A Winter Proposal / His Diamond Bride: A Winter Proposal / His Diamond Bride

‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that to happen,’ she said untruthfully.

Gazing up at him, she knew he had a grandstand view of her face and the generous curves of her breasts, with just one button of the sedate blouse undone. Now the smile, soft and warm, dawning slowly, suggesting that she’d been pleasantly amazed at the attractions of the young man looking down at her.

‘Hello,’ she said.

CHAPTER FOUR

CHARLIE drew a long, slow breath, visibly stunned. This was useful, Pippa thought, bringing a professional mind to bear on the situation, because it gave her the chance to study him.

He was certainly handsome. His face was slightly fuller than his brother’s, just enough to give it a vivacious quality that was alluring. His mouth was attractively curved, and she guessed that many a girl had sighed hopelessly for him. He was too boyish to attract her, but he seemed pleasant.

‘Hello,’ he murmured, distracted. Then he recovered his poise and seated himself next to Pippa. ‘Look, I’m sorry. I’m only mad at him.’ He indicated Roscoe.

‘He must be an absolutely terrible person,’ she said sympathetically.

‘He is. Definitely.’

‘And now he wants to force his choice of lawyer on you—someone middle-aged and ignorant of the modern world, who won’t understand you. Oh, yes, and respectable. Shocking!’

She couldn’t meet Roscoe’s eye. He was leaning back, regarding her performance with wry appreciation.

‘By the way, I’m Charlie Havering,’ the young man said, holding out a hand.

‘I’m Pippa Jenson,’ she said, taking it. ‘And I’m your lawyer.’

Charlie grinned. ‘Yeah, right!’

‘Seriously. I’m a solicitor. I work for Farley & Son.’

‘But you can’t be,’ Charlie protested. ‘You don’t look at all respectable.’

‘Watch your manners, Charlie,’ Roscoe said. ‘This is a highly qualified lady you’re talking to.’

‘I can see that,’ Charlie said, taking her hand. ‘Very highly qualified.’

Roscoe caught his breath as he found himself surrounded by double entendres. ‘I only meant,’ he said carefully, ‘that she’s a professional—no, not like that—’

He swore inwardly as he realised what Pippa could make of this, but she surprised him, bursting out laughing. Laughter possessed her utterly, making her rock back and forth while peals of merriment danced up from her and Charlie regarded her with delight. In fact Roscoe realised that everyone in the place was smiling at her, as though just by being there she brightened the day.

She reached across the table and took Roscoe’s hand. ‘Oh, shut up,’ she told him, still laughing, ‘You make it worse with every word.’

‘I don’t mean to. I was considering your feelings,’ he said stiffly, withdrawing his hand.

‘Heavens, we’re way past that. Enough. It’s finished.’

‘As you wish. But Charlie, behave yourself.’

‘Why, when I’m talking to the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever met? Hey! ‘

One moment he was leaning close in a seductive conspiracy. The next, he was bouncing with agitation at something he’d seen.

‘It’s him,’ he yelped, leaping to his feet. ‘Just let me get to him.’

Across the restaurant, a long-haired young man turned in alarm, then vanished between some curtains, closely followed by Charlie.

‘What was that?’ Pippa said, looking around.

‘A man who owes him money,’ Roscoe observed. ‘One of many.’

‘So that’s your brother. He’ll be an interesting client. Yes, I think I’ll accept his case.’

It was on the tip of Roscoe’s tongue to tell her to forget it because he’d changed his mind. But he controlled the impulse, as he controlled so many impulses in his life, and sat in tense silence, a prey to opposing feelings. On the surface, things were working out exactly as he’d wanted. The smile she’d given Charlie was perfect for the purpose, and it had had the desired effect. His brother had been transfixed, just as Roscoe had meant him to be. So, what more did he want?

He didn’t know. All he knew for certain was that he hated it.

‘Pippa,’ he said edgily, ‘I must be honest, I think you’re going about this the wrong way.’

‘What?’ She stared at him. ‘I’m doing what you said you wanted.’

‘Yes, but I had in mind something a little more—’ He hesitated, made cautious by the look in her eyes.

‘A little more what?’ she asked in a voice that was softly dangerous.

‘More subtle,’ he said desperately.

‘Mr Havering, are you telling me how to do my job?’

‘I wouldn’t dare.’

‘Really? I’m not sure of that. Perhaps we should have discussed this before now, so that you could tell me exactly how a woman goes about beguiling a man? After all, I know so little about the subject, don’t I? How stupid of me not to have taken lessons from you! Why don’t you instruct me now so that I’ll know which boxes to tick?’

‘All right,’ he said quickly. ‘Of course you know more than I do about this.’

‘Which I thought was why you hired me. Anyway, I’m not doing well, since his attention was so easily distracted. One hint of an unpaid debt and he’s off. Hmm! Perhaps I should review my strategy.’

‘I feel sure your strategy is quite up to the challenge.’

‘It’s the first time a man has walked away from me when I was trying to mesmerise him. I could feel quite insulted by that.’

‘You’re having a bad day for insults, aren’t you?’

‘Between you and him, yes.’

‘Then I may as well add to my crimes by pointing out that he didn’t walk away from you, he ran away at full speed. Perhaps I’ve hired the wrong person.’

‘You could be right. Desperate measures are called for. I must lure my prey into a net from which he cannot escape.’

‘Always assuming that he returns at all,’ Roscoe pointed out. ‘You may have to go after him.’