Passion from the Past Read online

  ‘Well, I’ll be damned!’

  She was grinning openly now. ‘Were you expecting opposition?’

  ‘To tell you the truth I had no idea what your reaction would be,’ he admitted ruefully.

  ‘And you didn’t care either,’ she laughed.

  ‘Oh, I cared, for your mother’s sake. You’re very important to her, you and your brother. She would never do anything of which you disapproved.’ His expression darkened at her frown. ‘What is it?’ he demanded.

  ‘I approve,’ she said slowly. ‘But Martin—’

  ‘Won’t?’

  ‘Probably not.’

  ‘I’m not going to lose your mother, not for any reason,’ James growled. ‘She’s the best thing that’s happened to me for years. After my heart attack—’

  ‘I didn’t know,’ Laura frowned.

  ‘It was years ago,’ he dismissed. ‘I haven’t had any trouble from it since then. And as long as I don’t overtax myself I shouldn’t have any more attacks. Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave your mother a widow as soon as we’re married. I wouldn’t even think of marrying her if I thought I was going to die. She deserves better than that.’

  His words showed he knew of the unhappiness of her mother’s first marriage, and only her mother could have told him of that. Which only went to prove how much her mother did love this man.

  ‘Yes,’ Laura agreed huskily.

  ‘I could make her happy,’ James growled.

  ‘I’m sure you could,’ she nodded.

  ‘But you still don’t think your brother will agree?’

  ‘No,’ she sighed. She had an awful feeling that when Martin was told the news he would blurt out his past relationship with James’s daughter. And what would that do for James’s heart condition?

  James frowned angrily. ‘Well, he’ll damn well have to put up with it,’ he snapped. ‘I won’t take no for an answer. I’m certainly not going to let Martin ruin things for us.’

  ‘I hope you’re right.’

  ‘I will be.’ Once again he looked at her critically. ‘Going out, are you?’

  ‘Why?’ she asked innocently. ‘Do you intend seducing my mother while I’m gone?’

  James gave a loud shout of laughter. ‘You’re a cheeky little madam,’ he chuckled.

  ‘Does that mean seduction isn’t on the programme?’

  ‘I may try that if all else fails to get a positive response to my marriage proposal.’ He was suddenly serious. ‘I do want your mother in that way,’ he told her candidly. ‘I want her in every way a man in love can want and need a woman.’

  ‘I know,’ Laura acknowledged huskily. ‘And she feels the same way. Although I think she’s a little shocked at herself, at her age.’

  ‘She’s just a baby!’ he scoffed. ‘How much longer to you intend putting Gideon through hell?’ he pounced suddenly, pinpointing her with his icy blue stare.

  ‘I—You—I—’ He had caught her completely off guard, which was probably his intention!

  ‘Well?’ he prompted tersely.

  ‘Mind your own business!’ she snapped her agitation, standing up.

  ‘It is my business. So?’

  ‘Gideon isn’t going through hell,’ her eyes flashed. ‘At least, not on my account.’

  ‘And just how do you know that?’

  ‘I know,’ she said with conviction. ‘Because I know Gideon better than you do.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, girl,’ James snapped. ‘I’ve known Gideon—’

  ‘In a business capacity,’ she interrupted heatedly. ‘You have no idea what he’s really like.’

  ‘Considering I helped bring him up I have a very good idea of what he’s like,’ James corrected.

  ‘You brought him up?’ Laura gasped, paling.

  James nodded. ‘Since his father died.’

  ‘Which was when?’

  ‘About twenty years ago. Gideon was about sixteen at the time.’

  ‘I—I see.’ So Gideon had almost grown up with Felicity. How strange! And how could Gideon have so betrayed James’s love and trust, marrying the beloved daughter of the man who had done so much for him, even knowing he didn’t love her? Her feelings towards Gideon hardened even more. ‘Then you obviously do know what sort of a man he is.’ Her tone was scornful.

  ‘Yes, I know,’ James rasped harshly. ‘And so would you if you had any sense at all. I want to see Gideon happy, and for some reason,’ his expression mocked, ‘you seem to make him happy. Jealously happy, but nonetheless happy.’

  Laura turned away. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  ‘I know, girl,’ he snapped impatiently. ‘And so would you if you’ve looked at Gideon lately.’

  Looked at him! Heavens, she couldn’t seem to do anything else! ‘He seems the same as he’s always been,’ she dismissed.

  James’s eyes were narrowed. ‘Which is?’

  ‘Cold and calculating!’

  His mouth twisted in disgust. ‘You’re a fool, girl.’

  Her mother entered the room at that moment, looking warily at the two set faces in front of her. ‘Is there anything wrong?’

  James controlled his anger with effort, turning to smile at her. ‘No, of course not, Joan. Is there, Laura?’ his tone was warning.

  ‘No,’ she gave a bright smile. ‘I was just telling Mr Courtney how lucky he is to be having you for his wife.’

  Her mother blushed, looking coyly at James. ‘I think you’re a little premature, Laura.’

  ‘Not at all, Joan,’ James said dismissively. ‘I don’t intend taking no for an answer. And the wedding is going to be soon.’

  ‘James—’

  ‘Soon, Joan,’ he repeated firmly.

  ‘But I—’

  ‘Oh, give in gracefully, Mum,’ Laura grinned, enjoying seeing her mother being dominated in this way. And her mother seemed to like it too, having had too much responsibility alone for too long, relieved to be able at last to share some of her worries. ‘Just think, Mr Courtney—’

  ‘James,’ he corrected gruffly. ‘Or Dad if you can manage it.’

  ‘Well, really,’ her mother began indignantly. ‘I—’

  ‘I think James for now,’ Laura ignored her mother’s outburst. ‘Maybe Dad later.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘That’s fine by me,’ James nodded, also ignoring her mother. ‘You were saying?’ he prompted Laura.

  She grinned teasingly. ‘I was just going to point out the pleasure of having me as a stepdaughter.’

  ‘I knew from the first that we were going to be related in some way. I had a different relationship in mind, but then I can’t have everything,’ he added infuriatingly.

  ‘You certainly can’t,’ Laura told him waspishly, knowing that he had approved of her going out with Gideon. If he knew the reason for Gideon’s interest he might feel less kindly disposed towards him. ‘That will be my date,’ she said with relief as the doorbell rang.

  ‘Young Jennings, isn’t it?’ James asked curtly.

  ‘Yes,’ she confirmed abruptly.

  ‘Nice enough chap—’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll be glad of your approval.’ Her mouth twisted mockingly.

  James quirked a taunting eyebrow over light blue eyes. ‘I didn’t say I approved, I said he was a nice enough chap. But not for you.’

  ‘I—’

  ‘Go and answer the door, girl,’ he ordered gruffly. ‘He sounds impatient to see you. But think over what I said about Gideon.’

  ‘I have no intention of giving him a single thought,’ she snapped. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me…’

  James made no further attempt to prevent her departure, although she had the awful feeling that once he was her stepfather he might have a lot more to say on the subject of Gideon!

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  NO doubt James would have been pleased to know Laura’s relationship with Nigel had stagnated. And she knew it was mainly her fault. She kept their conversation lig
ht, their goodnight kisses even lighter. That Nigel was aware of her deliberate restraint in their friendship she knew, and she liked him all the more for respecting the hurt she had suffered at Gideon’s cruel hands.

  It had been impossible to hide it from Nigel, to keep up the pretence she presented to everyone else, including Gideon himself. Knowing his reasons for going out with her he was the person she most had to convince that he had meant nothing to her. She felt sure she had succeeded.

  The news of her mother’s pending marriage to James Courtney spread through the company like wildfire, and James’ benign attitude was at last explained. By Monday evening it seemed that everyone knew, and most were congratulating her, as if she had pulled off a really clever move. Maybe to the outsider it looked as if she had—after all, she hadn’t got Gideon, but her mother was marrying James. She wondered if that was the way Gideon would see it too.

  He had been out of the office all morning, although she had seen him walk past the office towards late afternoon, glancing to neither left nor right, his expression as remote as usual.

  He must know that the wedding was to take place on Saturday, James was sure to have told him by now. The speed with which the marriage was to take place came as no surprise to Laura, although her mother still seemed a bit dazed by it all. But Laura had a feeling her warning about Martin might have something to do with James’s haste. Once her mother was married to James Martin wouldn’t be able to cause any lasting damage. At least, she hoped he wouldn’t. She had no intention of telling him about the wedding until it was over, telling her mother that he would never be able to get the time off so soon after his last holiday.

  ‘Wait for me,’ James instructed her at five o’clock as Dorothy and Janice prepared to leave. ‘I have something I want to discuss with you.’

  Laura accepted the other girls’ cheery goodnights, feeling somewhat awkward about her sudden change of relationship to James. It seemed he was aware of the awkwardness too.

  ‘I can’t have my stepdaughter as my junior secretary,’ he scowled at her across his desk.

  Laura stood in front of him, thinking in amazement that it had only been a few weeks ago that she had felt shy and uncomfortable about even entering his office, and now he was going to be her stepfather! It seemed incredible.

  ‘What would you suggest?’ she teased. ‘That I hand in my notice?’

  ‘Hell, no!’ he took her seriously. ‘I had promotion in mind.’ He eyed her questioningly.

  All humour left her. ‘The fact that you’re marrying my mother does not entitle me to any favouritism—’

  ‘Of course it does,’ he dismissed scathingly. ‘You’ll be my daughter, and as such you should be higher up in the company than my junior secretary.’

  ‘Higher? But Dorothy has been here years, and I—’

  ‘Good God, girl, I’m not thinking of dismissing Dorothy!’ He sounded scandalised. ‘I’m too old to be changing my secretary now. Dorothy knows all my little quirks—Stop laughing, Laura,’ he snapped. ‘At my age I’m allowed to have quirks.’

  ‘Sorry,’ she still chuckled. ‘But if I’m not to replace Dorothy, what am I to do?’

  ‘Replace Diane Holland,’ James stated calmly.

  Laura paled, clutching the back of the chair for support, slowly moving forward to lower herself down on to its hardness. ‘I—You have to be joking,’ she croaked at last.

  ‘Ever known me to joke?’ he taunted.

  ‘I—No,’ she admitted lamely. ‘But I don’t want to be Gideon’s secretary.’ Once upon a time she couldn’t have thought of anything she would enjoy more, but not now, not now!

  James shifted some papers about on his desk. ‘I’m not asking you, Laura, I’m telling you—if you want to remain in employment at Courtneys,’ he added warningly.

  Laura swallowed hard. ‘But Gideon’s secretary…!’

  He raised a querying eyebrow. ‘Is there any reason for the emphasis?’

  Her eyes flashed deeply green. ‘You know there is!’

  ‘Do I?’

  ‘Yes!’ she hissed. ‘I can’t work with Gideon. I can’t!’

  ‘You wouldn’t be working with him, but for him.’

  ‘All the more reason—!’ She stood up. ‘I think I would rather leave.’ She turned and walked to the door.

  ‘And how do you think your mother will feel about that?’ James softly taunted.

  Laura turned angrily. ‘That isn’t fair!’

  ‘I don’t think anyone’s ever accused me of being that,’ his mouth quirked.

  ‘Oh, please don’t do this to me,’ she pleaded huskily. ‘If I take Diane’s place what will she do? Surely you can see—’

  ‘Diane Holland is leaving us, sadly. Her husband is setting up in business for himself, and Diane has decided to help him.’

  ‘But Janice—’

  ‘Would rather stay with me,’ he told her with quiet satisfaction.

  ‘Oh, but—There must be other girls in the company who could do the job better than me—’

  ‘I’m not offering it to them,’ James drawled. ‘I’m offering it to you. Well?’

  ‘Does Gid—Does Mr Maitland know about this?’ She blushed at her slip, always using the formality when she was at work, even when talking to James.

  ‘Yes, Gideon knows about it,’ he taunted her.

  She swallowed hard. ‘And?’

  ‘And what?’ James quirked an infuriating eyebrow.

  ‘I’m sure he can’t be any more favourably disposed to the idea than I am,’ she snapped.

  James’s expression hardened. ‘I am still the chairman of this company,’ he told her icily. ‘And as such I still make the decisions.’

  ‘And you’ve decided I’m to be Gideon’s secretary,’ she said dully.

  ‘Exactly,’ he confirmed with satisfaction.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I thought I’d just explained that Diane—’

  ‘Not that bit,’ Laura interrupted impatiently. ‘Why do you want me to work wi—for Gideon?’

  ‘You’re a damned good secretary—’

  ‘The real reason,’ she sighed.

  He nodded. ‘Okay. If the two of you work closely together all day you may, and I emphasise the may, just come to your senses. Both of you.’

  ‘By “coming to our senses” you mean we might become—friends again?’ Laura said dryly.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘No chance,’ she told him with certainty.

  ‘No?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘We’ll see.’ His mouth twisted.

  Laura licked her lips nervously. ‘Just out of curiosity, what was Gideon’s reaction?’

  From the quirk of his often stern mouth he obviously found her forced casualness amusing. ‘What do you think it was?’ he mocked.

  She gave an impatient sigh. ‘You tell me.’

  ‘It was the same as yours.’

  She went even paler. ‘He doesn’t want to work with me either?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then don’t do this to us!’ she groaned, hoping he couldn’t see the pain his words had caused, but very much afraid his sharp gaze had picked up her every emotion.

  James stood up in preparation for ending the conversation. ‘I’ve already done it. Starting tomorrow you’ll be working alongside Diane learning all there is to know about her job. She leaves at the end of the month.’ He picked up his briefcase. ‘Can I give you a lift home?’

  ‘No, thank you.’

  ‘Jennings again?’ he frowned.

  ‘Bus,’ she mocked. ‘I’m working until six this evening—six-fifteen now,’ she added pointedly at this unscheduled talk with him.

  James nodded. ‘Perhaps I’ll see you later, then.’

  Considering he had been at her home every day for the past four weeks she didn’t even bother to answer this statement, but went back to her desk to complete the work that it now appeared would be her last as James’s junior secretary.

  She
couldn’t leave Courtneys, James knew that. It would upset her mother, and right now she didn’t want to do that. At the moment her mother was the happiest she had ever seen her, and if working with Gideon was going to continue that happiness then that was what she would do. Her mother had had a hard life up to now, bringing up two children more or less single-handed, and now she was going to be the pampered one, the adored wife of a rich man. And she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise that.

  The fact that James knew of her reluctance to distress her mother at this time increased her anger towards him. He was a wily, interfering man, and she had the feeling she would have more trouble from him during the next few months. If only she could make him understand that she and Gideon were finished, for good. He was such a—

  ‘Laura…’

  She raised a white face at the sound of that husky voice, looking straight at Gideon, his features taut and drawn. ‘Gideon…’ She was too startled to use formality.

  The office staff at Courtneys often did overtime, but she had thought she was the only person left on the top floor. It seemed she was wrong, there was only her and Gideon on the top floor. If there was anyone else in the building it wasn’t apparent, the two of them were surrounded by an eerie silence, the rush and bustle of the day seeming almost not to have happened.

  He came into the room and closed the door behind him, adding to the intimacy of the situation.

  To see Gideon now, alone here like this, was the last thing she wanted. While she was able to view him from a distance, surrounded by other people, she was at least able to act businesslike, if not exactly friendly. On a one-to-one basis she felt far from capable of coping with the situation, especially with Gideon looking so vitally attractive, his male sensuality working on her like a magnet. He looked so handsome in the dark three-piece suit, so dangerously attractive she instantly felt threatened.

  She forced a calm expression to her face. ‘Can I do anything for you, Mr Maitland?’ she asked stiltedly.

  His mouth twisted. ‘I think you know the answer to that,’ he drawled mockingly.

  Laura blushed—as he had intended she should, damn him! ‘I meant in my official capacity,’ she flashed. ‘As your new secretary.’

  ‘Ah,’ he perched on the side of her desk, idly picking up the paperweight and studying it, ‘so James has told you.’