Sweet Surrender by Catherine George Read Free Book Online Page A

guests had handed over their gifts before presenting his, and received an appreciative smile from Adam when Gabriel unwrapped a shallow silver drinking bowl with double handles.
    ‘A Scottish quaich ! Very appropriate. Many thanks, Alasdair.’
    At last, when guests were beginning to leave, the moment arrived that Kate had known all along was unavoidable.
    ‘I want a word in private before I go,’ said Alasdair, drawing her aside.
    It was the last thing Kate wanted, with several interested pairs of eyes turned in their direction, and she made no attempt to hide her reluctance as she led the way to the study. ‘Only for a moment, then. I should be seeing people off.’
    ‘I’m not leaving until you promise to see me again,’ he announced, and stood with his shoulders against the closed door.
    ‘How very masterful. Are you barring my way until I agree?’ she said lightly.
    ‘Yes,’ he returned, not lightly at all.
    ‘Oh, very well. What did you have in mind?’
    ‘Just dinner, and a talk over old times.’
    ‘This week?’
    ‘No, next year,’ he said irritably. ‘Are you always so hard to pin down, Kate Dysart?’
    She shrugged, resigned. ‘All right, Alasdair. Thursday, then. If that suits you.’
    His jaw tightened. ‘I’ll make it suit me. Otherwise you’d probably refuse altogether. I’ll come for you at seven. Where shall we go?’
    ‘Somewhere local, please. I’ll consult Adam.’
    Alasdair moved away from the door. ‘I’ll ring you to see if I need to book. And to make sure you don’t change your mind.’ He shook his head ruefully. ‘You were a lot easier to deal with in the old days, Katharine Dysart.’
    ‘You whistled and I danced,’ she agreed, and went to the door he held open for her. She gave him a cool little smile as she brushed past. ‘But I’ve grown up a bit since then.’
    Kate was in bed that night before she had any peace to reflect on Alasdair’s part in the day. Once the Bretts had gone, and Leonie and Jonah had been waved off shortly afterwards, the rest of the family had talked over the day with satisfaction as they ate a supper of leftovers. But it had been left to Fenny to demand why Alasdair had talked with Kate in private.
    ‘Fenny!’ said Frances in disapproval.
    ‘She only asked what we’re all panting to know,’ said Adam, and eyed Kate expectantly. ‘Are you seeing him again?’
    She made a face at him. ‘Yes. I couldn’t get out of it a second time.’
    ‘Why should you want to get out of it?’ he asked, surprised.
    ‘Perhaps,’ said Gabriel percipiently, ‘Alasdair was taking things too much for granted?’
    ‘Something like that,’ Kate agreed. ‘I just wish he hadn’t chosen to turn up at school. Imagine the ribbing I’ll get from the rest of the staff next week!’
    ‘He can turn up outside my college any time he likes,’ said Fenny with envy. ‘You don’t need someone as tall as Alasdair, anyway, Kate. He’d suit a beanpole like me much better.’
    ‘I seriously doubt that,’ jeered Adam. ‘He prefers women with brains.’
    ‘Hey!’ objected Fenny indignantly, then threw up a hand. ‘OK, OK, I may not be as clever as Kate, but I do have some brains.’
    Kate had changed the subject hastily by asking about the best place for a meal these days, and shortly afterwards Gabriel and Adam had taken their son home, and Kate had been able to go to bed, in urgent need of time to herself.
    Alasdair’s reappearance in her life, she reflected, was nowhere near as welcome as he obviously assumed it was. After their final meeting, when he’d been so angry with her for what he’d called wasting her talents, her resentment had been so fierce she’d done her best to forget she’d ever met him. But, she admitted honestly, Alasdair still held the old physical appeal for her, whether she liked it or not. She’d been a late developer where the opposite sex was concerned, and Alasdair had been the first to arouse any sexual feelings in her. Now