She heard his sigh of unutterable relief.
Gently, she asked, ‘Would it have mattered so very much if I hadn’t been?’
‘Yes, it would,’ he answered shortly.
Sera was dismayed. ‘Then, you don’t like children?’
‘Of course I like children. But this is no time to be getting you pregnant.’
Perhaps not, as they weren’t married yet. But as they loved each other, it wouldn’t have been the end of the world.
Rising to his feet, he eased the light duvet free and pulled it over her. But instead of getting back into bed, as she’d hoped, he began to put on his clothes.
As he shrugged into his shirt, she asked, ‘Do you have to go?’
Keir heard the sudden desolation and, coming back to sit on the edge of the bed, he stroked her cheek with a gentle finger. ‘I’m afraid so.’
‘But why?’
‘Because I shouldn’t have let this happen. The time isn’t right. If it was just a casual affair, with no commitment on either side, it wouldn’t be a problem. But it isn’t. And it’s too soon.
‘At the moment I need every single minute, and every scrap of energy and concentration I can muster.’ Then, with a sigh he added, ‘I can only ask you to be patient.’
Sera nodded wordlessly. She could, and would, do anything Keir wanted her to do.
‘That’s my girl.’ He kissed the tip of her nose, switched off the light and, a second later, she heard the door close quietly behind him.
Lying staring blindly into the darkness, she thought long and deeply about Keir’s reaction to their lovemaking, while any remaining euphoria faded slowly away.
She couldn’t regret what had happened, it had been so beautiful, so right…
Only Keir hadn’t thought so; he hadn’t really wanted it to happen. And, with hindsight, she could see that he’d been a reluctant lover. She had sensed his attempt to hold back.
Afterwards he’d said he was happy, but his words had lacked conviction. Perhaps he’d only said it because she’d pressed him…
But he had wanted her. Inexperienced though she was, there had been no mistaking his hunger and need. And he did love her. She felt for the ring he’d placed on her finger, and was reassured.
All it amounted to, she told herself firmly, was that, with the amount of work he was trying to get done, there was no time at the present for a wife and a family.
As he himself had said, it was too soon.
But for a man who was as much of a workaholic as he was, would there ever be time?
No, she mustn’t think like that. If she was patient as he’d asked, surely everything would come right?
Sunday was a long, lonely day, and by ten-thirty that evening Sera had given up all hope of Keir coming. She had cleaned her teeth and put on a thin cotton nightdress, when there was the lightest of taps at the door.
Hurrying over, she threw it open.
‘Hi.’ He smiled at her. ‘I wondered if you might be asleep.’
Her relief and pleasure at seeing him was so great that, for a moment, she was speechless.
Then, because she couldn’t say all the things she felt, she asked mundanely, ‘Are you coming in for a coffee?’
He shook his head. ‘I just wanted to make sure you were all right.’
Anxious not to pressure him, she said brightly, ‘I’m fine.’
Her reward was a light kiss on the cheek. ‘Then, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at six-thirty. We’ll have a walk in the park, weather permitting. If it’s raining—’
Afraid of what he was going to say, she broke in hurriedly, ‘If it’s raining, I’ll cook you some breakfast.’
Grinning, he said, ‘When I say my prayers, I’ll pray for rain.’
Back on their former footing, snatching whatever time together he could manage, the next couple of weeks were happy ones for Sera.
Though Keir never made any attempt to make love to her, and kept the relationship light, there was a warmth about him, a caring that spoke volumes.
At odd times, when he looked at her, she saw desire flare in those long, heavy-lidded eyes.
Desire that lit an answering flame.
Had he made the slightest move, she would have gone to him willingly, eagerly. But, always with a will-power she could only marvel at, he beat it down.
The fact that he refused to take what she would happily have given, served only to deepen her feelings for him.
Love, as a poet once said, is hard to hide, and there was a glow about her that lit up the office.
Returning from a business trip, Cheryl Rothwell noticed that radiance, and remarked to her PA, ‘You look as if life’s giving you a treat.’ Then, shrewdly she added, ‘Which means a man. What’s his name?’
Taken by surprise, Sera found herself admitting, ‘Keir Sutherlands.’
‘Keir Sutherlands?’ Cheryl sounded startled, and none too pleased. ‘Some man!’
Though she smiled, Sera could sense the unspoken envy.
Her expression interested, Cheryl observed, ‘I met him a couple of weeks ago when Martin and he had some business to discuss…’
All at once she paused, her attention caught by the silver ring Sera wore. But after a moment’s scrutiny, clearly dismissing it as of no importance, she went on, ‘Though I wouldn’t call him film-star handsome, he’s an attractive devil, and his sex appeal hits you like a sock on the jaw.’
Then, sharply, she asked, ‘Where did you meet him? Was it here?’
‘No. He has an apartment next door to mine.’
Cheryl frowned. ‘What’s a man who owns Sutherlands doing living in some run-down apartment building?’
Sera, who had never considered the question, shook her head.
‘Do you know how long he’s lived there?’ Cheryl pursued.
‘Only for a short time, I gather.’
‘Odd… Perhaps I’ll ask him about it when he comes to the party on Thursday night…’
Anglo American did a great deal of corporate entertaining. Like Keir, Martin Rothwell considered that more opportunities presented themselves and more real business was done in a relaxed, social atmosphere than over an office desk.
Her light blue eyes on her PA’s face, Cheryl added casually, ‘I suppose you’ll be coming?’
Well aware that it wasn’t the answer the other woman was hoping for, Sera said steadily, ‘Yes, Keir said he’d take me.’
But, sounding more like herself, Cheryl exclaimed, ‘Lucky you! I can’t say I’m not jealous.’
When Keir finally knocked at Sera’s door on Thursday evening he was well over an hour late, and she had practically given him up.
Brushing his apology aside, she assured him, ‘It doesn’t matter. Honestly. Posh parties really aren’t my thing.’
‘How many have you been to?’
‘None,’ she admitted.
‘Then I’ll do my best to see you enjoy this one.’
He was looking devastatingly attractive in well-cut evening clothes and, knowing this gathering was certain to be a lavish affair, she asked a shade hesitantly, ‘Will I do?’
She had splashed out on a new dress, and with only a limited amount to spend had gone for simplicity, choosing a slim-fitting ankle-length sheath in muted shades of green and dull silver.
‘Not everyone can wear this kind of thing,’ the sales girl had remarked, ‘but you sure have the figure for it.’
Sera’s only reservation had been the scooped neckline, which revealed the soft swell of her breasts and more than a glimpse of cleavage.
She was wearing her only piece of jewellery, a long, thin, silver chain that looped twice. It had been her mother’s, and she had worn it ever since her grandmother had given it to her for her eighteenth birthday.
Keir’s glance travelling slowly over her, from her elegant knot of hair to her matching sandals. He raised her hand to his lips. ‘My love, you look enchanting,’ he said huskily.
Thrilled by the endearment, she
asked, ‘You don’t think the neckline’s too daring?’
‘No…’ His eyes on the longest loop of the chain, which disappeared into her cleavage, he added ruefully, ‘Though it’s daring enough to raise my blood pressure several notches.’
Seeing the lick of flame in his dark blue eyes, she waited, hoping he would suggest staying at home. When he didn’t, she said prosaically, ‘If we’re going on the subway, I’d better get a coat.’
He shook his head. ‘You won’t need one. It’s a hot night, and all this finery calls for a taxi.’
When they reached the Plaza Hotel, off Fifth Avenue, the party was in full swing. People were standing in groups sipping champagne while they laughed and talked, and the air was filled with the scent of French perfume and the sweet smell of success.
Glancing around the large, handsome room at the assembled company, Sera saw that nearly all the women were dressed in top designer clothes and displaying enough precious stones to fill Aladdin’s cave. While the men, along with their immaculate evening clothes, wore that unmistakable air of confidence and authority that wealth brings.
Though knowing herself to be underdressed, with her off-the-peg sheath and simple chain, Sera held her head high. While Keir was by her side, she was well content.
She might be out of place in this glittering throng, but he certainly wasn’t.
He was a man who could, without effort, establish moral ascendancy over his peers, easily holding his own amongst the rich and powerful, and several covert glances told her that a lot of the women there envied her of her escort.
She found herself wishing that she could have fitted in better for his sake; she didn’t want him to feel ashamed of her.
As though guessing her feelings, he tucked her hand through his arm and, with calm assurance, led her over to their host and hostess.
Cheryl, her red-gold hair like a shining helmet, was wearing a dramatic dress of shimmering jade green. She had all the striking gauntness of a model, and there were diamonds around her neck and in her ears.
Her brother, looking relaxed and debonair, was impressive in immaculate evening clothes.
Though she had worked in the same set of offices for some weeks now, Sera had never actually met Martin Rothwell, only catching a distant glimpse of him from time to time.
She knew he was in his early thirties, a year younger than Cheryl, who had once playfully described him as ‘my baby brother’.
At close quarters he looked even younger and, seeing brother and sister standing together, Sera realized for the first time how very alike they were.
Both were tall and well-built, with the kind of red-gold hair that was often called ginger—though Cheryl’s was several shades darker than her brother’s. They both had pale blue eyes, the kind of skin that freckles easily, a short nose, and a long upper lip.
There, the resemblance ended.
Martin Rothwell had a rather heavy face with flat cheeks and a squarish jaw, while Cheryl’s face was a smooth oval with prominent cheekbones.
They were very good-looking in their own way, and Martin had the reputation of being a charmer where women were concerned.
‘Sutherlands, glad you could make it,’ he said expansively, and held out his hand.
Watching them together, Sera noticed that, though Keir was a good six feet and broad-shouldered, Martin was equally tall and considerably heavier.
The two men shook hands. Neither smiled.
‘You’ve met my sister, of course?’
‘Miss Rothwell,’ Keir murmured politely, taking the proffered hand.
‘Oh, Cheryl, please.’
Turning to her brother, whose light eyes were fixed on Sera’s exquisite face, Cheryl said, ‘I don’t think you’ve actually met Sera Reynolds, my new PA? Sera’s only been here a few weeks. She’s from the London branch.’
‘I can see I’ve been missing out.’ Taking her hand, Martin smiled at her and, all at once, Sera could see why he had that reputation for charm.
His clasp was cool and firm and he held her hand rather longer than was strictly necessary before releasing it.
By her side, she sensed rather than felt, Keir stiffen slightly, and saw by the gleam in Martin’s eye that he had noticed and was pleased by that instinctive reaction.
The men might do business together, she realized, but they were far from liking one another.
Smiling a little, Martin asked blandly, ‘So, how are you settling in, Sera?’
‘Quite well, I think.’
‘And you like New York?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘Have you had a chance to see much of it?’
Before Sera could answer, Cheryl gave her brother a swift, conspiratorial glance and, stepping forward, slid her hand through Keir’s arm.
‘If you can spare a few minutes, there’s someone I think you should meet. His name is Roberto Canelli. Though I only met him myself a few days ago, I happen to know he’s been looking for a suitable site to relocate his business.’
Turning to Sera, Keir asked, ‘I hope you don’t mind?’
Well aware that business was the be all and the end all of the evening, she answered valiantly, ‘No, of course not.’
He gave her a swift, grateful smile and promised, ‘I’ll try not to be too long.’
‘Canelli’s about to complete a deal with Bensons,’ Cheryl warned, ‘so if you have anything that might interest him, you’ll have to move fast…’
A moment later, feeling rather lost, Sera watched as they walked away and disappeared into the throng.
Cheryl was very tall for a woman, almost six feet in her high heels, and with their two heads close together, one so smooth and bright, the other so dark and curly, they made a handsome couple.
‘As you’ve just arrived, you won’t have eaten yet?’ Martin’s voice broke into Sera’s thoughts.
‘No,’ she admitted.
‘Then, while we get to know each other, shall we go and see what the buffet has to offer?’ A hand at her waist, he led her through to the adjoining room.
As she might have expected, the tables held an excellent and varied selection of food, while above the hum of conversation glasses clinked and champagne corks popped.
With a gallantry she found slightly embarrassing, Martin insisted on helping her to a selection of hors d’oeuvres before serving himself.
A lot of the top men from the world of finance were gathered by the buffet, standing in little groups of twos and threes, making new contacts and cementing old ones over smoked salmon canapés and glasses of vintage champagne.
While they ate, Martin pointed out several whose names were synonymous with wealth and power, and told her amusing anecdotes about each.
Sera was laughing at one of them when Keir appeared at her side. She turned to him eagerly.
His expression curiously tight, he told her, ‘Signor Canelli is interested in a site near SoHo that’s just recently come on the market. He’d like to take a look at it straight away, so Cheryl has kindly offered to drive us down there. Will you be all right?’
Her heart dropping like a lead weight, Sera said, ‘I’ll be fine.’ Then trying not to sound anxious, ‘Have you any idea how long you’ll be?’
‘It’ll depend on the traffic, I’m afraid.’ Giving her hand a squeeze, he assured her, ‘But I’ll be as quick as I can.’
‘If you don’t happen to make it back,’ Martin said smoothly, ‘I’ll see Sera gets home safely.’
‘Thank you, but I expect to be back.’ Keir’s voice was only just civil.
It was obvious that he wasn’t happy about leaving her with Martin Rothwell. But business came first.
His face set, he turned and walked away.
Treating the other man’s reappearance as an unwanted intrusion, Martin asked cheerfully, ‘Now then, where were we?’
For the next twenty minutes or so, while they stood by the buffet, he plied her with delicacies and, though he himself drank little, made sure her gl
ass was kept topped up.
Giving her his undivided attention, he asked her a string of questions. Where did she live…? What did she like most about New York…? How did she think life in the States compared with life in England?
He seemed genuinely interested in her answers, and she found him surprisingly easy to talk to.
One of his comments made her ask, ‘Do you know England well?’
‘Fairly well. We have English ancestry and both Cheryl and I have spent some time over there. After leaving college I lived in London for almost three years…’
Despite his charm, he was known to be a hard-headed businessman, and Sera expected him to excuse himself as soon as the meal was over, rather than waste any more time on one of his own employees.
But, even when they’d finished eating and their coffee cups were empty, he remained by her side.
Aware that he would need to mingle with his guests, she put down her cup and said politely, ‘Thank you, Mr Rothwell, that was most enjoyable,’ and made to leave him.
‘Don’t go…’ he put a restraining hand on her arm ‘…and out of the office please call me Martin.’ Seeing the look on her face, he said teasingly, ‘Go on, try it. It’s not that difficult. Martin.’
‘Martin,’ she echoed uncertainly.
‘Not bad. All you need is a little more practice.’
His hand lingered on her arm as he queried, ‘As you’ve been in New York such a short time you can’t know many people here?’
‘No.’
‘Then let me introduce you to a few.’
‘I’m afraid I’m not really dressed for it.’
His pale blue eyes on her face, he said, ‘As far as I’m concerned, you’re quite perfect.’
Disconcerted, she stammered, ‘Th-thank you, but Keir might be back soon, and I—’
‘If he does turn up, I’ll reluctantly hand you over. Until then, let’s circulate.’
He offered her his arm and, feeling she had no option, she took it.
Uncomfortable at first, after a while and rather to her surprise, Sera began to relax and enjoy a novel experience.
The Determined Husband Page 3
