Читать книгу Just Rewards - Barbara Taylor Bradford - Страница 10

He could see her in the distance, high above him riding on the escalator, obviously heading for the upper floors of the store.

The bright red hair was a fiery halo around her face, impossible to miss, as was the sleek silhouette of her smartly-tailored black suit, austere except for the touches of white at the collar and cuffs.

She was the spitting image of Emma Harte and knew that she was, because everyone had told her this for years. And they had also told her how smart she was and canny, like her great-grandmother, and that she had inherited her intelligence, vivaciousness and drive. But, Jack Figg, head of Security and old family friend, suddenly wondered, had anyone ever told her that she, and only she in the entire family, had been lucky enough to inherit Emma’s enormous glamour as well. Certainly Linnet was much more glamorous than Paula or her half-sister, Tessa Fairley. In fact, Linnet stole everyone’s thunder on that score.

Such a hard thing to define, glamour, Jack thought, walking towards the escalator. It couldn’t be acquired. A person was either born with it or not … glamour was innate, something which came from within. It had nothing to do with the length of a woman’s hair or its colour, or the beauty of her skin, or her face and figure. Glamour had much more to do with enormous presence and charisma, rather than anything else. And those lucky enough to possess it, be it man or woman, made an impact wherever they went, always caused heads to turn, induced people to make a beeline for them.

A small smile flickered on Jack’s face as he stepped onto the escalator, and he acknowledged, somewhat ruefully, that he was prejudiced when it came to Linnet O’Neill. She was his favourite and always had been. To Jack she was the smartest of the younger generation in this family. She and her cousin Gideon Harte were the best and the brightest of the whole bunch. Not that their siblings or cousins were dullards or dimwits – far from it. Very simply put, it was these two who outshone the rest in almost every way. As a whole, though, the family was quite spectacular, with plenty of brain power between them. Hard-working, diligent, loyal and trustworthy, each and every Harte was also extremely good-looking, just like Emma and her two brothers had been.

His thoughts swung to Gideon Harte, who was to marry Evan Hughes in ten days.

Evan Hughes … now there was a name to conjure with. The newly-found American relative … quite a story that was. Sent to London a year ago by her dying British grandmother Glynnis Hughes, to seek out Emma Harte … who Evan quickly found out had been dead for thirty years. Evan stumbling into the midst of the Hartes, meeting Gideon that first day in the store and falling under his spell … as he had fallen under hers. Instantly. Love at first sight was grand when it happened. Evan impressing Linnet enough to be hired to work at the store … eventually causing Paula to wonder about her origins and delve into the past to uncover the truth about Evan’s antecedents … Paula discovering that Evan was the granddaughter of her uncle, Robin Ainsley, Emma’s favourite son.

And then another story had emerged and unravelled. Robin had had a secret liaison with Glynnis during the Second World War. Glynnis had borne Robin a son called Owen, soon after her marriage to her G.I. boyfriend, Richard Hughes, who had brought the boy up as his own. At the end of the war Richard had taken his Welsh bride and the boy to New York, and there she had lived until her death. But there was a much more complex story to the relationship between Robin and Glynnis, Jack knew that now. They all knew it.

Everything was out in the open; there were no more secrets, and with their typical generosity of spirit the entire family had welcomed Evan, made her feel at home amongst them. And later they had welcomed Evan’s parents, Owen and Marietta Hughes, brought them into the clan without a murmur or qualm.

And then there was Jonathan Ainsley. He hadn’t welcomed the Hughes family at all. Now there’s the rub, Jack thought with a grimace, as he considered Robin’s legitimate son, who had been thrown out of the family years ago for double-dealing, disloyalty, and cheating the division of Harte Enterprises which he ran.

Paula, her father David Amory and her cousin Alexander had dispatched him, and he had become their sworn enemy. David was long dead, and all of Jonathan’s hatred had been focused on Paula for years. He considered her his great nemesis.

Because of his dangerous games, Jack had Ainsley under surveillance at all times wherever he was in the world, as it happened mostly in Paris and Hong Kong. Jack needed to know what Ainsley was up to, when he was up to it, and most importantly, where.

Ainsley was currently in London, and this disturbed Jack. Now that he was once again running Harte’s security on a full-time basis, he felt responsible for every member of the family. Ainsley’s sudden presence was like a time-bomb ticking.

There was Evan’s and Gideon’s marriage to think of and it was uppermost in his mind at this moment. It was taking place on Saturday, January 19th, in the little church in the village of Pennistone. Small though the wedding was going to be, most of the immediate family would be present and undoubtedly they offered great temptation to Jonathan Ainsley.

Jack was convinced that Evan and her father were undoubtedly targets now, just as Paula and Linnet were. Linnet’s resemblance to Emma must inflame Ainsley no end, get his hackles up. And he must loathe Owen Hughes, his newly-found half-brother, albeit an illegitimate brother. As for Evan, she was the grandchild Robin had always craved. Jonathan, who had been married and divorced, had never produced any children.

Stepping onto the top floor of the store, Jack glanced around. Linnet, who had been in his line of vision a moment ago, had disappeared.

After walking around the top floor for a few minutes, Jack spotted Linnet in the auditorium. Pushing open the glass doors, he called out, ‘Linnet! Good morning.’

Swinging around, a smile struck her face at the sight of Jack; she sped over to him and gave him a hug, then stepped back, and said, ‘What a lovely surprise! And how did you know where to find me?’

He grinned. ‘I’m good at that, finding people, you know. Actually, I spotted you on the escalator and jumped on behind you. You’re a sight for sore eyes, Beauty. I’m glad you’re back. How was your honeymoon?’

‘Brilliant. Barbados was hot. New York cold. And exciting. We had a great time, enjoyed both places. But it’s nice to be home, and to see you.’

Linnet had known Jack Figg all of her life, and he was more like a favourite uncle than a colleague; now she tucked her arm through his in an intimate way, and together they walked across the floor to a grouping of chairs near the stage.

Linnet said, ‘I was going to phone you a little later, to talk about Gideon’s wedding.’

As they sat down, Jack told her, ‘Everything’s in place, and the security will be as extensive as it was for your wedding last month. Truly, there’s nothing to worry about.’

Linnet nodded and leaned forward. ‘Mummy’s staying in Yorkshire to have a rest. Ostensibly. But she felt she’d better be there to help Aunt Emily and Uncle Robin with the plans for the reception, since it’ll be at Pennistone Royal. Mums could do it by herself, but the others want to be involved. Insist, actually. Robin because of Evan, and Emily because Gideon’s her favourite child. Nothing’s too good for him.’

‘Does anyone ever admit to having a favourite?’ Jack asked, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘Especially in this family?’

Linnet laughed, amused by his tone. ‘No. But they have them. Any everyone loves Gid, you know that. He’s special.’

Immediately Jack thought of Gideon’s brother Toby, whom he found highly competitive when it came to his younger sibling. Toby was jealous. But Jack decided not to comment on this. He merely said, ‘True enough,’ and continued, ‘Your mother gave me Emily’s guest list, and I received Gideon’s a couple of days ago. It seems to me that family only have been invited.’

‘Yes, that’s right.’

There was a small silence.

Jack broke it finally, his voice grown more serious when he said, ‘There’s something I need to tell you, Linnet … Jonathan Ainsley’s back in London, I wanted you to be aware of that.’

‘He always manages to show up at the wrong time!’ she cried, her voice rising.

‘I have everything under control,’ Jack reassured her swiftly. ‘My people have him under surveillance on a permanent basis, that’s how we know he’s back here.’ Having no wish to upset her unduly, he refrained from telling her that Ainsley had been spotted that very morning watching the store from across the road. And so he went on quietly, his voice as always calm and soothing, ‘I’m simply telling you this because I promised to keep you informed about him. I just want you to be aware … and on your guard, so to speak.’

‘I will be. Have you mentioned it to Gideon?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Shall I say something to Evan?’

‘No, don’t. It could upset her, and, after all, she’s very, very pregnant.’

‘She’s holding her own, though. And the babies are not due until the last week of March. But it’s probably better she doesn’t know Ainsley’s around. She and Gideon are going to Yorkshire to stay at Pennistone Royal until the wedding. She can take it easy up there, have a rest.’

‘And she’ll certainly be safe,’ he murmured in response. ‘That place is like Fort Knox these days.’

‘Thanks to you! And no doubt Gid’s had you working on Beck House. Installing a security system, I bet.’

‘He has indeed,’ Jack answered, smiling. ‘It’s a lovely old house and they’re both thrilled it came on the market when it did. Gideon especially, since his father owned it once.’

‘With Daddy when they were gay young blades,’ Linnet pointed out. ‘Gid told me it’s almost ready for them to move in.’

‘I know. But getting back to the guest lists, do you think there might be any last-minute invitations? To non-family members?’

‘I doubt it. You see, Jack, Evan hasn’t really made any friends, I mean outside the family. She’s been caught up with Gideon most of the time, and with India, Tessa and me. Oh wait a minute, there’s that couple who own the hotel … George and Arlette Thomas. Her father’s friends. I’m sure she would probably invite them, but—’

‘She did,’ Jack cut in, ‘they’re on Gideon’s list.’

‘Then I can’t think of anyone else.’

Jack nodded. ‘As I said, there’ll be plenty of security, but I do need your help with one thing, if you don’t mind.’

‘Tell me.’

‘More than anyone else, you know every person who’s going to attend the wedding. You would spot a stranger in a crowd, and instantly. Far quicker, certainly, than me. Or any of my people. And also, although I’m acquainted with every member of the family, I obviously can’t be everywhere at once. So, here’s what I want you to do … Keep your eyes peeled, make a mental note of everyone who’s there, and particularly strangers, and tell me or one of my operatives if you see anyone you don’t know. Immediately.’

Linnet nodded her head. ‘I could wear a wire, or whatever you call it. A mike and an earpiece. Like you did at my wedding.’

Jack burst out laughing, and sat back in the chair, staring at her, amusement reflected in his eyes. There was no one quite like her … except for Emma when she was alive. She would have made exactly the same kind of outrageous suggestion as Linnet just had.

‘Why are you laughing?’ she asked, looking baffled.

‘Because only you or your great-grandmother would have said that to me. My God, you’re so like her.’

‘I’m glad I am, but getting back to the wedding, I could wear an earpiece and a mike, couldn’t I, Jack? I mean, why not? What’s to stop me? Or who?’

‘No one really, but don’t you think it might alarm some members of the family? Like Great-Aunt Edwina, for instance.’

‘Oh come on, Jack, not Edwina! You know better than that. Anyway, if Edwina were to spot me with a mike on my lapel she’d want one, too. You know she’s the general in the family, bossing everyone around and taking charge at the drop of a hat. But she’s a good egg.’

‘Indeed,’ he murmured, biting back a smile. There was no denying it, at times Linnet took his breath away, but he had no doubts about her whatsoever. She was brave and determined as well as smart, and one day she would take charge, be the one to run the Harte stores. She was a star.

‘Jack, what about it?’ she pressed. ‘Can I wear a mike?’

‘It’s not a bad idea at that, Linny,’ he replied at last, thinking: But would Paula stand for it? Wouldn’t she balk at her daughter being miked-up at a family wedding?

Almost as if she had read his mind, Linnet announced, ‘Mummy might object. If she knew. But she doesn’t have to know. I’m sure I can hide the mike on my lapel, behind a large flower. And nobody would notice an earpiece. My hair’s longer.’ As she spoke she fluffed out her auburn bob, staring at him pointedly, her green eyes intense.

‘Your hair is longer, that’s true,’ he murmured and stood up, glancing at his watch as he did. ‘Listen, I’ll get back to you on that idea later in the day. Let me think it through. Basically, I don’t believe it will be necessary. It is a small wedding, after all.’

As Jack moved away, heading for the door, he turned, and said, ‘Oh, there is one other thing. Your mother told me that all of the help at the reception are locals, who’ve been employed at Pennistone Royal in the past. Just scan them for me on the day, okay?’

She nodded, and rose, walked over to him. ‘I’ll mention it to Margaret this weekend, make sure they’re old hands. And of course I’ll keep my eyes open at the reception.’

‘Thanks, Beauty.’

Linnet fell in step with him, and just before they reached the door of the auditorium she touched his arm lightly. ‘Jack?’

‘Yes?’ He looked down at her questioningly.

‘Do you really think Jonathan Ainsley might try to cause trouble? Do something insane?’

‘No, I don’t think he will. He’s too smart. On the other hand, I like to be one step ahead of the other guys. So I play it safe.’