Is it there as some sort of test you give to all your men friendsto see how brave they are?
You didnt cry, she repliedand suddenly the tension was eased, and they were both laughing.
Miraculously, though she rather knew Trent had a lot to do with it, the evening which she thought had started off badly progressed to a fine start.
He took her to a restaurant which served excellent food. But she had little recollection of what she ate, for he was an excellent dinner companion: witty, serious, knowledgable.
Yes, but, TrenterTrenton... She went on to put forward her point of view, but the subject went straight from her mind. It was the confusion he seemed to have a knack of arousing in her. She started to grow hot at the thought that this astute man who had introduced himself to her as Trent de Havilland might think she had been checking up on him, and had found out his name was Trenton. Its on fileyour name. She dug a bigger hole for herself. Oh, Heavens, this was dreadful. I wasnt checking up on you! she blurted out.
Thats not very flattering of you, he teased.
She started to feel a bit better. Enough, anyway, to be able to explain, I was checking Mr Chapmans silver wedding celebrations file, ready to finalise everything before putting it to bed. Your name was on the guest list.
Trent smiled and, as if realising from the gentle tide of pink that had washed her skin that she had been feeling a trifle awkward, he smoothly turned the conversation to enquire, You enjoy working for Hector?
Very much, she answered, but felt honour bound to add, Though Im not his PA. Shes Carol Robinson and I assist her. Aletheas voice started to fade as it suddenly dawned on her that he probably knew that anyway. Didnt Mr Chapman want to know what you wanted my address and phone number for? she asked, and had to admit that she liked the way Trent de Havillands mouth quirked at the corners whenever she managed to amuse him.
Youre too sharp to be a mere assistant, he responded charmingly.
She enjoyed his charm, though she had sense enough to see that it wouldnt take a genius to guess from where he had obtained the information he needed. Though Hector Chapman giving that information spoke volumes. She knew, indisputably, that Mr Chapman would never have imparted anything about her unless the enquirer was not only very well known to him, but also a man whom he knew to be trustworthy.
Given that she had been brought up to be distrustful of all men, Alethea was feeling more relaxed with Trent than with any man shed ever known. To suddenly realise, too, that she already had all the evidence she needed, because Trent must be well known to her boss to have been invited to his anniversary celebration, only went to make her feel even more relaxed.
Relaxed, and able to ask him what she considered to be a most natural question, What sort of work do you do?
Im in science engineering, he answered.
Well, that leaves me dead in the water, Alethea laughed, Science was my worst subject at school.
Im sure you were brilliant at others, he commented. So tell me more about you.
For no reason, she started to feel tense again. Theres nothing to tell, she replied.
He wasnt having that. You live at home with your mother and sisterplus your sisters children, he documented. How much had he guessed? Alethea started to feel wary of him. Are there no men in your household? he asked, and Alethea, knowing she was being prickly, but somehow unable to help it, resented his questioning.
Are there any women in yours? she asked bluntly.
I live alone, he answered quite openly, adding drily, though its true that I have a dear soul who comes in and sets the place to order three times a week.
There were traces of a smile about his expression, but suddenly the evening was going badly for Alethea and she could not respond. Have you ever been married? she asked abruptly.
Trent he Havilland studied her unsmiling face for some seconds, as if trying to gauge what, if anything, lay behind her question. No, never, he stated at last. But his eyes were alert, his expression all at once unsmiling. Have you?
Good Heavens, no! Alethea exclaimed.
You sound as if you find the idea appalling? he suggested, his dark eyes steady on her violet ones.
Suddenly her tension vanished, and her sense of humour quite unexpectedly bubbled to the surface. So long as you werent asking, she replied and, when his eyes remained unflinching on hers, she continued, I should hate to hurt your feelings.
Like hell you would, he rejoined.
Id never hurt anyone on purpose, she informed him coolly.
Her coolness didnt so much as touch him. Turn them down gentlyis that your motto? he surmised, as if he truly thought she must have received several marriage proposals by now. She wasnt interested in marriage, for goodness sake! Nor did she care much for the subject under discussion, she decided. Though, before she could open her mouth to change it, she discovered that Trent had had enough of it too, and was heading in another direction himself to ask, May I enquire after your father?
Alethea was not sure that she cared for this new subject any better. My father? she prevaricated.
He doesnt live at home? Trent pursued, not a man to give up easily, even if her look did have a chilly edge to it.
Had her mother told him that? She did not want to think so. But, much as she loved her parent, she was not blind to the fact that her mother could be manipulative when it suited her. She remembered the sour expressions on both her mothers and her sisters faces when she had gone into the sitting room. And, even though she had earlier been convinced that she didnt want to know what had gone on in that room before she had come downstairs, she found she was asking in a rush, What did my mother say to you?
Nothing to cause such distress in those beautiful violet eyes, he answered. Quite gently, she thought, but it was a non-answer just the same.
So tell me, she insisted.
He shrugged, but he was watchful as he revealed, Apparently youre more interested in your career than you are in men.
She could cope with that. Anything wrong in that? she asked.
Not a thing, he replied pleasantly. Only, remembering her mothers expression, Alethea couldnt leave it there.
And? she further insisted.
Youre a devil for punishment, he murmured lightly.
So?
At the risk of sounding ungallant, I dont believe it.
This is like drawing teeth! she exclaimed frustratedly. Dont believe what?
You have beautiful teeth too, he said, delaying a moment more. But, having flattered her, he went on to reveal the appalling truth. According to your mother-though I must say she couched it in much better terms... basically what she meant to convey was that you are only going out with me in the interests of career advancement.
Alethea, innocent of all charges, went scarlet. I... You... she tried, but was rendered temporarily speechless. It was left to Trent, his eyes on her unhappy colour, to try to make her feel better.
Im too conceited to believe that, of course. He attempted to coax a smile out of her.
Alethea could not have smiled had her life depended upon it. How could her mother have said such a thing? She would have liked to have believed otherwise, of course, but she knew her mother. You have your own company, dont you? she guessed.
Im too conceited to believe that, of course. He attempted to coax a smile out of her.
Alethea could not have smiled had her life depended upon it. How could her mother have said such a thing? She would have liked to have believed otherwise, of course, but she knew her mother. You have your own company, dont you? she guessed.
I do, he owned.
You told my mother, and...
I didnt so much as tell herjust gave her my name. Her mother never ceased to amaze her. Some days she never went outside the house and yet, when Alethea arrived home from work, her mother was up to date on all the gossip. But now, local gossip aside, it seemed her mother had mental index cards on the London business world!
Shall we go? she offered bluntly. The coffee they had ordered to finish their meal had only just arrived, but her sensitivity was such that she was wondering why Trent hadnt left her home there and then, without waiting for her to present herself downstairs. That was what her mother had wanted, of course.
Youre not going to let what Ive told you spoil what has been a very pleasurable evening for meand I hope for you tooare you?
TrentI... Alethea halted, and realised that, in addition to her mother not wanting her evening with Trent to start, her parent would be quite pleased, if, since start it had, it should end badly. Alethea knew her mother hadnt wanted Maxine to leave home and thereby break her mothers sphere of influence. Mother had done everything in her power to prevent Maxines marriage. But, from what Alethea could see now, her mother wasnt waiting for her to go so far as to become involved with anyone. At the first sign that Alethea was going out with any man who might be strong-minded, her mother was out to nip in the bud any remote possibility that might lead to her other daughter leaving home. Alethea took a shaky breath, and stared across into a pair of dark eyes that were silently, steadily watching her. To answer your question, she said, my father left home when I was ten.
Trents look was warm and encouraging. For another woman, he stated, seeming to know it for a fact, though Alethea hardly thought that her mother had imparted that piece of knowledge.
Normally Alethea would have clammed up on the subject, but just then she was feeling cross enough with her mother not to care. Alethea knew full well that, should she challenge her mother tomorrow over what she had told Trent, Mrs Pemberton would tell her she was making a fuss over nothing.
Yes, for another woman, she confirmed, whether Trent needed confirmation or not.
And your mother thereafter set about trying to see to it that no man came near you or your sister. He paused a moment, then commented lightly, Umshe seems to have failed miserably with your sisterI counted three children.
She has only three, Alethea stated, Trents manner and his humour causing her to feel better.
But their father, or fathers, arent allowed inside the house? he suggested.
Alethea shook her head. Maxine married. Only her marriage recently broke up.
Thats a pity, he commented, and Alethea was unsure if he meant for the childrens sake, Maxines sake, or marriages sake. It cant be easy for her, he added.
Apparently it wasnt the first time her husbands eye had wandered, Alethea said, not wanting Trent to think that her dear sister was in any way to blame for the marriage split.
But this time she decided to return home?
Bringing her furniture with her, Alethea commented, not wanting to tell him the other, more dishonest facts of it, and wondering if Trent would be nursing a bruise on his shin tomorrow.
So that accounts for the chest in the hall, he grinned.
We are a touch overcrowded, she laughed, and was suddenly feeling good again. She heard herself tack on, Ive been toying with the idea of moving out and finding a place of my ownthough I dont suppose I will.
Your mother wouldnt let you?
Honestly! Instantly she was up in arms. Im twenty-two! she informed Trent crossly. The decision is mine. She stared with hostility at him, sparks of annoyance flaring in her eyes. But, as she looked at his dark, unwavering gaze, so she glimpsed a dancing light. He, she realised, had aggravated her deliberately! Provoking devil! she mumbled, but had to smile. I think its time I went home, she stated.
Trent settled the bill and, without comment, escorted her outside. Though just when she was starting to think, in a slightly miffed way, that hed had enough and couldnt wait to drop her off at her door, he sent that notion clear out of her head by offering, With your house so overcrowded, shall we go back to mine for coffee?
Ive just had coffee, she reminded him, feeling better that he seemed to want to prolong the evening. But he was the sophisticated type and she was not green; coffee could well be another word for what he was actually offering!
I thought we might talk, get to know each other, he answered, as he saw her into his car.
Ill bet! Alethea waited until he joined her in the car. Weve been talking all night, she thought to mention.
All Ive learned about you, apart from my observations on your sensitivity and sincerity, is that you live in an overcrowded household of women, that you may or may not be intending to find somewhere less overcrowded, and might I suggestif the high-pitched squealing that was going on when I arrived is anything to go byyou need somewhere a little more peaceful to live. Ive also discovered that you work as an assistant PA.
That isnt enough?
Her words had sounded sharp, she realised, when Trent looked at her long and hard. But whatever he was thinking, his manner remained mild. Should we row on our first date? he asked.
First date! She liked him; she must do, or she would not be here now. But at his hint of a second date she felt wary. Ill take you to your home, he said before she could make up her mind how she felt about going out with him again.
Trent drove easily, effortlessly, and in no time at all it seemed that they were pulling up outside her home. When he got out of the car and came round to her door, Alethea got out feeling nervous and unsure.
She wouldnt ask him in. Lord knew what surprises awaited themher embittered mother had had hours in which to build up a fine head of vitriol. Or perhaps Maxine was walking the downstairs rooms trying to pacify a wailing Polly.
At the door she turned. Thank you for a pleasant evening, she trotted out, and was all jittery inside. Silently, unspeaking, he stared down at her in the porch light. She didnt know if he would try to kiss her, nor how she would react if he did. As yet she had formulated no answer, should he ask for the second date he had hinted at.
But Alethea was totally mystified when Trent neither attempted to kiss her nor to ask her out again. But, his tone evenhe could have been discussing the weather-he replied civilly, The pleasure was mine. Goodnight, Alethea. And with that he went back to his car.
Alethea did not want to see him drive off. Motivated by pride that insisted he should not go away with any idiotic notion that she might be hanging on his every word and deed, she did a rapid about-turn and swiftly let herself in through the front door.
Only when she had the door shutshe was on the inside and he was on the outsidedid she pause to take stock. He hadnt so much as tried to kiss her, much less ask her out again! Not that shed have gone out with him again if he had asked, she firmly decided. But then all thoughts of Trent de Havilland were momentarily taken from her mind when the stair light came on and her sister came hurrying into view.