Free Seduction Never Lies by Sara Craven

good judge,’ Jago said lightly. ‘As someone said, why should the devil have all the best tunes?’
    ‘But I didn’t think yours was a tune.’ Tavy’s voice was quiet. ‘It was too angry. It made me feel uncomfortable.’ She added, ‘But I expect that was the intention.’
    There was an odd silence, then Patrick said, ‘I’m getting myself another pint.’ And went.
    ‘You must excuse me too,’ said Fiona, brightly. ‘I need to powder my nose.’
    Leaving Tavy alone at the table with Jago Marsh in a silence which was suddenly almost tangible.
    And which he was the first to break. ‘So he isn’t just the employer’s son?’
    ‘No,’ she said, slightly breathless, shakily aware that his eyes were travelling slowly over her, lingering shamelessly on the softly rounded curves tantalisingly displayed by the low neckline of the indigo dress, as if the fabric that covered her no longer existed. As if he was remembering exactly how much he’d seen of her at their first meeting. And, judging by his faint smile, enjoying every moment of the memory.
    Making her wish almost desperately that she’d worn something less revealing, and tied her hair back instead of leaving it loose.
    And that there was something altogether more substantial than a pub table between them.
    Fight back, she thought as, in spite of herself, a slow tingle of awareness shivered through her body. Don’t let him do this to you.
    She lifted her chin. ‘We’re—involved.’
    He nodded reflectively. ‘And how does the employer feel about that?’
    ‘That is none of your business!’
    ‘Oh, dear,’ he said lightly. ‘That bad, eh?’
    ‘Not at all,’ she denied swiftly. ‘I simply prefer not to discuss it.’ Especially with you...
    His eyes never left her. ‘So, exactly how deep is this involvement, or am I not allowed to ask that either?’
    Colour rose in her face. ‘No you’re not.’
    ‘Which totally confirms my suspicions,’ he murmured.
    ‘Well, you have no right to suspect anything,’ Tavy countered, her flush deepening. ‘Or to indulge in any kind of unwarranted speculation about my personal life.’
    ‘Wow, that’s serious stuff,’ Jago said, grinning at her. ‘I shall consider myself rebuked.’
    ‘Now I’ll ask you something,’ she said. ‘What made you choose the Willow Tree of all places tonight?’
    ‘I didn’t,’ he said. ‘In case you think I’m stalking you or something equally sinister. In fact, the former Mrs Latimer suggested it. She and her father came up to the Manor this morning to introduce themselves, and, as they were leaving, I asked her if she’d like to go for a drink.’
    He paused. ‘You see? My life, unlike yours, is an open book.’
    ‘But one I’d prefer not to read,’ she said crisply, seeing with relief that Patrick was returning from the bar, edging gingerly through the crowd with his brimming glass, his face flushed and sullen. ‘Just as I’d rather we kept our distance from each other in future.’
    ‘That could be tricky,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘Hazelton Magna being such a very small village.’ He added softly, ‘Besides, Octavia, you were the one who came calling first. If you remember.’
    She took a gulp of champagne to ease the sudden tightness in her throat.
    She said thickly, ‘I’m hardly likely to forget.’
    His smile seemed to touch her like the stroke of a finger on her skin. ‘Then at least we have that in common,’ he murmured and rose politely as Fiona also reappeared.
    After that, it was downhill all the way. Once the complimentary champagne was gone, Jago, to Fiona’s open satisfaction and her own secret dismay, simply ordered another bottle.
    She tried to catch Patrick’s eye to hint it was time to go, but her signal was ignored and he went off to the bar in his turn to obtain a third, or, she realised, startled, possibly even a fourth pint.
    Which meant that he’d be in no fit state to drive, she thought, taking a covert peep at her watch,