New Boss at Birchfields (19 page)

Briony was hurrying towards Birchfields when she encountered Johnny exercising one of Blane
’
s thoroughbreds. When Johnny reined him in he danced nervously on the grass verge.
‘
Watch out,
’
Johnny called.
‘
We don
’
t want you falling into the ditch just when you
’
re all dolled up. You
’
ve certainly come around all right! But why the smart outfit?
’

‘I
’
m going into Aberdeen with the boss. He doesn
’
t feel he
’
s up to choosing the right prizes for the children—and frankly, I don
’
t think he is either. Anyway, I
’
m delighted to get the chance of the afternoon off instead of slopping around in shabby old jeans and scuffed sweaters that have been washed too often.
’

He leaned forward and gazed down at her, his eyes twinkling.
‘
Oh, come, Briony, don
’
t try to pull the wool over my eyes—you look positively glowing. I always knew you
’
d fall for the boss. Women always do,
’
he ended with a sigh.

CHAPTER TEN

When
she arrived at Birchfields, Blane was waiting for her by the big pale grey car. He was wearing a suit of fine tweed that showed off his blocky build, with a matching cap jauntily perched at an angle over his eyes.

For the first time it struck her that, while he could not be called handsome, he was not the kind of man one would pass in a crowd without a second glance. His rugged face, with those strikingly acute blue eyes, was full of interest and energy, and vitality seemed to crackle from him like live electricity.

Briony caught the quick sideways flickering glance of his blue eyes as she slipped into her place beside him and realised that it had encompassed every detail of her outfit. Somewhere, deep down, she felt a little glow of satisfaction. Without making any remark, he had noted and approved of her appearance.

As they set off she could not resist a little covert glance at his profile—her reactions heightened by Johnny
’
s recent remarks. But his rugged features betrayed nothing except concentration on controlling the powerful car.

As they drove through the magically beautiful countryside Blane
’
s mood seemed to soften, and she was surprised at his deep knowledge of the legends and stories of the district. Knowing that Byron was her favourite poet, he told her that Byron had spent his childhood in Aberdeen, and she saw how this rugged granite background seemed to be a suitable setting for the author of the haunting
‘
Dark Lochnagar
’
.

As they chatted Briony felt relaxed and at ease, and it struck her that it was the first time she had not felt defensive and on edge in Blane
’
s presence. Perhaps it was because on this occasion she no longer regarded him as her boss who seemed to have eyes in the back of his head.

As soon as they reached Aberdeen he drove her on a short tour of the city. He pointed out the Brig of Balgowrie and told her that, as a child, Byron used to be terrified when he rode across it on his pony because it had been foretold that a widow
’
s only son would come to disaster there and he feared that this prophecy referred to him.

There had been a brief shower as they approached the city and the old buildings sparkled in the sunshine. Against this in contrast were the great blocks of high
-
rise flats looking incongruously modern again
s
t the ancient stone.

Curiously enough, up till now, Briony had not given any thought to Jeremy, and it was only as they drove past the imposing fa
c
ade of Stanton Hodges and Company that there flooded into her mind the memory of that disastrous interview with Jeremy and the bitterness she had felt at his rejection. As her eyes riveted on the cold gleam of the plate glass windows she wondered behind which one Jeremy worked. Was he seated behind the successful businessman
’
s immense desk, or even, she thought with a pang, chatting with the elegant Texan girl.

She jerked her head away and stared ahead. She mustn
’
t think of the past, she told herself, not now when her life was set on a different path.

They stopped at a traffic light, and she became aware that Blane
’
s eyes were fixed on her.

‘
How long is it since you
’
ve seen anything of Aberdeen?
’
he asked quietly, and she wondered for a moment if he had noticed her unhappiness.

‘
Oh, I used to come here on trips when I was staying with Hettie at Birchfields as a child.
’
She tried to force a smile.
‘
But I
’
m afraid the only thing I took an interest
in was the wonderful teas with luscious cream cakes we used to indulge in when the shopping expedition was over.
’

The lights had changed and they drove on. To her
r
elief then Blane relapsed into silence. Not for worlds would she want him to know of that awful debacle with Jeremy!

‘
I suppose it
’
s time we got down to it and chose the trinkets for the children,
’
he was saying, as they drove along Union Street.

When he had parked, they retraced their steps, pausing now and then to gaze into the windows of jewellers
’
shops. Briony enjoyed herself thoroughly. There was something exhilarating about the sparkle and glitter.

‘
Well, what do you think?
’
Blane asked.

‘
What about a charm bracelet?
’
she ventured,
‘
with identical charms for a beginning—say a tiny stirrup. Later on, the children
’
s parents or relations or friends might add to their collection at birthdays and Christmas and so on.
’

Blane looked at her doubtfully.
‘
Perhaps we
’
d better go in and see what they have to offer, before making up our minds.
’

Once inside, they separated and examined the showcases. Briony found herself fascinated by one in particular. It contained trays of engagement rings in every conceivable gem. They shimmered and flared in the cunningly positioned lighting. Not far from her she saw a couple, their heads close together as they discussed the rings in one of the cases. The expression on their faces made it very obvious that they were oblivious of the impression they made as, hand in hand, they gazed down on the glittering jewels.

For a moment Briony let her mind wander. Suppose, instead of coming to buy trinkets for the girls, she and Blane were on a different mission—to purchase the ring she preferred to all the others. It was composed of sapphires the colour of the night sky and diamonds as bright as the stars. As her eyes lingered on it an assistant approached. And at the same time Blane joined her.

‘
Interested in engagement rings?
’
the assistant enquired with the faintly sly expression the elderly are inclined to reserve for engaged couples.

Briony felt herself blush furiously.
‘
Oh no, of course not!
’
she muttered. Then, turning to Blane, she said rapidly and with rather too much interest,
‘
Well, have you seen anything you would like for the children?
’

He shook his head.
‘
No, I
’
m afraid selecting trinkets for little girls is distinctly not my forte. But I did see a display case over here that might contain something you would think suitable.
’

As she followed him she had the distinct impression that she had detected a sardonic gleam in his eyes. Could he by any chance have divined the thoughts that had been running through her mind as she gazed at those opulent engagement rings? But then how on earth could he? she thought. The idea was utterly ridiculous! Yet, in spite of his rugged, rough exterior she had always subconsciously known that he was acutely perceptive. She would have to be a bit more cautious when she let her mind wander in Blane
’
s direction, she told herself.

Briony now found herself in front of a case which held such a wealth of suitable gifts that she felt at a loss. Here was a mult
itude of trinkets to gladden an
y child
’
s heart; necklaces of coral, tiny animals fashioned in marcasite, owls with topaz eyes, slender silver bangles, a variety of charms in gold and silver. In the end she was divided between a brooch fashioned like a Scottish thistle, made of amethyst chips from the Cairngorm mountains, and one representing a spray of lucky white heather, the blossom formed of tiny seed pearls.

‘
Well, what do you think?
’
Blane asked at last.

Briony frowned thoughtfully.
‘
I don
’
t know which
I prefer, the amethyst brooch or the Scottish white heather.
’

‘
Well, why not get one of each?
’
he asked.

Briony smiled.
‘
That wouldn
’
t do at all! Can you imagine the squabbles there would be if they both wanted the same brooch!
’

‘
Well, I did tell you I didn
’
t understand the mentality of young females,
’
he said, his mouth quirking.

‘
I think on the whole I
’
ll plump for the thistle,
’
Briony decided.
‘
I
’
ve the feeling these brooches will get some pretty rough handling, and the thistles look more durable than the seed pearls.
’

When the trinkets had been wrapped in cotton wool, and tied up in separate boxes, Briony tucked them into her handbag.

As they went out into the street, Blane said with relief,
‘
Well, that
’
s over! But now there
’
s the question of consolation prizes.
’

‘
You mean you
’
re going to give them
all
something?
’
Briony asked in surprise.

‘
Why not? I know this much about the kids, they
’
ve no competitive spirit. It will cause bad feeling if they don
’
t go home with something. And what
’
s more,
’
he added with a grin,
‘
I
’
ll get the reputation of being a skinflint—and that won
’
t do the Lennox Riding School any good.
’

She smiled, then said severely,
‘
Now you
’
re being cynical!
’

‘
And isn
’
t that what you
’
ve always thought of me?
’
And for a moment he looked at her directly, his eyes grave.

Briony evaded his glance. There was something all
-
encompassing about it that made her feel uncomfortable.
‘
What were you thinking of getting for the others?
’
she asked hurriedly.

‘
I suppose sweets would be in order,
’
he said in his usual brisk, decisive manner.
‘
That
’
s usually what they give at these affairs. These trinkets of ours will be quite an innovation. We want it to be a roaring success, don
’
t we?
’

She nodded, feeling her heart sink a little. Yes, he wanted this treasure hunt to be a success—for Senga
’
s sake. It would give her a good image with Miss Anderson, and justify the riding lessons and other expenses that had been involved.

Quickly Blane chose one of the largest confectioners in Union Street. Briony was amazed at the prices of some of the goods. Here were gigantic boxes of sweets at fantastic prices. There were hand-made chocolates from the Continent, and all sorts of mouthwatering dainties.
‘
How on earth could anyone afford this?
’
she gasped as she gazed around her.

‘
Money is no object in Aberdeen now,
’
he told her.
‘
The worst paid workers in the oil-fields earn hundreds of pounds per week. Anything they fancy, they can have.
’
After some searching Briony managed to collect a selection of small boxes of chocolates with attractively coloured pictures on the lids. When these had been packed into a large cardboard container, Blane carried it out to the car and locked it safely in the trunk.

‘
And now,
’
he remarked,
‘
I think it
’
s time we had something to eat.
’
He glanced at his watch.
‘
But first I have a bit of business to do.
’
He pointed out a hotel.
‘
If we went along there now would you mind waiting for a little while? I shan
’
t be long.
’

‘
I
’
d rather do a little window-shopping,
’
she told him diffidently.
‘
Aberdeen has changed so completely from the town I knew when I was a child, and the windows are so exciting. It
’
s wonderful to gaze at such expensive things, even if I can
’
t afford them.
’

‘
Suit yourself!
’
he told her.
‘
I
’
m just as pleased you
’
ve decided to do this, in case I
’
m delayed. But if I am, go in and wait for me in the foyer. But I
’
ll try not to be too long.
’