‘You like Anna and Ben, then?’
‘I do, very much. Though I get the feeling that Anna would cut my liver out with a blunt spoon if I hurt you in any way. I assume she knows our past history?’
‘Afraid so.’
‘Including Dawn?’
‘Yes, but she won’t broadcast it.’
‘She doesn’t have to. The story of my marriage and divorce is well known.’
‘Do you mind?’
‘I was young enough to mind quite at lot at first, but I got over it.’ Jack turned to look at her. ‘Getting over you, Kate, was a damn sight harder. And my way of coping was a hard work no play lifestyle that did wonders for the company but nothing for me socially. At least,’ he added candidly, ‘not until we opened the London office. But that’s all in the past. From now on I’ll do more entertaining at home.’ He touched a hand to her cheek as he handed her the tea. ‘It felt so right to see you at the other end of my table, Katie.’
She sipped carefully, trying to bypass the lump in her throat.
‘Did it feel right to you?’ he asked quietly.
Kate looked up into his intent eyes. ‘Yes, Jack it did. But you can’t expect me to play hostess every time you entertain.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’m not getting into that kind of arrangement with you.’
‘You’re afraid of what people might think?’
‘I’m more concerned with what you might think, Jack.’ Kate put down her half empty mug and slid off the table. ‘Time I went home.’
Jack caught her by the elbow, his touch burning through the velvet. ‘Stay.’
‘No,’ she said flatly.
‘I meant long enough to drink your tea,’ he said impatiently. ‘Come and sit by the fire for a few minutes. Bran can come as chaperon if you like.’
‘Jack, I want to go home,’ she said with such vehemence that he released her and went from the room. She pushed a hand through her hair, blinking hard, and crossed the room to tear a sheet from a roll of paper kitchen towel.
‘Katie!’ said Jack behind her.
She buried her face in the paper towel, but he took her by the shoulders and turned her round until her face was against his shirt. Jack smoothed a hand over her hair and held her until the tears stopped He left her for a moment, then put his arms round her again.
At last she drew away and scrubbed the sodden paper over her face. ‘Sorry,’ she said thickly.
‘So am I. I can’t handle it when you cry.’ Jack smoothed a strand of damp hair from her forehead. ‘I’ve brought your things if you really must go now.’
‘Right.’ She sniffed inelegantly. ‘Where’s Bran?’
‘He couldn’t handle it either. I put him in the boot room.’
Kate looked up at Jack in remorse. ‘Poor Bran.’
‘Not poor Jack?’
‘That, too—sorry about your shirt,’ she added hoarsely, eyeing the mascara streaks and sodden patches on his chest.
‘The shirt will wash.’ Jack took her hand. ‘Stay until you feel better, Kate. I’ll make more tea, and we’ll take Bran in by the fire until you’re in good enough shape to drive home.’
‘All right,’ she said listlessly. ‘But I’ll just wash my face first.’