox, the introductions passed off smoothly. The meal was not only superb, as usual, but a lot easier for Harriet because Margaret had volunteered to stay to serve the first two courses.

  Conversation after the meal was easy enough, since Julia was perfectly happy to talk about the fashion shoot, details of which, happily, fascinated Sophie as much as Madeleine Fox. And because the lady was also interested in news of Annabel, happy at home with Pilar, Sophie thawed considerably, particularly when she learned that Madeleine lived at Fossedyke Court. Aubrey Wilde was happy in his guest’s company, but not in an overt enough way to raise any suspicions, and though Harriet had fully expected a wedding announcement, the party broke up with only the usual thanks and an invitation from Madeleine to repeat the pleasure at her place soon. The minute Aubrey left to drive Madeleine home, Sophie pounced on Harriet.

  ‘How long has this been going on with Mrs Fox?’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ve only just met her myself. Her golf handicap is only eight, so they have a lot in common.’

  Julia smiled her cat-like smile. ‘Not just golf, I fancy. Pa is definitely smitten.’

  ‘Smitten?’ said Sophie, horrified.

  ‘Why not?’ Gervase said calmly. ‘Your father’s a relatively young man, and Mrs Fox is an attractive woman.’

  ‘Surely he doesn’t want to bring her here to live!’ Sophie turned on Harriet. ‘You must know more about this than you’re letting on—’

  ‘She’ll hardly want to move from Fossedyke Court,’ interrupted Julia. ‘I thought an old man lived there alone, Harriet.’

  ‘He died and she’s recently inherited it, so he was obviously a relative.’ Harriet yawned. ‘Does anyone want tea?’

  ‘Actually, we need to get off,’ Gervase warned his wife. ‘Can’t wear Pilar out now we know what life is like without her.’

  ‘No, indeed,’ agreed Sophie instantly. ‘But don’t forget to keep me in the picture about Mrs Fox, Harriet.’

  Julia laughed. ‘I suppose you want her to demand Pa’s intentions!’

  Harriet was surprised to find she enjoyed the evening alone with her sister after Sophie went, even when satisfying Julia’s curiosity about the first event organised at River House.

  ‘So come on, Cinderella, was the dress a success?’

  Harriet laughed. ‘It certainly was. Though I wouldn’t have chosen something like that for myself.’

  ‘Tell me something I don’t know!’ Julia smiled lazily. ‘So more details, please. Who exactly hired the house?’

  ‘James Crawford, head of the Live Wires Group, aka the unsuitable object of my teenage passion,’ Harriet announced, and laughed when her sister’s jaw dropped. ‘Father’s probably sorry that he made me dump James back then now he’s so successful … There’s the car. I’d better get going. What time will your people arrive tomorrow?’

  ‘At eight and work through until at least six. I’ll put my bedroom at the models’ disposal. By the way, I asked Margaret if she fancied doing the catering during the shoot and she was all for it.’

  Harriet’s eyes lit up. ‘What a brilliant idea, Julia. She won’t be needed to clean the house while your lot are here. And now John’s retired they can do with the extra money. What kind of food are you talking about?’

  ‘I suggested something hearty and meaty, plus a vegetarian choice and salads, so she’s going shopping first thing in the morning. I’ll pay her when she comes back.’

  Julia turned with a smile as Aubrey came in. ‘You weren’t long.’

  He smiled genially. ‘I thought I’d keep you company and let Harriet get to bed early, ready for work tomorrow. Though she works too hard, in my opinion.’

  A good thing she did, Harriet reflected darkly as she got ready for bed. It gave her less time to worry. And right on cue, as if she’d conjured him up at the mere thought, James rang.

  ‘How are you?’

  ‘Better. Thank you.’

  ‘I wasn’t alluding to your migraine!’

  ‘I’m perfectly fine otherwise, too,’ she assured him.

  ‘I’m not to be a father after all?’

  ‘Not of any child of mine.’

  Silence.

  ‘Is that the truth, Harriet?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said tightly, fingers crossed.

  ‘If I were there I’d know. You were never good at telling lies.’

  ‘Why on earth would I lie about something like this?’

  ‘That’s obvious!’

  ‘Not to me.’

  ‘If you were expecting my child your father would have you married to me in a flash now my money’s made me eligible. Eligible to him, at least, if not to—’

  Harriet rammed her finger on the off button, and managed to put the phone down gently instead of hurling it across the room.

  The next few days were so full there was no opportunity to dwell on personal problems. After hiring a car for the week to get into town, life was hectic in work but, because Julia would be the necessary family presence at River House, Harriet’s watchful eye was unnecessary at home while an amazing amount of people took it over during the fashion shoot, which went off without a hitch. When it was all over, Charlotte handed over the cheque, minus her fee, Julia went straight back to London and Aubrey delayed his return home until Margaret had put the house to rights after the shoot.

  ‘I hope this hasn’t worn you out, Margaret,’ said Harriet when it was all over.

  ‘Good heavens, no. It was such fun being part of it, and everyone was complimentary about my cooking. John enjoyed working with me too.’ Margaret smiled wryly. ‘He’s finding retirement a bit boring. He doesn’t play golf like your dad, and our g
arden isn’t huge, so he really likes helping out up here.’

  ‘I could pay him to do that on a regular basis now if he likes,’ offered Harriet.

  ‘He’d be only too pleased.’ Margaret frowned at Harriet as she burnished the gleaming counter tops. ‘He could do the mowing for a start, which would save you doing it at weekends. I worry about you, Harriet.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Someone has to,’ the woman said darkly. ‘You’ll be tired out after going down to Wales by train to fetch the car.’

  ‘Not much option. I need transport.’

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  WHEN a television crew moved into River House to film a couple of scenes from a popular sitcom Harriet decided to ask Sophie if she fancied to driving over to watch. Her sister shrieked with delight, and promised to be there next morning after taking Annabel to nursery school.

  ‘Pilar can pick her up—it’s just wonderful to have her back, Harriet.’

  ‘I hope you’re paying her enough.’

  ‘Gervase gave her a big rise and bought a new television for her room. And not just because she’s so good with Annabel,’ added Sophie hastily. ‘We’re really fond of her.’

  Aubrey went off to stay at Fossedyke Court again before the television company invaded to take over the house, and Harriet’s only option was to take more leave to maintain a watchful family presence. Two spare bedrooms were made available for the actors, but a catering truck was set up for meals this time round. Utterly fascinated by the cameras and lights and cables trailing everywhere on the ground floor of the house, Harriet kept out of the way in the hall to watch well-known faces at work, amazed by the extraordinary number of technical people needed to shoot the scenes.

  Sophie arrived, dressed to the nines and buzzing with excitement as she took in all the activity. ‘Are they paying a lot of money?’ she whispered to Harriet.

  Harriet nodded. ‘Enough to swell the River House business account and pay Margaret the extra she deserves to clear up afterwards.’

  ‘Fabulous! Can we watch as they shoot an actual scene?’

  To take advantage of the good weather, the outdoor scene was shot first. The sisters watched the proceedings together in fascination, Sophie delighted when they were invited to eat lunch with the crew.

  ‘Great house you have here, Miss Wilde,’ said the director. ‘I’m Ashley Wade.’

  ‘My sister, Sophie Barclay,’ said Harriet, and Sophie beamed at him.

  ‘This is all so fascinating! How long will you be here?’

  ‘The weather should let us do all the outdoor stuff today, so with luck we should be finished by Friday at the latest.’ He smiled at Harriet. ‘You’ll be glad to have the house to yourself again.’

  ‘You didn’t tell him you don’t actually live there,’ whispered Sophie as they went down to the Lodge afterwards.

  ‘No need for him to know,’ Harriet said.

  ‘He’s very attractive!’

  ‘Is he?’

  ‘Oh, Harriet! You’re impossible. By the way, I’ve invited some friends to dinner on Saturday and I insist that you come too. Now don’t say no. You’ll feel flat once this lot go away so make the effort. I promise you’ll like the people I’ve invited.’

  Sophie was right. Once the film crew had departed with all its traffic and trailers the quiet was so intense by contrast Harriet was glad of an evening away from River House.

  The weather was so warm Harriet drove her credit card to town. She returned home later to a phone call from Moira, who thanked her for the flowers, reported that she was no longer infectious, and could Harriet manage lunch one day in the week to tell her all about the filming? There was no mention of James.

  Harriet whiled away the rest of the afternoon by pampering herself. Tonight she would do Sophie proud. The creamy-pink linen shift she’d bought earlier was demure enough from the front, but cut lower in the back and shorter in the skirt than she would have preferred. It had been so pricey her only consolation was the matching jacket which meant it could be recycled for Lily’s wedding later in the summer, along with the nude pumps bought for the party.

  ‘My God, Harriet, you’re a delight to the eye,’ exclaimed Gervase, as he opened the door to her. ‘Where’s the car?’

  ‘I parked it along the road for easy getaway.’ She smiled as her sister appeared in a jade silk dress which had probably cost at least twice as much as Harriet’s. ‘Hi, Sophie.’

  Her sister smiled in approval as she kissed her. ‘That’s new! I love the dress.’

  Harriet flung out her arms as a small figure in a nightie came running down the stairs, with dark, pretty Pilar hot on her charge’s heels.

  ‘Auntie, I’m better now. Look, look! Pilar came back.’

  Harriet swung Annabel up and kissed her soundly. ‘So you are, and so she has. Hello there, Pilar.’

  ‘Hola señora.’ The girl smiled warmly, and held out her arms for Annabel. ‘Come, I take you to bed.’

  ‘I’ll be up to read you a story as soon as the last guest arrives,’ promised Sophie.

  ‘I’ll do that,’ said Harriet quickly, and blew kisses to her beaming niece as Pilar took her upstairs. She followed Gervase and Sophie to join the guests in the big garden at the back of the house and accepted a glass of Pimms to sip during the introductions and greetings session.

  ‘I’m Philip Mountford,’ said a late arrival. ‘Who are you, and what do you do, and if you live here in town why haven’t I met you before?’

  Harriet smiled politely. The man was good-looking, very much aware of it, and very much not her type. ‘I’m Harriet Wilde, sister of your hostess, I’m an accountant and I don’t live in Pennington.’

  ‘Harriet,’ said Gervase, joining them with a Pimms jug. ‘Let me top up your glass.’

  ‘No, thanks. I’ve had my quota. Long drive home, remember.’

  ‘Stay the night this time! Annabel would love that.’

  For once, as an alternative to the Lodge of a very empty River House, Harriet was tempted. ‘Better not. Father’s away over the weekend.’

  Philip Mountford’s eyes gleamed. ‘Where do you live?’ he asked.

  ‘An hour away by car,’ said Gervase, and took her hand. ‘Excuse us, Mountford, our final guest has arrived by the sound of it.’

  Sophie was all smiles as she ushered her companion out into the garden. ‘I’ll introduce you to everyone later, James. You know Harriet already, so I’ll leave you in her capable hands.’

  ‘Evening, Crawford,’ said Gervase affably. ‘Could you drink a Pimms, or shall I get you a beer?’

  James’s dark, lean elegance was a striking contrast to the florid good looks of Philip Mountford. Harriet’s heart rapped against her ribs as he shook his host’s hand, requested a beer and then turned to smile at her. ‘You look very beautiful this evening, Miss Wilde. I was told to give you a message. Annabel is ready for her story.’

  Sophie came rushing across to intercept her. ‘I’ll read to her, Harriet. You stay and talk to James.’

  Harriet shook her head and put her glass down. ‘I promised. See you later, James.’ She walked away without haste, hoping her back view was worth the money she’d paid for it.

  ‘One story only,’ Sophie called after her. ‘Dinner’s almost ready.’

  Annabel patted the bed beside her eagerly as Harriet entered the bedroom. ‘You were a long time, Auntie.’

  ‘Sorry, darling. Which story do you want?’

  As soon as the short, but harrowing tale of a lost puppy restored to its owner ended Pilar came in, and Harriet kissed her little niece lovingly.

  ‘Goodnight, darling. I’ll see you again soon. Goodnight, Pilar.’

  James was waiting at the foot of the stairs when Harriet went down. ‘In case you’ve forgotten the way there, I’m ordered to escort you to the dining room,’ he informed her.

  Harriet smiled brightly as they crossed the shining expanse of hall floor. ‘I didn’t know you were coming tonight.�
��

  He raised a sardonic eyebrow. ‘Obviously. Or you wouldn’t be here.’

  ‘Wrong. My father’s away and the television people who were filming at River House all week have finished, so the place felt a bit lonely after they’d gone.’

  ‘Even though you don’t actually live in it?’

  ‘There you are,’ said Sophie, beckoning to them. ‘Come and sit down; the first course is on the way. I’ve put you between James and Philip,’ she whispered to Harriet, ‘so have fun.’

  The wine, as always with Gervase, was lavish and because most of the guests knew each other well the conversation was easy and entertaining, and Harriet soon found she was enjoying herself far more than expected. The bittersweet pleasure of sitting close to James was marred only by the proximity of Philip Mountford, who seemed convinced she was there solely for his benefit and kept crowding her.

  ‘Shall I pop him in the eye?’ James whispered at one stage, and grinned as she stifled a giggle.

  ‘If all else fails I’ll ram my heel into his foot,’ she murmured. ‘This crab is delicious,’ she said aloud.

  ‘So are you,’ James whispered in her ear.

  Harriet stared at him wide-eyed, her colour rising as she realised Sophie was calling to her.

  ‘I was just telling everyone about the filming at River House, Harriet.’

  Harriet found herself suddenly the focus of everyone’s attention. Questions were fired from all directions as she and Sophie described the experience. She shot an apologetic glance at her sister after a while. ‘Sorry—we must be boring everyone.’

  Sophie smiled with unusual benevolence. ‘Of course we’re not. It was fascinating. Who’s next on the list, Harriet?’

  ‘A cookery show is filming an episode there next.’

  ‘You must be coining it in hand over fist,’ said Philip with relish.

  Gervase gave him a cold look. ‘A bit personal, Mountford?’

  Philip shrugged. ‘No offence. Given the chance to swell my cash flow, a film crew could take my place over any time.’