Time Fuse by Penny Jordan

Author:Penny Jordan [Jordan, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1985-09-11T20:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

‘SELINA, do come in and meet everyone.’

Mary had told her after her tour of the house that pre-dinner drinks would be served in the drawing room at seven-thirty, and she had waited several minutes after that time before going downstairs, not wanting to be the first in the room.

Helen and Dulcie she recognised, but not the man with them, who was probably Helen’s husband.

Mary had been talking to another couple when Selina walked in and she left them to welcome her into the room.

It was a slightly nerve-racking sensation; being the only stranger in this roomful of old friends, but they soon put her at her ease. Richard and Sonia Vaughan were a charming couple, who she learned farmed locally, and Alex, their son, tall with sun-streaked blonde hair, was a quiet man in his late thirties with a rather shy smile and a voice that held just a tinge of an Australian accent.

Mary’s other great love after her garden was cooking, Helen had told Selina before dinner, and certainly the meal she had provided for them was delicious. What a difference it made to taste home-grown, properly cooked vegetables, Selina marvelled, comparing their flavour to those she normally bought at her local supermarket. Although initially shy, Alex proved to be an amusing companion. He had come home to take over the management of his parents’ farm, he explained to Selina over their main course. ‘With a failed marriage behind me it made sense to have a fresh start.’ His voice was faintly bitter and Selina was instantly sympathetic, sensing that he had not yet come to terms with the loss of his wife.

‘The only good thing is that we didn’t have any children,’ he added. ‘Melanie, my wife, didn’t want them. She thought they would interfere with her career. You work for Sir Gerald I understand,’ he commented, changing the subject and smiling wryly. ‘I’m afraid I’m becoming something of a divorce bore.’

‘Not at all. It’s only natural to want to talk about it. I’m afraid we British as a rule tend to bottle up our feelings too much.’

‘Umm. I’m not altogether in favour of discussing one’s private business at the drop of a hat, but there’s something about you that encourages one to confide in you. You have a very sympathetic smile. I believe you’ll be staying here for most of the summer?’

‘That’s the plan at the moment,’ Selina concurred.

‘Then I wonder if you’d allow me to take you out for dinner one evening? I promise I won’t talk about my divorce all night if you agree,’ he added smiling at her.

Sensing that he would be hurt if she refused Selina said cautiously, ‘I’d like that very much, but as yet I’m not sure what my routine will be while I’m here, so could we leave it until I’m settled in?’

‘Of course, although I suspect once it gets around that there’s a beautiful blonde living in the area, I’ll have to stand in line for my date,’ he said ruefully.

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