The Seduction Scheme by Kim Lawrence Read Free Book Online Page B

inexplicable bleakness to his eyes. ‘I’m here, aren’t I?’ he said cryptically. He pulled at the silk tie neatly knotted around his neck as if the constriction suddenly bothered him. ‘Are you free tonight?’
    â€˜I don’t even like you.’ His mercurial temperament made it hard to keep up with his chain of thought.
    â€˜Liking will come—I’m a very likeable guy; ask anyone.’ His smile held an attractive degree of self-mockery. ‘We could settle for mutual attraction for starters. Think about it,’ he advised. He glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. ‘The meeting with Kurt is in twenty minutes—right?’
    Rachel glanced at her own watch and realised with a sense of shock that she’d forgotten completely about the morning’s tight schedule.
    â€˜Yes,’ she said uncertainly.
    â€˜When I had dealings with him last year he brought his own translator; you must have made an impression. You’re fluent in German?’ He stood up and Rachel followed suit. The switch into impersonal mode had been subtle but distinct.
    â€˜German, Italian and French,’ she confirmed. When the translator hadn’t turned up she’d enjoyed the opportunity to utilise her skills.
    She ought to have felt happy now they were on ground she felt confident about; she knew she was good at her job. Albert had taken over a portion of Benedict’s work, which was mainly corporate law, whilst he’d been out of the country, but this particular client had worked with Benedict beforeand wanted him to take charge now he was back in harness. She’d had the impression that Albert had been more than happy to relinquish the complicated case.
    The client also wanted her, so she’d been transferred too to stand in for Benedict Arden’s PA who was taking annual leave. At the time she’d been quite happy to agree. At the time she hadn’t known who Benedict Arden was.
    â€˜Why aren’t you working as a translator?’
    â€˜I did when Charlie was a baby—manuscripts mostly.’
    â€˜From home?’ She nodded. ‘That must have been quite an isolating experience.’
    His perception startled her. ‘When childcare became easier I worked for a law firm near home.’
    â€˜Where’s home?’
    â€˜Shropshire.’
    She paused, realising with a sense of shock how adept he was at drawing out information without revealing anything himself. Or maybe not—the memory of that bitter expression in his eyes when he’d implied he would have preferred not to be here flickered into her mind. She wondered whether she’d interpreted his economic words correctly. Was he already disillusioned with his career or did it simply interfere with his taste for the high life?
    â€˜That’s where the aunt brought you up. And would I be way off the mark if I suggested this aunt wasn’t too keen on men?’
    â€˜Experience taught me to be cautious, not indoctrination.’
    â€˜Charlie’s father?’
    â€˜My daughter is not a subject I discuss with strangers.’
    â€˜You’re the subject I’m interested in, but if it makes you feel happier I’ll put that on hold.’
    It didn’t make her feel happier but she welcomed the breathing space. She soon learnt, as she worked in close contact with him throughout the day, that, though she mightdoubt his dedication, his competence was undeniable. He caught on fast and had a knack of homing in on small but significant details that would take most people hours of arduous toil to discover. There had been none of the languid playboy about the man she’d worked with today, and despite herself she found the seeds of admiration germinating.
    â€˜We work well together, don’t you think?’ She slid the last file into its place and didn’t respond even though she was overwhelmingly conscious of his presence. ‘Don’t tell Mags I