Page 4 of His Housekeeper's Twin Baby Confession
He went into his study and she followed, closing the door behind her. This was where she’d had her interview. Strange to think that had been four years ago. A surge of emotion surprised her. This job had provided her with everything she’d hoped for. A place to settle and start healing a little.
Her inconvenient awareness of her boss had been manageable up till now. She generally avoided eye contact if at all possible, and their conversations were always centred around the house and schedules. And he travelled for work. A lot. Sometimes he could be away for up to a month at a time.
But in the last few months he hadn’t been travelling so much. He’d been in London more. And seeing him almost every day had begun to wear on Carrie’s nerves a little. Her sense of control around him was starting to fray, as if mocking her for thinking she had anything under control.
‘Please, sit down, Miss Taylor.’
Carrie sat down, not sure what Lord Linden wanted to talk to her about. He sat down behind his desk, somehow still dominating the space even though he was no longer standing.
He hadn’t taken a lover in months.
That random and incendiary thought popped into Carrie’s head. She blushed. What was going on with her today? What did she care if he’d taken a lover lately or not?
Because it bothers you to see them the morning after and send them on their way.
Carrie fought to regain her composure. Maybe he’d been taking his lovers to a hotel? Or sleeping over in their apartments?
‘Is everything all right?’ Lord Linden asked.
Carrie nodded and said, ‘Fine...just fine. It’s a bit warm, that’s all.’
Lord Linden got up again and opened the window that looked out over a lush back garden. A total luxury in central London. Carrie wasn’t looking at that, though. She was mesmerised by the play of muscles under his suit.
He looked at her. ‘Better?’
She was definitely losing it. ‘Yes, thank you.’
He sat down again. Carrie clasped her hands together, praying she wouldn’t betray herself again.
He said, ‘You know I’m due to go to New York tomorrow?’
She’d actually forgotten. A wave of relief went through her. ‘Yes—for a week, isn’t it?’
‘Possibly longer, actually. But there’s an issue. My regular housekeeper who looks after the Manhattan apartment has retired early, due to ill health. So far my team haven’t found anyone suitable. I have to entertain while I’m there—a small drinks party—and I’d like to feel that things are being taken care of...properly.’
Carrie’s relief drained away. She wasn’t sure where this was going.
Lord Linden sat forward. ‘I was hoping that you might consider coming with me.’
The relief drained away and Carrie felt panicky. ‘Go to New York? With you?’
He nodded. ‘To work in my apartment as housekeeper for the duration of my trip. Hopefully by the time I leave we’ll have found a replacement.’
Carrie clasped her hands even tighter. ‘I... I don’t really know what to say. I’ve never been to America. I wouldn’t know the first thing about how things work over there.’
She was beset by a million things. Disbelief, confusion, terror and, probably most disturbingly, excitement. This was exactly what shedidn’tneed. More time in Lord Linden’s company!
He looked at her, supremely at ease. ‘Is your passport up to date?’
She nodded. ‘I just had it renewed recently.’
An old habit that she hadn’t let go of.
‘That’s all you need.’
He made it sound so simple. Not a big deal. He was just transplanting her from here to there.
But then you’ll have no peace.
