To your mothers home? he guessed.
There isnt anywhere else, she stated despondently.
But you dont want to go there?
Shes had a tough time. Shes happy now, for the first time in years. I dont want to give her the smallest cause for anxiety. Especially in this honeymoon period, Mallon owned. But I cant at the moment see what else I can do.
There was a brief pause, then, I can, he replied.
Mallon looked at him in surprisewary surprise. You can?
Smooth your hackles for a minute, he instructed levelly, and hear my proposition.
Proposition! she repeated, her eyes darting to the door, ready to run at the first intimation of anything untoward.
Relax, Mallon. What I have to suggest is perfectly above board. She was still there, albeit she was watching his every move, and he went quickly on. You need a job, preferably a live-in job, and I, Ive just discovered, appear to needa caretaker.
A caretaker! She stared at him wide-eyed. Youre offering me a caretakers job?
Its entirely up to you whether you want to take it or not, but, as you know, Im having the place rebuilt. I could do with someone here to liaise with plumbers, carpenters, electriciansyou know the sort of thing. Generally keep an eye on everything. He broke off to insert, Someone to mop up when the roof leaks. Ive just witnessed the way youre ready to pitch in when theres an emergency. Later on, Ill need someone here to oversee painters and decorators, carpet fitters, furniture arrivals.
He had no need to go on; she had the picture. But she had just had one very big fright with one employer and, while it would suit her very well to caretake for a short timeit would give her the chance to have a roof of sorts over her head while she looked for another jobshe had been gullible before.
Wheres the catch? she questioned, trying not to think in terms of this being a wonderful answer to her problems. If she accepted this caretaking job it would mean that she wouldnt have to go and intrude on her mother and John Frost at this start of their married life together. She
Apart from the fact that this kitchen is about the most comfortable room in the house, there is no catch, Harris Quillian replied. You and I have a mutual need
Where would I sleep? Mallon interrupted him suspiciously.
Grey eyes studied her for a second or two. You dont trust men, do you? he said quietly.
Lets say Ive had my fill of men who seem to think that I just cant wait to get into bed with them!
Youve had bad experiences apart from Phillips?
Mallon ignored the question. Her experience with Roland Phillips was the worst, but she had no intention of telling Quillian of her ex-stepfather, ex-stepbrother nor her fickle-hearted ex-boyfriend.
Where would I sleep? she repeated stubbornly, vaguely aware that she must be seriously considering the job offer.
At the moment there are only two bedrooms habitableand theyre not yet decorated. One should be sufficient for you, Quillian stated. Though at present only one of the bedrooms has much furniture. Obviously its my bedroom for when I stay weekends. Again she darted a quick look to the door. But Ill be returning to London this evening, so it would be all yours until I can get another bed sent downprobably tomorrow or Tuesday. She relaxed slightly, and he asked, You wouldnt mind being here on your own?
Id welcome it! she answered bluntly, truthfully, hardly able to believe this sudden turn of events.
Good, he said, and she warmed to him a little that he appeared not in the slightest offended that she had just as good as said that she wouldnt mind if he left her on her own right nowthat shed rather have his space too, than his company. Should you accept, Ill get my PA to arrange some furniture first thing in the morning. By the end of the week you would be comfortably set up in your own bedroom.
Youll behere again next weekend? she questioned stiltedly, and found herself on the receiving end of his steady grey-eyed look.
Are you always this cagey?
Apparently notor I wouldnt be in the situation Im in now!
He took that on board, then documented, So youre worried about me staying overnight in the same house with you? Mallon made no answer, and after a moment he informed her, The reason I bought this place was so that, eventually, Id have somewhere away from London to unwind at the weekends. Harcourt House is obviously far from finished, but if youd agree to stay on, ready to contact me or my PA with any problemsmore ceilings coming down, builders needing chasing, that sort of thingthen, should I come down on a Friday evening, or on a Saturday, Id undertake to drive you to a hotel and come and collect you shortly before I go back to London again. How does that sound?
How long would it be for? she enquired, realising she should be snatching at his offer, but traces of shock from the terrible fright shed had were still lingering. When I get my head back together I shall want to look around for something more permanent, she explained.
I cant see the builders being finished in under three months. Though I wouldnt hold you to that length of time if you find the right job sooner.
Mallon took a deep breath. Id like to accept, she said, before she could change her mind. And, the die cast, she suddenly again became aware of the way she was dressed. My clothes! she exclaimed. I cant go around wearing your shirt and trousers for the next three months!
Then I suggest I drive you to Almora Lodge to collect your belongings, Harris Quillian said coolly.
Youd come with me to? she began fearfully.
His jaw jutted. I wouldnt contemplate letting you go on your own, he grated positively, and took his eyes from her to glance at his watch. When he looked at her again, Mallon could not help noticing that there was a steel-hard glint in his eyes all at once. Then, to her absolute amazement, he icily announced, Apart from anything else, I think its more than high time I went and had a word with my brother-in-law.
Mallon stared at him speechlessly, her brain refusing to take in what it was he was saying. Brother-in-law?
Harris Quillian moved to the kitchen door, all too obviously keen to be on their way. Roland Phillips, he stated quite clearly, happens to be married to my sister Faye.
Mallon looked at him open-mouthed. She could not remember just then all that she had said to Harris Quillian. But what she did know was that she had told him, exceedingly plainly, that his sisters husband had assaulted her with violating, adulterous intent!
Anger started to surge up in heranger against Quillian. How dared he allow her to tell him all she had? He must have known that she would never have said a word to him about Roland Phillips had she know he was Roland Phillipss brother-in-law!
More, she realised, Harris Quillian had deliberately kept that information to himself to get her talking. Must have! Hed purposelyHeHow dared he?