‘What time is it?’ she demanded, dragging herself up into a sitting position.
‘Coffee time.’ He indicated with a tilt of his dark head the bedside table, where a large cup of steaming coffee was standing. ‘Also time I left for the airport.’
‘Oh, well, thanks for the coffee. I have to get going myself. I said I would be in Stratford by ten.’ Lisa tried for a light tone. Which was no mean feat, considering for the first time since their marriage, she had just spent the night very comfortably in Alex’s arms without making love.
‘It is not too late for you to change your mind, Lisa, and come with me to New York,’ he offered casually. ‘I could, at a pinch, put off going until tomorrow.’
Lisa looked at him carefully. She could not believe he had said it, and for a second she was tempted, but quickly she squashed the idea. ‘No. No, really. I have far too much work to catch up on.’
‘As you like.’ He leant down and pressed a brief kiss on the top of her head. Lisa looked up in surprise.
‘Try not to miss me too much,’ he commanded, a gleam of mocking amusement glinting in the dark eyes above her own.
The trouble was, Lisa realised with a sinking heart, she would miss him. ‘I won’t have time,’ she returned brightly, ignoring her innermost feelings.
His dark gaze sharpened on her cool face. ‘Hopefully after this week your work will no longer be a problem. It is not that hard to hire a secretary. Or you could consider selling the company.’
Lisa glanced away from his penetrating gaze, the word selling echoing in her head, her worst suspicion confirmed. Her eyes fixed on the folds of the coverlet, an icy chill penetrating her heart. ‘I have no intention of ever selling, and finding a secretary for Mary will be no problem, I can assure you.’
‘I certainly hope so. I have no desire to have a part time wife,’ Alex countered with devastating frankness, and left.
So now she knew. He had suggested she sell the company. Her fingers curved convulsively in the coverlet. How long before he put himself forward as a buyer, or suggested razing the factory to the ground? she wondered on a shaky breath. And what could she do about it when he did?
Turning the key in the drawer which held her mother’s papers, Lisa found what she was looking for. The offer to buy had been made by Xela Properties with no mention of changing the business. She debated ringing them, but decided to display caution. She searched the Internet instead and found Xela Properties, only to discover to her horror that Solomos International was the parent company to it and a host of others. Starting in alphabetical order: Alexsol Cruises, Alomos Financial Services, and, of course, at the end, Xela Properties.
Switching off her computer, Lisa stared at the blank screen. In a way it was her own fault. She could have checked to see if Solomos International had a web page ages ago, but it had never occurred to her to do so. So much for her idea of a white knight helping her. It had been Alex who had tried to buy Lawson’s out a year ago…
The telephone rang, and Mary answered it. She listened for a second, then covered the mouthpiece with her hand. ‘It’s for you, Lisa. Your husband.’
Reluctantly Lisa reached out to take the call. ‘Alex. What are you calling for?’ she asked calmly, when she really felt like shouting every obscenity she could think of at him. He had been planning for over a year to get control of Lawson’s and destroy it!
‘I was not aware I needed a reason to speak to my wife,’ his deep voice echoed down the telephone.
Sarcastic, devious devil, Lisa thought furiously. ‘Yes, well, I am rather busy, so unless it was something important…’ She paused.
‘Not really. I thought you might like to know I have arrived in New York.’
‘Oh, yes, great. But I haven’t time to talk; ring again some time.’ And she clashed down the phone.
Lisa spent the rest of the day interviewing people for a job she was not sure was going to be available if Alex had his way…
Over dinner that evening with Harold, she was surprised when he had asked her quite seriously, ‘You do love Alex, don’t you, Lisa?’ His cherubic face was rather grim.
‘Of course I do.’ She forced a smile. ‘What makes you ask?’
‘Well, your mother expected me to take care of you, and I just wanted to make sure you were happy.’
For an instant Lisa was tempted to confide in him her fears for the company. As long as Harold voted his shares with hers, there would be nothing to worry about. He loved her like a daughter, and he loved the company and his job. But Lisa knew his one weakness was his son, Nigel. If Nigel asked him to sell, he might agree.
‘I miss her.’ Harold sighed wearily.
Looking at his sad face, she hadn’t the heart to trouble him. No! She had to solve the problem herself, and, rising to her feet, she walked around the table and pressed a swift kiss on the top of his head. ‘I know you do, Harold, we both do. But life must go on.’
‘Yes, yes, you’re right.’ he declared emphatically.
Lisa’s eyebrows rose in surprise at the determination in his ton
e, and what looked like relief on his round face. ‘Well, goodnight,’ she murmured, and went upstairs to her old bedroom. But it was hours before she slept, and when she did she dreamed of Alex.