Unknown by Unknown Read Free Book Online

dignity. Sarah Tarrant was very special, to me, and to the whole district.’
    Serenity stealthily slid her hand into her pocket and pulled out her handkerchief to wipe away the silent tears which slid down her face. She didn’t want him to know she was crying . . . crying for a grandmother whom he had known and loved and whom she would never meet. She made up her mind. She was going to take his job, no matter what it cost her, because she wanted to stay here and learn more about Sarah Tarrant, but she wouldn’t tell him yet. He must not connect her decision with this conversation.
    ‘You must have met someone fairly special yourself if you are contemplating marriage.’ She marvelled at her own composure.
    He laughed without humour and abruptly got to his feet. ‘There will be no love in the marriage I’m considering, mutual respect but not love.’
    Serenity walked forward to help him clear the table. ‘Don’t be silly. You must love her or you couldn’t possibly think of spending a lifetime with her.’
    'Indeed I can think of it. In fact love is the one ingredient I do not want in my marriage.’
    Serenity picked up her cup and saucer, then put it down in the same spot. He wasn’t fooling, he was serious. She felt absurdly shaken and gazed at him with shocked grey eyes. ‘Why not? Why not love?’
    ‘Been there, done that, next question.’ His voice was harsh.
    ‘Don’t be flippant. What do you mean? That you’ve been in love and it didn’t work out. Perhaps she wasn’t the right girl.’
    ‘Oh, yes, she was the right girl. I built this house for her. Don’t you think it's a nice house?’
    ‘Yes, yes I do,’ Serenity said, a little uncertainly. There was something here that she was missing. In a flash, Hudson had changed from the pleasant, if annoying, smiling conversationalist to a granite man with a hard expression and challenging cynical eyes.
    ‘Glad you like it.’ He picked up the tray and walked through to the kitchen. ‘The phone is through there, or if you prefer more privacy, use my office; it's at the head of the stairs.’
    ‘I’m only ringing the insurance company,’ Serenity said slowly. ‘Why didn’t you marry her, if she was the right girl?’
    ‘She died,’ he replied flatly. ‘Do you want me to find the number for you?’
    ‘No, thank you.’ Serenity hurried through the door and took a deep breath. Whew! Her hand was shaking as she searched for the number. How could she ever have thought he was kind? His voice might have been without emotion, but anger flared in his eyes as if ... as if he blamed the poor girl for dying. As if he hated her for spoiling his plans.
    When Serenity returned to the kitchen, she found him wiping the bench. ‘I could have rinsed those through.’
    ‘Oh, I’m housetrained; the minor problems of fending for myself don’t trouble me. Don’t take the job out of a mistaken idea that I need rescuing. I don’t need anyone to feel sorry for me. No woman is indispensable in my life. Remember that if you do decide to stay.’
    ‘I don't feel in the least sorry for you,’ Serenity said sharply.
    ‘That’s good.’ He laughed, his good humour suddenly restored. ‘Tell you what, we’ll make a bargain. I won’t make a pass at you if you promise you won’t make a pass at me.’
    Her grey eyes flashed. 'I'll give it to you in writing if you like. What makes you think you’re irresistible?’
    ‘Oh, I’ve had my offers.' His hazel eyes were lit with laughter. ‘If you had fended off as many eager females as I have, you’d be wary too. I’ve got a lot to offer. I’m well-heeled, come from an impeccable background, and with due modesty I think I'm reasonably attractive.’
    She knew he was teasing her, but couldn’t resist saying tartly, ‘Not to me, you’re not.’
    He roared laughing. ‘Such devastating honesty. I find you completely fascinating.’
    ‘And I find you completely infuriating,’ she flung at him.
    ‘That could change.