Where the Heart Belongs by Sheila Spencer-Smith Read Free Book Online

and in the flurry of more arrivals Shona was kept busy. Her concentration on remembering everything that Jack expected of her was exhausting. Where was he, anyway?
    When at last she was free she came downstairs again with an apology on her lips for leaving Felix to his own devices. She found him in the conservatory looking critically at one of Jack’s pale lemon orchids.
    â€˜This needs attention,’ he said sternly as if its drooping appearance was her fault.
    â€˜May I offer you some coffee?’ she said.
    â€˜Look at this wretched thing.’
    â€˜I’d rather not. I’m sure Jack’s got its welfare in hand.’
    He turned, smiling, towards her. ‘Miss Renison?’
    She could see he still didn’t remember her. Twenty years was a long time after all and his mind would be focussed on the present situation.
    â€˜It seems I have you to thank for restoring my daughter to her rightful place,’ he said.
    â€˜Rightful?’ Shona couldn’t keep the doubt out of her voice.
    â€˜You question that?’
    â€˜It’s none of my business, but . . .’
    â€˜Too right,’ said Jack Cullen from behind her. ‘I’m not sure I like my employee mixed up in all this, Felix. You must sort out your own problems. Shona’s here to work for me.’
    Felix looked at Jack steadily, his right hand clenched. ‘I came merely to thank her for showing compassion and kindness to Tamsin when she needed it. Is that such a bad thing?’
    Jack made no answer but with an exclamation of dismay, moved across to the windowsill and bent to examine the wilting orchid. He straightened. ‘Who did this?’
    â€˜Are you accusing me?’ Felix’s voice was rough and Shona couldn’t blame him. ‘Not guilty, I’m afraid. Try Shona! Or Ingrid!’ His face brightened. ‘Is Ingrid anywhere around?’
    Ignoring his question, Jack glanced at his watch. ‘I think you should leave. I need to do some first aid here. Shona, carry on with the arrangements, will you. I’ll see everyone later.’
    â€˜Yes, of course.’ She tried to sound confident.
    Felix turned to her, his voice softening. ‘I think I must leave my thanks until another time.’
    â€˜You do that,’ said Jack as he turned to go. ‘Shona has work to do.’
    â€˜I’ll be in touch, Shona, when things have quietened down,’ said Felix. ‘A meal away from here perhaps?’
    â€˜That would be good,’ she said, pleased.
    *   *   *
    The leader of Ruddon Ramblers, a short stocky man with receding hair, had the programme for the week in his hand when he came to find Shona in the office after lunch.
    â€˜We’re more or less settled in now Jeannie’s room had been changed,’ he told her, shuddering.
‘Henry the Eighth . . .
I don’t think so. Nor for Jeannie.
Anne Hathaway
is much better and she’s pleased you could sort it out.’
    â€˜That’s good,’ said Shona, smothering a laugh. Luckily there was a spare room available of exactly the same proportions as the disliked one. It would really have been easier to have changed the name plates had that been possible.
    â€˜I see afternoon tea is scheduled for four o’clock today. I’d like to organise a walk round the grounds now. Could you put tea back for an hour?’
    â€˜No problem at all, Mr Luttrell. I’ll see to it at once.’
    His small eyes gleamed at her. ‘Rex,’ he said. ‘Call me Rex.’
    â€˜Fine, Rex,’ Shona said, hoping Mags wouldn’t be put out by the new arrangement.
    Ingrid was in the kitchen with her mother when Shona went to find out.
    â€˜It’s too bad of you to change the programme,’ Ingrid burst out. ‘We can’t have this sort of thing I hope you told him so.’
    â€˜It seemed a reasonable request,’ said Shona.
    â€˜And so it is,’ said Mags,