you behave like this I never will, either,’ she snapped, glaring at him over her son’s damp curls.
‘Don’t involve the police, love, please,’ he pleaded. ‘I’ll never have a drink again if you let me see more of Robert. I’m not like your dad, Stacy, honest. I would never hurt you or my boy.’
She nodded slowly. ‘I know that, Greg.’
There was silence for a moment while the young pair gazed at each other, oblivious of the other two.
‘You can load the buggy in the car and I’ll drive you home, Stacy,’ said Harriet at last, but the girl shook her head firmly.
‘No way, Harriet. I’ll wheel Robert, and Greg can carry my things.’
The boy’s eyes lit up. ‘Can I give Robert his tea?’
‘Yes. And his bath, if you like.’ She fastened her sleeping son in his pushchair, and turned to Harriet. ‘After all this fuss do you still want me on Thursday?’
‘Of course I do.’
‘Thanks.’ She eyed Harriet’s pallor anxiously. ‘You look shattered. I’d better make you some tea before I go.’
‘No need, I’ll do that,’ said James quickly.
Stacy smiled shyly at him. ‘OK, Mr Devereux. Come on, then, Greg.’
The boy looked at Harriet in remorse. ‘I’m really sorry. I know Stacy works here on Mondays so I came round to apologise for last night. I didn’t expect to find Robert here. When I saw him on your lap I just lost it.’
‘Because Stacy left your son with a stranger instead of with you,’ Harriet said with understanding.
‘Which gave you no right to terrorise Miss Verney, my lad,’ said James sternly.
‘I know that, Mr Devereux.’ Greg pulled a face. ‘When Dad hears about this I’ll probably get a shiner to match Stacy’s.’
‘He won’t hear it from me,’ James assured him, relenting.
When the young pair had finally departed with their son James drew out a chair. ‘You look exhausted, Harriet. Sit down. Is there anything to drink in the house?’
‘Wine in the fridge.’
‘No brandy?’
‘There might be some in the cabinet in the other room.’ She got up, but James pushed her down again.
‘I’ll look.’
Surprised by an urge to lay her head down on the table and howl once she was alone, Harriet combed her fingers through her untidy hair, brushed soggy biscuit crumbs from her T-shirt, and managed a smile when James returned with a bottle of cognac and two crystal brandy snifters.
‘My grandmother’s emergency kit,’ she informed him.
‘I think we can definitely class this as an emergency.’ He poured a small quantity into each glass and handed one over.
Harriet took a cautious sip from hers, shuddering a little as the fiery heat hit her. ‘Thank you for coming to my rescue. Greg gave me rather a shock.’
James nodded. ‘I know. That’s why I was so rough with the kid.’
‘It probably taught him a lesson.’ Harriet smiled ruefully. ‘When Stacy said the child’s father had hit her I visualised some bruiser with fists like sledgehammers, so Greg came as something of a surprise. It was sad, really. Robert was delighted to see his daddy until Greg frightened him by yelling at me. How do you know Watts Senior, by the way?’
‘You probably know him as Frank. He’s the head gardener up at the house. I’ve known young Greg all his life.’
‘His father must be good at his job. It all looked very perfect when I was up there the other day.’ Harriet sighed. ‘Poor Greg. I’m glad Stacy relented towards him.’
‘Talking of relenting,’ said James lightly, ‘did you tell Tim you had lunch with me?’
‘Yes. For once he was lost for words.’ She grinned. ‘I was pretty surprised myself.’
‘That you shared a meal with the ogre and survived?’
Harriet flushed. ‘I don’t think of you as an ogre.’
‘Liar!’
‘All right, a bit, maybe. When I was young.’
‘You’re young now, Harriet.’
‘Older than I was. You don’t scare me any more.’
He frowned. ‘Did I scare you in the past, then?’
‘Of course you did!’ She drained her glass. ‘You blamed me every time Tim disobeyed your orders.’
‘Because I knew he was obeying yours instead.’
‘Mine were always suggestions, not orders.’ Harriet gave him a straight look. ‘And Tim only fell in with them when they appealed to him. You must surely know by now that he goes his own sweet way.’
‘I do.’ He got up. ‘But in spite of that, or maybe because of it, I still feel protective towards him.’
‘And you’re convinced I’m going to hurt him in some way.’ She looked at him challengingly. ‘Do you really believe I’m sneaking into other men’s beds behind Tim’s back?’
His eyes flared dangerously for an instant. ‘Are you?’
They stared at each other in taut silence for a moment.
‘I don’t have to answer to you, James,’ she said hoarsely, and turned away.
He moved round the table and turned her face up to his. ‘Tears, Harriet?’
She jerked her head away, blinking hard. ‘Would you go now, please?’
‘Harriet, I’m sorry. I’ve no right to question your private life,’ he said wearily.
‘No, you haven’t.’ Harriet reached blindly for a sheet of kitchen paper to mop herself up, and James caught her in his arms, pressing her face against his chest as he smoothed her hair.
‘Don’t cry, little one,’ he said, in a tone that brought the tears on thick and fast. For a few blind, uncaring moments Harriet sobbed with abandon, but as she calmed down she grew aware of James’ heart thudding against her own, and pulled away in panic.
‘It’s just reaction to all the drama,’ she said thickly, knuckling the tears away. ‘Go away. I’d rather cry in private.’
‘I’d rather you didn’t cry at all,’ he said huskily. ‘Particularly when I’m to blame.’
She turned to face him, careless
