A Wicked Persuasion by Catherine George

Author:Catherine George
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781408973837
Publisher: HarlequinUKLtd
Published: 2012-02-06T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

THINGS got off to a bad start the next day. Harriet’s car refused to start, her father was out, the garage she used wasn’t open on a Sunday and she was forced to take a very expensive taxi to get to the large, ultra-modern Barclay home in Pennington. She arrived to a mixed reception—friendly and welcoming from Gervase, impatient from Sophie, and no sign of Annabel, who usually launched herself at her aunt the moment Harriet was through the door.

‘You’ve cut it terribly fine,’ Sophie complained. ‘It’s half past eleven!’

‘The car wouldn’t start. I had to take a taxi. Where’s Annabel?’

Sophie’s eyes flickered. ‘Sleeping. She’s got a bit of a cold.’

‘More than a bit; she’s got a temperature.’ Gervase eyed his wife uneasily. ‘I’m not sure you should go out and leave her, darling.’

Sophie stiffened. ‘Not go? Why? It’s just a cold, and Harriet is more than capable of looking after her. She’s good with Annabel.’ She turned on her sister. ‘You don’t mind if I go, do you?’

‘No.’ Privately, Harriet was amazed that Sophie would want to leave Annabel if the child was unwell. ‘Are you going far?’

‘Just a short walk away; we could be back in minutes if you need us,’ said Gervase, and kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for helping us out, Harriet.’

Sophie had the grace to look contrite. ‘Yes, indeed. Though I was afraid you weren’t going to make it in time.’

‘In which case we would have arrived at the party fashionably late,’ said her husband. ‘I shall reimburse you for the taxi when we get back, Harriet.’ Gervase Barclay, tall, heavily built, elegantly suited, and twenty years older than his wife, looked exactly what he was, a successful businessman very comfortable in his own skin.

His wife, however, was not. Sophie frowned down at herself in doubt. ‘Do you think this dress is right for a garden party, Harriet?’

Harriet thought it was wrong for any party. The print was eye-wateringly bright, and the dress too short. ‘It looks very summery—’

‘You think it’s awful—I knew it!’ Sophie wailed. ‘You’ll have to wait, Gervase, while I change.’ She took off for the stairs at a run.

‘Check on Annabel,’ her husband called after her, and smiled ruefully at Harriet. ‘Sophie was shattered when Pilar had to leave so suddenly.’

‘Family crisis?’

‘Her mother’s ill. Sophie’s lost without Pilar, especially now Annabel’s off colour—all three of us had a wretched night. We’ll be back by four at the latest, but if you want us earlier, don’t hesitate to ring. Here’s my mobile number.’ He handed Harriet a card, wincing at the sound of sobbing from upstairs.

‘You go. I’ll see to Annabel.’ Harriet ran upstairs to the child’s room and found Sophie, now in ice-blue linen and pearls, trying to calm her little daughter.

‘Don’t cry, darling,’ Sophie pleaded frantically. ‘Look! Auntie Harriet’s come to play with you.’

The child held supplicating arms up to Harriet. ‘Want to come down,’ she sobbed.

‘Then you shall.’ Harriet picked her up, alarmed by the child’s body heat. ‘Let’s wash your face first, and then we’ll cuddle up on the sofa in the snug.

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