Free A Mistletoe Proposal by Lucy Gordon

clasped in sheer ecstasy, her voice full of joy, her eyes glowing with blissful satisfaction.
    Roscoe regarded her, fascinated. It wasn’t his first sight of a beautiful woman in transports—in his arms, sometimes in his bed.
    But this one was looking at his computer.
    A touch of the switch had caused the machine to flower into glorious life, making her watch, riveted, as one state-of-the-art accessory after another leapt into the spotlight.
    â€˜Oh, goodness,’ she breathed. ‘Why haven’t I ever—? I’ve never even heard of some of these.’
    â€˜One of my clients owns a firm that makes software and computer peripherals,’ Roscoe said. ‘He’s at the cutting edge and I get everything ahead of the game. I’ll tell him you’re interested and I’m sure he’ll fix you up.’
    â€˜Oh, yes, please ! And look at the size of that screen, the biggest I’ve ever seen.’
    â€˜You should try one,’ Roscoe said. ‘It’s useful for having multiple documents open at once.’
    â€˜Ah, yes,’ she murmured. ‘Useful. How do I go online?’
    He touched a switch and in a moment she’d connected with her work computer, entered the password and brought up alist of documents. A few more clicks brought Ginevra’s face to the screen just as Charlie entered the room.
    â€˜Hey, that’s her!’ he exclaimed. Then he stared at the caption. ‘But who’s Biddy Felsom?’
    â€˜She is,’ Pippa said. ‘Known to the police as a small-time offender and pain in the neck. She enjoys getting stupid boys to do things they shouldn’t, pulling their strings, like she pulled yours.’
    â€˜Well, she’s history,’ Charlie said. ‘I know that you’ll save me from her.’
    â€˜Good. Now it’s time I was going home,’ Pippa observed.
    â€˜I’ll drive you,’ Roscoe said.
    â€˜No you won’t, I will,’ Charlie was quick to say.
    â€˜Neither of you will,’ Pippa said. ‘Mr Havering, will you call me a taxi?’
    â€˜I’ll drive you,’ Charlie insisted.
    â€˜Shut up!’ his brother said impatiently. ‘Can’t you see she’s had enough of the pair of us tonight? Miss Jenson, I suggest that the next meeting should be at my office. My secretary will call you to fix a time.’
    â€˜Certainly,’ she said in her most efficient tone.
    â€˜I know you can rescue me,’ Charlie said. ‘We’ll do it together because I’m going to take your advice in everything .’
    He said the last word with a breathless sincerity that made her regard him wryly. His eyes twinkled back at her and they laughed together.
    Angela came in and demanded to know what was happening. Charlie proclaimed his faith in Pippa, which made his mother embrace her.
    Roscoe took no part in this. He was calling the taxi.
    Just before it arrived, Charlie came to stand before her. ‘There’s something I’ve just got to know,’ he breathed.
    â€˜I’ll tell you if I can,’ she promised. ‘What is it?’
    â€˜This,’ he said, putting a hand behind her head and whipping out the clip in her hair, letting her glorious locks flow free.
    â€˜I’ve wanted to do that ever since we met,’ he said.
    â€˜Then you should be ashamed of yourself,’ Roscoe growled. ‘That’s no way to treat a lady.’
    â€˜Pippa’s not offended,’ Charlie pleaded. ‘Are you?’
    â€˜No, I’m not offended, but right this minute I feel like your nursemaid. I think you should call me Nanny.’
    â€˜Not in a million years,’ he said fervently.
    She gave a crow of laughter. ‘Well, my taxi seems to be here, so I’m leaving now. I’ll see you soon.’
    Charlie and Angela came with her to the gate, but Roscoe stayed back, declaring curtly that he had work to do. At the last minute he pushed