Out of Control

'Try it and see,' Liza said with cool indifference without looking up. She flicked a page and pretended to read, but was very aware of him watching her.

'I wish I could work you out,' he said abruptly, i can't believe you're serious about Bruno. He's a chump!'

She laughed, looking up, her mouth softening. 'A nice chump, though!'

His face relaxed a little, too. 'OK, a nice one, but a chump, all the same! So why do you keep on dating him, if it isn't for the money?'

it couldn't be because I'm fond of him?' she asked drily and his blue eyes kept watching her, trying to read her face.

is that all it is? But for a long time there hasn't been anyone else in your life—you've just seen Bruno, and you can't tell me that other men haven't shown an interest because I wouldn't believe it. You must have queues of men trying to date you.'

i like an uncomplicated life,' she said lightly. 'Look, for absolutely the last time—I do not want to marry Bruno, I've no intention of marrying him and never had. But I'm fond of him and he's fun, which is why I went on seeing him. Bruno is my friend—is that so hard to understand, Mr Gifford? Can't men and women ever be friends, with no strings attached?'

"Why no other men, though?' Keir persisted and she sighed.

'I'm not looking for love and marriage, Mr Gifford. I'm too busy trying to run my company, when you're not interrupting me!'

The console buzzed and she flicked the switch and asked, 'Yes, Maddie?'

'Nicky Wallis on the line again,' Maddie's tinny voice said. 'Any message? He says it's urgent, he must talk to you.'

'OK, Maddie, put him on when I buzz.' Liza glanced across the office at Keir, her face coolly polite. 'Now, will you excuse me? This may be an important call and I have a busy schedule today.'

He considered her with his head slightly to one side and his smile crooked. 'You're quite something, Liza,' he said, and then he turned and went and Liza stared at where he had been and felt her heart going like a steam train. It took quite an effort to snap herself out of it and buzz for Maddie to put Nicky Wallis through.

'What can I do for you, Nicky?' she asked unwisely and Nicky chuckled.

'You know the answer to that, darling, but I'll settle for lunch to talk over this new contract. I've been talking to ferry, and the advertising agency definitely wants a new lace.'

'Talk to Maddie and she'll give you a date. Sorry, Nicky, but I've got a string of people waiting to see me.' She hung up and Maddie came into the room, eyeing her

oddly.

'Ready to start work now? Your appointments have been shot to pieces. Even if you rush each one you'll liver get through them all.'

I'll work through my lunch hour—oh, no, I've got a l.imh booked with the editor of that new women's magazine!'

I've cancelled it,' Maddie said briskly.

' My God, Maddie, why on earth did you do that? She'll in offended and ...'

She wasn't offended. I explained there was a sudden crisis and asked her to have lunch at the Savoy next Wednesday—that was the first free day available in your diary.'

Liza's fraught expression dissolved into a smile. 'The Savoy?'

'I thought we could run to it in the circs,' Maddie said demurely and Liza laughed.

'What would I do without you? Anything else I ought to know?'

'Yes, I've sent down for some cottage cheese, fruit and coffee,' Maddie said, consulting the notebook she carried to check the details. She looked up impishly. 'For your lunch while you go through today's modelling schedule with me, and then dictate a few letters. Oh, and by the way, I slotted Nicky Wallis into a lunch date next Friday—from one till two. I explained that you always left early on a Friday.'

Liza laughed again, then winced—she was still suffering from the after-effects of the last weekend. She wasn't sure she felt like going down to the cottage again for a little while.

'Now, I'll send in your first appointment,' Maddie added. 'Poor girl, she's been waiting for almost two hours.'

Liza groaned. 'This has been one hell of a morning!'

CHAPTER SEVEN