The Marriage Takeover

Then, addressing her directly, he said, ‘No doubt you’ll need time, a proper chance to think it over.’

In answer to Alan’s appealing glance, and bearing in mind that so far nothing had been said about a job for her, she said carefully, ‘I can tell you now that if Alan is offered a job in the States I would be very happy to come with him.’

His mouth wry, Lang Dalton suggested sardonically, ‘Home is where the heart is?’

‘Trite, but true.’

Though he gave no obvious sign, with an insight that surprised her Cassandra knew her calm answer had nettled him.

Looking at Alan, Lang said briskly, ‘In that case, tomorrow morning, if you’re agreeable, you’ll be flown to LA. It would be advisable to spend a couple of days going through the finance department offices. That way you’ll be able to see at first hand just what the post entails.

‘I’ve asked the executive staff to be prepared to go in this weekend, so you can meet the people who, if the promotion goes through, you’ll be working with. It will give you a good chance to size each other up…’

Watching their faces, Alan’s open and blazing with excitement, the older man’s cool and shuttered, hiding his thoughts, Cassandra felt the first prickle of apprehension.

Lang Dalton had said ‘You’ll be flown to LA…you’ll be able to see at first hand…’ No mention had been made of her going.

But she was just being over-anxious, she assured herself firmly. He had told Alan to make her his PA, he knew they were a good team, and he had invited them both to California.

As though sensing her tension, Alan asked, ‘What about Cass? Will she—?’

‘I’m afraid any deal doesn’t include a job for your future wife, though the rise in salary should more than compensate for that.’

Alan tried again. ‘Only Cass is the best PA I’ve ever had—’

Frowning, Lang broke in, ‘George Irvine already has a very experienced PA who has been with him on a part-time basis for a number of years. Miss Shulster knows all the ins and outs of our West Coast financial dealings, the kind of companies and projects we are willing to lend money to. Though she only comes in for four hours a day she should prove invaluable…’

Seeing that the younger man looked about to argue, Lang added with an air of finality, ‘She has an invalid mother to care for and support, so I have no intention of disturbing the status quo. If you feel you can’t fit in with the present set-up then we’ll forget the whole thing.’

‘Oh, no…’ Alan cried hastily, ‘I’m quite sure I can fit in… And Cass won’t mind, I know. She’s never been a dedicated businesswoman.’

His expression unreadable, Lang Dalton lifted his wine glass and took a sip, before saying with a touch of irony, ‘Really? Yet I seem to recall from her career résumé that at university Cassandra studied market-forces and economics and graduated with a first class honours degree…?’

How in heaven’s name had he remembered a thing like that? she wondered dazedly. Surely he couldn’t come up with such detailed information about all his personnel?

Once again she felt disturbed, threatened.

‘Or perhaps I’m mistaken?’

Looking uncomfortable, Alan began, ‘No, that’s quite right, and I don’t mean Cass isn’t excellent at her job, but she’s…’

‘Expendable?’ Lang suggested softly.

‘Certainly not… What I meant was she isn’t career-minded, it isn’t that important to her…’

He floundered to a stop. An only child, spoilt and pampered, he wasn’t used to having to explain himself.

‘You mean that you think she would be willing to sacrifice her career for yours?’

Looking a little put out at such blunt speaking, Alan admitted, ‘Well, yes, but I—’

Lang glanced at her. ‘Perhaps we should allow Cassandra to speak for herself?’

Irked, both by Lang Dalton’s intervention and by being discussed as if she weren’t present, Cassandra murmured sweetly, ‘You’re too kind.’

Ignoring the gleam of amusement that appeared in his dark blue eyes, she went on, ‘Alan’s quite right. I thoroughly enjoy my job, but I’m far from being a dedicated career woman…’

Lang regarded her, a frown drawing his well-marked brows together. He’d expected someone shrewd and calculating, hard and self-centred. This apparent willingness to put Brent’s interests first had come as a surprise.

Crisply, she added, ‘There are other important things in life.’

‘Such as?’

‘Perhaps because of my upbringing, I believe that taking care of a home and a family are of equal importance.’

There was a tense silence, before, his face curiously set and hard, Lang turned to Alan and said abruptly, ‘Very well. I’ll give instructions for the helicopter to be ready first thing in the morning.’

With a grateful glance at Cassandra, Alan asked, ‘It will be okay for Cass to go to LA with me?’

‘I think not.’ Lang’s answer was decisive. ‘This will be business all the way, and I’ve never believed in mixing business and pleasure…

‘Not that there would be much time for pleasure,’ he added drily.

Seeing Cassandra’s stricken face, Alan began, ‘Oh, but couldn’t she—?’

‘I’m sure your fiancée can bear to part with you for just a couple of days.’ Lang’s tone was caustic.

As Alan looked at Cassandra helplessly, the butler returned with the final course, and a tray of coffee. Her stomach churning, Cassandra refused the chocolate and cream confection, while Alan, who had a schoolboy greed for gooey gateaux and trifles, accepted a liberal helping.

Waving away the rich sweet, Lang allowed his cup to be filled with black coffee, before turning to say to the younger man, ‘All the arrangements have been made for you to spend the night at Seguro House, in the executive suite. I just need to finalize them…’

Then, with a bite, he added, ‘That is, unless you’ve changed your mind about going? It’s up to you.’

Alan finished swallowing a mouthful of chocolate and cream, and after a brief hesitation said, ‘I’d prefer to leave it up to Cass.’

Cassandra drew a deep, uneven breath. Usually she was sensible and well-balanced, but there was nothing remotely sensible or well-balanced about her reaction to being left alone here with Lang Dalton.

But wasn’t she exaggerating, getting worked up about nothing? They wouldn’t be alone. There was a houseful of servants.

As if a houseful of servants made one iota of difference! She still dreaded the thought. And Alan must surely know how she felt?

But, in all fairness, no man in his right mind would turn down an opportunity like that. He’d done the best he could in the circumstances. Given her a chance to veto it.

A chance he knew quite well she wouldn’t take.

Just for an instant she felt resentful.

Glancing up, she discovered Lang Dalton was watching her intently.