Honorable Intentions

by Pauline Saull

  What!

  She presumed it was Jake who had pulled her chair closer to the desk. Taking a seat she smoothed her skirt, and sitting primly, clasped her hands in her lap.

  Over the next half hour, Jake Mason laid out his proposed plans for his hoped-for acquisition of the Porterhouse business. And Suzy had to admit, it sounded good.

  The name over the office doorway and window would stay the same with the additional information beneath explaining that the company was now affiliated with Mason and Son.

  “As I mentioned to your father, Suzy. Should everything be acceptable to the family I would like you to manage the office. Are you in agreement with that?”

  “Yes. I suppose it’s what I’ve been doing for quite some time, isn’t it, Dad?”

  Her father nodded.

  “Though of course,” she said wryly, “as you’ll be well aware, I haven’t been exactly rushed off my feet.”

  “No, well, hopefully we can remedy that. I think we can soon have Porterhouse back where it rightfully belongs, keeping you busy once again. As for salaries. You mentioned Justin, Tom? Well, as a well-trusted employee of yours he’ll be working on a generous commission basis.” Jake then smiled and casually mentioned a salary for Suzy which almost made her gasp.

  The beloved cottage would be safe.

  “So would you be happy with that, and everything else I’ve mentioned up to now?”

  Jake studied her, his eyes unreadable. “I will be employing other people beside you, allowing you as much time out of the office as you need for your appraisals etc.”

  Suzy nodded. “Yes, it all sounds fine, thank you. And may I ask how you intend creating enough employment for this intended new workforce?”

  Jake frowned and shrugged. “I suppose you know that I buy land? I’m not really interested in small plots which only hold a couple of town houses. I like large spaces which allow me to create spacious environments for new homes, places affordable for young families. It worked well in Essex, so hopefully it will here too. Buyers of those homes hopefully will then put their property to sell with our business, Porterhouse.”

  “But you already have offices in Winton and Candor Green, don’t you? Will this office take business away from them?” Suzy felt a tiny frisson of pleasure whip through her as she saw his cheek clench.

  I’m rattling him, she thought.

  “I will be starting building houses on almost thirty acres of land around here within the next few months, so hopefully this office will have to deal with transactions resulting from those sales. On top of which, we will soon be having a considerable restoration program to oversee, so it will be helpful for me to have an efficient well-run office here enabling me to concentrate on other issues.”

  “Restoration?”

  “I mean to move into a slightly different market in this country. There are some lovely old buildings along the coast gently rotting away through lack of care, and unfortunately even less funds. I have my eye on a couple, but can’t say more than that at the moment.” He smiled and the dark eyes glittered.

  “Of course. That goes without saying,” Suzy demurred. “And your overseas interests?”

  Jake regarded her coolly. “You have been busy. They won’t affect my commitments in this country or the running of the businesses here.”

  “I see.” She remained quiet for the rest of the meeting and watched him. He made it perfectly clear how he wanted the office run and what he expected from her as manager. He would not, it was apparent, suffer fools gladly. An air of suppressed strength seemed to emanate from him, a magnetism which was hard to ignore. Was it his thick black hair, maybe a trifle too long, curling slightly onto the collar of his expensive looking suit jacket…Saville Row no doubt, over a crisp, white shirt which showed off his deep tan? Or was it that self-assurance, the calmness? His hands, she noted, were slim with well-manicured nails, and no ring in sight. The undeniably handsome face was strong looking with a narrow, well-proportioned straight nose set over a firm but generous mouth. From the smiles directed at her father she saw he had white, slightly uneven teeth, but it was his eyes which fascinated Suzy. So dark…such thick black lashes. The whole picture of the man shouted success.

  As he spoke with her father, Suzy could see Jake Mason’s obvious respect for the older, more experienced man, but it didn’t make her like him any better. In her opinion, he was a spoiler. Buying up land, putting as many atrocious boxy houses on as he could.

  “You would be free to choose…” Jake stopped, waited for her to look at him.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. You were saying?” Suzy smiled.

  “Just,” he said calmly, “that you would be given free rein choosing the new interior for the office update. Scan Office Design would liaise with you, though I’m sure,” his added, his eyes flickering for the briefest second over her face, “that it will be tastefully done. Everything could be completed within the month.” He turned back to her father. “So what, sir, are your thoughts now?”

  Tom Porter smiled wistfully. “While I can’t say this is the happiest day of my life, Jake, your offer is incredibly generous, and having discussed the matter thoroughly already with my wife, yes, I’m ready to sign. I shall instruct my solicitor forthwith.”

  “Good. I’m delighted, Tom.” Jake stood and the two men shook hands firmly. “Well,” Jake added with a sardonic glance in Suzy’s direction. “As we shan’t be raising a toast to the new venture, I’ll be on my way. Goodbye, sir, and enjoy your retirement. Good morning to you, Suzy.” He didn’t offer his hand, only managed a slight smile.

  The door closed behind him and Tom rose from his desk, coming to the front where he perched on it. He looked at Suzy, who glanced away, embarrassed by the flush she knew was spreading down her neck.

  “I think I’m right in saying he wasn’t what you were expecting?”

  Suzy uncrossed her legs, crossed them again. “No, he wasn’t, Dad. I had envisaged someone more arrogant…aggressive, and I have to say he is neither of those things. However,” she added firmly, “he is still not the sort of person I want to spend too much time with. I just hope that as manager, I’ll be left alone.”

  “Oh, I think you can be assured of that,” her father replied with obvious relief.

  Chapter Four

  In his car, Jake selected his favorite CD, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. He loved it. Turning it up a notch, he found that for once he was struggling to concentrate on the familiar music, his mind instead full of Suzy Porter. She had been a revelation; not at all spoilt, brash, loud, or outspoken. She was, though, very direct and honest, qualities he greatly admired in a woman. The fact that she was absolutely gorgeous as well had come as something of a surprise to him. He’d surreptitiously looked for a ring on her finger and been amazed not to see one. Surely a young woman with her looks would have men falling over themselves for her attention?

  What had he let himself in for?

  If he didn’t keep his wits about him the very worst thing could perhaps happen―something he had always shied away from in the past―that of an attraction for, and possible entanglement with, a female employee.

  With all the ensuing complications which could arise from such a situation, he wasn’t about to go down that road and made the decision then and there to keep his relationship with Suzy Porter strictly on a business level, which was where hopefully it would stay, giving him no reason to divulge anything further about himself or his past.

  At times like this, thoughts of the potentially disastrous situation which had nearly arisen in Saudi made his gut churn. For him now, women spelled trouble and he found it easy to convince himself he’d do well to not get entangled with them. Feeling much better he turned up his favorite part of the C D, Autumn, and whistled along.

  »»•««

  Over the next few weeks, Suzy, forced to do much of her work from home, was kept very busy. Justin had gone on his month’s leave after Millie had given birth to twin girls and although he would be retur
ning, she’d managed to recruit another permanent male appraiser called Brian, a receptionist, Lilian―a lady in her in her fifties, whom Suzy just knew she would get on really well with, and Ann, a twenty-year-old bright young woman who had recently returned from Australia. The design team had been to see her, taken her ideas on board, and the builders―Jake’s of course―were in the office making the alterations. True to his word, he had allowed her free rein with decoration and furnishings and she was pleased with the emerging look. It would be clean, uncluttered, and modern, with pale ash wooden floors throughout, cream walls and sleek desks in the front office which would be complimented by a couple of large tasteful pieces of modern artwork and a few green plants. India’s beautiful enormous urn would stand beneath the window. Her dad’s desk would be hers in the small partitioned area to the rear of the main office near the kitchen, and the whole thing would be ready for re-opening the following week.

  Since their meeting in the office, Suzy hadn’t set eyes on Jake. If he needed to communicate with her, his secretary at the office in Launceston, a lady called Polly, emailed, faxed, or sent text messages. For the time being, the office phone had been directed to her home, and to her pleasure it had barely stopped ringing. There were many inquiries for valuations and assessments, but many more for information on the merger of Porterhouse with Mason and the new housing development. It was, it appeared, a topic of immense interest to a lot of people after the huge advertising campaign Jake had launched.

  One call to Suzy came as a surprise and aroused her curiosity. It was from Amanda Roll, the woman who had written the article in the Property magazine. She would, she said, like to interview Suzy regarding the merger with Mason and her hopes for the future, adding that she had already discussed the merger with Jake and he was in agreement with an interview…if Suzy wanted to do it.

  Oh, well if he agreed, Suzy thought sardonically. Though intrigued by the proprietary way the woman spoke about Jake, plus the fact that she appeared to be more than a little interested in any budding relationship which may be forming between Jake and herself, Suzy agreed to meet her that same afternoon.

  After two pleasing appraisals, both she was certain of securing, Suzy drove into Stonington to The Riverside Café where a young woman waited at an outside table. She stood as Suzy got out of her car, a ready smile of welcome on her face, though her gaze flickering over Suzy’s old Renault seemed to say something else entirely.

  “Suzy?” she asked confidently.

  “Yes. And you must be Amanda, pleased to meet you.”

  They shook hands, both taking their seats. “I’ve ordered afternoon tea,” Amanda said with the confidence of one unused to having her decisions challenged.

  “Fine,” Suzy said.

  A waiter appeared and Amanda nodded and told him they were ready for service. She reached into her bag, withdrawing a notepad and pen.

  “I still use these,” she said with a smile, “though I will have to drag myself into the twenty-first century soon. Where would you like to start, Suzy?” Pale blue eyes in a small heart-shaped face seemed to study her seriously. She pushed back a short straight tress of silky fair hair.

  Suzy shrugged. “I was rather hoping you would guide me. I’ve never done an interview before.”

  “Perhaps,” Amanda said as she placed the pencil against ruby red lips, “we should start with what prompted your father’s decision to amalgamate with Mason’s.”

  Suzy regarded her steadily. “I’d rather not go into that. Dad’s reasons were his own, not for me to discuss, though I suppose you could mention his wish to retire.”

  “Fair enough.” Amanda scribbled a few notes. The waiter reappeared with a tray holding a teapot, cups, saucers, milk, and sugar, followed by a young girl carrying sandwiches and a selection of cakes. “Shall I?” Amanda put her pencil down and held the pot out.

  “Thanks.” Suzy watched as she poured, thinking that at this rate they would be here until midnight.

  “Perhaps we should start with your impressions of Jake as a working business partner, his ideas for the company, how you feel about the changes he’ll be making, that sort of thing.”

  Suzy had not missed the change in the woman’s tone when she’d said his name.

  So there is a relationship here. Watch how you go, Suzy.

  She added milk to her tea and took a sip. “I haven’t,” she said, “had much contact with Jake, except through his secretary, phone, text, etcetera, but I have been surprised by his energy, his determination to get things done in the fastest possible time, while maintaining high standards.”

  “You mean…? Forgive me, but it sounds as though this wasn’t the perception of him before you met?”

  Suzy felt a bristling of irritation at the question. It was blatantly obvious that Amanda’s opinion of him had changed since she’d written the article. It made her wonder wryly if this was how all females reacted to Jake Mason. She must tread cautiously and remember that he would be paying her wages. It would, she knew, be so easy to say the wrong thing or have an innocent remark taken out of context.

  “No. I have to be honest, it wasn’t. I had never met him, but had been persuaded by people who said they had, along with written articles,” she added, pleased to see a pink flush flood Amanda’s face, “into believing he was a cold ruthless businessman. And it appears he’s not. He was deeply respectful to my father over the amalgamation, which I admired, and he has exciting ideas for the future of Porterhouse. I’m looking forward to it immensely,” she lied.

  “Well.” Amanda sat back and helped herself to a sandwich. “That’s not what I was expecting.”

  “Oh?”

  Amanda smiled and shrugged, a little uncomfortably. “You know, after what Jake inferred…”

  “And what exactly was that?” Suzy eyed her coolly.

  “Oh, nothing specific said, you understand, I, er, just assumed you were hostile to the whole thing. Obviously I got the wrong end of the stick.”

  Suzy smiled sweetly. “Obviously,” she said.

  The interview carried on for another fifteen minutes and Suzy nimbly avoided any further references regarding the character of Jake Mason. The meeting ended with Amanda apologizing for the fact that the article would only be getting a small slot in the magazine. “It was so short,” she said apologetically.

  Suzy assured her that was how she wanted it. The two women parted amicably, and knowing she would make no effort to contact Amanda again, Suzy felt certain the feeling was reciprocated.

  It hadn’t been, she thought, a meeting of two like minds.

  Chapter Five

  On Monday morning, the first day of her new job back in the office, Suzy was up early. She hadn’t had a restful night and it showed beneath her eyes. After the careful application of light make-up she looked slightly better, but she was too nervous to eat her usual toast and cereal and drove to the office with a fluttering stomach. Once today was out of the way she would be fine. It was going into the unknown she found so unsettling.

  She thought about her parents, holidaying in Spain, and their call the previous evening to wish her well, their surety that everything would work out for her. It had really surprised Suzy to hear the lightness in both their voices. In fact, it had given her quite a jolt.

  Just how much strain, she wondered, had the last few worrying years of the business put on them?

  Jake Mason’s offer, it appeared, had indeed come as something of a lifesaver.

  And there he was, instantly and irritatingly at the forefront of her mind. She wondered if he would bother showing up this morning to meet the new staff.

  A few days previously when he’d personally telephoned asking her to contact the job center he’d been courteous and friendly. He wanted, if possible, another registered agent to stand in for her when she was busy, a person for general office duties, and a receptionist.

  “I’ve done that already,” Suzy said coolly. “I think you’ll like the three people I’ve hired.�
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  “Oh…well good. You don’t drag your feet. Yes. Excellent. Do you need anything else I can help with?”

  “No, thanks. I think we’re almost there. We’ll be ready to open on time.

  “Hey. I’m impressed. Well done. But contact me immediately should there be any problems.”

  Suzy assured him everything was in hand and had been somewhat disappointed when he ended the call rather abruptly.

  Arriving at the office at eight thirty, she felt a tiny spurt of pleasure on inserting the key in the lock.

  A new start, hopefully a step forward in her life.

  Switching on the lights, the first thing she saw was a small elegant arrangement of pretty roses and carnations on the reception desk. The card with it said, For Suzy. Best wishes, Jake. As at the moment, as only the two of them had keys, she found it rather bewildering and a trifle touching that he had personally taken the trouble, either over the weekend or at the crack of dawn that morning, to make sure they were there for her.

  Shrugging, she picked up the flowers, walked through into her own office, deposited them on her desk, and started sorting her files, arranging them in the contemporary, easy glide new cabinet. Immersed, the time passed quickly and fifteen minutes before the office was due to open, Suzy heard voices and her three new co-workers entered.

  It had been easy to select Brian, an established estate agent from Brighton who had relocated westward with his family. Then Lilian, accomplished and computer literate, who had been a secretary for many years and was coming out of retirement through boredom and her husband’s obsession with golf. Suzy thought her ideal. Lastly and most recently, Ann, who would help both Lilian and herself. She was a charming, easy-going young woman who had, she said, grown tired of wandering around the globe with a heavy rucksack on her back. After pleasantries and a cup of tea, they all settled at their desks and by nine o’clock, the phone started ringing. It was an extremely good start to the day. Suzy secured the appraisals done the previous week and was able to leave the office in the confident hands of her staff while she went out to get the listings signed. On the way she couldn’t help wondering how the other three in the office had felt over Jake Mason’s non-arrival. She had been quietly furious. That he couldn’t even bother to show up to meet them on their first day threatened to drown any pleasant feelings she’d had toward him.