Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas Read Free Book Online

ambition, and hired her on the spot as my private secretary.” He grinned as he added, “She’s lorded over the advertising department ever since.”
    Helen appeared to mull over the story as she proceeded to consume a tea sandwich, a sliver of Sally Lunn bun, and a tart so small it could encompass only one glazed cherry. “I’m not accustomed to the idea of a woman holding a position among men at a place of business,” she admitted. “My father always said that the female brain was insufficient to the demands of professional work.”
    â€œYou disapprove of Fernsby’s actions, then?”
    â€œI approve wholeheartedly,” she said without hesitation. “A woman should have choices other than to marry or live with her family.”
    Although she probably hadn’t meant that to sting, it did. Rhys gave her a dark glance. “Perhaps instead of proposing, I should have offered you a position alongside the secretaries in the front office.”
    Pausing with the teacup near her lips, Helen said, “I would rather marry you. It will be an adventure.”
    Somewhat mollified, Rhys picked up a light chair with one hand and moved it close to her. “I wouldn’t count on much adventuring if I were you. I’m going to look after you and keep you safe.”
    She glanced at him over the rim of the cup, her eyes smiling. “What I meant was, you are the adventure.”
    Rhys felt his heartbeats tumbling like a row of tin soldiers. He had always enjoyed women casually, sampling their favors with relaxed ease. Not one of them had ever caused this aching craving that Helen seemed to have unlocked from the center of his soul. God help him, he could never let her find out the power she had over him, or he would be at her mercy.
    In a few minutes, Mr. Sauveterre, the jeweler, entered the office with a large black leather case held in one hand, and a small folding table in the other. He was a small, slim man with a prematurely receding hairline and a keen, incisive gaze. Although Sauveterre had been born in France, he spoke English with no accent, having lived in London since the age of two. His father, a successful glassmaker, had encouraged his son’s artistic ability and eventually secured an apprenticeship for him with a goldsmith. Eventually Sauveterre had attended a Paris art school, and after graduation had worked as a designer in Paris for Cartier and Boucheron.
    As a young man with a desire to distinguish himself, Sauveterre had leapt at the chance to become Winterborne’s master jeweler. He possessed abundant skill and confidence in his own considerable talent, but just as important, he knew when to keep his mouth shut. A good jeweler protected the secrets of his clients, and Sauveterre knew an abundance of them.
    Sauveterre bowed deftly. “My lady.” He set theleather case on the floor. He proceeded to unfold the little campaign table in front of Helen, and pulled a tray from the case. “I understand you wish to view betrothal rings? The diamond was not to your taste?”
    â€œI would prefer something smaller,” Helen told him. “A ring that won’t be a nuisance during needlework or piano practice.”
    The jeweler didn’t bat an eye at hearing the priceless diamond described as a nuisance. “But of course, my lady, we will find something to suit you. Or failing that, I can create anything you desire. Do you have a particular gemstone in mind?”
    She shook her head, her awestruck gaze moving over the sparkling rings arrayed along channels of black velvet.
    â€œPerhaps there’s a color you fancy?” Sauveterre prompted.
    â€œBlue.” She glanced at Rhys cautiously as she replied, and he gave her a slight nod to confirm that she could choose anything she liked.
    Bending to rummage through the case, the jeweler began to nimbly arrange rings on a fresh tray. “Sapphires . . . aquamarines . . . opals .