A Mistletoe Proposal Read Free

I just loved it on sight. It’s got so much personality.’
    â€˜It’s certainly got that. What it hasn’t got is a reliable engine. You say you have brothers in the trade, and they let you buy this thing?’
    â€˜They did not “let” me because I didn’t ask their permission,’ she said indignantly.
    â€˜Nor their advice, it seems. I hope they gave you a piece of their minds.’
    â€˜They did.’
    â€˜So would I if you were my daughter.’
    â€˜But I’m not your daughter, I haven’t asked for your help and I certainly haven’t asked for your interference. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to leave.’
    â€˜How?’ he asked simply.
    In her annoyance she’d forgotten that she was stranded. She glared.
    â€˜It’s three miles to Crimea Street,’ he pointed out. ‘Are you going to walk it? In those heels? Or are you going to call them to rescue you? They’ll love that.’
    â€˜Yes, and I’ll never hear the end of it,’ she sighed. ‘Ah, well, I don’t seem to have any choice.’
    â€˜Unless I give you a tow?’ Seeing her suspicious look, he said, ‘It’s a genuine offer. I can’t just leave you here.’
    â€˜Me being such a poor, helpless damsel in distress, you mean?’
    His lips twitched. ‘Well, there must be something of the damsel in distress about you, or you wouldn’t have bought this ridiculous car.’
    â€˜Very funny. Thank you for your offer of help, but I’ll manage without it. Good day to you.’
    â€˜Come off your high horse. Come to think of it, a horse would probably have served you better than this contraption. I’ll fetch my car and connect them.’ Starting to move off, he turned to add, ‘Don’t go away.’
    She opened her mouth to reply, had second thoughts and closed it again. It was annoying that she couldn’t help laughing at his jibe, but that was the fact. She was still smiling when he returned in an expensive vehicle that made her eyes open wide.
    â€˜Oh, wow! Are you sure you want that thing seen with my old jalopy?’ she asked.
    â€˜I’ll try to endure it.’ He worked swiftly to connect the cars, then opened his door and indicated for her to get into the passenger seat.
    She had to admire the smooth, purring movement of his vehicle, which spoke of expense and loving care, suggesting that this man had an affinity with cars. Since she loved them herself, she could feel some sympathy, even a faint amused appreciation of how she must look to him. He’d implied that she reminded him of a daughter, and she wondered how many daughters he actually had.
    â€˜I’m Roscoe Havering, by the way,’ he said.
    â€˜Pippa Jenson—well, Philippa, actually.’
    â€˜Pippa’s better: more like you.’
    â€˜I’m not even going to ask what is “like me”. You have no idea.’
    â€˜Cheeky. Very young.’
    â€˜I’m not that young.’
    â€˜Twenty—twenty-one—’ he hazarded.
    â€˜Twenty-seven,’ she laughed.
    It was as well that traffic lights had forced him to haltbecause he turned quickly to stare at her in surprise. ‘You’re not serious.’
    â€˜I am.’ She gave him a wicked smile. ‘Sorry!’
    â€˜How can I believe you?’ he said, starting up again. ‘You look more like a student.’
    â€˜No, I’m a solicitor, a staid and serious representative of the law.’ She assumed a deep voice. ‘Strong men quake at my approach. Some of them flee to hide in the hills.’
    He laughed. ‘I think I’ll get you home first. I won’t ask who you work for. Obviously, you have your own practice which is driving everyone else into bankruptcy.’
    â€˜No, I’m with Farley & Son.’
    She saw his eyebrows rise a little and his mouth twist into a shape that meant, ‘ Hmm!