Splendor(148)
Chapter Twenty
Mid-May
“Now, don’t be thinking that just because you’ve brought Tessa along with you that I’ll be willing to forgive the fact it’s been a very long time since your last visit.”
Ian and Tessa exchanged a knowing look as Francine Carrington regarded both of them sternly. Mrs. C. hadn’t changed one bit since the last time either of them had seen her. She was a small woman, almost delicate looking, but far too many people over the years had assumed from her appearance that she was also fragile in nature. It usually took less than a minute in her presence to realize that nothing could be farther from the truth.
Even in the heat of a late Arizona spring, Francine insisted on wearing one of her proper, severely tailored tweed suits and a high-necked blouse. Ian wondered if this particular beige suit had been one she’d worn while still working in London. He couldn’t help but think it seemed oddly familiar to him. Her hairstyle hadn’t changed in twenty years either – her obviously dyed auburn hair scraped back into a tight bun from which even one errant strand didn’t dare escape. And even through the thick lenses of her glasses, her gaze was as sharp as ever, never missing a trick or the tiniest detail. Ian wasn’t certain he would ever truly get over being terrified by one of her scathing glances.
But it seemed that after all these years he had finally discerned Mrs. C’s one soft spot – which by some fortunate coincidence was also his own weakness – Tessa. He could have sworn he’d seen Mrs. C’s eyes looking a bit moist when he and Tessa had entered her office just a few minutes ago, and the older woman had actually given Tessa a brief hug. Not so himself, of course. She would never dream of being so familiar with a superior, and had instead given him one of her surprisingly firm hand shakes.
Francine looked Tessa over critically, her razor sharp gaze not missing a thing. “You look exceptionally well, dear. I see Ian has done something about replacing that appalling Walmart wardrobe of yours, thank God.” She flicked her fingers over the collar of Tessa’s ivory silk blouse. “But the blouse is cut a bit too low for the office. And the skirt needs to be lowered an inch or two.”
Ian shook his head in amusement. “Leave her alone, Mrs. C. Tessa is dressed exactly as I prefer her to be. I’m afraid you don’t get to boss her around any longer.”
Francine shot him an evil look. “But then she doesn’t officially work for you any longer either, does she, Ian?” She scowled at Tessa. “I do hope you’re not letting him take complete control of everything in your life. He might be the boss at work, but I trust you remember to stick up for yourself at other times?”
Tessa gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s not like that at all. He’s wonderful to me, treats me like a princess. And I’ve never been so happy.”
Francine harrumphed. “Well, you deserve to be, my girl. You, too, young Ian. Don’t think I didn’t know exactly what I was doing when I sent Tessa your way.”
Tessa frowned. “How could you have known we’d end up together? I was married, after all.”
The older woman shot her a look of disbelief. “To a boy you treated like he was your brother, or your best friend. I saw the two of you together on enough occasions to realize there was nothing in the least romantic between you, not even a tiny spark. Nothing at all,” she added smugly, “like what you and young Ian here have.”
Ian smiled, sliding his hand to Tessa’s nape and pressing his chest against her back. “And what exactly might that be, Mrs. Eagle Eye?”
Francine’s mouth tightened in disapproval. “Obviously you’re madly in love with the girl. A half-blind simpleton could see that from a mile away. And I’ll remind you, Mr. Gregson, that I don’t condone any hanky-panky in my office. I don’t care if you’re the Managing Director or the King of England, there’ll be none of that funny business here.”
He laughed heartily, stepping a short distance away from Tessa. “I’m surprised you haven’t hired a chaperone for us. Though I hate to be the one to break the news – I’ve already taken advantage of her. Numerous times.”
“Well, of course you have. I’m quite certain that the moment you learned she was getting a divorce – which, by the way, ought to have happened long before it did, in my opinion – you were making plans to stake your claim. Am I right?”
Ian was astounded to feel his cheeks flush with embarrassment at the very forthright question posed by the petite woman who was even now staring him down. “Uh, well, perhaps just a bit.”