Highland Fling by Katie Fforde Read Free Book Online Page A

half tumblerful that Felicity had given everyone else.
    The dogs, who had paid no attention to Lachlan’s arrival, suddenly leapt to their feet and charged out of the door, scraping the tartan carpet into a heap as they did so.
    ‘That’ll be Philip,’ said Lady Dalmain, a flash of real pleasure lightening her features. ‘They always know their master.’
    ‘Yes,’ muttered Felicity, out of her mother’s earshot, flattening the rug with her foot. ‘But they don’t care a damn about their mistress, who feeds them and takes them for walks.’
    ‘How maddening,’ muttered Jenny back.
    Woofing and barking and ‘Get down you ridiculous brutes’ noises came from the hall. After a few moments, the door opened and Philip came in.
    He was tall and extremely good-looking, his mother’s severe features better suiting a man. He smiled broadly at his mother, strode across the room and gave her a huge hug. Then he turned to the others.
    ‘Fliss – how are you? Haven’t seen you since yesterday! You weren’t up when I left. And you must be Miss Porter, the terrifying lady sent to sort us all out. With her computers,’ he added, too late for Jenny’s comfort. He took her hand and shook it hard. ‘How nice to meet you. I think we were expecting highheels, a sharp suit, a French pleat and glasses and we’ve got a very friendly looking you instead. And who’s this?’
    ‘Lachlan McGregor,’ said Lachlan.
    ‘He’s a friend of mine,’ said Felicity.
    ‘Then welcome!’ said Philip.
    Jenny could see why he was his mother’s favourite, and why he was hard for his older sister to compete with. He reminded her of Henry and she warmed to this familiarity.
    Philip got himself a drink and went to sit down next to his mother. ‘How’s the writing gone today, Mama? Did you manage to translate that bit of Latin?’
    ‘I think I’ve made a bit of progress. It’s so nice that some of my family take an interest.’
    Felicity visibly squirmed under the implied criticism. ‘I’ll just go and check on supper.’
    Jenny got to her feet, planning to join her. ‘Do you want a hand?’ But she was not allowed to escape.
    ‘I’m sure Felicity can manage,’ said Lady Dalmain firmly. ‘Or she wouldn’t have invited guests.’
    ‘I just meant with setting the table and stuff.’
    ‘I’m sure Felicity has arranged all that already, and we don’t expect guests to help.’
    Jenny decided it was time she stood up for herself. ‘But I wasn’t exactly invited. If you all have to put up with me being here, I think I should pull my weight, domestically.’
    ‘Why are you here?’ asked Lachlan, bravely getting his word in before Lady Dalmain could take another pop at Jenny.
    She glanced at Philip, hoping he would answer forher with whatever story he’d told his mother. ‘It’s a bit complicated,’began Jenny.
    ‘Jenny’s come to install a new computer system,’said Philip. ‘Designed by her client.’
    Although he smiled – charm being so much part of him he couldn’t help it – Jenny saw anxiety and resentment in the back of his eyes. She was suddenly aware how much harder it would be delving into a failing company and relaying the failings to her client now she knew the family. Balance statements and figures were all very well, but dealing with human beings was different. Having been treated as a mere component part relatively recently, she knew she would find it hard to be so detached. On the other hand, she was not going to prove Henry right and run away from the challenge.
    Now, far away from Henry and his views of her character, she took a breath and smiled. ‘I think the new system will be very useful.’ She put on a cheerful, positive expression, knowing in her heart that her client was halfway to pulling the plug anyway. She sensed he wanted Dalmain Mills to fail, so he could do something else with either the plant, or the money, or both. Something told her that there was more involved in this particular