She made a face at him. ‘Yes. I couldn’t get out of it a second time.’
‘Why should you want to get out of it?’ he asked, surprised.
‘Perhaps,’ said Gabriel percipiently, ‘Alasdair was taking things too much for granted?’
‘Something like that,’ Kate agreed. ‘I just wish he hadn’t chosen to turn up at school. Imagine the ribbing I’ll get from the rest of the staff next week!’
‘He can turn up outside my college any time he likes,’ said Fenny with envy. ‘You don’t need someone as tall as Alasdair, anyway, Kate. He’d suit a beanpole like me much better.’
‘I seriously doubt that,’ jeered Adam. ‘He prefers women with brains.’
‘Hey!’ objected Fenny indignantly, then threw up a hand. ‘OK, OK, I may not be as clever as Kate, but I do have some brains.’
Kate had changed the subject hastily by asking about the best place for a meal these days, and shortly afterwards Gabriel and Adam had taken their son home, and Kate had been able to go to bed, in urgent need of time to herself.
Alasdair’s reappearance in her life, she reflected, was nowhere near as welcome as he obviously assumed it was. After their final meeting, when he’d been so angry with her for what he’d called wasting her talents, her resentment had been so fierce she’d done her best to forget she’d ever met him. But, she admitted honestly, Alasdair still held the old physical appeal for her, whether she liked it or not. She’d been a late developer where the opposite sex was concerned, and Alasdair had been the first to arouse any sexual feelings in her. Now he’d matured into a powerfully attractive man he still had the same ability to make her pulse race, but she didn’t need her famous qualifications to recognise it as pure basic chemistry. An inconvenience, but nothing more than that. Alasdair Drummond would be given no chance to disrupt her life a second time.
Because Fenny, as usual, preferred not to drive herself to college, instead of letting her go by train Kate gave her a lift back next day, stayed for a while to drink coffee and chat with some of Fenny’s friends in her room in hall, then drove back to Stavely in time for dinner alone with her parents for the first time.
‘So what do you want to do with the rest of your week?’ asked Frances.
‘As little as possible. I’m going out with Toby tomorrow night, but otherwise I thought I’d just catch up on some sleep, walk the dog, and wheel the baby out in his buggy now and then. But first I quite fancy a trip into Pennington. Are you free to go out to play tomorrow, Mother? I need some clothes.’
‘When is your mother not free to go shopping for clothes?’ said Tom, laughing.
‘Very true,’ agreed his wife with relish. ‘I’d love to, Kate. I’ve got a dentist’s appointment there after lunch, but otherwise I’m yours. What did you have in mind?’
‘Nothing exciting. A new bathing suit for swimming with the school, some underwear—and lots of window shopping.’ Kate smiled. ‘Village post office apart, Foychurch is a bit lacking that way. I yearn to gaze into shop windows full of things I can’t afford.’
When Alasdair rang, halfway through the meal, Kate excused herself and left the room to speak to him.
‘Have you sorted out somewhere for Thursday, Kate?’
‘I’m told the Forrester’s Arms is the local in-place for food these days. Only five miles away and no need to book. See you about seven, then, Alasdair—’
‘Hold on, what’s the rush?’
‘I’m in the middle of dinner,’ said Kate firmly. ‘See you Thursday.’ And she returned to the meal, wondering why Alasdair Drummond, who hadn’t been in contact for years, now seemed unable to let a day go by without getting in touch.
Thoroughly enjoying the shopping expedition next day, Kate bought a plain navy swimsuit from a sports shop, some cotton underwear from a chainstore and resisted all her mother’s coaxing on the subject of a new dress for her evening with Alasdair. ‘The one I wore for the christening was a pricey little number, so I might as well get some mileage out of it.’
And nothing Frances could say would change her mind, though Kate’s resistance weakened when her mother spotted a pair of cropped trousers in bright coral linen in a window. ‘Perfect for the summer—you need something frivolous, so let me treat you,’ said her mother firmly. ‘I only wish I was young enough to wear them myself.’
Kate gave in without a struggle. And when her mother bought her more underwear, frivolous and lacy this time, Kate’s resistance was at an all-time low.
‘Come on, you subversive creature,’ she said to Frances. ‘Let’s get out of here before you undermine every principle I’ve got.’
But Frances went on to buy miniature T-shirts and dungarees for the baby, a lipstick each for Kate and Gabriel, and a bag full of goodies from the food hall before they moved on to as much window gazing as Kate’s heart desired. And later, during lunch, Frances was so obviously enjoying the time spent with her daughter Kate felt guilty because she wasn’t home to do this kind of thing more often.
Later Frances went off to her dentist, leaving Kate to haul their shopping back to Dysart’s. On her way to the auction house she tripped and dropped one of her parcels, and to her surprise found that the smiling man who retrieved it was Jack Spencer.
‘Why, hello there!’ Kate returned the smile with pleasure. ‘Thank you. As you can see, I’ve been indulging in some serious retail therapy. How’s the new arrival, Mr Spencer?’
‘In an incubator for a day or two, but only as a precaution. He’s a great little chap.’
‘And how about Abby?’
‘Happy as a lark now.’ He smiled down at her. ‘A lot of which is down to you, Miss Dysart.’
‘More down to having a new baby brother!’
‘How about celebrating his arrival by having lunch with me?’
Kate shook her head regretfully. ‘I lunched early with my mother. She’s gone off to the dentist.’
‘When are you due to meet her again?’
‘In an hour or so.’
He eyed her burden with disapproval. ‘You’re not going to haul those bags round town until then?’
‘I was just taking them back to my father at the auction house.’
‘Ah!’ He nodded in comprehension. ‘You’re one of those Dysarts.’
‘The family business. I was going to beg a coffee while I wait.’
‘Have one with me at the Chesterton instead.’ Without waiting for her consent, he took charge of her bags and hurried her off to the car parked illegally at the kerb. ‘They’ll give me a sandwich to eat with it while you tell me everything you’ve been doing since I saw you last.’
With a bemused feeling she was beginning to associate with Jack Spencer, Kate meekly let him hand her up into the black Cherokee Jeep, and raised a quizzical eyebrow as he stowed her parcels in the back.
‘A problem?’ he asked, as he drove off.
‘No. I was just wondering if everyone always does exactly what you want all the time.’
‘Pretty much,’ he admitted cheerfully.
Kate took a look at his suit, which on close quarters proved to be of quality as good as anything worn by her father or Adam. Or Alasdair. ‘Day off today?’ she asked.
He shook his fair head, which looked marginally tidier than the last time they’d met. ‘Interview.’ Again the sidelong grin. ‘Though a meeting with you is an unexpected bonus. I was driving past when I spotted you juggling with those bags.’
‘You mean you just stopped the car when you saw me?’
‘I came to a screaming halt and raced after you like the guy in the TV ad. Only I didn’t have any flowers to give you.’
‘You’ve already done that bit!’
He laughed as he turned in to the Chesterton car park. ‘So I have.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Hurry up. Ten minutes of your hour gone already, so we’ll have coffee in the bar.’
Kate’s hair was braided into a corn dolly plait, instead of the knot her companion had objected to previo
usly, and she wore jeans and ankle boots and a Barbour jacket over a heavy pink sweater, but as she went through the portals of the elegant hotel she wished she’d chosen something smarter for her shopping spree.
‘I’m not really dressed for a place like this,’ she muttered, as Jack ushered her into a bar crowded with businessmen talking shop before lunch.
He gave her a morale-boosting look as he seated her at a corner table. ‘You look good to me,’ he informed her, which had such a ring of truth to it Kate relaxed, and watched Jack Spencer with frank curiosity when he went off to the bar to joke with the man behind it as he placed their order. Neither as tall as Alasdair, nor as lean as her brother, there was nevertheless an air of authority about Jack Spencer that made Kate wonder exactly what kind of building work he was involved in. And at his age what job was he interviewing for? She raised her eyebrows, impressed, when he returned to the table accompanied by a waiter with a tray of coffee and sandwiches.
‘That was quick’ she said, when the waiter had departed, generously tipped.
‘I said you were in a hurry. He must have thought these were for you,’ he added wryly, looking at the dainty, crustless selection.
‘Eat them two at a time,’ she advised.
He laughed, and asked what kind of shopping she’d been doing.
‘Clothes to wear for the job. Other than that just window shopping with my mother. I miss that in Foychurch.’
‘It can’t be the only thing you miss.’ Jack Spencer eyed her curiously. ‘What do you do for entertainment in a quiet place like that?’
‘I keep very busy,’ she assured him. ‘Teaching is no nine-to-five job. And apart from the usual routine I run the after-school science club, help out on school trips and various fund-raising events, co-produce the school plays. Socially I see a film or share a meal in Hereford with colleagues, and so on. In summer I like grubbing about in my cottage garden, and in winter I belong to the village dramatic society—’
‘How about men?’ he asked abruptly. ‘The one I saw the other day, for starters?’
Kate shrugged. ‘Alasdair’s an old college friend. He’s just returned from the States to work in this country.’
He shot her a searching blue glance. ‘Does that mean he’ll be monopolising your social life from now on?’
Deciding it was a waste of time to object to this man’s bluntness, Kate shook her head. ‘I don’t let any one person monopolise my social life, Mr Spencer—’
‘Jack.’ He smiled at her. ‘Go on. It’s very easy to say. Try it.’
She smiled back. ‘Jack, then.’
‘Much better,’ he said with satisfaction, and held out his cup for a refill. ‘Besides this Alasdair, are there other men in your life?’
‘Two I go out with occasionally at home. Separately, of course,’ she added demurely.
Jack Spencer grinned, then sat back in his chair, his keen blue eyes challenging hers. ‘Right. I now know a little about you. But you haven’t asked me anything about myself. Does that mean you’re not interested?’
‘No.’ She returned the look squarely. ‘Just polite.’
He shrugged the impressive shoulders his suit jacket had obviously been custom-made to fit. ‘In which case I’ll supply answers to the questions you’re too polite to ask.’
‘You don’t have to,’ she said hurriedly, but he leaned forward, invading her space. ‘I’m single, solvent, thirty-nine last birthday, and I build houses. That’s about it.’
‘And you’re Abby’s uncle,’ she reminded him, as he sat back.
‘True.’ He raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘Does that help my case?’
‘What case exactly?’
‘I like you, Katharine Dysart.’ He smiled crookedly. ‘And I want you to like me. Do you?’
Kate stared at him for a moment. ‘Are you always this direct?’
‘No. I can be as devious as the next man when necessary,’ he assured her. ‘But where you’re concerned I’m playing it straight. Will you have dinner with me tonight?’
Her eyes opened wide for a moment, then she began to laugh. ‘Which question shall I answer first.’
‘If you say yes to dinner I shall take it for granted you like me!’ The blue eyes gleamed with amusement Kate found disarming. And she rather wished she could say yes.
‘Sorry. I’m going out with a friend.’
‘The college friend?’
‘No. A different one.’
He thought for a moment. ‘I’m involved in a working dinner tomorrow night. Thursday’s the only evening I’ve got free otherwise. How does that suit you?’
‘Sorry. I’m seeing Alasdair on Thursday.’
‘Busy lady,’ he said lightly, and fixed her with a steely blue look. ‘Or are you just letting me down lightly, Miss Katharine Dysart?’
‘Not at all. Friends call me Kate, by the way,’ she added.
‘Then so shall I.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Time up, Kate. I’ll drive you back to Dysart’s.’
After he’d negotiated the centre of town she directed him into the auction house car park just as Adam was emerging from his car, with eyebrows raised when he spotted his sister with a stranger.
‘This one of the friends?’ muttered Jack, as he retrieved Kate’s bags from the back seat.
‘No, my brother.’ She called Adam over. ‘Adam, this is Jack Spencer. Uncle of one of my pupils.’
The men shook hands, sizing each other up, and, to Kate’s amusement, appeared to approve of what they saw.
‘I must come along to one of your auctions some time,’ said Jack after greetings were exchanged. ‘I need some furniture in keeping with a cottage I’m doing up.’
‘What period?’ said Adam, interest caught at once.
‘Early nineteenth century.’
‘Come and have a browse round any time,’ said Kate. ‘Dad’s the furniture man.’
‘I’d be happy to,’ said Jack, and handed over a pile of bags to Adam. ‘Your sister’s shopping. Good to have met you.’ He turned to Kate. ‘I hope I’ll be luckier next time.’
She smiled. ‘Thanks for the coffee.’
Adam watched the Jeep out into the street, then grabbed Kate by the elbow. ‘What did he mean by that?’
‘He wanted me to have dinner with him, but I’m going out tonight,’ she said, shaking him off irritably. ‘Preferably free of bruises.’
‘What about Alasdair?’ he demanded.
‘What about him?’
‘Is he your date for tonight?’
‘No. I’m seeing him on Thursday. Tonight, just so you’re completely up to date, I’m going out with Toby.’ Kate grinned. ‘Close your mouth, brother dear. Gaping doesn’t suit you.’
‘How long have you known this Spencer chap, then?’ asked Adam, as they went inside.
‘Since last Friday.’
‘He seems pretty friendly after such a short time!’
‘How long did you know Gabriel before you felt “friendly”?’ she countered.
Adam paused outside his father’s office, frowning. ‘Are you serious about this man, then?’
‘Not in the least. I’m not serious about Toby or Phil, either. Not even Alasdair.’ Kate shook her head at him. ‘I know this social whirl is a little unusual for a sober schoolmarm like me—’
‘I don’t think of you that way,’ he said indignantly.
‘No. But Fenny does. And she’s right. So I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf and become a social butterfly instead!’
CHAPTER FIVE
FRANCES DYSART was astonished when she heard that in the short time since parting with her daughter Kate had not only managed to run into Jack Spencer, but have coffee with him at the Chesterton.
‘Take her straight home, Frances,’ said Tom Dysart, chuckling, ‘or who knows what else she might get up to.’
Kate blew him a kiss, then asked her mother to drive on the way back to Stavely. ‘Can’t have Toby thinking I look like a hag tonight.’
/> ‘Where’s he taking you? The Forrester’s Arms? No, I suppose not, if you’re going there with Alasdair on Thursday. How about tomorrow? Anyone lined up for that, or will you grace the family table?’
‘Unless I get a better offer!’
‘You should have let me buy you another dress for your dinner with Alasdair,’ scolded Frances.
‘The one I’ve got will do very well,’ protested Kate. ‘I’m told it’s flattering.’
‘Very flattering,’ said her mother darkly. ‘A good thing you’re small.’
‘If you mean it clings a bit, it’s meant to.’
Frances sighed, impatient with herself. ‘I’m an idiot. I worry that you lead too quiet a life in Foychurch, and now I’m fussing because your social life’s gone up a gear. But Toby’s an old friend, Alasdair too, so I don’t have to worry about them.’
‘Mother, you don’t have to worry where Jack Spencer’s concerned either. Quite apart from the fact that he’s related to one of my pupils, Adam liked him,’ Kate reminded her.
‘So he did,’ said her mother, brightening, and overtook a heavy goods lorry with panache.
‘How was Toby?’ said Frances next day, over the lunch they’d invited Gabriel to share with them. ‘Was it a good film?’
‘Toby was the same as usual—pleasant, relaxing company—likewise the film.’ Kate grinned at her mother. ‘And, yes, he kissed me goodnight, and, no, I’m not seeing him again this half-term, but I probably shall when I’m home next.’
‘I’m just interested,’ said Frances, unrepentant, and held out her arms for her grandson. ‘Alasdair rang last night, Kate. Said he couldn’t get you on your cellphone.’
‘I left it at home for once. What did he want?’
‘Officially to confirm dinner with him tomorrow night. So he said.’ Frances smiled smugly over the baby’s head. ‘But I think he just wanted a chat with you.’
‘So what did you tell him?’
‘That you were out with a friend. I asked if I could take a message, and he told me to say he’d call for you at seven tomorrow.’
Kate raised an eyebrow. ‘We’d already arranged that.’
Sweet Surrender (The Dysarts) Page 5
