Dangerous Lady by Martina Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

young Carrie Davidson for the same thing: having to get married. She could hear herself talking to anyone who would listen about the shameless hussy. Now it had happened to her daughter and she didn’t like it, she didn’t like it one bit. Eliza Grierson was known as a gossip o f Olympian standards. She prided herself on her ability to
    sift through the most innocent conversations and turn them into major scandals. She knew that this trouble with her daughter would be all the more enjoyed because it was a reflection on herself. She groaned again and pushed a pillow over her head. If it had been anyone but a Ryan . . She felt tears of frustration stinging her eyes. She could cheerfully throttle Janine herself!
    A loud banging at the front door stopped both of them in their tracks. Pulling back the curtain, James Grierson looked down into his garden and groaned. It was not a very good day today, and he had a terrible feeling that it was going to get worse.
    Michael and Geoffrey stood in the Griersons’ front garden. Like everything of Eliza Grierson’s, the garden was what she described as ‘classy’. It was also immaculate, as were the curtains at the windows and the shiny brass knocker on the door. This was opened by a rather subdued James who said gruffly: ‘You’d better come in.’
    Michael and Geoffrey walked into the spacious hallway as if they owned the house. Opening the parlour door,; James ushered them inside.
    Michael sat himself down in an armchair and looked around the room slowly. Geoffrey sat on the rather hard horsehair settee.
    Taking a packet of Strands from his pocket Michael gave one to Geoffrey and after offering the pack to James, who refused, laboriously set about lighting the cigarettes. He knew that his slowness was annoying James Grierson. It was a calculated move. Drawing the smoke into his lungs he put his head back against the chair and blew two large smoke rings. Then, looking at James, he smiled.
    ‘I understand, Mr Grierson, that my brother Roy has been shunting your daughter.’
    Geoffrey watched the red flush creep up James Grierson’s
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    neck and continue until it reached his receding hairline. Stamping across the room, the man made as if to grab Michael’s shirt. Grabbing Grierson’s hand in a vicelike grip, Michael laughed.
    ‘Naughty, naughty.’
    Then pushing the older man from him, he sat forward in the chair. James was sent sprawling across his own parlour carpet, a blinding anger building inside him.
    Michael pointed at him, the cigarette smoke curling around his finger.
    ‘In three weeks’ time, Mr Grierson, my brother is gonna marry your daughter, with or without your permission. Personally I would advise you to give them your blessing, what with the baby and all. A new little Ryan … a Ryan that your daughter is carrying inside her.’
    Slowly James Grierson pulled himself up from the floor. Geoffrey put out his hand to help but was ignored. Waving his hand away, the older man slumped down on the chair opposite Michael.
    Staring at him, Michael underwent one of his lightning changes of mood. From anger and animosity he turned in a split second to a benevolent caring brother only here to see justice done. His rugged face softened. All irritation seemingly forgotten, he leant forward in his chair and smiled at James Grierson - one of his most stunning smiles that seemed to wipe the cruelty from his face at a stroke. He began to speak in a man to man voice. -
    ‘Listen, James … may I call you James?’ The man nodded, not at all happy with this bewildering change in his antagonist.
    ‘The way I see it is this. Your daughter has been made pregnant by my brother.’ He opened his arms out wide in a gesture of helplessness. ‘They love one another, they want to marry. It’s not as if Roy’s had it on his toes, is it?
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    He’s quite willing to do the right thing by the girl. I know you’ve had a shock. No man likes to think of his daughter … well, you know