Free The Promise by Freda Lightfoot Page A

boss.’
    ‘Exactly!’ Chrissie turned to look at him then and saw only warmth, and something she couldn’t quite put a name to. Interest? Speculation? Those deep-blue eyes suddenly seemed as mystical and unfathomable as the waters of the lake. ‘Thank you for understanding,’ was all she could manage by way of response.
    ‘You’re welcome.’
    There had been times recently when Chrissie had wondered if the grieving for Tom would ever pass. Sometimes she felt utterly bereft, a failure, less of a woman somehow, with no love in her life. Yet however frustrated and lonely she might feel, she was determined not to be pushed into something she wasn’t ready for. What if Peter turned out to be a bolter, like her father?
    ‘My mother tells me that men are all easy seduction, charming and romantic at first, full of kisses and sweet compliments. Then once the ring is on your finger, they lose interest and betray you without a second thought.’
    ‘Not all men. And some women are like that too.’
    Chrissie glanced at him, recognised the pain in his eyes. ‘So that’s how it was, eh? Then you were wise to call an end to the humiliation. You deserve better.’
    His eyes kindled with warmth and humour. ‘Are you offering?’
    She gave a little chuckle. ‘Cheeky! I’ve almost made up my mind not to risk marriage ever again. I’d found my soulmate in Tom. I think it very unlikely I could be sofortunate a second time, and have no wish to ruin my life by making a bad mistake.’
    ‘Good for you, except that would be a sad loss to mankind. A beautiful girl such as yourself could surely take her pick of husbands.’
    ‘Flatterer.’ She was laughing at his teasing now, even as she furiously shook her head. But they were talking easily, like old friends. She could never talk to Peter this way. ‘I mean to be my own person, or at least try.’ Chrissie told herself she certainly wouldn’t allow herself to be beguiled by soft words and flirting, however delicious. Nevertheless her insides seemed to melt just looking at this man.
    ‘Is that why you’re here? The Lakes tend to be an escape route for many.’
    She looked down at her hands, clamped firmly between her knees. ‘I felt the need for some time to think, to review my life and decide where I go from here. What a cliché. Everyone says that, I suppose.’
    ‘It’s still a good idea, to take your time over deciding, I mean.’ He gazed out over the rippling waters of the lake. ‘And this is as good a place as any in which to do it.’
    ‘That’s what I thought. This quiet solitude, the panoply of mountains, seem to offer peace, a sanctuary. So, how long have you lived in Windermere?’ She brightened her tone, suddenly desperate to change the subject.
    ‘All my life. My mother has worked for Mrs Cowper since she was a girl.’
    ‘They do seem very close.’ Chrissie paused, anxious to move away from her own personal troubles but worrying how to frame her next question without seeming tooinquisitive. ‘Does Mrs Cowper have much family of her own?’ Surely a perfectly reasonable question to ask.
    Ben plucked a blade of grass and began to idly chew on it. ‘Her husband died some years ago, but her son comes from time to time, usually to issue lectures and tell her what she should be doing. Moving out, if he had his way, or at least retire to one of her cottages.’
    So there was a son. Her uncle! Chrissie took a moment to absorb this detail.
    ‘Ryall didn’t approve of his mother’s decision to turn the family home into B&B and holiday lets. I think his wife has a fancy to be mistress of Rosegill Hall.’
    ‘I see.’ She was struggling to disguise the growing excitement she felt at these unexpected titbits. ‘And are there more … I mean … does Mrs Cowper have any grandchildren?’
    He picked up a stone and skimmed it across the still water, counting the bounces. ‘Five, not bad.’ Then laughed. ‘No, not five children, Ryall has two. A boy and girl, I