Stand-In Mistress

‘Oh…’

With a gleam of mockery, he added, ‘Who was it said, “Love all and marry none”?’

‘Whoever it was, I understand you follow their advice to the letter?’ The sharp words were out before she could prevent them.

‘I have until now,’ he admitted easily. Then with a sidelong glance, ‘You sound as if you disapprove?’

She answered the question with another. ‘Who was it said, “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”?’

‘Now, that one I can answer. Herrick.’

His voice, as well as being attractive, was educated, but, not having put him down as a man who would take much interest in poetry, she was surprised by his knowledge.

‘Do you agree with the sentiment?’ he pursued.

‘I suppose so,’ she admitted, ‘though I haven’t had much time for gathering rosebuds.’

‘Why not?’

She replied briefly, ‘When our parents died in a train crash I left college to take over the running of the house.’

‘How old were you then?’

‘Nineteen.’

‘And you went to work for your brother at the same time?’

‘Yes.’

‘How many were there in the family?’

‘Just three. Steve, who’s the eldest, myself, and Milly, who was only a schoolgirl.’

‘So you’ve been a mother to your younger sister?’

‘You could say that.’

Seeing he was about to probe further, she forced a bright smile, and changed the subject. ‘I understand that you’ll be in Norway for six weeks or so?’

‘That’s right.’

‘It seems a long time for a business trip. Are you planning a new project?’

‘No. Just sorting out a family business that’s been in existence for generations.’

‘A family business?’ she echoed in surprise. ‘Surely Lancing isn’t a Norwegian name?’

‘No, it was my mother who came from Norway. Her father was Norwegian and her mother English. An only child, she lived with her parents in Bergen until she met and married my father.

‘After that she only returned to Norway for holidays, though the family remained close until she was killed in an accident just over a year ago.

‘When my grandfather died shortly afterwards he left me the Dragon Shipping Line and hotel business he’d spent his entire life running.

‘Since then there have been quite a few problems, and a while ago I sent one of my best men over there to deal with them.

‘Paul was fairly sure he was well on his way to sorting them out without needing me, but during the last couple of months things have started to go wrong again.

‘Then this morning something more serious happened that made up his mind that he needed my help, and he contacted me to say he thinks I should go after all.

‘If the problems had been resolved I would probably have left my trip until the spring. But as it is, I can’t let things drift until then.’

Starting to feel more than a little woozy, she asked, ‘Why spring?’

‘Because, though September is a wonderful time to hike in the hills, Norway is particularly beautiful in the spring when the ice is breaking up and the rivers are in spate…

‘You see, as well as dealing with the business side, it’s my intention to take some time off and have a break.

‘Due to pressure of work I haven’t had a proper holiday for a couple of years, and I haven’t been to Norway for more than a few days at a time on business.

‘I’m very fond of my mother’s homeland, so the thought of taking a real holiday there is an enticing prospect…’

Enticing enough to almost make Milly leave her husband, Joanne thought bitterly.

He raised a winged brow. ‘Judging by your expression, you don’t think so?’

‘Not at all,’ she disagreed hastily. ‘I’ve always thought Norway must be wonderful. Which part are you going to?’

‘Bergen. Have you ever been there?’

‘No.’

‘Have you done much travelling?’

‘Not since my parents died. Though I did have a long-weekend break earlier this year.’

‘Where did you choose to go?’

‘I was hoping to go to Rome, but Trevor favoured Amsterdam.’ Now, what on earth had made her tell him that?

Picking up her left hand, he examined the diamond solitaire she wore. ‘Trevor being your fiancé?’

After a brief hesitation, she said, ‘Yes.’

He stroked over her knuckles with his thumb, sending a shiver through her. ‘But obviously he’s not the jealous type?’

‘No.’ Restive beneath his touch, she withdrew her hand, and glanced a shade muzzily at her watch. Milly and Duncan should be away from the house in the next five minutes or so…

‘You seem eager to leave,’ Brad commented lightly.