Robyn Donald – Iceberg by Robyn Donald Read Free Book Online Page B

ago, and the inferences Stewart Doyle had drawn.
    So intent was she dial she didn't see the door open as she came up to it, so that Justin's voice beside her brought
    her from her reverie with a jump.
    'I'm sorry 1 startled you,' he said, not appearing in the least worried.
    Linnet looked away swiftly from him; he was too big, too lithely silent for her to be at ease with him even if
    they had not exchanged insults such a short time ago. Her eyes fell on his hands, holding a book, fine-fingered
    but strong, and the draught of having anyone's life and happiness in their keeping brought back the panic she
    had experienced that afternoon.
    Without thinking she said in a hard, tight voice,
    'Sarah isn't here to see us now, Mr Doyle.'
    'Nevertheless, I want to speak to you.'
    ‘Very, well.' Capitulating to the inevitable, she preceded him into the room, a study furnished with the same
    austere luxury as the rest of the house, apart from Sarah's bedroom.
    On the wall behind the desk was a painting of hills and coastline, stark, stripped of everything but the lines and
    colours of the north. It was so impersonal that it repelled, but Linnet could not gainsay its power.
    He suffered her to stare for some moments, before saying as collectedly as if she had not been appallingly rude
    to him.
    'Do you like it?'
    'Like it? No.' She shook her head. 'But it's fascinating isn't it?'
    'In the correct sense of the word, yes.'
    Linnet leaned forward to read the name/of the artist, saw a name famous throughout the Pacific and probably
    well known in Europe by now. Her first ignominious thought was to wonder at the wealth of a man who could
    buy a painting by such a painter and hang it in ha study. Then she shivered, for the terrifying bleakness and
    power of the painting seemed to symbolise what she knew of Justin Boyle.
    'What—what did you want to see me about?' she asked, speaking swiftly, nervously as she turned to face him.
    Those strange eyes were shadowed, but he did not appear to be tired; perhaps it was anger, or boredom with
    someone who had shown herself so lacking in the elementary courtesies. ,
    'I merely wished to tell you that I would be pleased if you could give Sarah as much time as you can spare until
    you get a job,' he said. 'In fact, if you like, you can consider that a job. I have no idea how you're placed for
    money------'
    'I have enough,' she said, flushing angrily.
    'But more than enough is always pleasant.' The cold derision in his tones wounded and condemned.
    'For you, perhaps. Not for me. I like your daughter, Mr Doyle, and I'll happily spend time with, her, but you
    don't need to pay me for it.' She met the cool enquiry of his glance, lifted her chin. 'Is that all?'
    That's all.'
    "Then I'd better go. Bronwyn may be home.'
    He showed her our with the cold courtesy which was peculiarly, his own. Linnet ran across the lawn as if the
    devils of hell were after her.

CHAPTER THREE
    'And how did the interview go?'
    Linnet laughed, her vivid face mirroring her emotions in great contrast to the careful deliberation of Bronwyn's
    countenance.
    'Well, I was nervous, of course. It's been a week since I applied and four days since I got the letter back, and
    believe me, the butterflies were breeding! But she was very nice.'
    Delicately demolishing an asparagus spear, Bronwyn waited until it was gone completely before asking, 'What
    sort of things did she ask?'
    'Oh, where I'd worked before. She was a bit shocked when I told her about the boutique, but she rallied.'
    Frowning in an effort to remember the interviewer's exact words, Linnet laid her fork down. 'She asked me why
    I wanted to be a librarian, so I said I liked-people and loved reading. Then she told me what the job entails—
    accuracy, and being conscientious. I think my school reports helped. Apparently if I get the place I have ‘ to
    look after the children's section and the club they run for them.'
    Bronwyn looked faintly horrified, 'Well, I suppose you'll