Pawn of the Billionaire(17)

“What’s the matter, Toni?” My body was wanting her, even just on the phone, her voice made me hard for her. I shifted in the chair. “Didn’t you think I’d call?”

She giggled nervously. “Not really. It doesn’t seem like it’s true. And …”

“And what?” The silence drew out uncomfortably. I waited, wondering what the real problem was.

Eventually, I heard her sigh. “Oh, nothing really, I suppose.” The background noises drew my attention.

“Where are you, Toni? Are you at home?”

“No.” She huffed a laugh. “I’m at the library, working. I do all my research here.”

I smiled. “You’re researching your family history.”

She sounded disbelieving. “Of course not. I’m studying. I come here every day when I’m not working.”

I scrambled to rescue the conversation. Of course, I’d read that she visited the library in her time off, but I hadn’t taken any notice. Now I wished I’d found out more. She definitely sounded pissed off.

“Of course. Studying.” I wondered what she was learning. “I was wondering if you’d thought at all about our conversation on Thursday, if you’d got any questions?” I found I was holding my breath.

“Well, yeah.” She sounded absent-minded, and I heard the click of the keyboard. “I don’t know enough to make any decisions. I need to ask you some stuff. But I can’t talk here, the librarian’s giving me a dirty look.”

“Wait!” I didn’t want her to cut the line. “Could the car pick you up after you’ve finished? We could have tea and discuss things.” I waited, but she didn’t answer. “Will you have finished by three?”

“All right. I’ll be at home.” Her voice was just a murmur, and the connection went dead.

I relaxed back into the chair. I felt relieved that we’d got that sorted at least. But I was concerned, and I didn’t like the feeling. Why did I get the impression she was reluctant? I knew I’d said to my father that not many girls would want to do this, but then I’d been assuming they would know Edward was the heir. Surely Toni would jump at the idea? Her home and her job meant such a crappy existence, that there must be another reason.

I got up and retrieved the folder of information on her from my desk. Back in the chair, I leafed through it. No sign of a boyfriend for a while. No sign of any social life, really. I frowned and began to read more carefully. It didn’t look as if she did anything apart from work and go to the library on her days off.

Skimming back through her timeline, it looked as if she’d got cut off from her friends at about the time her mother got ill, and that caring for her had taken up all her energy and her spark. The investigator’s conversations with people that had known her in the past showed a girl with a zest for life and an energy and enthusiasm for new experiences. A girl that I hadn’t seen last week. I wondered if it was just tiredness and exhaustion with her, or if she hadn’t really got over her mother’s death. Then again, I had to admit to myself, I’d barely really looked at her. My body had been so driven by lust, I’d just seen her superficially.

No. I had to stop this. I couldn’t get too closely involved. I must not. All I had to be concerned with was that she was suitable to become the next Countess, and that she had the energy and enthusiasm to do what that job entailed. And I’d like to see her have a happier life, but that couldn’t be difficult, seeing how she was living now.

I stuffed the papers back in the folder and strode to the window. I wondered what would happen this afternoon. I had to persuade her to agree to this, and I wanted her here for a few days before she went to Switzerland. I turned. I needed some exercise, and to take my mind off this conjecturing.

“Lawrence, any meetings scheduled for the next hour or so? I was thinking I might fit in a swim.” He must wonder what had got into me, I thought, amused, but when he shook his head, I took off for the pool room.

I needed a hard workout, so I ignored the view and surroundings, powering up and down for fifty or so lengths until I felt better. When I heaved myself out of the water, I toweled my hair off while looking out over the hillside. Below in the distance I could see the crowded part of the city where she lived and worked. The edge of the infinity pool seemed to vanish into the horizon, the water pouring over the edge. Surely, she’d want to stay here?



* * *



At three-thirty, I was waiting by the front steps as the car rolled to a halt. As the driver opened the door, I nodded at him, and went forward as she climbed out. My jaw tightened. She’d have to learn how to look elegant getting out of a car. There was so much to teach her, I almost wished I could do that myself.