`I’ve put the coffee on. You go through to the lounge and I’ll bring it in.’
`I will help you clear away and wash up first.’
`I’m a tidy worker. I clear as I go and the dishes will go in the dishwasher. I’m glad Uncle Simon likes his mod cons. I was rather surprised actually from the little I saw of him when we met.’
`I know,’ Roseanne laughed. `I don’t think he would have thought of any of this himself. He had an up-and-coming young architect to design and oversee everything.’
Euan carried the tray of coffee through and sat it on a low table with a small dish of chocolate mint wafers. Roseanne stifled a yawn, almost wishing she didn’t need to drive home. At least the roads would be quiet at this time of night. As she sipped her coffee she could feel the tension rising between them and she knew Euan would try again to persuade her to stay. She was not afraid of him. It was herself and her own weakness which astonished her. She couldn’t deny he held a powerful attraction for her. She had never felt like this with any man before, and in so short a time too. She must be crazy. How Rob would smile if she ever found out.
So as soon as she had finished her coffee she put the cup back on the tray and stood up.
`Oh Roseanne, surely you don’t need to leave so soon?’ There was no mistaking the disappointment in Euan’s eyes as he stood up too, bringing them close. He put his hands on her waist. `Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay the night? Even if I promise to let you sleep alone in the spare bedroom?’
`Better not,’ she said half-heartedly. `I don’t want to start any gossip. Anyway I do have a busy day tomorrow if I’m to move my boxes in the evening and get things forward for the weekend remember. I must vacate my flat and hand in the keys before I go down to Ashburn.’
`I suppose you’re right,’ Euan said with a sigh, but instead of letting her go he slid his arms around her drawing her against him and his mouth sought hers. Roseanne knew she should resist but she didn’t seem to have the will power. Now Euan’s exploring fingers found the cool bare skin beneath her shirt. His hand moved to discover the swell of her breasts and she gasped at his touch. Her stomach muscles clenched and her nipples hardened in instant response. He groaned softly and deepened his kisses. He was breathing hard. Was this what his uncle had meant when he said not to upset her. Had he guessed he would be instantly attracted? He raised his head. `You’re a very desirable woman, Roseanne,’ he said huskily and kissed her again, a long lingering kiss which left her breathless and weak with desire. `I believe you want me almost as much as I want you,’ he breathed softly. `Please stay?’
`N-no.’ Her breath was coming in little gasps and she was torn between an overwhelming desire for fulfilment and her innate caution. `No I must not stay. I can’t. It-it’s too soon.’ She drew away. His arms fell to his sides. She picked up her handbag and made for the door. He went with her.
`Drive carefully Roseanne.’
Afterwards she wondered if it would have been better if she had stayed. Or would they have quarrelled anyway? Yes, she decided they would have disagreed because Euan had made it clear he did not trust her. She shuddered. Trust was everything to her. How much worse it would have been if she had already given herself to him with all her heart and soul, for Roseanne knew there were no half measures for her. She would have been filled with bitter regret far worse than the emptiness she felt now.
Eight
Roseanne was surprised to see Euan already in his office when she arrived for work the following morning. She surmised that he had wanted to get his work forward so that he would be free to help her move and she smiled inwardly and felt a glow of warmth. She could not know he had been too wide awake and frustrated to sleep after she had left him the previous evening. She had been deadly tired herself after the hectic day but she had not slept well and she had come to work early too. When she looked more closely she thought Euan looked as though he had been at his desk half the night. Surely there couldn’t be a fault with the new computer system next, she thought with a silent groan. His jacket was draped around a chair back and his hair looked tousled as though he had tugged his fingers through it several times. He was staring at something on the main computer and judging by his expression whatever he saw did not please him.
Her own thoughts moved to the day ahead. She wanted to do some shopping to stock the fridge and shelves in her new flat, as well as move her boxes. She had received a post card from Robinia to say that things were going splendidly and she expected to finish her current assignment a week earlier than expected.
`It will take me several days to move my things from Mother’s. After that we’ll have fun giving your lovely hunk of beef a good roasting.’
Roseanne was not so keen to play tricks, or deceive Euan since they had spent more time together. She wished she had never mentioned him to Robinia. She was no longer sure she wanted to introduce him to her vivacious sister at all. Would he kiss Rob as he had kissed her? Of course he would if he got the chance. She had plenty of evidence that he was a red blooded male. Would her sister go all the way and sleep with him, or did she exaggerate her escapades to shock her because she was the elder, more serious sister. Rob had always been a tease but there had never been any jealousy between them, so why did her cheeks feel hot as she pictured Rob and Euan together. Roseanne couldn’t deny a twinge of envy when she considered how easily Robinia had men falling over themselves to do her bidding with no more than a flicker of her long darkened lashes. It had never mattered before, but she had never been attracted to any of the men they both knew.
Euan looked up when he heard her opening the door to her office. His face looked grim and his eyes seemed strained as though he had been staring at the computer for hours. Roseanne knew he kept in touch with his own business by telephone and computer but he had his own up-to-the-minute machine for that in the flat and right now he was apparently working on the new computer he had installed in his uncle’s office.
In fact Euan had found it impossible to sleep after Roseanne had left the previous evening. She disturbed him more than any woman he had ever met. After a few hours of tossing and turning he had showered and dressed and come into the office, determined to make one more comprehensive check on the new system in the offices before he turned his attention to the processing and packaging machines.
`Is there a problem with the new system?’ she called cheerfully through his open door.
`You might consider it’s working too well,’ he said abruptly. ’Come in here and close the door. It’s time we had a serious talk, Miss Fairfax.’ It was not only his formal address which sent shivers down Roseanne’s spine, it was his expression of chilling contempt. Yet there was a strange look in his grey eyes – not hurt exactly. Disillusion? Disappointment perhaps? Had the new system not come up to his expectations? She frowned. She didn’t like his stern expression. She went into his office and closed the door.
`What’s the trouble?’
`You are.’
`I am?’ Roseanne was genuinely surprised.
`I suppose you think you can fool my uncle, a middle aged man with no university education, and apparently no family to look out for him, to check up on you, or interfere?` Roseanne stiffened, staring at him, but she remained silent, waiting. She took a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions. She had learned it was always better to wait for the whole picture but she was chilled by his scathing tone. This Euan Kennedy was a ruthless stranger, a cold, hard man.
`Well?’ he snapped. `I suppose my uncle leaves all the accounts to you because you have a degree in accountancy?’
`He leaves all the accounts to me because he knows I’m capable of doing them. He trusts me, as I trust him with his side of the business – the buying and processing. We share the marketing side of our products.’
`Oh yes, I can believe he trusts you,’ he sneered. `More fool him! You almost had me fooled too.’ Roseanne could feel her temper rising but she drew herself up tall and straight.
&nbs
p; `Whatever you have to say get on with it,’ she said coldly, as though he was a stammering schoolboy. Euan’s grey eyes flashed at her cool tone. His own staff respected him, every last one of them. They knew he worked as hard as any of them and that he was fair and honest and expected the same in return.
`I’m not an accountant but I’ve run my own business long enough to understand accounts. I’ve met people I can trust and some who think they are smart, people like you who can’t be trusted with someone else’s money.’ Roseanne gasped but he went on coldly. `I considered myself a good judge of character. It’s one of the reasons I’ve made a success of my own business but I keep my finger on the pulse and I check on every detail.’
`I believe Kershaws is a success for the same reason. We also keep a close eye on the details,’
`We!’ he bellowed. `There you go again, the royal “we”. Who the devil do you think you are? You’re my uncle's employee and you’re robbing him blind.’ He felt a pang of compunction for his brutal words when he saw her flinch. He watched the colour drain from her cheeks. In his heart he knew he was more furious because he had been completely taken in by her than because she was using the firm’s money for her personal benefit.
`You’re making a very serious accusation,’ Roseanne stated in the steeliest voice she could muster. `For your own sake I hope you have proof for whatever you’re implying.’ Her cool tone, her apparent composure, made Euan’s blood boil. He wanted to shake her. He wanted to hold her so close she had no breath left to argue. Damn it, he wanted her to deny everything. He wanted to penetrate that icy shell and waken the hot passion that lay beneath, like a volcano waiting to erupt.
`Of course I have proof,’ he said instead. ` I told you I could access everything from any of the computers on this central one.’
`So? I believe everything is in order and up to date?’
`Oh yes, it is up to date. Right to the latest bank statement.’
`You have the passwords? You can access the bank accounts?’ Roseanne’s eyes widened. She hadn’t thought that could be possible. She had been working on the latest reconciliation yesterday afternoon before she left the office to take her place on the production line. `Only Mr Kershaw and myself know the passwords.’
`I have the firm’s bank reconciliation up on my screen now, checked and reconciled by yourself.’
`Does your uncle know you have access to all the firm’s affairs?’ Roseanne asked coldly.
`Probably not. I got the impression he has not kept abreast with modern developments which, my dear Miss Fairfax, is one of the reasons you knew you had free rein to do exactly as you pleased. No doubt he also leaves the banking to you too?’
`Of course he does, it is part of my job, but it is none of your business what we do, or how we do it. If you were checking to see whether we can pay you your money then I can assure you we always pay our debts, but you may not even be who you say you are for all I know. Even if you are Simon Kershaw’s nephew you are a stranger to him.’
`I have been a stranger to him until now, but it is obvious you are taking advantage of your position, believing he has no one of his own. Clearly it’s time he had someone to protect his interests.’ Roseanne bit hard on her lower lip in an effort to control her temper and hide her hurt at his mistrust. His words had the painful thrust of a knife through her heart.
`Your uncle may look like every child’s picture of a cherubic Santa Clause but appearances are deceptive. No one – but no one - would get away with cheating him, certainly not a second time. He may not like computers but he frequently takes home print-outs of balance sheets and bank statements, and he studies them carefully, especially when we’re considering changes. He has an excellent memory for figures but he relies on me to keep him up to date with cash flow. That is my job and it’s in the interests of everyone at Kershaw's that I should do it well.’
`It seems to me there are several things in your interests – personal interests.’
`That is the second time you have made veiled accusations. If you have something to say, then say it,’ she snapped. `otherwise keep your opinions to yourself.’
`Come round here and see the figures. They’re substantial sums for a mere employee to be squirreling away.’
Although her conscience was clear Roseanne found her heart thumping as she moved round the desk to view the computer screen. She was hurt that Euan distrusted her. She wished she didn’t care what he thought. She had never cheated in her life. She slipped into his seat as he moved aside but she was tense, her back ramrod straight. Grimly he bent over her, intensely aware of the fresh citrus scent of her hair. He moved the mouse until he had highlighted the two amounts which caused him to doubt her integrity. Roseanne sensed the implacable steel of a business man who was used to being right. In his own business he called the tune. Her resolve hardened but she felt trapped between him and the desk.
`Explain these - if you can,’ he snapped. She stared at the screen.
`Ah…,’ she breathed. She could understand why he might be suspicious but surely he could have trusted her, or at least asked for an explanation? How could he believe she would cheat a man she had known all her life, a man she regarded with affection and respect. She was tempted to tell him she was a partner in the firm, but if his uncle had wanted him to know surely he would have told him?
`I think you had better ask your uncle for an explanation.’
`You mean he knows?’ He stared at her in disbelief.
`Of course he knows,’ Roseanne snapped, angered by his scepticism. `Anyone who matters, knows,’ she added sarcastically. She would have stood to face him but he was too close. `I resent you prying into my personal affairs.’
`I’ll bet you do,’ he sneered, `but be assured I shall call your bluff. If you can offer an explanation for what amounts to fraud, or at least embezzlement…’ Roseanne gasped, but he ignored her and went on coldly, `then you had better explain now because make no mistake I shall ask my uncle when he returns. I have no desire to spoil his holiday by tackling this immediately, but I don’t intend to stand aside and let you take advantage of an old man. I imagine you thought you could do what you liked when he had no one else to look out for him.’
`I look out for him,’ she said coldly, `as he has looked out for me since my grandfather died, and even before then.’
`Answer me this then - why are all the rest of the staff in the firm’s pension scheme while you have a personal pension paid for by the company?’
`I would answer if it was any of your business,’ Roseanne said coldly. `It was set up at your uncle’s instigation. I agreed because it was good advice.’
`I’ll bet you did,’ he snapped, wishing he didn’t feel so disillusioned. `What about the life insurance? Why should the company pay for that? It is no benefit to anyone except you.’
`Maybe, maybe not. As I said you must ask your Uncle.’
`But it’s dishonest! You’re paying your own insurance out of the firm’s money.’
`Take it up with your uncle - if you’re arrogant enough to believe this is any of your concern. Since you seem to have set yourself up as a personal investigator it’s a pity you didn’t postpone your visit until Mr Kershaw is here in person to answer your questions.’ She stood up quickly, taking him by surprise. He was even closer than she had realised but she’d had enough. Inwardly she was trembling but she stepped away and faced him, willing herself to stay calm. `I think he would resent your interference as much as I do. He’s not an old man. He’s considerably younger than your mother I believe and he's certainly not senile. He’ll probably still have his finger on the pulse of this company thirty years from now when he’s eighty.` She put her hand flat against his chest to push him away but he stood rock solid and for a moment she thought he was going to crush her against him. `I have work to do,’ she said icily. The office was sound proof but two sides of it were glass and the rest of the staff were at their desks now. They would all realise she was furious by the flags
of colour on her cheek bones and the way her eyes blazed. She marched to the door, but before she opened it she swung round to face him again.
`While we’re talking about cheating and deceit I’d advise you not to judge everybody by your own standards. You owe me an explanation and an apology.’
`An apology? I don’t think so,’ Euan snapped sharply, wondering why he felt he had fought a battle and lost a war.
`Your uncle knew nothing about the email instructing me to take you down to Ashburn. You manipulated me, as well as your mother. Don’t speak to me again until you have an explanation.` She turned and walked briskly to her own office, leaving his door wide open, as it had been when she arrived. She knew now he had been waiting for her.
She was filled with anger and disappointment and most of all she was hurt. Surely she had just as much reason to distrust him, coming into the offices and taking over his uncle’s place, sifting through the accounts on the pretext of checking the workings of the new computer system. It was fortunate that he had only discovered access to the day to day accounts and not the company’s balance sheet and capital accounts. Supposing he was an impostor? She stood still as a statue for a second. But no… She flopped into her chair, her elbows on the desk as she stared into space. No, he was no impostor. He and Mr K had met at the airport and Mr K had phoned to tell her of his arrival – to warn her of his arrival. She frowned. Why did he think she needed warning? What exactly had he said in that brief phone call? His nephew would be arriving. He would be reviewing the company’s office computers. `He will probably install new ones – but don’t let him persuade you to do anything you don’t want to do, lassie.’ She frowned. What had Mr K had in mind? He’d told her his nephew had a forceful personality. `He’s needed it to get where he is today,’ he’d added, ‘but you and I will decide what’s best for Kershaw & Co.’
A Question of Love Page 9
