Th-that thought hadnt even occurred to me!
He raked grimly amused eyes over her pink cheeks. He does have a sex life, though.
Chrissy studied her plate. H-hardly anything to do with me.
He likes a quiet life in every other way. Prefers horses to people, spends most of his time outdoors. Hes not fussy about his surroundings. You wont be expected to polish the furniture to a mirror shine
If he gets married all that will change, she mused absently.
Hell never get married, Blaze countered with a sardonic smile. No reason to, every reason not to.
How soon could I get an interview? Chrissy pressed.
Youve just had it, Blaze told her carelessly, his attention switching to Rosie, who was striving hopelessly to stretch a short arm far enough from her high-chair to filch a mushroom off his plate.
Stop that, Rosie. You cant have it, Chrissy admonished by rote. Are you saying that I can have the job on your recommendation? she said, turning back to Blaze.
Rosie got her mushroom.
If you want it, its yours.
He must be a very good friend. As bait, it failed, drawing no response. Sensing that Blaze was becoming bored with the subject, Chrissy asked, How soon could I start?
As soon as you can get yourself up there.
Rosie was now casting languishing looks at the fried tomato.
Blaze surrendered and cast Chrissy a look of reproof. You should have let me order her a proper meal. Shes starving!
She just likes eating off other peoples plates. She watched him sipping his coffee, the cup cradled elegantly in one lean hand.
If this job panned out, she would probably see him again. Torbald Manor, his late grandfathers home, would only be about ten miles away. Did he still live there? Her brow furrowed. She wasnt very well up on the rules of aristocratic inheritance. The title, she was aware, had gone to his uncle, and even if Blaze had been next in line, it couldnt have gone to him. His mother had never married his father.
Hes illegitimate! Elaine had gasped when she found out. Would you believe it...? I mean, in a family like that!
Are you finished? Blaze regarded her expectantly.
Yes. She pushed away her cup as though she had finished. She could feel his impatience.
I have to be in Brighton by noon.
In the cab, he got a call on his mobile phone. Something about a horse-box and an accident. His language was choice. Chrissy wanted to cover Rosies ears. She sent him a dirty look but he was too intent on the call to notice. The cab dropped them off seconds before he completed the call.
Sending a fleeting glance at his watch, he breathed, Transport...thats a bit of a problem...
Transport? she repeated uncertainly.
Can you catch the train to Reading?
She nodded.
Right, make it tomorrow afternoon, OK? He unlocked his car, reached in for a notepad and scribbled something down on it. Call that number when you arrive and someone will come and pick you up. Ask for the head lad
The head what?
Ask for Hamish, he rephrased tersely. Hell ferry you back to the Hall.
Ten seconds later he was in the drivers seat. Ten after that, he was gone. Rosies bottom lip wobbled alarmingly. They had been dumped without ceremony.
Mrs Davis was hovering in the hallway, quite an achievement in so cramped a space. You seem to have solved your problems, she said archly.
Sorry, I
Dont think I dont know who he is. Well...well...well, I thought to myself last night, she confided. Fancy it being him, I said to my Stan. Hes decided to meet his obligations, has he? Not before time
I dont know what youre talking about. Chrissy was trying to edge past the older woman.
Mrs Davis pursed her lips, her sudden congeniality waning at the lack of feedback. He doesnt want anyone to know, does he? But anyone with eyes in their head could tell she was his kid. Same hair, same eyes. You should have sold your story to a newspaper. They pay a lot for that sort of stuff...
As the penny dropped, Chrissys jaw dropped with it. She was implying that Rosie was Blazes child. Of course shes n-not his, she stammered in horror. Shes got absolutely n-nothing to do with him!
Mrs Davis stepped back but she had the last word. But he pays your rent when he has to, she said with a smirk.
Just because Rosie had black hair and blue eyes! On such slender possibilities to
assume... The cheek of the woman! Clearly she spent too much time reading the murkier tabloids. However, Mrs Davis didnt have the power to hold Chrissys thoughts for very long.
She swept Rosie up into an exuberant hug. Weve got a job, Rosie! Use of a car, did you hear that bit? This man is going to eat as if hes staying at the Ritz, she swore feelingly. Whatever it takes, well stick it out.
This man, she repeated to herself. For goodness sake, Blaze hadnt even given her his name! The Hall, he had said. Her brow furrowed. It didnt ring any bells of recognition, yet she would have believed that she knew every sizeable house within a ten-mile radius of her former home.
Im sorry that we were so late, Chrissy said again, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.