No Longer a Dream by Carole Mortimer

Author:Carole Mortimer [Mortimer, Carole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488032738
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Published: 2017-10-18T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

SHE didn't know what had made such a thought enter her head, those eyes crinkling at the corners now as he smiled in greeting. Cat frowned, searching the lined face for the emotion she had just seen, finding only warm curiosity as he stood up, his brows raised as he saw his son's arm about her shoulders.

How could she have even thought this man was dying!

He was as lean and lithely built as Caleb, his trousers snug-fitting, as was the brown sweater he wore. But for a moment, just a brief moment, she had thought she had seen—no, she must have been mistaken. Lucien Steele's body looked as agile and healthy as Caleb claimed his mind still was.

‘Miss Howard.’ His accent was as English as his grandson's. ‘It is Miss Howard, isn't it?’ he added mockingly. ‘Or are you a friend of my son's?’ He quirked those silver brows again.

Colour darkened her cheeks before she hastily moved from within the circle of Caleb's arm. The last thing she needed was for Lucien Steele to make any more assumptions about Caleb and herself! After what Luke had already told him that would be all too easy!

‘No. I mean, yes,’ she amended at Caleb's sceptical expression. ‘Er—that is—'

‘I know what you're trying to say, Miss Howard,’ Lucien Steele chuckled softly, looking past her to his son. ‘Whatever Luke's other faults you have to admit he showed good taste,’ he derided.

Caleb's mouth twisted mockingly. ‘Unfortunately, good taste didn't come into it; Cat could have looked like a female wrestler and Luke would still have played his cruel little trick!’ he rasped.

His father's eyes narrowed. ‘Cruel?’ he prompted softly.

‘Cruel,’ Caleb nodded grimly. ‘Cat doesn't need any more pain in her life.'

Lucien Steele turned to her with widely curious eyes, and Cat squirmed a little under that close scrutiny. Just when she thought she couldn't stand it any more he turned back to his son. ‘I'll see Miss Howard at four-thirty for tea,’ he instructed curtly. ‘Enjoy your day, Miss Howard,’ he drawled before leaving.

Cat didn't move for several seconds, her breath seeming to be stuck in her throat. Then she gave a ragged sigh as it was released, turning to look at Caleb. ‘Thank you.’ She gave a weary smile. ‘I have a feeling your father would have “eaten me alive” if you hadn't been here!'

Caleb grimaced. ‘His bark's always been worse than his bite.’ He held out a chair at the table for Cat to sit down.

She did so, shuddering slightly. ‘I didn't think there could be another man as arrogantly outspoken as you,’ she admitted candidly.

Caleb laughed softly. ‘You've just met my tutor!'

She had already guessed that, Lucien Steele's hauteur all the more effective because it was hidden behind warm smiles Caleb didn't even try to affect. The author had completely unnerved her.

‘Here,’ Caleb poured her cup of coffee, adding the milk and spoonful of sugar she usually took.

Cat frowned at the act of intimacy, and yet she knew if she had been the one to pour his coffee that she would have known he took it black and unsweetened.

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