The Tycoon's Trophy Mistress

‘Charlotte was away when it happened. Not having had a holiday the previous year she’d taken five weeks off and, by the time she heard the news and flew home, it was all over.’

‘How old is Miss Michaels?’ Daniel pursued as they left the lift and made their way across the sumptuous marble-floored lobby to the main entrance where a limousine was waiting.

‘I don’t remember precisely. Twenty-five or six.’

‘What exactly does she do?’

‘Charlotte works with our main research team, analyzing current market trends and helping to predict future ones.’

‘Been with the company long?’

‘She started at the beginning of last year. Some time in February, I believe.’

‘How about her private life? Any men friends? A live-in lover, for example?’

Telford’s bushy eyebrows drew together in a frown. ‘I really don’t know.’ It was obvious that the middle-aged MD disapproved of such a personal question.

‘How does she get on with the men she works with?’

‘Very well. Though she can appear a little aloof, she’s always polite and friendly.’

‘No office romance of any kind?’ Daniel persisted.

‘Not that I’m aware of. In fact, it’s rumoured that since her engagement broke up earlier this year she’s tended to avoid men.’

‘I see. Is she good at her job?’

‘Excellent. I’d say she has one of the best brains in the team. But as well as being clever she’s genuinely nice and caring. She was extremely distressed by her stepbrother’s death.’

Telford held open one of the heavy smoked-glass doors for his boss and, as though by way of warning, added, ‘After reading the reports in the press, and hearing the office gossip, she became very upset and angry. She seemed to think that you were largely to blame for what had happened…’

Someone passed them, coming in, and the MD lowered his voice. ‘She handed in her notice but I didn’t want to lose her, so I told her to take some time off and think things over. I must admit I was both surprised and pleased when she chose to come back.’

Daniel’s grey eyes narrowed.

Most of his previous women had been easy, almost boringly so. Discovering what he was up against told him that this one would be anything but easy. In fact, it might prove to be one of the biggest challenges he had ever taken on.

But it was typical of the man that he never for an instant thought of giving up. He had always been a man who knew precisely how to get what he wanted, and he wanted this woman. Wanted her more than he had wanted anything for a very long time.

And he intended to have her.

He wondered briefly whether to postpone his flight, go back and speak to her now, introduce himself.

If he could bring everything out into the open he would be able to start his campaign immediately, as he was itching to do, rather than wait.

But a sure instinct warned that if he made his move too soon he could spoil everything. It would pay to be patient, to allow more time to elapse. That way heated emotions would have a better chance to cool.

So, reining in his impatience, he handed the waiting chauffeur his small amount of luggage, shook hands with Telford and reluctantly climbed into the limousine to be driven through the sunny September streets to the airport.

Back in New York he had hired Alan Sheering, a discreet London investigator—based, ironically enough, in Baker Street—to dig out everything he could about Charlotte Michaels and any possible boyfriend.

Sheering reported that, apart from her ex-fiancé, he could find no trace of any boyfriends past or present. He had also come up with a goodly amount of general information, including the fact that she had always enjoyed travelling and had expressed a wish to one day visit the States.

Using that as a starting point, Daniel had decided on a plan. A plan that would, if it worked, bring him a step nearer to his goal, by providing a change of scene and distancing both Charlotte Michaels and himself from what had happened in London.

Sounding brisk and businesslike, he had phoned Telford. ‘I’ve decided that, in order to provide firsthand experience of how things are done both in the States and the UK, there should be some exchange of personnel.’

‘What exactly do you have in mind?’ his MD had asked cautiously.

‘As a trial run, say, one of our London-based Research Team changes places with one from New York to study the possible differences in market trends.’

‘For how long?’

‘Six months. A year. We’ll see how it goes.’

‘Have you anyone particular in mind?’

‘From this end an up and coming youngster named Matthew Curtis is eager to give it a try.’

‘And from the London end?’

Bearing in mind that the move had to be voluntary, Daniel suggested as casually as possible, ‘Suppose you see who’s interested?’

If she didn’t take the bait he would have to think of something else.

‘I don’t know how well such a scheme will be received,’ Telford said slowly. ‘You see, the majority of our team are either married or have partners, and as most of them also have young families they’re hardly likely to welcome so much upheaval. Still, I can always circulate a memo and see what response we get.’

‘Do that.’ Daniel crossed his fingers and waited with what patience he could muster.

In the end, only two people put in for the temporary transfer—Paul Rowlands, the newest member of the team and, to both Telford’s and Daniel’s surprise, Charlotte Michaels.

Briefly, Daniel wondered what had made her apply. But, if Sheering was right, there was nothing to keep her in London and perhaps she felt she needed a change of scene, a chance to leave the past behind.

Delighted that things had worked out so well, he could hardly control his impatience. These last weeks had seemed endless, making him feel restless and dissatisfied. Eager as a boy.

‘Are you thinking of interviewing the candidates yourself?’ Telford had asked.

Wanting everything to seem routine and above board, Daniel had answered, ‘No, I’ll leave that to you. All the same, as it’s my baby and I’ve a personal interest in the outcome, I’d like to hold a watching brief, so when you decide on the day I’ll make a flying visit. But don’t advertise it,’ he added crisply, ‘and don’t send the car to the airport. I’d prefer to slip in unnoticed.’

If his MD wondered at these instructions he said nothing.

Now the big day had arrived, and things were going well so far. Telford had talked to Paul Rowlands that morning and been unimpressed, convinced that he was not yet ready to benefit from such a move.

Now, after lunch, it was Charlotte Michaels’ turn.

Waiting impatiently for her to arrive at Telford’s office, Daniel had half wondered if she really was as lovely as he’d first thought her. Suppose on second sight he was disappointed?

But when she finally appeared he sighed. She was even more beautiful than he remembered and, as if he had carried her picture in his mind, oddly familiar.