Millionaire's Woman

‘Because I advised him,’ she corrected. ‘He’s a lawyer, remember.’

Jack raised an eyebrow. ‘What happens if she shuts the door in his face? Will he come rushing back to cry on your shoulder?’

‘If he does, all he’ll get is sympathy. The situation remains unchanged.’

‘The situation being?’

‘That Joanna takes precedence over everything else in my life right now.’

Jack’s mood changed abruptly. ‘Of course. How is she, Kate? You said she enjoyed her time with you last weekend.’

‘She seems to be coping remarkably well.’

He eyed her searchingly. ‘But what happens at night, after lights out in her dormitory?’

Touched by his insight, Kate repeated the account given by Dr Knight. ‘Jo’s dealing with her loss far better than I ever imagined.’

‘Having you as a guardian is a lot to do with it.’

‘It’s kind of you to say so, Jack.’

He grinned suddenly. ‘Don’t sound so surprised. I can be very kind when I put my mind to it.’

‘I know that. So did Dawn Taylor.’ Kate could have kicked herself when she saw Jack’s smile vanish.

He abandoned his beer and got up. ‘Time I was on my way. Thanks for the drink.’

Kate jumped up and put a hand on his arm. ‘Do you have plans for this evening, Jack?’

He looked down at the hand. ‘Why?’

‘If you haven’t, you could stay to supper. If you like,’ she muttered, already regretting her impulse.

Jack’s grin was back as he looked up. ‘Thought you’d never ask.’

‘You’ll have to eat whatever I can find in the cupboard,’ she warned, surprised to feel so relieved. ‘Come into the kitchen while I forage.’

‘I’ve got a better idea,’ he said, sitting down again. ‘Let’s order in. You can impress me with your culinary skill next time.’

Kate returned to her chair, smiling gratefully. ‘I won’t say no. I’ve had a tiring afternoon.’

‘Painting?’

‘No, far more exhausting than that. I went on a shopping trip with Anna. She needed something to wear to your dinner party. Her current wardrobe doesn’t fit.’ Kate swirled the remains of her drink round her glass. ‘Just between you and me, she’s pregnant, and jubilant about it. So is Ben.’

‘I can imagine he would be! Should I congratulate them?’

‘I’m not sure if they’ve gone public on it, so maybe not yet.’

‘My lips shall remain sealed. Would you have another beer?’

Kate went to fetch more drinks, and found Jack talking on his phone when she got back.

He closed it with a snap. ‘That was Dad, worried something was wrong. So I told him you’d asked me to supper and right now he’s probably jumping joyfully to all the wrong conclusions.’

Kate handed him a beer, topped up her own glass and sat down. ‘It’s just supper, Jack.’

The black-lashed eyes gleamed as he pulled the tab on the can. ‘But Dad will take it as a sign that you’re thawing towards me. Are you?’ he added.