Tycoon's Choice: Kept by the Tycoon / Taken by the Tycoon / The Tycoon's Proposal

Madeleine gasped at Eve’s bluntness.

‘Look on it as being cruel to be kind,’ Eve said briskly. ‘You’ll be doing him no favours by hanging around. Now, how do you feel?’

‘I’m not sure. Relieved…a bit sad…restless…unsettled…and just hearing your voice has made me feel dreadfully homesick.’

‘You’ve been there for over a year, Maddy. Why don’t you come home?’

All at once, Madeleine very much wanted to. But if she did she would be in the same city as Rafe and run a risk, however small, of seeing him.

And that she couldn’t bear.

Just the thought made her skin chill with panic and the fine hairs on the back of her neck rise.

Picking up Madeleine’s unspoken fear, Eve brought it into the open. ‘Unless you’re afraid of running into Rafe?’

‘Well, I…’

‘London’s a big place, Maddy, and it’s not as if you normally move in the same social circles.’

‘That’s true.’ Then, saying aloud something she had only thought about, ‘He’ll no doubt be married to Fiona by now.’

‘I guess so. I haven’t noticed any mention of it in the papers, but then I don’t often get to read the society columns. So how about it? Are you coming home?’

‘I’d like to, but…’ Madeleine hesitated as the practicalities of the situation struck her. She hadn’t managed to save a great deal, and by the time she had paid her airfare she would have very little money left.

‘If I come home I won’t have a job.’ She voiced one of the most serious considerations.

‘Presumably you won’t have one there when you’ve left Wansdon Heights, and there are plenty of openings in England for a good physiotherapist.’

‘I’d have nowhere to live.’ Madeleine sighed.

‘Come to me until you find somewhere.’

‘You’ve only got one bedroom.’

‘Well, I’ve a fold-away put-you-up, and I’ve recently bought a bed-settee, like you used to have, for the lounge.’

Momentarily tempted, then suddenly remembering, Madeleine said hastily, ‘I couldn’t possibly. What about Dave? He wouldn’t want another woman cluttering up the place, even for a short time.’

‘He wouldn’t dare raise any objections. I’d kick him out if he did.’ Eve laughed.

‘Please, Eve,’ Madeleine cried anxiously, ‘don’t fall out with him on my account.’

‘Hey there, I’m only joking. Where’s your sense of humour gone?’

‘I’m sorry. I guess I’m just depressed.’

‘Then it’s high time you pulled yourself together and came back home. You’ve only been marking time in the States. Why don’t you really put the past behind you and start living again?’

After a moment, Madeleine said slowly, ‘I might just do that,’ and started to mean it.

‘Honest?’ Eve queried.

‘Honest.’

‘With regard to a job, you could always treat patients privately. Visit them in their own homes, or even take a live-in position, until you find the right kind of opening and accommodation.

‘Tell you what, I’m working tomorrow morning, filling in for Tracy. I can check the list of clients who want home-visits and see what new enquiries are coming in. I’ll let you know if there’s anything that seems suitable…Now, before you go, there’s someone here who would like a word with you. Just at the moment he’s sleeping on my bed-settee while he looks for a flat.’

‘Hi, beautiful!’ said a familiar voice.

‘Noel!’ Madeleine cried, her gladness evident.

‘What’s my favourite girl been doing?’

‘Behaving like an idiot.’

‘I don’t believe a word of it,’ he joked.

‘It’s great to hear your voice.’

‘I thought you’d be pleased. Hurry back, sugar. Seeing me in the flesh is bound to give you an even bigger thrill.’

Laughing, she said, ‘I didn’t know you were home.’

‘I’m back for good, ready to settle down to a nine-to-five job behind a desk.’

Madeleine didn’t believe him for a second. ‘You’re joking, of course.’

‘Yes and no. I’m going to give it a try, anyway.’

‘Any special reason?’ she pried.

‘You mean, is there a woman involved? Yes. Her name’s Zoe. She’s five feet three, with a figure like a dream, short dark hair, and eyes the colour of chocolate. Added to that, she’s clever, good-natured and loyal, and she thinks I’m the bee’s knees,’ he added smugly.

‘Well, she would, wouldn’t she? You always did have a good sales pitch. Just take care she doesn’t discover too many faults,’ Madeleine giggled.

‘Faults?’ He sounded affronted. ‘I don’t have any faults—like most men, I’m perfect.’

‘Of course you are. Sorry.’

‘I should think so. However, just in case she hasn’t realised all my finer qualities, it wouldn’t do any harm to have you on hand to sing my praises…’

‘Such as?’

‘Well, if you can’t think of anything better, you could always tell her how shy and sweet and utterly wonderful I am. If necessary I’ll pay you.’

‘You want me to lie to her for money?’