The Yuletide Engagement & A Yuletide Seduction by Carole Mortimer Read Free Book Online Page A

looked less than handsome in his anger, blue eyes glittering furiously as he strode purposefully towards her.
    â€œI’m sorry?” she answered coolly, very aware of the fact they were completely alone in the foyer. The receptionist was inside, helping to serve drinks now, the Delacorte party having taken over the whole restaurant for the evening.
    â€œYou heard me, Ellie,” he snapped impatiently. “What are you doing here with George’s nephew?”
    â€œEating dinner, the same as everyone else,” she dismissed with a lightness she was far from feeling. She knew that physically there was nothing Gareth could do to her here—even if he did look as if he would like to wring her neck—but verbally he could rip her to shreds!
    Gareth’s mouth twisted frustratedly. “Don’t get clever with me, Ellie,” he scorned. “Moving in rather exalted company nowadays, aren’t you?” he added insultingly.
    Deliberately so, Ellie knew. Although she refused to become angry. Or at least only with herself—that she could ever have been taken in by such a man. In fact, it was a pity Sarah couldn’t see him in this mood—the younger woman would have no doubts about his duplicitous charms then!
    But Ellie knew what he was referring to with that remark about “exalted company” ordinarily she would have been seated at one of the tables with other secretaries and their partners, but as the nephew of the senior partner was her guest for the evening, she and Patrick had been moved onto the top table with the other senior members of staff.
    The same table as Gareth and Sarah…
    Ellie coolly met Gareth’s accusing gaze. “Do you have some sort of problem with that?”
    He gave a scornful laugh. “Not at all. So if you were hoping to make me jealous—”
    â€œDon’t flatter yourself, Gareth!” she cut in derisively, feeling her anger starting to rise. Really, the conceit of the man…! “The fact that Patrick and I are—friends has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
    â€œHave you said anything to him about me?” Gareth rasped nastily, taking a painful grip of her arm. “Because if you have—”
    â€œGareth, believe me, when I’m with Patrick I have better things to do with my time than discuss you,” she assured him hardly. “Now, would you kindly let go of my arm?” she asked coldly.
    He looked down at her with hard blue eyes, a humourless smile now curving his lips. “No, I don’t think I will,” he murmured slowly. “You’re looking rather beautiful tonight, Ellie,” he told her huskily. “Rather sexy, in fact.”
    Nausea welled up in her throat at this completely unwelcome compliment from a man she now despised, but the coldness of her gaze didn’t waver from his. “Patrick happens to like me in red,” she told him challengingly.
    The angry glitter intensified in Gareth’s eyes. “Why, you little—”
    â€œEverything all right, darling?” Patrick’s voice suddenly interrupted pleasantly. “You’ve been gone so long I thought there must be something wrong?” he added questioningly, and he strolled over to join them, much to Ellie’s relief. She instantly felt the reassurance of his presence.
    Gareth slowly released her arm, and Ellie resisted the impulse she had to wipe his touch from her flesh. Instead she shot Gareth a look of intense dislike before turning to smile her gratitude at Patrick. “I was just directing Gareth to the men’s room,” she dismissed lightly.
    â€œReally?” Patrick turned cold grey eyes on the younger man. “But I thought that was where you were going when we met earlier this evening?”
    Gareth pulled himself together with obvious effort, even managing to give the other man a rueful smile. “Actually, I was collecting Sarah’s wrap that