An Enticing Debt to Pay

by Annie West

  Then he noticed the sheet of paper Ravenna had brought with his coffee. Concise bullet points listed matters needing attention. Every day she presented him with another list of problems—from damage to wainscoting to cracked tiles, usually with suggestions on how to deal with them. She had an eye for detail and a flair for organisation. Qualities that didn’t sit well with his original judgement of her.

  Jonas looked from the list to the design portfolio. They were talents he could use. And they would keep her out of the garden and in here, where he wanted her.

  * * *

  ‘Sorrel, chervil, sage, fennel.’ Adam Renshaw smiled. ‘There must be at least three dozen herbs on this list.’

  ‘Too many?’ When he’d asked Ravenna, as interim housekeeper, for input to his garden design, enthusiasm had overcome her bitterness about Jonas.

  How could she resist the opportunity to help plan what promised to be a superlative cook’s garden? She daydreamed about having such a place, with space for not only herbs and vegetables but fruit trees and berries. Just walking in this garden with its mellow stone walls and gnarled apple trees lifted her spirits. Something she needed badly.

  The alternative, dwelling on Jonas, was untenable.

  ‘Not at all. It’s good to have your input.’ Adam moved closer. ‘We’ll fit them in easily over there. I just need to check the final design with Mr Deveson.’

  ‘Did I hear my name mentioned?’

  Ravenna froze as that familiar, rich voice curled around her like velvet on bare skin. Her lips compressed. How could she react that way when the same voice had lacerated her just days ago?

  Adam swung round to face their boss. Ravenna took longer, bracing herself before she met his gaze. Would it be coolly dismissive or would he ignore her as he’d done this morning when she’d brought coffee and he’d been absorbed in a huge portfolio?

  Neither, she realised with a jolt as she turned. His gaze was as intent as ever but with none of the chill she expected. Nevertheless she moved half a step closer to Adam, aware of those dark pewter eyes narrowing.

  She lifted her chin, reminding herself she didn’t care what Jonas Deveson thought.

  She’d been naïve to believe she could bridge the chasm between them. He’d used her and made a mockery of what she’d felt. The knowledge kept her chin high and her gaze steady.

  ‘Of course,’ Adam was saying, when she finally tuned in to the conversation. ‘Ravenna and I were plotting the herb beds, but I think we’ve got it now.’ Warm brown eyes smiled at her approvingly and she wished she could summon a spark of excitement for this pleasant, talented man.

  Instead her attention focused on Jonas, standing preternaturally still, just watching the pair of them.

  Her mouth flattened in self-disgust. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t ignore him.

  ‘Excellent. In that case I’ll just borrow Ravenna.’ Jonas turned to her. ‘If you have a few minutes?’

  She raised her eyebrows. Jonas was requesting, not ordering? Suspicion rose but she forced herself to nod, bidding Adam a warmer than necessary goodbye. This was the first time Jonas had sought her out since that scene in his room and her stomach knotted. What did he want?

  ‘You two seem to get on well,’ Jonas said, holding open a door for her to enter.

  ‘Adam is good company.’ And attractive. And clearly interested. But Ravenna’s pulse didn’t quicken when he was around. Yet now, walking beside the man who despised her, she couldn’t control her racing pulse.

  ‘Do you have a lot in common?’

  She swung around to face Jonas, livid at his feigned interest and at herself for being so weak. ‘Why do you ask? You’re not interested in my personal life. Only my ability to scrub floors or spread my legs.’

  A flush coloured those high cheekbones. ‘I deserve that.’

  His admission did nothing to mollify her indignation or self-recrimination. She took a deep breath and looked away. ‘What do you want, Jonas?’

  She was so weary. Her chores had been almost beyond her lately as she fought an exhaustion she hadn’t known for some time. At the back of her mind lingered the worry that perhaps her illness had returned. That worry gnawed at her, keeping her awake at night. That and thoughts of Jonas.

  ‘In here.’ He gestured to the open study door.

  Squaring her shoulders, she entered, studiously averting her eyes from the dark carpet on the far side of the room where they’d come together in such urgent passion.

  Cheeks flushed, she took a seat by the desk. If he was going to tell her he’d finally decided to call the police to deal with the theft she’d rather be sitting.

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  It was the last thing Ravenna expected. She jerked her gaze up to find Jonas standing over her, as tense as she’d ever seen him.

  ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘I said, I’m sorry.’ He waved one arm in a gesture of frustration. ‘I’m no good at this, but I’m trying to apologise for what I said. What I did.’

  Ravenna blinked and stared. ‘For what exactly?’

  Jonas rubbed his jaw and she heard the faint scratch of bristles. Her skin heated as she remembered that roughness against her skin. Just looking at his unshaven jaw made her stomach tighten as erotic recollections filled her head. She shivered. Her thoughts were dangerously self-destructive.

  His lips twisted ruefully and despite everything she couldn’t help the little tug of attraction deep inside.

  ‘Not for the sex. I can’t regret that.’ His smile disappeared. ‘But for later. The way I acted, what I said about you.’ He breathed so deep she watched, fascinated, as his chest expanded. ‘I was crass and hurtful.’

  Ravenna stared. ‘You’re saying you don’t think I tried to buy my way out of trouble with my body?’

  ‘I’m saying I don’t know enough about you to judge.’

  It wasn’t what she wanted to hear but at least it was honest.

  Yet did she want to wait while he took his time learning to judge her on her merits? Why should she?

  Because she had no choice. She was trapped here.

  More importantly, despite everything, she couldn’t turn her back on Jonas.

  That spark of fire between them had morphed into something that tied her to him, no matter how she tried to sever the connection. As if she still believed the half-formed hopes she’d harboured when she’d met him, passion for passion, as an equal rather than a bonded servant.

  That scared her more than anything.

  ‘I behaved badly, accusing you the way I did.’ His voice was deep with regret. ‘I should have listened. Especially after...’ he shrugged and spread his hands in a gesture that seemed curiously helpless ‘...after your concern for me.’

  He looked as if he were swallowing hot coals. As if he wasn’t used to anyone’s concern. Or being seen as vulnerable.

  That realisation dried the caustic response forming on Ravenna’s lips.

  As her gaze meshed with his it wasn’t the heat of anger or lust she saw there, or his familiar stonewalling expression. She read uncertainty in those grey depths, as if he’d lowered the shutters to let her glimpse the man behind the façade of authority. The man she’d discovered the day they’d shared passion so fierce it had burned away everything else and left her feeling raw and new.

  ‘And so?’ Ravenna forced herself not to trust the regret she thought she read in Jonas’ features. Only days ago she’d been duped into believing he felt something for her.

  ‘And so I regret what I said.’

  Ravenna nodded. He watched her as if expecting a response but she said nothing. Words were easy. It was actions that counted.

  ‘And I’ve decided to make some changes.’

  Here it comes. Ravenna clasped damp palms together. He�
��s calling in the police.

  ‘I’m bringing in extra staff. Not just the builders but some local people to help with the cleaning and heavy work.’

  Ravenna searched his face for some hint of a catch.

  ‘But you said—’

  ‘I know what I said. Looking after the Hall was to be your penance.’ His lips compressed as his gaze swept her. ‘I was unreasonable.’

  Her jaw sagged as he met her eyes almost defiantly. She couldn’t believe her ears.

  ‘There’s no need to stare as if I’ve got two heads.’

  ‘Are you feeling all right?’

  Jonas gave a bark of laughter. ‘I should have known you wouldn’t just say thanks. You wouldn’t let me off easily.’

  Let him off? He was the one in control. Ravenna stared, bemused, as laughter softened the grooves around Jonas’ mouth and eased the severity of his austere features.

  She swallowed, fighting fizzing awareness.

  ‘And what about me? Are you pressing charges? Is that it?’

  Jonas’ expression sobered. ‘No. Not for now. You’ll stay and work as my housekeeper.’

  Not for now. He still held that over her. What had she expected? That without evidence of her innocence and in the teeth of her admission of guilt he’d let her go? Impossible!

  ‘But I’m hoping we can continue in a more...civilised way.’

  Ravenna sat straighter. ‘If by civilised you mean sharing a bed because I’m supposed to be grateful you’ve brought in staff—’

  Jonas’ raised hand stopped her. ‘I’ve never had to buy my way into a woman’s bed, Ravenna. I won’t start now.’

  Heat scored her cheeks. Once had obviously been enough for him. Once with the hired help to satisfy his curiosity.

  ‘It’s time to take some of the heat out of this situation.’ He looked at her long and hard, as if attempting to read her mind. ‘I’m trying to be reasonable, Ravenna. We can’t continue as before.’ He sighed. ‘Contrary to what you might think I’m not prone to outbursts of temper.’

  She did believe it. She’d learned all she could about her nemesis and there had been plenty. The consensus was that Jonas Deveson was one of Europe’s most eligible bachelors, wealthy, charming and urbane. He was known for his incisive mind, impenetrable calm and careful planning. Employees and competitors respected him and his generosity was renowned. As was his drive to succeed. There was no mention anywhere of a temper or strong passions.

  Which left her wondering why, with her, he’d been anything but calm and controlled.

  A tremor whispered down her spine.

  Perhaps it had something to do with the way her emotions undercut caution and good sense when he was around.

  ‘So you’ll treat me as your housekeeper and I’ll treat you as my employer?’

  After what had passed between them was it even possible? The strain of the last couple of days had almost broken her.

  ‘That’s the idea.’ He nodded. ‘To step back from the rest.’ His wide gesture encompassed all that had gone before: the animosity, the flagrant desire and the illusion of closeness that had betrayed Ravenna into believing they shared something special.

  ‘How can I refuse?’ That was safest. No more dangerous, incendiary desire. No fireworks. She should be thanking her lucky stars, not feeling dissatisfied, as if a rug had been pulled out beneath her.

  ‘Thank you, Ravenna.’ Their eyes met and she felt a now-familiar jolt of heat. The awareness hadn’t gone away.

  Jonas turned away and she breathed deep, searching for equilibrium. He offered a truce and this time she was determined nothing would break it. If she had to stay here with him, it would be strictly on a boss-employee basis.

  ‘In the circumstances I thought you might help me with this.’ He turned, the large portfolio in his hands.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Come and look.’ He put it on the desk.

  Ravenna stared from the album to his broad back in charcoal cashmere. She didn’t want to stand beside him. It was easier to maintain her poise if she kept her distance.

  ‘Ravenna?’

  Reluctantly she crossed to the desk, keeping as much distance as she could from Jonas. He turned the pages, revealing swatches of colour and design, all rich but rather ponderous and dark.

  ‘I told my designer I wanted a traditional feel. But it’s not working.’

  He stopped at a page showing one of the drawing rooms. There were fabric swatches in deep, rich hues, heavily decorated, and photos of imposing antique furniture. It would be like living in a museum.

  ‘You see what I mean?’

  Ravenna straightened, realising she’d been leaning over the page, imagining the finished room and disapproving.

  ‘Why show me? I’m just the housekeeper.’

  ‘You know this house better than anyone, apart from me.’ He picked up a sheet of paper and tossed it on top of the portfolio. Ravenna saw it was a list she’d made of repairs. ‘You’ve got a good eye for detail and a feel for the place.’

  She raised her eyebrows. ‘Where are you heading, Jonas?’

  ‘I thought you might have some thoughts on what would suit the old place.’ His eyes met hers then shifted to the portfolio. Because he was up to something or ashamed of his earlier behaviour? Ravenna wished she could read him.

  ‘I’m the housekeeper, remember? This is what you pay a designer for.’

  ‘Most women would jump at the chance to plan a redecoration.’ His tone was persuasive.

  ‘I’m not most women.’ Her hands crept to her hips. Despite his apology, his earlier accusation still rankled.

  ‘No, you’re not. Most women would have run screaming from Deveson Hall the moment they saw how much work it needed. But you didn’t.’ His deep voice was rich with what sounded like admiration. ‘Others might have made a mere token effort at the job, but not you. You’ve been boarding up holes and drying out damp books on top of everything else. You make lists of repairs. You’ve even sourced local suppliers so work can begin quickly.’

  Jonas paused. ‘You’ve betrayed yourself, Ravenna.’

  She started, horrified that somehow she’d given away her mother’s secret.

  ‘You’ve shown yourself to be a woman who cares and takes pride in what she does. I’d like to have you work with me. If we could set aside our differences I believe we’d deal well together.’ He spread his hands in a gesture of openness. ‘Of course, I’d take your assistance into account when it came to determining how long it takes to pay off your debt.’

  Ravenna braced herself on the polished desk, her pulse hammering. She told herself it was relief that her mother’s guilt was still secret. Or disappointment that he still held that debt over her head.

  The alternative, that it was reaction to Jonas’ praise, wasn’t an option.

  ‘When you put it like that, how can I refuse?’ She tore her gaze away and made a show of concentrating on the samples. ‘So long as you don’t hold it against me if the result is a disaster. I have no decorating experience.’ Furnishing her bedsit with second-hand pieces hardly counted.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll still use the decorator. I just want another opinion on some things. Like this.’ His finger jabbed a page showing the study.

  Ravenna took in the handsome, heavy furnishings in the design, the deep green colour and the use of dark wood. She guessed nothing in the proposed design was less than a hundred years old. Even the light fittings were modelled on old lamps. Just looking at the page made her feel claustrophobic.

  ‘What do you think?’

  She shrugged. ‘You said you wanted traditional.’

  ‘But?’

  ‘How honest do you want me to be?’

  ‘I’ve never had a problem with honesty, Ravenna.�
�

  She met his bright gaze and knew an almost overwhelming temptation to blurt the truth. To explain about the money and her mother’s desperation. To resolve the lurking tension between them so she could be free of the burden of secrecy and Jonas’ bad opinion. But love for her mamma stopped her. Ravenna couldn’t leave her to his not-so-tender mercies.

  ‘It’s like something out of Dickens.’ She waited, trying to read his expression. ‘Or a movie set of what an old-fashioned gentleman’s residence should be.’

  ‘My feelings exactly.’

  ‘Really?’

  He nodded. ‘I couldn’t work in a room like that.’

  ‘What do you like?’ Her curiosity stirred.

  Jonas waved his hand towards the long windows. ‘Light. Space. A comfortable chair built to take a man’s weight and a desk high enough for my knees.’

  Ravenna surreptitiously scanned his big frame. She’d never thought of Jonas’ height being an issue. He always looked supremely comfortable whatever his surrounds.

  ‘So keep this desk. It’s a bit battered but the wood is lovely. I’m sure an expert could restore it beautifully.’

  Jonas’ mouth turned up at one corner and Ravenna felt a little tug as if someone pulled a string through her insides. ‘That’s one decision I’d already made. The desk stays. But what about the rest?’

  ‘What colours do you like?’ She forced the words out, mesmerised by that half-smile. It evoked intimate memories she’d tried and failed to bury.

  ‘Gold,’ he murmured, his voice low as he leaned close, looking straight into her eyes. ‘Old gold, something like the colour of a good aged sherry.’

  Ravenna felt his breath on her face like an elusive caress. Her skin drew taut and the tugging sensation in her abdomen became a heavy thrum. Her pulse sounded in her ears as she swayed.

  Blinking, she stepped back, wary of the way his low, masculine purr resonated through her. Once bitten...

  Deliberately she turned. It was ridiculous to imagine Jonas had been describing the unusual colour of her eyes.