‘Let’s go and sit down,’ he suggested. ‘We’ve got a lot to talk about.’
In the sitting-room he poured them both a drink. Claire sat on the edge of her chair, nursing hers tensely. Jay shivered slightly as he sat down.
‘It feels cold in here.’
‘The central heating’s on, but I suppose it was much hotter in Dallas.’
‘Mmm … I suppose it was, although I never got beyond my air-conditioned hotel room, or an equally air-conditioned suite of offices.’
‘But you got the contract. I wish I’d known; I could have made a special celebratory meal.’
There was a moment’s odd silence that for some reason made her skin prickle warningly, and then Jay said in a husky voice, ‘I wish you’d known too. I think I could quite easily get used to being spoiled by you, Claire … This room is cold,’ he added abruptly. ‘I’ve never liked it. It’s too cold and sterile. So is the whole house, come to think of it, but I was desperate to find somewhere at the time, and Susie was no help, complaining that she hated everything we saw.’
Claire longed to tell him that there was nothing wrong with the house and that it was the decor that was at fault, but instead she said tactfully, ‘I was wondering if you would mind if I changed things a little after we’re married, Jay. Oh, nothing too expensive. It’s just …’
‘Make whatever changes you wish. And Claire …’ She looked at him. ‘Don’t worry about what it costs, provided you aren’t intending a wholesale refurnishing exercise with antiques.’
‘I was wondering about using some of the company’s products,’ Claire suggested cautiously. An idea had taken root in her mind, but she wasn’t sure what Jay’s reaction woul
d be. ‘You did say that we might have to entertain American executives from the Dallas company, and I was thinking some of the rooms here could be redecorated using some of your products, as a sort of …’
‘Showcase!’
Jay had been lounging back, his head resting against the cream leather of the settee, and now he sat upright, his eyes alert.
‘Yes, it’s an excellent idea, but it would involve you in a lot of extra work, Claire—workmen in and out of the house, as well as taking care of the girls—and I’d have to leave all the planning and design to you as well. Initially, until the orders start moving smoothly, I’ll be fully occupied keeping tabs on them.’
‘I don’t mind.’ She didn’t. She would welcome anything that would change the house from its present austere state to something a little more homely.
‘Well, if you’re sure, I’ll get you some of our brochures and you can browse through them and see if there’s anything you can use. In fact, I’d like to make the arrangements for the wedding and get it over with as soon as possible. I was thinking we could get married in Bath; if you like we could spend a couple of days there and I could take you round the factory.’
‘It would be even better if you could organise it to fit in with half-term,’ Claire suggested. ‘I have promised to take the girls to Bristol Zoo—and they both need new clothes …’
‘Fine, I’ll organise something. You’re going to need to do some shopping for yourself as well.’
It was lightly said, but even so, Claire flushed. She knew that her clothes weren’t glamorous—far from it—but there had never been any money to spare to spend on herself.
‘I … I don’t need anything, Jay,’ she lied.
‘Yes, you do,’ he corrected evenly. ‘Claire, if you’re going to act as my hostess, you’re going to have to dress the part. American women are very clothes-conscious, especially Dallas women, and believe me, if the men are coming over here, their wives are going to want to come with them. It might even be worthwhile looking into ways and means of keeping them occupied—you know the sort of thing: a tour of Bath, and a couple of stately homes. Afternoon tea in thatched cottage villages.’
Surprisingly, instead of feeling daunted by what he had outlined, Claire felt a surge of interested excitement. She had never had a career, never really worked in the sense of being employed, but she had done well at school, and knew that she had a lively intelligence. To take on the role Jay was outlining would be a challenge, and one she felt she could respond to. And he was right—clothes; the right sort of clothes, would be an important part of that role.
‘If it’s the fact that I’ll be paying for your clothes that’s worrying you, then don’t let it,’ he advised her. ‘Believe me, Claire, if I had to pay for a full-time nanny for Heather, plus a cook and housekeeper of the high calibre that you are, plus a social secretary-cum-hostess, it would cost me far, far more than you’re ever likely to spend on clothes.’
‘Ah, but that’s why you want to marry me, isn’t it?’ she said lightly. ‘So that you don’t have to do that …’
‘Partly. But more important is the stability and permanence you’re going to bring to Heather’s life. It’s just as well that Lucy is such a sunny-natured child. No problems there with any incipient jealousy, I hope?’
‘No, none at all. Lucy is a very well-adjusted little girl, luckily; I often wonder …’
‘Who she gets it from?’ he said evenly. ‘It’s not my affair, Claire, but what are you going to tell her when she’s old enough to start asking questions?’
She took a steadying breath. ‘I can’t tell her the truth.’
He seemed to consider for a moment and then said, ‘No, perhaps not. So what will you tell her?’
‘That I loved her father. That he and I were at school together … That he was an orphan …’ she bit her lip. ‘I thought I could tell her that he was killed in … in an accident …’