Free The Girl he Never Noticed by Lindsay Armstrong Page A

able to write a list and hand it over to someone.’
    She paused to draw several breaths and then continued, ‘I don’t want to have to worry any more about the state of the linen closet or whether we need new napkins. I don’t want to have to worry about the hiring and firing of the cleaning staff, or counting the silver in case any of them are light-fingered, or wondering if I gave the same set of guests the same meals the last time they were here because I forgot to make a note of it. I’d rather there was someone who could co-ordinate it all,’ she said a little wistfully.
    Cam looked at Liz with a question in his eyes, and she registered the fleeting thought that he hadn’t conjured up this job he’d offered her out of the blue—for whatever reason. It
did
exist. What also existed, she found herself thinking, was the fact that Cameron Hillier was well-loved by his staff. Not only Mrs Preston but Molly Swanson—and a few others she had met…
    She swallowed a piece of melt-in-the-mouth steak and said, ‘I think, whatever the outcome—my outcome, I mean—it would be criminal to burden you with all those other things any longer, Mrs Preston. This meal is one of the most delicious I’ve ever had.’
    ‘Thank you, Miss Montrose.’ Mrs Preston looked set to turn away, but she hesitated and added, ‘Archie really took to you. He said you’ve got a little girl?’
    ‘I do,’ Liz confirmed. ‘She’s nearly four.’
    ‘It’s a wonderful place for kids up here.’
    ‘So far, what do you think?’ Cam Hillier queried as they walked side-by-side down to the stables after lunch.
    There was a light breeze to temper the bite of the sun and to stir her hair, and the summery smell of grass and horses was all around as the path wound through the paddocks.
    ‘I—I still don’t know what to say,’ Liz confessed.
    He looked down at her. ‘In case you’re worried it’s a glorified housekeeper position, I can tell you that you’d not only be in charge of the inner workings of the house but also the gardens—the whole damn lot,’ he said, with a wave of his hand.
    ‘Surely you’d be better off with a man?’ she countered. ‘I mean a man who could…well…’ She looked around a little helplessly. ‘Mend fences and so on.’
    ‘A man who could mend fences in all likelihood couldn’t run the house. A woman, on the other hand, with a sharp eye and the ability to hire the help she needs when she needs it, should be able to do both.’ He paused and looked down at her. ‘A woman, furthermore, who stands no nonsense from anyone has to be an asset.’
    Liz released a long slow breath. ‘You make me feel like a sergeant-major. I’m sorry I once threatened you, but you did ask for it.’
    ‘Apology accepted,’ he said gravely. ‘Where were we? Yes. The house does need some upgrading. I’ve noticed it lately. Also there’s the stable computer program.’
    Liz was silent.
    ‘It would look good on your résumé,’ he said.‘Manager of the Yewarra Estate. It would look better than Temporary Diary Secretary.’
    ‘Assuming I agreed, when would you expect me to start?’
    He looked down at her wryly. ‘Not before Roger comes back and you hand over to him. And you might need a few days off to get organised. Here we are.’
    The stables were picturesque, with tubs of petunias dotted about, swept walkways and the earthy smell of manure combined with the sweet smell of hay on the air. They were also a hive of activity—and Liz saw what Cam Hillier had meant when he’d mentioned all the people who streamed in and out of the place. The stables had a separate entrance from the house.
    The office yielded another scene. A giant of a man in his forties, with sandy hair and freckles, and ‘outdoor type’ written all over him, was sitting in front of a computer almost literally tearing his hair out.
    He was Bob Collins, stud master, and he greeted Cam and Liz distractedly. ‘I’ve lost it again,’ he divulged as