Harlequin Presents January 2015 Box Set 3 of 4(140)

He shrugged. ‘Its coffee does not deserve the name. But it serves its purpose in other ways. I have found it une veritable mine de renseignements.’

He paused, observing her puzzled expression. ‘A mine of information,’ he explained. He gave her an ironic look. ‘Also the girls who work there smile more.’

Ginny stiffened. ‘Perhaps they have more to be happy about. You seem to forget that I have lost someone I looked on as a father for a lot of years.’

‘As I did not,’ he said with a touch of harshness. ‘For most of my life, he was just a name. And when that changed, at first I did not welcome it.’

‘Whereas we weren’t even aware you existed.’

He said drily, ‘And you wish it had stayed that way, n’est-ce pas?’

‘I certainly wish we’d been prepared,’ she returned stonily. ‘Instead of being subjected to one shock after another.’

‘And you hate him for this?’

She gave him a startled look. ‘No—no, of course not. How could I?’ She paused. ‘I just don’t understand how he could have kept all this from us for so long.’

He said softly, ‘But we all have our secrets, do we not? Matters we prefer to keep from the world?’ For a second his reflective gaze lingered on her parted lips, as if reminding her of those brief devastating moments in his arms, and to her fury, Ginny felt her skin warm in a response she was unable to control.

‘As for my father...’ He shrugged again. ‘Perhaps, he believed there would always be more time—to explain the past and talk of his plans for the future. A lesson we should value, peut-être.’

‘Just as I should remember I’m here to work,’ she said curtly, still feeling off-balance and hating him for it. ‘I’ll get your coffee, Monsieur Duchard.’

‘And bring one for yourself. I wish to speak with you.’

‘That’s against the rules. We don’t sit with the customers.’

His brows lifted mockingly. ‘Oh là là. Not even when it is with a member of the family?’

‘You and I are in no way related,’ she said. Adding, ‘Thankfully.’

‘Then we agree on something, enfin.’ He smiled at her. ‘Now, for once, break this rule that I do not believe exists, and drink coffee with me.’ He added drily, ‘On the understanding, bien sûr, that we do not throw it over each other.’

Ginny sent him a fulminating glance then went reluctantly to the hotplate behind the counter and poured two black coffees, aware she was under scrutiny through the glazed panel at the top of the kitchen door.

There was a large mirror on the back wall, and she caught a glimpse of herself as she turned, all shiny face and hair in lank wisps.

She looked like someone who’d been on her feet all day—and in a menial job at that, while the butcher’s apron made her feel suddenly like a badly wrapped parcel.

But what the hell, she thought. He has no illusions about me. He came here to talk, that’s all.

Her hands were shaking, in an echo of the foolish inner turmoil she seemed unable to control, but she managed to get the cups back to the table without spilling any of the liquid in the saucers.

‘What did you want to discuss?’ she asked, perching awkwardly on the edge of her chair.

‘Let us begin with your extraordinary wish to buy this business.’

She put her cup down quickly. ‘How did you know about that?’

‘My father told me.’ He paused. ‘Please understand that he did not wish to disappoint you, but he did not favour the proposal.’

‘He told you that?’ Mortified, Ginny swallowed. ‘But—why?’

‘He did not want you to be the next Miss Finn. He thought you too young to bury yourself in such a future.’

She bit her lip. ‘Well, it hardly matters. The café’s being sold to someone else.’

‘So you will be looking for a fresh start, away from here, peut-être.’

She said shortly, ‘I haven’t decided.’

His mouth curled slightly. ‘No doubt there is much to consider. But I advise you to ignore your mother’s hopes of having my father’s will set aside in her favour. It will not happen, no matter what avocat she chooses to employ in place of Monsieur Hargreaves.’

‘In his place?’ Ginny was bewildered. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘They spoke on the telephone today. She was angry he had not warned her that the house had been rented. He explained that he had not wished to immediately burden her with more bad news. That he awaited only a convenient opportunity. But it made no difference. She no longer wishes him to act for her.’