There was silence as Jasper digested that threat. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have...’ He cleared his throat. ‘But Zara is a good worker, please give her a chance for these few days. She needs it.’
Tomas closed his eyes at the plea in the older man’s voice and blocked the memory of the anxiety in Zara’s eyes. He’d known there was more to her story than what she’d told him.
And he knew Jasper had a habit of helping out stray dogs.
‘She’s been through all the checks?’ He needed to know she could be discreet.
She suspected already; he’d seen it in her eyes as she’d looked at his gallery. It was exactly why he didn’t want strangers in the house. And he sure as hell did not want her pity.
Anger coursed through his blood again.
‘Of course.’ Jasper sounded distracted.
‘Where did you find her?’ Tomas asked, not entirely believing him.
‘The usual agency.’
‘I don’t need her.’ Cait Kilpatrick had left enough meals to last him six months. Though, to be honest, he didn’t like them.
Jasper’s sigh came heavily down the phone. ‘It’s just for three or four days. She needs the money.’
‘Then have her come and work for you,’ Tomas said irritably. He hated being coerced. It was only because the old guy was so loyal that he’d let him. Because Jasper once helped him in a very similar way all those years ago. It was one of the last things Tomas could remember before it all went blank.
‘Tom—’
‘She can have the money and just leave,’ Tomas said. She didn’t need to stay and disrupt his solitude. He didn’t want her here, making him think. Or wonder. Or want.
He only wanted to focus on his work.
‘But she has pride,’ Jasper said quietly. ‘Not unlike you.’
Tomas gritted his teeth.
‘The experience would be good for her,’ Jasper added in a wheedling tone.
‘You’re saying she’s inexperienced?’ Tomas looked to the heavens in frustration. ‘How do you know what would be so good for her if she was just from the agency—she’s worked for you?’ There was more to Jasper’s story than he was letting on. What was it about Zara that was so important?
‘For a short time, yes,’ Jasper muttered.
Tomas knew Jasper was lying but he didn’t know why. ‘You really think I can’t handle a few days all by myself?’ he jeered.
‘I think you can handle almost anything,’ Jasper replied. ‘You might even cope with her for a few days if you try hard enough.’
Tomas managed a laugh. But he wasn’t so sure. He was staying out of her way.
That smile? Those brightly shining eyes? She was like a damn puppy, so eager to please and cheerful and, he suspected, in need of affection and attention.
He didn’t have any of that to give.
‘I’ll come see you in a few days and make sure she hasn’t poisoned you. I wouldn’t blame her if she does if you’re this grouchy with her.’
Was he grouchy? Probably. But then he had reason to be, didn’t he? ‘Come soon and take her away. I don’t need her.’
And he refused to want her.
He walked back down to the kitchen. She stood staring out of the dark window but when she caught sight of his reflection over her shoulder she whirled to face him.
‘What did he say to you?’ he said as he held her phone out to her. His eyes narrowed as he saw how pale she still looked. How warily she ensured her fingers did not brush his again as she took her phone from him.
‘He apologised.’
He almost smiled, surprised with her honesty. ‘He did the same to me. You’ll stay a few days and be my housekeeper.’
Her stiffness eased. ‘Until he gets here.’ She nodded, her lips twisting wryly. ‘I’m sorry he foisted me on you.’
He couldn’t help the small smile at that mental image. Did she really think it was Jasper who’d made the final call? ‘I guess I’ll get over it,’ he muttered ironically.
Did she even have anywhere else to go?
But her dimple popped back as she returned his smile with that small one of her own. He was glad. But he was still damn uncomfortable.
‘I’ll be in my office most of the time,’ he explained roughly. ‘Working.’
‘I promise I’ll stay out of your way and only come to find you at mealtimes,’ she said, a little too meekly.
He shot her a look. ‘I will come to the kitchen.’
‘Will you remember to?’ A spark of mischief lit her eyes.
‘Of course I will.’
Her brows flickered at his snap and her smile widened. ‘Thank you.’ Ultra-meek that time.
He drew in a steadying breath. She was an undaunted kitten. ‘I’ll show you to your room.’
Silently she walked alongside him as he led her back up to his wing. It was the only one with the furnishings uncovered and ready for use. She had to stay too close for comfort.
He was too aware of how close she was now. How warm she looked with that flush back in her cheeks and the shine back in her eyes. She looked soft and the desire to pull her close was too intense.
Inwardly he cursed Jasper again.
‘You’ll sleep here.’ He stopped by the open door and tried not to look at her. He failed. ‘Don’t be afraid to turn up the heater if it still isn’t warm enough for you.’
He remembered too well how cold her fingers had been when she’d first arrived.
‘Thank you,’ she said, subdued. The light, sparring moment had passed and whatever thoughts she’d had before were troubling her anew. She avoided looking him in the eyes as she waited, clearly tense again.
He frowned, another wisp of déjà vu distracting him.
‘I’m just along the corridor should you need anything.’ He walked away abruptly, wondering how on earth he was ever going to sleep tonight.
CHAPTER FOUR
‘He can afford this, you know, it doesn’t mean anything to him.’
ZARA STEPPED INTO the vast room. Beautiful wood panelling lent warmth to it, as did the intricately patterned rug thrown over the thick carpet. Antique furniture gleamed in the soft light from the table lamp—a pair of plump armchairs sat at angles in front of the small fire, a polished free-standing mirror reflected the grandeur of the room, while dominating the lot was the large four-poster bed with its beautiful moss-green and gold brocade coverings. Heavy-looking curtains were drawn over the windows, blocking out the wild weather and adding to the air of luxurious sanctuary. She felt as if she’d walked onto the set of a sumptuous period drama and the effect was spellbinding.
She toed off her cold shoes and stepped towards the gently flickering flames in the decoratively tiled fireplace. But the fire was more for ambience than heat, for there was hidden modernisation—a discreet switch that allowed her to control the temperature with the touch of a button. Through an open doorway she saw an en suite bathroom with gleaming porcelain and fluffy white towels.
Her bag was on the low wooden luggage rack and she opened it, hunting for the winter pyjamas she’d thrown in there. Then she showered, her body slowly warming at last under the strong stream of steaming water.
She still couldn’t believe any of it—that she was here, that he’d lost so much.
That he was still her husband.
She stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in the thick towel as she shivered again, unwilling to let herself think too closely about that. He wasn’t really her husband. There wasn’t any intimacy at all between them.
No matter what that rogue part of her might want.
Dressed in her nightwear, she walked towards the large bed, hyper aware of the tiny, muted sounds coming from somewhere in the house. The last time they’d slept under the same roof they’d been in that hotel on Antigua before she’d returned to England for the first time in ten years.
* * *
‘Ready to go, Zara?’
Tomas’s quick glance was keen as he met her
in the hotel restaurant to take her directly to the airport, but then he looked at his watch as if he was impatient for them to go. For her to leave.
‘Yes, thank you.’ She knew she looked pale.
But he looked a touch paler to her eyes too.