A Cinderella for the Greek by Julia James

Author:Julia James [James, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarlequinUKLtd
Published: 2016-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

‘TELL ME,’ MAX SAID, ‘how are you with helicopters?’

Ellen stared. ‘Helicopters?’

‘Yes. I’ve got one on standby,’ he informed her. ‘There’s a property out in the Chilterns I want to take a quick look at, and a helicopter is the fastest way.’

‘I’ve never been in one,’ Ellen said.

Max grinned. ‘Great—a new experience. You’ll love it.’

He bore her off towards the kerb, where his car was hovering. He wasn’t giving her a chance to object, just as he hadn’t given her a chance to run out of that fashion house. When she’d finally emerged from the changing room he’d wanted to punch the air, like he had the night before. And now she had looked—fantastic!

Straw-coloured trousers neatly hugged her trim hips, and a casual cashmere sweater in oatmeal superbly moulded her generous breasts. A long jacket and a swish leather handbag completed the outfit.

Behind her came the sales assistant, with more clothes, and they all totted up to a good half-dozen or more capacious carrier bags.

His driver climbed out of the car to put the bags in the boot as Max helped Ellen into the back of the car.

She was in a daze—no doubt about it. She’d handed over her credit card, wincing at the huge total, but then tightening her mouth in defiance. Another watercolour would have to be sold—but this time she would get the benefit of it.

And it was money well spent—she’d seen that the moment she’d taken in her reflection, seeing not frumpy, lumpy Elephant Ellen but a tall, good-looking, athletic, fashionably dressed woman who could stride through the world with assurance and poise. It was a good feeling—a brilliant feeling!

A bubble of happiness rose in her, as if she’d just drunk a glass of champagne. She was going to enjoy this—enjoy everything! Including the novelty of a ride in a helicopter.

Her eyes widened in excitement as the noisy machine rose into the air, skating high above the River Thames. London became increasingly miniature, and then was left behind as the countryside approached. She gazed spellbound as they flew, then circled over the property Max wanted to assess.

It was another large country house, Victorian gothic in style, and far larger than Haughton. Only then did a shadow cross her eyes, for it reminded her of the danger to her home. Oh, he could buy anywhere he liked—so why insist on buying the one place in the world she so desperately loved?

Conflicting emotions swirled in her. Max had been so good to her, and even though she knew why he was doing it, it did not detract from the gift he had given her.

I will always, always be grateful to him.

* * *

It was a gratitude she voiced yet again that evening, as they dined in the Michelin-starred restaurant at the hotel.

‘All I’ve done, Ellen,’ he said, and smiled, ‘is show you what was always there—that’s all. You’ve always been like this—but you hid it. And now you don’t any more. It’s as simple as that.’

His eyes washed over her, liking what they saw.

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