bluntly.
‘Okay, I’ll back off.’
‘Do.’ She was frosty in her tone. ‘To get off the subject, I might as well tell you I’ve read up on Compton Holdings. I’ll ask a few questions of my own now, if I may? Why did you leave? Surely with a huge enterprise and a flagship station like Turrawin there was more than enough room and work for two brothers? Or a dozen brothers for that matter.’
His expression hardened. ‘For most people there would be, but you haven’t met my father. My father is a very controlling sort of man and I’m long past marching to his drumbeat. I needed to strike out on my own.’
‘Then you have the money to buy here?’ She resorted to a brisk business-like tone.
‘Always supposing I’m interested.’ His eyes mocked her. ‘I haven’t seen over the place yet.’
‘You wouldn’t be here if you thought it a waste of time, but I warn you I’m no push-over, Rory Compton.’
‘Excuse me, you inherited?’ He leaned back nonchalantly against a cabinet and folded his arms.
What a combination of male graces he had, such an elegance of movement. ‘I’m the major shareholder,’ she informed him coolly, aware of something else. He offered torment as well as poignancy.
‘That’s unusual?’
‘Well you’d know all about that.’ She came back spiritedly.
‘Touché!’ Unexpectedly he gave her his rare smile. It was so heartbreaking it was just as well it came and went fairly rarely. ‘I think we got off on the wrong foot, Allegra.’
She wanted to remain as cool as a cucumber but the way he said her name tugged at her heart. Perversely it reminded her of the need for caution. How could her interest in a man reawaken so quickly after her divorce? The answer? This man was too compelling. ‘That happens when people are wary of one another,’ she said.
‘Are we?’ he asked, feigning a wondering voice. Neither of them could deny there was a strong current running between them.
‘Isn’t that the word you would use?’ She kept her eyes on him. No struggle at all.
‘As I say, it pays to be wary around a beautiful woman.’ Impatiently he slicked that troublesome stray lock back. ‘Did I mention I find you beautiful?’ Well, she knew that for a fact. No harm in getting it out into the open.
‘That worries you?’ Her blue eyes checked on his expression.
‘Terribly.’ He smiled.
The really extraordinary thing was she smiled back. ‘Whatever looks I have they haven’t done me much good,’ she said wryly.
‘But I understood from Chloe you’re a fashion editor on a magazine? If they wanted someone to look the part you had to be it.’
‘Why thank you, Rory.’
He smiled. ‘If I know anything about women, it’s they like to be complimented now and then.’
‘True. Okay, my looks were important there,’ she conceded. ‘But I wanted a happy marriage far more than a successful career. I wanted children. I wanted family. I wanted years and years and years of watching my kids grow up. I wanted grandchildren. I wanted my husband and myself to grow old together, still in love.’
He gave her a searching look. ‘A lot of wants, Allegra. You didn’t try for a family?’ God a man would so want a child with her.
There was pain in her expression. ‘You don’t know when to quit do you? That’s a very personal question.’
‘Maybe, but I’m in pursuit of truth here. It so happens, I’m looking for a wife.’
Her heart did a somersault in her breast. ‘Is that your next career move?’ Somehow she gave the question an edge of sarcasm.
‘Sure is. Total commitment,’ he confirmed.
‘Don’t dare look at me.’ She issued the warning with a little laugh. ‘I won’t be thinking of marriage for a long, long time.’
‘Afraid?’
‘You bet!’ she answered swiftly. ‘I made one mistake. I’m sure you’ll appreciate I’ll be very cautious about making another. To be honest, Rory, I didn’t see your offer coming.’ She gave him a sparkling glance.
‘I didn’t make one, did I? Hell, I’m as cautious as you, Allegra. But I have to tell you, you impress me.’ He made a mock study of her as though she were a possible candidate. ‘You’re a highly desirable woman in any man’s language, but there’s that wary bit we both share.’
‘Maybe you’d be more in tune with Chloe?’ she suggested. ‘And here I was thinking you were simply looking to buy a property?’
‘But I am,’ he assured her. ‘It was you who introduced the subject telling me you wanted children. I feel the same way I want a wife and family. It’s predictable I suppose. I never really had one.’
‘So what’s wrong with advertising?’ she suggested helpfully.
‘Nothing whatsoever,’ he said. ‘We guys live in such isolation it’s not easy to find partners.’
‘I understand that,’ she said, ‘having been reared on the land. I have a feeling, though, if you do advertise you’ll be inundated with answers.’
‘I’m counting on it. In the meantime, there’s you!’ He flickered a silver glance at her.
It was pathetic, but thrills ran down her spine. ‘It’s like I told you, Rory Compton. Count me out!’
His handsome face was openly mocking. ‘I know better than to argue.’
‘That’s a relief.’ She felt a flush over her whole body.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway. In the next minute Chloe bustled in, eyes wide as she tried to gauge the atmosphere. From the look that came over her face she could have suspected amazing sex on the kitchen table. ‘What in the world are you doing?’ she asked, transferring her glance from one to the other.
‘My fault,’ Rory said, and flashed Allegra a smile.
Chloe’s cheeks smarted. ‘I just thought you might need some help?’
‘We’re fine thanks, Chloe,’ Allegra said pleasantly. ‘You can play Mother and wheel the trolley out if you like.’
Forty minutes later Rory was sitting in the passenger seat of the station Jeep with Chloe at the wheel. So far he could see work around Naroom had all but come to a stop. Why wouldn’t it without an overseer to run it? Whatever had persuaded Mrs Sanders to sack her late husband’s right hand man? It didn’t make sense unless that was confirmation she had no intention of remaining on the land. Even then it was counter productive to allow the property to decline. He had seen around the homestead and liked it. It was spacious, comfortable, attractive. The outbuildings for the most part were in good condition.
