Antarctic Affair Read Free

point.”
    His expression was unreadable, but the
hard eyes indicated he wasn’t completely comfortable with the idea.
    The airhostess came passed and told
Georgina to pack away her electronic equipment. They were getting ready for
take off. Georgina quickly turned off her laptop and put it at her feet.
    “Do you often interview people on
location?”
    He purposely reached passed her and
lifted the blind back up again. He was so close she could smell his aftershave.
Definitely spicy. She turned her head and stared out of the window. The plane
was taxiing along the runway.
    In the interests of cultivating a good
working relationship she decided to ignore the blind move, even though she was
amazed at his audacity. Obviously the man was used to getting his own way.
    “I interviewed someone on a movie set
once, but that’s not the norm. Usually we meet in London at their hotel or a
restaurant.”   The interviews were the
best part about her job. She loved getting to know the various famous and
infamous personalities that she wrote about. Their lives were always so
interesting, so exciting.
    He nodded slowly. “Ever been to
Antarctica before?”
    Now that was just a silly question, she
thought. It was hardly something someone did every day. “No, have you?”
    “Yes, as a matter of fact. This will be
my second trip down south. I’m working on a new book called Southern Lights , but I’m sure that’s in
your file.”
    Great. Now she felt like an idiot. Time
to come clean. “To be honest, I haven’t finished reading your biography yet. No
offence, this was kind of a last minute assignment for me.”
    “None taken. I doubt you’ll find it very
interesting reading.” For the first time since she’d met him, he looked a
little uncomfortable. He changed the subject, “If you don’t mind me saying so,
you don’t look like the outdoorsy type.”
    Georgina smiled, “Oh, I’m not. I’m
normally too busy to take a vacation, although I did check out South Beach on
the way here. But roughing it isn’t really my style.”
    “I would never have guessed.” He smiled
woefully and Georgina didn’t miss the sarcasm in his tone.
    “Do you like nature? You know, animals,
icebergs, that kind of thing?” Georgina narrowed her eyes. Was he taunting her?
    “Sure, I watch National Geographic,” she
shrugged off-handedly. She really hadn’t thought about it much. “Oh, and I go
skiing every year.”
    “Really, well that’s something I
suppose. Where do you ski?”
    “I have a chalet in Klosters. That’s in
Switzerland,” she added, at his blank look.
    “Ah, isn’t that where your royal family
hang out?” he asked.
    “Yes, that’s the place! My father bought
it for me for my twenty-first birthday, but I haven’t used it much in the last
six years.”
    “I see.” He looked doubtful.
    “If you’re worried about the expedition,
don’t be. I came prepared,” she felt obliged to tell him.
    “In Antarctica, coming prepared means a
little more than making sure you’ve packed your hairdryer.” His tone was
gentle, but there was no mistaking his meaning. What did he think she was, some
airhead without a brain? She bit her tongue and forced herself not to react. It
would not do to get off on the wrong foot now, would it?
    Instead she smiled vacantly and said in
her best airhead voice, “I’m sure I’ll be fine. After all, it’s a cruise liner.
How hard can it be?”
    He made an odd coughing noise and
chocked out, “Cruise liner? You think we’re going on the QE2? Perhaps its time
you read the brochure.”
    “Well no, of course not the QE2, but
something similar?” she said in a small voice. Eric had assured her it was a
big ship, fully equipped.
    Taj Andrews gave her a wry grin, “Not
exactly. It’s a former Russian research vessel, which is a nice way of saying
spy ship. It’s purpose-built to navigate the frozen waters of the Russian
arctic. We’re hiring it for this expedition.”
    “Ah, well