The Ice Seduction (Ice Romance) by SK Quinn Read Free Book Online Page A

Bertie’s sake, as well as mine, I’m glad you’re here.’ With that, he stalks away, and I’m left watching his long, strong body bound like down the corridor.
     

20
    It takes me a moment to realize that I’m not breathing.
    God damn it! God damn you Patrick Mansfield.
    Who on earth do you think you are? I let out a long breath. I bet he chats up all the nannies. He probably shags them, then ditches them and they leave the castle heartbroken. Maybe that’s why they have such a high staff turnover.
    Well not me. I’m not falling for it. Like I said, I’m here to do a job.
    I knock firmly on Agnes Calder’s office, and in response the door is pulled open.
    Agnes ’s eyes are all red and watery, but her face is stern.
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Mr Mansfield sent me down here. I guess to meet Bertie.’
    Mrs Calder gives a little no d. ‘Come with me.’
    Once again, I find myself led down corridor s, twisting and turning.
    Finally, Mrs Calder throws open a door that leads outside to a little vegetable garden and a patch of lawn, all fenced off from the rest of the castle grounds.
    Stiff winter wind whooshes in, and I hold a hand up to stop snow rushing at my face.
    There’s a little boy outside, but he doesn’t seem to notice the snow. He sits on the snowy ground with a stick in his hand, carving symbols into the freezing white.
    His hair is a sort of pale blond colour – but so pale that it almost has no colour at all. Like his face. His lips are blue, and his eyes are browny-black.
    My heart pulls tight when I see him, and the smile I’d plastered on fades away.
    Oh my word.
    I’ve never seen a little boy look so sa d. So empty. His face breaks my heart.
    He’s wearing a wax jacket, corduroy trousers and wellies, but no gloves.
    ‘This is Bertie,’ Mrs Calder announces.
    Bertie doesn’t turn when the door opens – it’s as though he’s in a world of his own.
    A cold, sad world .
    I guess he must be about five years old, looking at his face, but his body seems much younger. Kind of malnourished, actually. Like he hasn’t been fed properly. But I guess that can’t be right. I mean, this is a really rich family. Maybe he’s just naturally skinny.
    ‘Your first task is to give him breakfast ,’ says Mrs Calder, holding the door wide open and ushering me out. ‘And then you’re to keep him busy until he has his home tutoring. Any questions?’
    ‘I —’
    ‘Good.’ Mrs Cal der moves back into the house. She checks her watch. ‘I’m not expecting great things of you, Miss Harper. In fact, I’m very surprised Patrick let you stay.’
    ‘Maybe he was thinking that you need a nanny, and I might be able to do the job,’ I say.
    Mrs Calder’s eyes narrow. ‘I’m not sure he was thinking at all. You seem to have had … an effect on him, judging by this morning. You’re a very pretty girl, Miss Harper. But Patrick Mansfield is spoken for.’
    ‘Is he?’ I blurt out, wanting to stuff the words back into my mouth as soon as I say them.
    ‘Indeed he is ,’ says Mrs Calder. ‘It’s long been expected that he’ll wed my daughter Margaret. Our families have been friends for many years, and Margaret went to one of the best private schools in the country. We’re patiently waiting for him to set the date.’
    ‘Sounds like a good match,’ I say.
    Certainly a better match than me and Patrick, at any rate …
    I turn to Bertie. ‘Hey Bertie,’ I call out. ‘Nice to meet you.’
    The wind whistles, but Bertie doesn’t turn his head. Instead, he carries on digging symbols into the snow, his skinny little fingers all blue.
    ‘I’ll leave you to get to know each other,’ says Mrs Calder. ‘Bertie doesn’t talk. So I wouldn’t waste your breath speaking to him.’
    ‘Excuse me ?’
    ‘Are you deaf as well as inc apable of getting up on time?’ says Mrs Calder. ‘I said, he doesn’t talk.’
    ‘He … do you mean he’s mute?’
    ‘In a manner of speaking.’
    ‘ Why wasn’t this mentioned