Free The Forbidden Innocent by Sharon Kendrick Page A

black eyes met hers. ‘You respond very well to direction, I’ve found.’
    ‘And what if I told you that I’m not very hungry?’
    ‘I’d say it was irrelevant. Since when did hunger ever really play a part at dinner parties? I want you there—so go and get changed, Ashley, and I’ll see you later.’
    And with this, he strode from the study, leaving Ashley feeling flustered and slightly rebellious. Could she get out of going? For a moment she was tempted—until she realised she had no choice other than to fall in with his plans. A refusal to attend might look like defiance and somehow she knew that he wouldn’t let her get away with it. She could easily imagine himstorming up to her room and haranguing her until she complied with his wishes. Reluctantly, she went upstairs to shower and when she came out of the bathroom she could hear squeals of female laughter coming from the floor below.
    Surveying the meagre contents of her wardrobe, she gave a grimace. She didn’t own the kind of clothes which were suitable for a fancy dinner in a millionaire home and she pulled out the only dress which was halfway presentable. It was her ‘best’ dress and she’d chosen it mainly because it was so quiet and unmemorable that she could wear it lots of times without people realising they’d seen it before.
    In soft grey silk, it skimmed her body rather than clinging to it, and she wore it with a single rope of fake pearls. As always, she scooped her hair off her face, but she left the style slightly softer than usual. Because while Jack might have gone out of his way to remind her that she was a member of staff, she didn’t want to look as if she were about to start taking dictation!
    Rarely had she felt so stricken with nerves as she went downstairs towards the sound of animated chatter. She kept telling herself that she had faced far worse in her life than a smart dinner party full of strangers. What about all the times she’d been sent to new foster parents—before becoming painfully aware that they were taking her in solely to earn themselves some extra money? And what about the times she’d seen disappointment on the faces of her newest ‘family’—whenthey realised that the mousey little orphan they’d been allotted was lacking in any attractive characteristics?
    ‘Ah, Ashley. Here you are.’ Jack looked up as she walked into the room and his eyes narrowed—leaving her wondering if her choice of outfit was an appalling one.
    Judging by those worn by the other two women, it might well be because she felt like some mediocre shadow in comparison. A statuesque brunette was shimmering in a thigh-skimming scarlet silk dress which complemented her long nails, while a cool blonde wore a shade of blue which perfectly matched her eyes. There was only one other person present—an elegant man with dark russet hair and an expression of mischief on his face. The three of them looked up and smiled at Ashley, and she did her best to smile back.
    Jack stepped towards her and propelled her forward, his hand resting briefly at the small of her back—as if he was afraid that she might simply turn tail and run away again. And Ashley couldn’t prevent her shiver of recognition as she felt him touch her. Did he remember the way they had kissed the other day, she wondered—or was kissing a woman no big deal to a man like him?
    His brilliant black eyes gleamed down at her. ‘Ashley—let me introduce you to everyone. This is Kate.’
    ‘Hi, Ashley,’ said the blonde, in a soft, Scottish accent.
    ‘And this is.’ he paused as the knockout brunette glanced up at him and smiled ‘… Nicole.’
    At this, Nicole’s smile became warmer. ‘Hello, Ashley—Jack’s told us all about you.’
    ‘He has?’
    ‘He certainly has. Says you’re the only secretary who’s never grumbled about his handwriting.’
    ‘That’s because I promised her a bonus if she didn’t,’ said Jack, and they all laughed.
    But Ashley’s smile felt