In Separate Bedrooms by Carole Mortimer Read Free Book Online Page B

transformation, even if she did say so herself, Mattie decided admiringly as she studied her reflection in the full-length mirror on her wardrobe door. She looked what she was now, the proprietor of a successful greenery contract business and florist shop.
    Unfortunately Jack wasn’t there to appreciate her entrance as she swished back into the kitchen minutes later!
    In fact, the kitchen was empty, not even her mother waiting there to tell her why Jack had wanted to speak to her. But, Mattie noted, the vase of daffodils had pride of place at the centre of the kitchen table …
    Mattie finally tracked her mother down in the kennels’office, sitting in the armchair with Sophie, the Yellow Labrador, resting her silky head on Diana’s knee. The dog appeared ecstatic at this individual attention.
    ‘Everything okay?’ Mattie asked as her mother looked up and smiled at her.
    ‘Fine,’ her mother replied unconcernedly.
    Mattie looked at her expectantly. After all, they didn’t usually receive male visitors this early in the morning!
    ‘Jack had to get to his office, but he said he would see you later this evening,’ her mother told her.
    And?
    But again there was nothing else forthcoming, her mother continuing to stroke and pet Sophie for a while longer before standing up and moving to sit behind her desk.
    By which time Mattie was chafing with impatience. What had Jack
wanted
?
    Her mother glanced at her wrist-watch. ‘Shouldn’t you have left ten minutes ago?’ she enquired.
    ‘Mother!’ Mattie exclaimed frustratedly.
    Her mother raised innocent brows. ‘Yes?’
    Mattie glowered at her. ‘Have you always been this irritating or is it only since the advent of Jack Beauchamp into our lives?’
    Her mother laughed. ‘You’re so transparent, Mattie!’ she chided affectionately. ‘I couldn’t resist teasing you a little.’ She sobered. ‘He just wanted to explain the situation to me and assure me that he doesn’t have designs on my baby’s virtue.’
    ‘He doesn’t?’ Mattie frowned her consternation. ‘I mean—of course he doesn’t.’ She spoke more forcefully. Although inwardly she felt more than a little annoyed that Jack had dared to discuss such a thing with hermother, of all people! ‘But I had already told you that,’ she added irritably.
    Diana was soothing. ‘Of course you had, but Jack just wanted to reassure me on that point.’
    Jack … Her mother used his first name so casually, while Mattie, who was actually going away with him for the weekend, still felt very self-conscious about such familiarity.
    Oh, well, no doubt by the time she returned from her weekend away with him she would be calling him several other names besides his first one. And none of them complimentary!
    ‘Don’t look so disappointed, Mattie,’ her mother said ruefully.
    ‘I’m sure that part of your agreement is negotiable!’
    ‘Mum!’ Her eyes widened protestingly.
    ‘That’s better.’ her mother patted her hand. ‘I always feel ancient when you call me “Mother” in that reproving tone,’ she confided.
    Considering her mother was only ten years or so Jack Beauchamp’s senior, he would probably have been better off inviting her away with him for the weekend! Although Mattie found she didn’t like the idea of that at all …
    Despite all that she knew about him, four girlfriends etc., she was still attracted to the man. Which was a pretty dangerous thing to be when she was going to spend four days in Paris with him …
    ‘What do you mean, you’ve told your family all about me?’ Mattie stared across the dinner table at Jack. ‘When did you tell them about me? What have you told themabout me?’ As far as she was aware, he didn’t know anything about her!
    Dinner with Jack Beauchamp was certainly an experience, she was learning. Not only had the
maître d’
greeted him by name as they’d entered the French restaurant where he had booked a table, but the proprietor had also come over and spoken