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‘But I’m not having a fling with him, Gran. I’m pretending to.’
‘Gabrielle. I may be old, but I am not stupid. I understand that this is a pretence. But it isn’t one I approve of. It’s a lie, and it’s a lie you won’t enjoy enacting. A gentleman wouldn’t ask you to do that.’
‘But his motivations are good.’
‘Would your granddad have liked him?’
‘Yes.’ The answer came from her gut, even though she wasn’t sure where the conviction came from. ‘He married his childhood sweetheart and he has remained loyal to her memory. He loves his family enough to concoct an illusion, possibly delusion, of a relationship for them.’
Lucille shook her head, her still bright blue eyes clouded with trouble. ‘It seems to me he’d be better to face his family head-on.’ Sadness touched her features. ‘Though what do I know about family relationships?’
‘Don’t say that, Gran.’ Gabby knew that Lucille still grieved for her daughter—would always blame herself for the path Karen had taken. That was why, all her life, Gabby had striven to be the polar opposite of her mother. ‘You and Gramps understood all about relationships, and I couldn’t have asked for more caring people to bring me up.’
‘Thank you, darling.’ For a second she smiled, then took Gabby’s hand and squeezed gently. ‘Promise me you’ll be careful.’
Sensing her grandmother was tired, Gabby nodded. ‘I promise.’
‘Don’t get your heart broken. He’s a good-looking, charming, successful man.’
‘He may be all those things, but Zander Grosvenor is not my type at all. In the slightest.’
Lucille raised one delicately pencilled brow and Gabby reminded herself that she had downplayed the kiss and utterly omitted even a mention of any attraction.
‘I’m in this for the money and I am in no danger at all of falling for the boss!’
The words were nothing but the truth. The attraction was an annoyance, an irritation, a problem she intended to solve. Even if she hadn’t figured out how yet.
And perhaps her scowl carried conviction, because Lucille nodded. ‘OK. Then enjoy yourself, darling.’
Yeah, right. The prospect of the next weeks showed a vista that crossed so far into her discomfort zone her eyes crossed at the mere thought. But she wouldn’t add to Lucille’s worry by sharing that.
‘I will—and I will give you regular updates as to my progress. Right now I’m off to meet Zander to sort out the small print. We’re going boating on the river...’
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, Gabby approached the boat hire company based on the banks of the River Avon. It had seemed a suitable date-like activity, and Zander had pointed out they could speak without fear of being overheard in a boat. As a bonus, she sincerely hoped open air and wide outdoor spaces would act as a deterrent to their attraction.
It was a hope that lasted precisely as long as it took for her to spot Zander. As he rose from the riverside bench her tummy flipped. He was dressed in stonewashed jeans, a white T-shirt and trainers. The simple outfit showcased his sheer masculinity, the hard curve of his muscles, and threw her hormones into disarray. Yet she forced her feet to maintain pace as she walked towards him.
‘Hey.’
His voice rippled over her skin as he stepped forward, his hands outstretched.
‘Hey.’ Belatedly she realised that they were now in role. She placed her hands in his and her skin goosebumped despite the warmth of the late-spring sunshine. ‘Are we being watched?’
‘Let’s say I wouldn’t put it past any of my family to be lurking behind a tree somewhere.’
‘So you told them?’
At least her voice appeared to work, even though every one of her senses was focused on the strength of his grip, the feel of his skin against hers.
‘Yes...’ Zander, too, seemed mesmerised by their clasped fingers, until in an abrupt movement he dropped her hand. ‘So it’s probably best if we continue this conversation once we are on the river.’
‘Good plan.’
It was an activity to focus on, and for a moment she did exactly that. Studied the row of wooden boats bobbing on the water—punts, skiffs and canoes.
