Dragon's Lair Read Free

the
    candour of her hazel eyes under their long sweep of lashes, the high
    delicacy of her cheekbones and the sweet vulnerable curve of her
    mouth. 'Then I must meet her. They say, don't they, that if you want
    to know what your girl will look like in years to come, take a look
    at her mother.'
    'Do they?' She lifted her brows coolly, trying to conceal the
    instinctive tremor that had gone through her when he'd said 'your
    girl'.
    'I've never heard that before.'
    'Oh, I've a fund of such information,' he said softly. 'Stick with me,
    lovely, and you could learn a lot.'
    She was on her guard instantly, aware that there was an implication
    in his words that put them squarely into the category of doubtful
    remarks, to be dealt with by cool politeness. She gave him a formal
    smile, and changed the subject.
    'Will you be in London long, Mr Lloyd?'
    'Long enough.' His eyes never left her face. 'And at least until I've
    persuaded you to have dinner with me.'
    'You're very persistent,' she said helplessly.
    'I've been accused of worse things,' he returned laconically. He put
    out a finger and lifted her chin slightly, forcing her to look at him.
    'What's the matter? Surely I can't be the first man who's fancied
    you?'
    No, she thought, but you're the first man I've ever—fancied, and I
    don't know what to do. I'm frightened.
    She smiled again, moved slightly so that his hand was no longer
    even fractionally against her skin. 'Well, hardly.'
    'So what's the problem, lovely?'
    She managed to meet his gaze. 'Nothing, I suppose. Thank you, Mr
    Lloyd. I'd like to have dinner with you.'
    Which was a tame way to describe this sweet insidious .excitement
    which was beginning to take possession of her.
    'Good.' He drained the contents of his glass. 'Shall we go?'
    • She stared at him. 'But the party—it isn't over yet.'
    'It is as far as I'm concerned. I've answered all their questions. Now
    I'm leaving them in peace to drink and talk at each other, and that's
    what they really want to do. Most of them only came .here today
    anyway because someone in the higher echelons suddenly decided
    that poetry might be trendy. Besides, there's always a story in
    me—a miner's son who can actually string words together like a
    real person.'
    'That's rather bitter, isn't it?'
    'Probably, but it's the way I'm feeling at the moment. In-depth
    interviews and expensive whisky seem to affect me like that. I'm
    relying on you to exorcise all my evil spirits.'
    'That sounds a tall order on such a short acquaintance.' She pulled a
    wry face.
    'Who said our acquaintance was going to be short?' he said. 'And
    you don't have to worry. I think, if you wanted, you could coax wild
    beasts and dragons to eat out of your hand if you put your mind to
    it.'
    She was embarrassed at the personal turn to the conversation and
    took refuge in flippancy. 'Even a Welsh dragon?'
    He gave her a long look, and she made herself meet it steadily.
    'Oh, that most of all, girl,' he said. 'That most of all.'
    Somehow she found herself apologising to Uncle Philip for her
    early departure and calling goodbyes to the surprised glances which
    were noting it around the room.
    As they waited for the lift in the corridor, she began to laugh.
    'It's far too early for dinner. There won't be a restaurant open.'
    'Then we'll walk and talk and generally further our short
    acquaintance.' He allowed her to precede him into the lift. The
    doors closed noiselessly, shutting them into a tight enclosed world
    where they were quite alone.
    Davina said breathlessly, 'We need the ground floor. You have to
    press the button.'
    He slanted a glance at her. 'I've been in lifts before. Why are you so
    nervous?'
    She moistened her lips. 'I'm not.'
    'Don't lie to me, Davina. Not now, not ever. What do you imagine
    I'm going to do? Leap on you?'
    She felt herself go crimson. 'Of course not,' she denied too quickly.
    His lips twisted slightly. 'Then you're far too trusting,' he told her
    mockingly, and sent the