Читать книгу The British Billionaire's Innocent Bride - Susanne James, Susanne James - Страница 9

CHAPTER THREE

A WEEK later, Lily caught the bus which would take her to the opposite end of the town—the posh end—where Theodore Montague lived. She was too ashamed to drive over in her battered old car, preferring to leave it where it was outside her flat.

It was Saturday, and she’d been invited over to tea to meet the children, and to see where she’d be spending much of the next three months of her life.

Gazing out of the window, Lily remembered again how appreciative Theo had been that she’d fallen in with his request, and he’d accepted the fact that she would give it until the end of October before moving on to pastures new.

‘By that time I ought to be able to find someone else,’ he’d said. ‘Especially if you’re around to sit in on the interviews.’ He’d paused. ‘I do think that a woman is better at assessing another woman in these special circumstances. You’ll probably spot the warning signs that seem to have gone over my head so far,’ he’d added.

Lily hadn’t made any comment, still surprised that he considered her, or her opinion, to be of any value. But it had made her feel good inside—had even made her look forward to the challenge of taking up this unlooked-for post. She would try her best to succeed where others had failed—maybe prove to herself that she wasn’t as bad at handling children as she’d thought. After all, it was only going to be for twelve weeks.

The house turned out to be one of a terrace of Georgian dwellings, opening out onto the street, with no front garden. The imposing shiny black front door was flanked on either side by two bay trees, and looked solid enough to keep out the most determined intruder.

Lily took a deep breath as she raised her hand to grasp the large knocker—but before she could make her presence known the door was flung open, and a tall, elderly grey-haired woman stood there, with two small boys jockeying for position in front of her.

‘Hello…you must be Lily!’ the woman exclaimed. ‘Do come in. We’ve been watching at the window, waiting for you.’ She smiled, standing aside for Lily to enter, and almost at once her heart lifted at the genuine welcome she was receiving.

‘Yes, I’m Lily,’ she said hesitantly. She looked down into the upturned faces of the children, whose interested eyes and ready smiles demonstrated their obvious well-being. ‘And you’re…Tom? And…Alexander?’ she asked.

‘No. I’m Alex,’ Alexander said promptly. ‘I hate people calling me Alexander.’

‘And I’m not Thomas. I’m Tom-Tom,’ the smaller child lisped.

‘I’ll remember.’ Lily smiled. She turned to the woman. ‘And you’re…Bea?’ she asked shyly.

‘That’s right, dear—Jill-of-all-trades and mistress of none!’ She looked down at the children. ‘Aren’t you going to say hello to Lily properly, boys?’

‘Hi, Lily,’ they chorused obediently.

‘That’s right. Now, Freya is out playing tennis at the moment,’ Bea explained, ‘but she’ll be back in an hour. Do come on through, Lily. Theodore is busy in his private study at the moment, but he’ll be finished shortly.’

Lily tried to take in her surroundings all at once—something she was very good at—and she was aware straight away of the luxury which surrounded her. The huge oak-floored entrance hall was enhanced at one end by a massive antique dresser on which stood two golden-shaded lamps, some expensive-looking objets d’art, and in the centre a silver-framed photograph of a beautiful dark-haired young woman. Lily glanced away quickly, not wanting to appear inquisitive—she didn’t need telling who that was. It could only be Elspeth, whose picture there—to be met by the gaze of every visitor—told its own story. She was still mistress here. Still the most important woman in the house.

Lily was ushered into a spacious, sunny, high-ceilinged room, with three large patterned sofas facing each other, and various footstools and small occasional tables. There was a mirror over the ornate fireplace, and on the mantelpiece were family photos—the one in the centre being of Elspeth, surrounded by her three children. The full-length windows were curtained to the floor in ivory and red striped material, and although opulence screamed at her from every angle, Lily immediately felt this to be a homely room—a room to be enjoyed rather than admired. To prove the point, the two boys immediately leapt on to one of the sofas and started having a friendly fight.

Lily wandered across to look at the garden, which was not only full of fruit trees and flowering bushes, but also the usual trappings of childhood—a climbing frame and a slide, a sandpit, and several footballs lying in corners.

She looked back at Bea, smiling. ‘Everything’s lovely,’ she said, and the older woman nodded.

‘Yes,’ she said, ‘it is.’ She sighed. ‘I understand that you’ve been told of the circumstances here? So sudden… so sad,’ she added.

‘Yes,’ Lily said quickly, glancing across at the boys.

Bea followed her gaze. ‘It is beginning to get easier,’ she said quietly, ‘and we still talk about Mummy, of course.’ She raised her voice. ‘Now then, boys—who’s going to help me in with the tea things?’

The children immediately scrambled off the sofa and followed Bea out of the room, and Lily sank down on to one of the upholstered stools for a moment. She had never set foot in such a place in her life. Bella and Rosie’s home didn’t even come close, she thought. For a moment, she panicked. What was she doing here? Had she had a sudden rush of blood to the head in agreeing to do this? Theodore Montague might have seemed a pleasant person away from England, but she was in no doubt that he could be very different in a work situation. And that was what she was here for. To work.

She could hear the children’s raised voices in the distance—obviously coming from the kitchen—and Lily dropped her head into her hands for a second. Here she was, having to prove herself once more, she thought. Somewhere new, with different people—whose true expectations were unknown.

‘Is everything all right?’ The well-remembered dark tones cut into her reverie, and Lily raised her head quickly, standing up. Her new employer stood just inside the door, looking across at her with that whimsical expression on his face she’d come to recognise. He was wearing chinos and a dark rugby shirt and his hair was tousled, as if he’d been running his hands through it.

‘Of course—yes—everything’s fine,’ Lily said, not bothering to add that all day yesterday she’d been fighting off a migraine—which would probably account for her light-headedness today, she realised. ‘I was just thinking what a beautiful home this is,’ she said, smiling briefly.

He nodded, then came over to stand next to her. She seemed even smaller today than he remembered her. Younger, and rather vulnerable… He wondered whether she’d be robust enough to deal with his sometimes obstreperous children. Then he shrugged inwardly. She’d only be here for a few months, and at least once she was back at school his daughter would only be present for two days out of every seven.

‘You had no difficulty finding us?’ he enquired, glancing down at her. She was dressed in blue jeans and a white T-shirt, her hair tied up in one long plait at the back.

‘No, it’s an easy address,’ she said, in answer to his question. ‘And it’s actually on my bus route. It only took half an hour.’

‘I did offer to fetch you…’ he reminded her.

‘There was no need for that,’ Lily said quickly. ‘At least I know what to do if my car refuses to start.’

Just then the tea trolley made its entrance, pushed enthusiastically by Tom and Alex, with Bea coming behind, holding the teapot and hot water.

‘Careful, boys,’ Theo said. ‘We’d like those cakes on the plate rather than on the floor, thank you.’

Everyone sat down, while Bea handed out plates and paper napkins, and Lily glanced around, struck by the easygoing atmosphere. There were dainty little sandwiches, and buttered scones with jam and cream, and some small squares of iced cake. The children, sitting side by side on one of the sofas, tucked in to everything they were offered. Even the three-year-old seemed to have no difficulty in eating food from a plate balanced on his small knees, though he was given a plastic mug to drink his tea from. Lily noticed that there was not a crisp or a sausage or a soft drink in sight—the children were enjoying afternoon tea, and she sensed their mother’s hand in that.

Lily automatically glanced up at Elspeth’s photograph, captivated by the woman’s warm, engaging expression—somehow she felt that she, Lily, was being appraised by someone no longer here, yet whose presence was tangible. I’ll do my best, she promised. I will try to do my best.

Although all the food looked delicious, Lily could only manage one sandwich and a small cake. As usual, when she was on edge, her appetite disappeared. But she was glad of the strong, unsweetened tea, and she allowed Bea to refill her cup. She noticed that Theo was not eating anything at all, but sat beside his sons, a half-drunk cup of tea on the small table beside him.

Conversation was dominated by Bea, telling everyone to help themselves, and the chattering of the boys, who were not in the least shy. Well, they’d become used to countless strangers passing through their lives, Lily thought, so one more was no big deal. In fact, after the first few moments of their initial meeting, she’d been more or less ignored by Tom and Alex. They were beautiful children, with naturally wavy fair hair, but their dark eyes—even at this early stage—exactly matched their father’s. Glancing at Theo, she realised that he had been watching her, and she wondered what he was thinking. Well…the fact that she was here at all was his idea, not hers. And it had not been just an idea, either—it had been a plea. A plea she’d found irresistible.

She met his gaze unblinkingly. She’d try to fill this temporary gap to his satisfaction, she thought. They’d all survive her efforts—and it wasn’t going to be for long.

When everyone had finished their tea, Theo stood up. ‘I think we ought to show Lily the rest of the house, don’t you? So that she knows her way around,’ he said, and the boys jumped down from the sofa while Bea began clearing things away.

Tom came immediately over to Lily and caught hold of her hand. ‘I’ll show you,’ he said importantly.

‘We both will!’ Alex said.

‘Let’s all do it,’ Theo placated, tilting a smile down at Lily, and for the next twenty minutes she was given a guided tour.

A beautiful dining room was dominated by a huge mahogany table—obviously used for entertaining, Lily thought instinctively—and there was another smaller, television room with a conservatory attached. There was a study area and, best of all in Lily’s opinion, the kitchen, where Bea was putting the tea things away. The room seemed to disappear into the far distance, with cupboards and fitments and cooking facilities at one end, and at the other a long refectory table and benches, with two or three easy chairs alongside. One wall was taken up with shelves that held books and toys, haphazardly placed.

Lily took a deep breath. This wasn’t only the engine room of the house, she thought, it was comfortable and homely and where the family obviously liked spending time. It was where she would like to be, too, she decided. Quite apart from the gleaming Aga there was a double oven, and her professional eye had taken in all the details—a marble slab perfect for rolling pastry, huge wooden chopping boards, and what looked like acres of space to put things down. She wasn’t going to mind preparing the children’s teas here. It was a kitchen to die for.

Upstairs, she was shown Theo’s master bedroom, with private study attached. Each of the boys had a room, and there was a spare room as well.

‘Freya’s room is up on the next floor, where there’s another guest room,’ Theo said. ‘She prefers to be by herself, apparently.’ He paused. ‘It’s the untidy one, I’m afraid. The boys are far better at putting their things away.’

‘Thanks for that, Dad,’ a voice from behind said suddenly, and they all turned to look at the speaker. Freya had arrived, unnoticed, dressed in tennis whites, and she moved to push past them. She was tall and slight, her long hair hanging untidily around her shoulders.

‘Freya—this is Lily, who I’ve told you about,’ Theo said firmly, barring her way. The child stopped just long enough to say, off-handedly, ‘Hi—Lily,’ before running upstairs to her room.

She hadn’t attempted to make eye contact, Lily noticed, but had managed to be just polite enough for her father to do no more than raise his eyebrows helplessly as he glanced at Lily. Lily smiled up at him. Why should the girl show any interest in yet another carer who’d be gone in no time, to be replaced by some other stranger?

‘You missed Bea’s super tea, Freya,’ Theo called up.

‘I had tea at the club,’ the girl replied.

‘I thought you were going to come home for tea today?’

Freya’s face appeared over the banisters above them. ‘Well, everyone else was staying, so I thought I would as well,’ she said.

No more was said, but the dark expression on Theo’s face didn’t go unnoticed by Lily. Suddenly she remembered something, and, slipping her pretty holdall from her shoulder, she opened it, taking out a large paper bag.

‘Are you allowed chocolates and sweets?’ she asked the boys, and before she could go on Tom had come to her side to peer at what she was holding.

‘Yes—but I don’t like chocolate. I only like jellies,’ he said.

‘Well, what a good thing I brought some, then.’ Lily smiled, taking out a packet and handing it over.

‘I love chocolate!’ Alex said, and as Lily gave him a large bar his eyes lit up. ‘This is my favourite! How did you know that, Lily?’

‘Ah, that’s a secret,’ Lily said. ‘I know a fairy who tells me things sometimes.’ She suddenly felt a surge of pleasure run through her. She was being accepted—even if it was because of the sweets she’d brought with her.

They all went back downstairs then, and Alex said, ‘When are you coming to look after us, Lily? Is it soon?’

‘Lily will be here again on Monday morning,’ Theo said, answering for her. ‘But I’m sure she wants to go home now, because she’s probably going out somewhere with her friends tonight. We mustn’t keep her to ourselves.’

‘Oh, I’m not going anywhere,’ Lily said quickly—then wished she hadn’t. Didn’t every young, single woman go out on Saturday nights? She’d made herself sound pathetic!

‘Well, if you’re not going out, you can stay and help Daddy put us to bed,’ Alex announced hopefully. ‘Can she, Daddy?’

‘I’m sure Lily has better things to do…’ Theo said. ‘Even if she isn’t going out.’

‘Of course I’ll stay—if I can be of any use,’ Lily said simply.

The fact was, she already loved being here—enjoyed the atmosphere of this lovely home.

Theo shrugged. ‘You’ve won, then, Alex. Lily can do the honours.’ He turned to look down at her. ‘Thanks,’ he said briefly.

The next hour passed rapidly as Lily took control of a bathing session. There was a lot of splashing, and mucking about with toys, but Lily let them get on with it, not caring too much that she was getting soaked as well.

She spotted their toothbrushes on the shelf, and handed them down to the children. ‘Scrub until I’ve finished counting up to one hundred and twenty,’ she said firmly.

Finally, she decided that enough was enough. ‘Time’s up, boys,’ she said, taking one of the big white fluffy towels and holding it up. ‘Come on—you first, Tom-Tom.’ She lifted him out and held him to her, wrapping the towel around him snugly.

‘I can dry myself,’ Alex said, jumping out as well, and Lily thought what sturdy little bodies they had, and what lucky children they were—to be born into a family like this one—even if their mother had died. How could anyone go wrong, literally enveloped in all the luxury and love that was evident here?

They scampered out of the bathroom ahead of her, and once they’d put on their pyjamas were ready to be tucked in for the night. Going into Tom’s room, Alex said cheerfully, ‘Tom-Tom and me have been sleeping in here together since Mummy went.’ He jumped into one of the single beds, and pulled the duvet up around him. ‘Because it helps him to go to sleep,’ he added. ‘And we always have milk to drink before we go to sleep.’

Lily sat down on one of the low chairs beside the bed.

‘I have mine cold, and Tom-Tom has his warm,’ Alex went on helpfully.