A Wicked Persuasion (6 page)

‘I got back yesterday. Nothing to eat, thanks, but a drink would be lovely. Do you have any decent sherry?’

‘Sorry, not even indecent sherry. Tea instead?’

Miriam sat down on the sofa, her handsome features troubled. ‘Tea’s fine. Then eat your supper; you look tired.’

Harriet scowled as she switched on the kettle. She was
really
tired of people telling her she looked tired. In no mood to bother with a teapot and get out the china cups
Miriam would have preferred, she made tea in a mug and took it in to her godmother.

‘Thank you, dear. Now for heaven’s sake tell me what’s going on.’

Harriet carried her supper over to the window seat and ate while she explained. For once Miriam actually heard her out to the end without interruption, bar the odd exclamation.

‘Well, well,’ she said at last, eyes narrowed. ‘So Aubrey’s been forced to toe the line at last! I knew he’d lost heavily over some shares, but I had no idea he’d run through everything Sarah left him. Why haven’t you told me about this before? If nothing else, I could have lent a sympathetic ear.’ Miriam eyed her goddaughter militantly. ‘Sarah told me everything, always. She would want you to confide in me.’

Harriet gazed back, unmoved. ‘I tried that in the past, if you remember, and got short shrift.’

‘Good God, are you still harping on about that, child? It was years ago. If you’d been allowed to go your own way then by now you’d be living in some dreary little house cooking meals for your husband and children, with never a penny to spare …’ Miriam came to a sudden halt.

‘Instead, I live alone in this little house, with no children, no husband, I work hard to support myself and there’s still no penny to spare,’ said Harriet flatly. ‘We’re in urgent need of money to repair the roof, Miriam, so I resorted to shock tactics to persuade Father to let someone pay through the nose to hire the house for this party. And if it’s a success and attracts publicity, hopefully more people will pay to do the same.’

‘And all because you promised Sarah you’d take care of her family home.’ Miriam’s mouth set. ‘She knew you were the only one who would.’ She sniffed. ‘Aubrey was
just a bank clerk when she met him—terribly handsome then, of course. And Sarah was not only pretty, she was Miss Tolliver of River House. Aubrey Wilde, as you well know, came from a humbler background and wanted bigger things. Sarah was the key to a whole new lifestyle for him, and he made sure he got her.’

This was new. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Oh, come on, dear. Why do you think her father let Sarah marry a nobody like Aubrey?’ Miriam nodded maliciously as comprehension dawned in Harriet’s eyes. ‘When Sarah told her father she was pregnant he had no choice. He pulled strings to get promotion for Aubrey, but he was never reconciled to the match. Aubrey did his best to fit in—imitated Sarah’s speech patterns and even adopted her father’s style of dressing, but Godfrey Tolliver remained unimpressed. Not that Aubrey cared a damn once he had his foot in the door at River House.’ She gave a mirthless little laugh. ‘Perhaps you can see now why he went berserk when you announced you were taking off with some lad who repaired computers—history repeating itself!’

Harriet eyed her coolly. ‘You weren’t keen on the idea either.’

‘True. I sincerely thought it was best to wait—’

‘Unfortunately, my man wouldn’t do that.’

‘Which only shows you were well rid of him.’ Miriam put her mug down on the small table beside her. ‘Have you ever met up with him again?’

Harriet nodded. ‘Quite recently.’

Miriam rolled her eyes. ‘So who is he? Honestly, girl, it’s like getting blood out of a stone. I never did find out who he was. You were very clever at keeping your mystery boyfriend out of the way.’

‘Because I knew exactly what would happen if you and
Father got involved.’ Harriet’s dark Tolliver eyes flashed.

‘And it did.’

‘But you’re over all that now, surely!’

‘Oh, definitely. He’s right out of my league these days.’ Harriet smiled sweetly. ‘He’s now the head of the Live Wires Group, the one paying Father good money to hire River House for a party tomorrow.’

‘Good God, are you
serious
?’ Miriam stared, thunderstruck. ‘Aubrey actually agreed to this?’

‘Yes.’

‘Has he met the man?’

‘Yes. James came here to consult with him about the party, announced his name and shook my father’s hand. But I’d taken good care that Father never knew his name back then. As far as he’s concerned, James Crawford is just the man paying lovely money for the privilege of hiring the Wilde family home. Father’s even accepted an invitation to the party tomorrow night.’

Miriam shook her head in wonder. ‘When are you going to tell him?’

‘I’m not planning to tell him. He’ll find out in due course. Not that it will matter if—when—he does. He signed a contract, and most of the money has already been paid into a separate business account only I can draw on for the upkeep of River House,’ Harriet said with satisfaction. ‘Julia is in full support on this.’

‘That’s new. You girls have never been close.’

‘Julia, at least, had a change of heart when she discovered the situation was so desperate. She even sent me a dress to wear tomorrow night.’

‘In her line of business it probably didn’t cost her anything,’ Miriam muttered.

‘But she thought of it, and it didn’t cost me anything, either.’

Miriam got up. ‘I’ve got a good mind to go up to Aubrey right now and ask him what he meant by letting things get so much out of hand—’

‘He’s out and won’t be home until late,’ said Harriet hastily.

‘As usual! I’ll be off, then, and let you get to bed. Sleep late for once in the morning so you look your best tomorrow night. Though I’m surprised you agreed to go.’

‘I need to keep an eye on things.’

‘Or are you still hankering after this man?’ Miriam asked shrewdly.

‘As it happens, I’m not.’ Harriet smiled sweetly. ‘But, even if I were, it would be my choice to do so, Godmother. I’m not nineteen any more.’

Miriam shook her head sadly. ‘You’re an unforgiving soul.’

‘As Father has long since discovered.’

H
ARRIET’S
plan to get up late next morning was foiled by traffic passing under her bedroom window with deliveries for the party. At last she gave up and got dressed, read the morning paper over breakfast, walked up to the terrace to watch operations afterwards, and found her father doing the same thing.

‘Good morning, Harriet.’

‘Good morning. I thought you might have been down there on the lawn directing operations.’

‘I did that when they installed the marquee. I shan’t put my nose in with the catering people. It’s a formal dinner, thank God.’

Harriet’s eyebrows rose. ‘What else did you expect?’

‘A chap at the club told me that on top of his daughter’s wedding breakfast he had to provide a fish and chip van and a burger bar later on for the younger set.’ Aubrey grimaced. ‘But Crawford seems too civilised for that kind of thing.’

They watched the activity down below as the caterers set up their mobile kitchen, and the ‘facilities’ James had mentioned were discreetly stationed behind the row of trees on the far side of the lawn. Harriet tensed as a familiar car came up the drive to park near them, and James got out, followed by Lily, who came running towards Harriet, smiling eagerly.

‘I hope you don’t mind. When James said he was coming to check we made him bring us too. Good morning, I’m Lily Graveney,’ she added, holding out her hand to Aubrey. ‘You’re obviously Mr Wilde, Harriet’s father. How do you do?’

Aubrey gave her his best smile as he took her hand. ‘Delighted to meet you. And who is this lovely young lady?’ he added as Claudia joined them.

‘I’m Lily’s sister,’ she informed him.

‘Welcome to you both, and to you, Crawford,’ Aubrey added, as James joined them.

‘Thank you, sir. Sorry to intrude this early, but I had to make sure all was going smoothly, and these two insisted on coming with me.’ James turned to Harriet. ‘Good morning. I hope you weren’t disturbed too early.’

‘Not a problem,’ said Aubrey jovially. ‘Harriet’s always up with the lark anyway.’

‘Even on Saturdays?’ said Claudia.

Harriet shook her head. ‘No. Normally I enjoy a more leisurely start at the weekend.’

‘But I’ve put paid to that today,’ said James, frowning.

‘She can have a nap this afternoon,’ said Aubrey airily. ‘Now, if you’ll forgive me, I must get off—due at the club shortly.’

‘We’ll see you tonight, sir,’ said James, and turned to Harriet. ‘Would you care to take a look in the marquee with us?’

‘I’ll wait to see it lit up in all its glory tonight.’

James nodded coolly. ‘As you wish. Come, girls.’

Claudia thrust a possessive hand through his arm, but Lily loitered behind to look up at the house. ‘You have such a beautiful home, Harriet. See you later.’

Harriet went indoors and locked River House securely behind her, suddenly in the mood to spend the day down in the town while the unsettling bustle was going on. But if the new venture was a success this kind of disruption would be part of life at River House from now on. She shrugged. As long as the disruption brought in money for repairs and maintenance she would live with it. Happily.

Harriet got home later that afternoon to the sound of piano music in the marquee. She strolled up the drive to the terrace, which now held a bar at one end, ready for the influx of guests later. Lights had been strung in the trees below, and there was an infectious expectancy in the air. She breathed it in and smiled. If she had to be at the party tonight she might as well enjoy it. As she turned to walk back her father came hurrying out of the house.

‘I’m glad I spotted you, Harriet. Should I wear black tie tonight?’

She shook her head. ‘This is a party for James Crawford’s workforce, Father. I imagine it will be less formal than that. Just wear one of your suits.’ Lord knew, any one of them was expensive and elegant enough for the occasion.

‘You’re right,’ he said, nodding. ‘Are you wearing an evening gown?’

‘No, Father. Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.’

His mouth tightened. ‘I never imagined you would.’

‘By the way, Miriam came to see me last night,’ Harriet informed him. ‘She was furious when she saw the marquee—thought you were having a party and hadn’t invited her.’

Aubrey snorted. ‘As though I’d dare! What did she say when you explained?’

‘Quite a lot. You know Miriam.’

‘I do indeed.’

‘I’d better get back and think about getting ready. You
had a very short game today,’ Harriet added, surprised when he flushed slightly.

‘I wasn’t actually playing; just having lunch with a friend.’

Harriet’s eyebrows rose as she walked down to the Lodge. Her father often had lunch at the club with a friend. Why so shifty?

Harriet was almost ready later when she heard piano music vying with the chatter and laughter of the guests as they were conducted from the paddock car park. She zipped up the dress, fastened on her mother’s pearl and diamond earrings and slid her feet into the nude heels bought earlier from the shop that sold ruinously expensive footwear in the arcade near the market hall. Pleased to see they made her legs look yards long, she went downstairs to open the door to her father, who looked resplendent in one of the dark suits he favoured. His eyes grew embarrassingly moist at the sight of her.

‘You look so like your mother tonight, Harriet. You’re a picture in that dress.’

‘Julia sent it to me as a birthday present.’

Aubrey frowned. ‘Good of her, but it’s not your birthday yet.’

‘No, Father, not for months.’

‘I see.’ Though he obviously didn’t. ‘Come, then; let’s join the party. I suggest we go back through the house, and make an entrance via the front door.’

To show everyone who actually owned the house. Fair enough—it would be good PR. ‘The last time we had champagne on the terrace was at Sophie’s wedding,’ Harriet remarked.

Her father stopped short halfway along the hall. ‘Does Sophie know what’s happening tonight?’

‘No idea. Julia is keeping her up to date with events.’

‘If she knew there was a party she would already be here,’ said Aubrey wryly. He opened the front door and held it back for Harriet to go outside, but she stopped dead, blinded by a barrage of flash photography.

‘Good heavens,’ she muttered as they went down the path to the front steps. ‘I didn’t expect that.’

‘I said you looked a picture,’ said her father with unusual dryness.

There was more photography as James came to greet them with a look for Harriet which set her heart thumping under the glowing satin. ‘You look wonderful, Miss Wilde. Good evening, sir. Come and meet my sister and her family.’

The Graveneys were drinking champagne with the girls, plus a young man who was holding Lily’s hand.

‘Mr Wilde, meet my sister Moira Graveney, and her husband Marcus,’ said James. ‘You’ve met Marcus’s stepsisters already, and this is Dominic Hall, Lily’s boyfriend.’

Moira, tall and elegant in dark blue silk, congratulated Aubrey Wilde on his beautiful home. ‘It was kind of you to let James use it for his party.’

‘Not at all, dear lady. Only too happy,’ he assured her as he took her hand.

Marcus shook Harriet’s hand, his eyes gleaming in appreciation. ‘May I say you look ravishing tonight?’

‘Indeed you may.’ She smiled at him radiantly and turned to his sisters. ‘So do you two.’

Lily laughed, fluffing out the skirt of her pink chiffon dress. ‘You put us in the shade, Harriet.’

Claudia shrugged. ‘We played safe.’

Safe? In impossibly high heels and a black strapless dress with an outrageously short skirt, Claudia Graveney looked downright dangerous to Harriet.

James made sure they were supplied with drinks, and then excused himself to mingle with his employees. Harriet watched him over her glass as he stopped here and there, chatting with people who obviously felt at ease in his company.

Moira moved close. ‘On these occasions James always takes care to make sure everyone’s enjoying themselves.’

‘Does he throw parties often?’

‘Usually just twice a year. This is a one-off.’

In more ways than one, thought Harriet, and felt a shiver of apprehension as she watching the tall figure she had never thought to meet again in any circumstances, let alone in a party he was hosting at her own home. ‘Who is the young man circulating with your brother?’

‘His personal assistant, David Walker.’ Moira refused as she was offered more champagne. ‘How about you, Harriet?’

‘Just between you and me, I don’t really care for it. I’ll just nurse my glass.’

‘I’ll do the same,’ confessed Moira. ‘At my own wedding earlier this year I kept to lemonade.’

‘Are you discussing your drinking habits, wife?’ said her husband.

‘I sympathise with Moira,’ said Harriet, smiling at him. ‘I’m very popular when I go out with friends. I drive them home afterwards.’

‘It’s difficult to avoid alcohol at certain times,’ said Moira ruefully. ‘At my brother’s wedding I drank the toast rather than make a fuss.’

Harriet suddenly felt as if she were in a lift hurtling down to ground level. ‘One has to sometimes,’ she agreed brightly, and downed the rest of her wine. James was
married
? Couldn’t he have at least mentioned it—but then, why should he? It was nothing to do with her. Though why
wasn’t the woman here tonight? And why the devil was James messing about with Claudia? Harriet shot a look at the girl who was laughing for once with Lily and her boyfriend as she played up to admiring glances coming her way from several of the younger male guests. ‘Where is his wife now?’ she asked casually, and won a strange glance from both Graveneys.

‘In Australia, dear. They’re based in Sydney for a couple of years,’ said Moira. ‘The baby’s too young to travel, so I haven’t met him yet, alas.’

‘You will soon,’ said Marcus, smiling at Harriet. ‘I’ve promised my wife a trip to Australia in place of the honeymoon we didn’t have time to take earlier on. Once I’m fully established in Broad Street I’ll start sorting out holiday arrangements.’

‘Dan says the baby’s the image of him, but Kate swears he looks just like her,’ said Moira, and took a photograph from her beaded clutch. ‘I know it’s boring to pass round baby snaps, but he’s so sweet.’

Harriet’s fingers shook as she took the photograph, which showed two proud parents smiling over the bundle held in his mother’s arms. Dan, she thought, dazed. James’s brother. ‘How absolutely lovely,’ she said with fervour as David Walker came up the steps to the terrace to announce that dinner was served. Aubrey Wilde held out his arm to Moira.

‘Shall we, Mrs Graveney?’

‘Moira, please,’ she said, smiling. James came back to accompany his party down to the lawn and into the greenery-lined walkway towards the sound of soft piano music coming from the marquee, which looked magical with flower-filled tables, glittering chandeliers and a galaxy of twinkling stars in the midnight blue ceiling.

‘Wait here for a moment, please,’ said David. ‘I’ll go in first and announce you.’

‘Hell, no,’ said James. ‘We’ll follow on like everyone else.’

‘Right.’ But David still managed to get a signal to the pianist. The moment James appeared there was a dramatic arpeggio down the keys to announce his arrival and everyone began applauding.

‘Your brother’s a popular man,’ said Aubrey, impressed.

Moira nodded in misty-eyed agreement, and Harriet felt a pang of jealousy as sharp as a physical pain as Claudia gazed up at James with avid possession in her heavily painted eyes. She had to remember that he was nothing to do with her any more, married or not. She was shown to a chair between James and Marcus at the table of honour with Moira between her brother and Aubrey Wilde, and a pouting Claudia placed opposite, next to a young man James introduced to everyone as Tom Bradfield, his young development wizard. The girl would be obliged to talk to him, noted Harriet, hoping she would have the grace to do so. Dominic Hall on her other side was too absorbed in Lily to pay attention to her sister.

‘Pray silence for Mr James Crawford,’ David Walker announced, and Harriet tensed as James got to his feet to a barrage of flash photography. Her heart beat a frantic tattoo under the satin as she wondered if this was the moment he’d chosen to enlighten her father as to who, exactly, had paid to take over his home for the night. Instead, James took the opportunity to congratulate his original employees on their hard work, and at the same time welcome the new additions to the Live Wires Group workforce in celebration of a merger which would lead to even better and bigger things for the company in the future. Finally, with a bow to Harriet and her father, he raised his glass to toast
Mr Aubrey Wilde and Miss Harriet Wilde for allowing him to use their beautiful home to make the occasion doubly special.

James resumed his seat to tumultuous applause and, limp with relief, her fears set at rest, at least for now, and with Claudia half hidden by the flower centrepiece, Harriet felt she might actually enjoy the meal. With the piano music a muted background she chatted easily for a while to Marcus Graveney about his settling-in process in Broad Street, and then turned to James when he asked if she approved of the marquee.

‘I certainly do. Thank heavens my sister isn’t here. It’s far grander than the one Father hired for Sophie’s wedding.’ She gave him a straight look. ‘So, James. Are you happy now? Does all this give you the necessary satisfaction?’

‘Not yet,’ he muttered. ‘Your father still has no idea who I am.’

‘But
I
know. That’s some satisfaction, surely?’ Harriet gave him a bright smile, then turned to Marcus again.

When the meal was over there was a general rush outside before the rest of the evening began. Harriet took Moira and the girls up to the bathrooms in the house, and in response to Lily’s eager request took them over the rest of it afterwards while the men enjoyed a cigar in the garden. When they returned to the marquee a small band was in position, ready to play for the rest of the evening.

‘Do you like dancing, Harriet?’ Marcus asked, eyes twinkling.

‘When the occasion arises, yes,’ she assured him, surprised when the band struck up a waltz. She swallowed a chuckle at the horror on Claudia’s face.