Alex’s blue eyes narrowed. ‘And you think she might be going to marry him?’
She gave him a taunting look. ‘Worried you might lose your secretary?’
‘Not at all,’ he returned smoothly. ‘I was just marvelling at the secrets Jane keeps behind that cool façade. I’ve learnt more about her the last three days than I did in the previous three years. Besides, if she left you could always take her place.’
Lauri shook her head. ‘My shorthand is lousy.’
His smile was mocking. ‘I don’t think I would care about that.’
‘And I don’t think I would care for sitting on the boss’s knee half the day,’ she retorted sharply. ‘That isn’t the way I care to earn my money. Besides, I’m sure you’d soon tire of my—inadequacies. You didn’t get to be a successful businessman by having an idiot for a secretary.’
‘I think I could manage for a while,’ he said throatily, his gaze caressing.
‘As I said, until you tire of me.’ She looked about her with a frown. ‘Where are we going, Alex? We’ve been driving for miles.’
‘Still worried about the boy-friend?’
She had forgotten all about poor Daryl! She would certainly have some explaining to do the next time she saw him. ‘Leave Daryl out of this,’ she told Alex tightly.
‘I’d gladly forget about him altogether—if you would do the same thing.’
‘Well, I’m not going to. Now where are we going? I can’t be late back twice in two days,’ she groaned.
‘I’m afraid you are going to be late. In fact, you aren’t going back at all today.’
Lauri gasped. ‘Alex! I thought you were just taking me out to lunch!’ she accused.
‘I am taking you to lunch. I hope you don’t mind eating at the airport.’
Her mouth dropped open. ‘The airport? You mean Heathrow?’
‘That’s right. I’d take you somewhere else to eat, only we’re a little late already.’
Lauri turned right round in her seat to look at him. ‘We’re going to Heathrow?’
‘Mm.’ He laughed as he looked at her. ‘Don’t worry, Lauren, I don’t intend whisking you off to some secret hideaway. We’re going to meet someone.’
‘Who?’ she asked dazedly.
‘My brother-in-law,’ he told her calmly.
‘You mean you’re married?’ she gasped. She had never heard of any marriage, but then that didn’t mean there wasn’t one. Jane didn’t like talking about her emplo
yer’s personal life, and she hadn’t been with the company long enough herself to have heard all the gossip about him. Oh God, she hadn’t committed the unforgivable sin of going out with a married man, had she?
CHAPTER FIVE
ALEX grinned. ‘I would have thought by my views on marriage that you would know I’m not.’
Her face was pale. ‘You could have those views because you are married.’
He shook his head. ‘Laurence was married to my eldest sister, Beth.’
She heaved an inward sigh of relief. ‘Surely you don’t want me there when you meet a member of your family?’
‘Actually you’ll be doing me a favour. Laurence and I haven’t had a lot to do with each other for some time. We met for the first time in years six months ago, at my sister’s funeral.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise she was dead.’