But that's all part of our learning process about each other, she reminded herself as she turned back to begin her tortuous journey home.
She was just leaving the park when her mobile phone rang.
'Where on earth are you?' was Sandra's greeting. 'And how does it feel to be the heroine of the hour?'
Olivia halted. 'What do you mean?'
'Apparently you dashed off before they could hand out your medal.' Sandra laughed. 'But it seems one of the girls is about to go off on maternity leave and they want you to fill in for her, so they must be impressed.'
'You're joking.' The words burst from her.
'No, I'm perfectly serious, and so are they. I heard about how you rode to the rescue, and I'm full of admiration too. So what skill I tell them?'
Olivia bit her lip. 'Can I think about it and let you know?'
'Well-yes,' Sandra said slowly. She sounded astonished 'But what's the problem? I mean, this could be a really good contract for you-and it's a nice environment to work in.'
'Is it?' Olivia asked drily, thinking of Carol. 'Have you asked Barbara about that?'
Sandra sighed 'Sending her there was my mistake. I'm finding her a more conventional slot, where she'll be able to relax and enjoy using her skills. But you're a different proposition. I-I really thought you'd jump at the challenge.'
'Perhaps I'd prefer a more conventional slot too,' Olivia said She hesitated 'Will I be black-listed if I say no?'
'Of course not. There's plenty of work about.' Sandra sounded deflated 'But nothing as interesting.'
'Perhaps it all depends on your interests.' Olivia paused. 'But I'll be in touch as soon as I've decided.'
She switched off the phone and put it back in her bag, her mind whirling. This was the last thing she'd expected It would almost be worth taking them up on the offer simply to see Carol's face. Except that she'd find herself looking at Declan Malone at the same time.
And that, she knew, was not a good idea, for all kinds of reasons that she didn't want to examine too closely.
If I never see him again it will be too soon, she told herself firmly.
And wondered why she had to keep convincing herself of something so self-evident.
CHAPTER SIX
She was still deep in thought when she turned into Lancey Terrace, and had nearly reached the house when she realised that a familiar figure was lounging against the railings.
She stopped dead, her brows snapping together in a swift frown.
'So there you are at last' Declan came towards her.
'And here you axe for no reason at all,' she countered.
'I have an excellent reason,' he said. 'Believe it or not, I've come to thank you.'
'Consider it said,' Olivia told him curtly. 'Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have a shower and something to eat.'
'And also to ask you to have dinner with me.' He was blocking her way. 'And don't tell me you have a prior engagement, because it's clear you haven't'
'No,' she said 'But a subsequent one is always a possibility.'
'I think Jeremy is tied up with some work thing tonight' He paused, then smiled at her. For the first time it seemed to her that he was seeing her as a real person, and-more disturbingly-a woman. She was aware of an odd frisson- something between pleasure and apprehension. An internal voice seemed to be telling her to step back-to distance herself. And yet she found that she was standing her ground.
He said gently, 'Olivia-I'm really grateful for what you did today, and I'd like to express it in some tangible way. Have dinner with me, please?'
She was silent for a moment, then she threw back her head, staring him straight in the eye. 'I'll tell you how you could thank me.' Her voice shook slightly. 'You could get off my case.'
'Pardon?' His brows lifted.
'You heard me. If you're so grateful-do that for me. Give Jeremy and me some space to make a life together. You don't have to approve-just stand back.'
He was very still, his narrowed eyes fixed on her pale face. Then he nodded, giving her a swift, crooked grin.
'It's a deal.'
'You mean it?' She was astounded.
'Yes,' he said. And shrugged 'Qué será, será,' he added softly. 'And now a truce has been declared, will you agree to have dinner with me-at the third time of asking?
Instinct-reason-warned her to refuse. Words of polite denial were already forming in her mind.
Instead, she heard herself say primly, 'Thank you. I- I'd like that.'
'A slight exaggeration.' His grin widened. 'But-who knows? Maybe you'll come to mean it-one of these days.' He paused. 'Shall we say eight o'clock? I'll pick you up here.' His smile touched her startled eyes and parted lips. 'Until then,' he said, and walked away, leaving her staring after him.
As Declan let himself into his house Jeremy came out of the kitchen carrying a can of beer.
'Hi. Do you want one?'
Declan shook his head. 'I'm going out to dinner later.' He paused. 'I thought you were working tonight.'
Jeremy shrugged. 'I was supposed to be meeting a client, but it was cancelled, so I'm playing squash with Tom Bainbridge instead. I just came home to change.' He gave Declan a leering glance. 'So, who's the lucky lady tonight? One of your groupies?'
'On the contrary.' Declan felt a curl of distaste inside him. God, he thought, love must be a weird thing if it kept a sane girl like Maria wanting this oaf. And Olivia too.
'You mean she didn't fall on her back the moment you looked at her?' Jeremy gave a loud laugh. 'She must be unique.'
'Possibly.' Declan gave him a thin-lipped smile. 'Certainly deserving of my closest attention.'
'I get you.' Jeremy winked. 'No worries, old boy. I'll be the invisible man when I come back tonight'
'Thanks,' Declan said drily. 'But that might be a little premature.'
'Playing hard to get, is she?' Jeremy's face darkened slightly. 'They're the worst'
Ah, thought Declan, suddenly alert. So things aren't going to plan in the romance of the century. How interesting. Yet he was with her the other night. Sasha is sure of it.
Aloud, he said lightly, 'I'm taking things gently. She's- currently involved.'
'And you're going to create a diversion?' Jeremy laughed again. 'My God, you can be a bastard sometimes. She won't know what's happening to her.'
Declan gave him a tranquil smile. 'I'm counting on it,' he said 'Now I'm going up to shower.'
'Before you go-' Jeremy cleared his throat awkwardly. 'I want you to know that I'm seriously looking for a place of my own.'
Declan halted, one foot on the bottom stair. 'Any particular reason?' he asked, brows raised.
Jeremy did not meet his eyes. 'It's been good of you to have me here-but it's time I want. You want your privacy, and I-I need my independence.'
Declan nodded expressionlessly. 'What does Maria think?'
Jeremy looked more uncomfortable than ever. 'Well, I haven't really discussed it with her. I thought I'd see a few flats-narrow the choice a little first' He gave an unconvincing laugh. 'After all-you know women.'
'I've known some,' Declan agreed, thoughtfully. 'Well- good luck with the hunt.'
'And good luck with yours too, old boy.' Jeremy lifted his beer can in a parody of a toast, then went back into the kitchen.
Declan went up to his room, thinking furiously. He'd lay odds that Jeremy wasn't planning to set up house with his wife, he told himself grimly. So his decision to make a play for Olivia, to use himself as bait to lure her from Jeremy, hadn't been made a moment too soon.
He wasn't sure when the idea had first come to him. But there was no denying that Olivia had been a thorn in his flesh since she'd arrived on his doorstep, blurting out her plans to wreck Maria's marriage.
His immediate impulse had been to kick Jeremy out of his house into well-deserved oblivion and tell Maria everything, but more rational thought convinced him that he should not be the catalyst in the destruction of his cousin's relationship.
For reasons best known to himself-reasons he couldn't fathom-she seemed determined to hang in there. She wanted to make the marriage work somehow-even at a distance. And he had to respect her decision, and her needs, even if he disagreed profoundly with them.
The last time they'd talked on the telephone she'd sounded more hopeful-even chirpy. He wasn't going to be the one to bring that defeated note back into her voice.
What he hadn't allowed for was Olivia's stubborn determination to have Jeremy herself.
Indeed, he found it well-nigh incredible that someone as basically worthless as Jeremy should have two women desperate to spend their lives with him.
Either he has hidden qualities I know nothing about or he's one hell of a stud, he thought cynically.
Or was it simply that Jeremy was Olivia's first love, and she'd elevated him on to some kind of pedestal?
Whatever, it was clear that all was not perfect in the Garden of Eden, so he'd see what a little concentrated temptation could do. Find out if he could lead Olivia astray. Beguile her into falling in love a little.