THE RELUCTANT BRIDE (10 page)

“
We're
going to rationalise our product list. It won't affect you directly,
Karl, because most of the components we cease to produce will be
small-order parts only required here in the UK. But it will mean that
we can standardise and produce to order. Fast.”

Werner
nodded slowly. “I see. As you say, these are radical changes
for Englands. You have the authority?”

Had
they? Gabriella stole a glance at Rod.

“
Yes,
he said confidently.He was watching Werner like a hawk, watching for
the first signs of weakening. “One thing more, Karl. Although
it may be some time before we can attain maximum
production,
you have my personal promise that from this moment Englands will be
absolutely straight with you. The delivery dates we give you will be
realistic – but guaranteed.”

“
Guaranteed?”

“
Yes.”

Gabriella
held her breath. Surely this was the clincher. Her personal feelings
were submerged beneath an unreserved admiration for Rod's masterly
technique. Time after time she had watched him turn customers about
face, from indifference or even downright hostility to a willingness
to do business with him.

But
Werner hadn't yet surrendered. “There is still one matter that
concerns me. I have heard that another organisation is interested in
acquiring your company. If this should happen, what of all your fine
plans? Englands may well be taken out of your hands.”

“
It's
not going to happen, Karl.”

“
You
seem very confident.”

Rod
turned to Gabriella with an almost imperceptible lift of his
eyebrows. A question hung between them, silent, but she knew what he
was asking. She hesitated. Once he told Karl Werner, there was no
turning back. But she was already committed, wasn't she? For another
agonising moment she hesitated, then nodded.

Rod's
face relaxed briefly, then he was leaning towards Werner. “Listen
to me, Karl. This is confidential information. You are the first to
hear, and I trust you to keep it to yourself. Ben Englands has
bequeathed the company to Gabriella and myself.”

“
Indeed!”
Werner's eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “How interesting!”

“
And
we're not selling,” Gabriella told him. “Not at any
price!” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rod turn to look
at her and wondered if he was as surprised as she was at her
outburst.

When
the lunch was over and they had escorted Karl Werner to his car Rod
walked back with her to her office. Closing the door behind him, he
leaned against it and for a long moment they gazed solemnly at each
other. Then his face broke into a broad grin.

“
We
did it!”

“
You
did it,” Gabriella corrected him.

“
I
just carried on with what you started. But you disarmed him. Telling
him how bloody awful we've been, it was a crazy thing to do but it
worked!”

Gabriella
found herself smiling like an idiot, exhilarated by their success and
the two glasses of wine she had consumed.

“
You
and me, Gabriella, we're going to
make
this
company! What -” Suddenly he lunged forward and swung her up
into his arms. “-a-” He spun her giddily round and round.
“- team!” And then he was kissing her, his lips firm,
warm, tasting faintly of wine, and she was letting him. His arms
tightened around her and she felt her body, fiery, boneless, shape
itself against the shape of his. His lips moved, burning a message
into hers. She wanted to surrender to the message, wanted him more
than anything before in her life.

Later
she was grateful for the shrill ring of the telephone that stopped
her making a fool of herself. But when she broke away she had to lean
against her desk for support and her voice came husky, shaking.

“
I
– I think I'm a little drunk.” She looked at him, this
man who was undermining all the defences she had built up over the
years, and panic hit her like a punch in the diaphragm. She couldn't,
wouldn't, give in to him, and in a gesture only half conscious she
raised a trembling hand and wiped the back of it across her mouth, as
if to erase the kisses that still burned there.

Rod
watched her, his breath slowly calming, his expression veiled.
Without a word he turned on his heel and was gone.

CHAPTER
FIVE

“
Roses
to your taste?” Rod asked, referring to the bouquet that had
awaited her yet again in her office.

“
Yes,
thank you,” she replied stiffly, careful not to look at him as
they drove towards the town centre. Outwardly calm, inside she was
trembling and her heart raced. The meeting this morning with Mr
Brewster would bind her even more firmly to Rod. She felt as if she
had stepped on to a roller coaster and was no longer in control of
her own actions.

“
Come
on, Gabriella, it's not the end of the world,” Rod tried to
rally her. “Is it?”

When
she made no reply he lapsed into silence.

Mr
Brewster's approval was tinged with scepticism when they announced
they had resolved their differences, but he congratulated them on
their forthcoming marriage in a courteous manner.

“
The
initial contract's ready to sign,” he said, “and I'll
start to prepare the other documents so that all the transfers can go
ahead immediately you're married.”

“
Does
that mean we can't get anything before we're married?” asked
Gabriella. “What about the money?”

“
It's
only six weeks,” said Rod. “Can't you wait?”

“
I
expect Miss Stevens wishes to purchase her trousseau,” said Mr
Brewster mildly. “I think in the circumstances we can make a
small advance.”

“
I
need about seven or eight thousand,” said Gabriella. “Maybe
ten.”

“
My
God!” Rod clapped a hand to his forehead. “At this rate
we'll be bankrupt within months!”

“
It's
not for a trousseau.”

“
Then
for what?”

“
If
you must know -” Gabriella's voice was ice. “it's for my
mother. For an operation.”

Rod
stared at her, the anger slowly retreating from his dark eyes. “I
see. I'm sorry. Of course, in that case I agree – if Mr
Brewster is willing.”

Mr
Brewster hesitated. “I can of course use my discretion. However
– forgive me – but if you should then change your mind,
if the marriage should not take place … I assume you would be
able to replace the money from another source?”

“
The
marriage will take place, Mr Brewster,” said Gabriella. “You
have my word.”

“
And
mine,” added Rod.

Mr
Brewster examined the papers on his desk thoughtfully. “Very
well,” he said at last. “I'll arrange a payment to your,
Miss Stevens. And I hope your mother will soon be fully recovered.”

“
Thank
you,” said Gabriella.

“
Now
to Englands,” said Mr Brewster. “It was clearly Mr
Englands' wish that you continue to run the Company jointly. I assume
that is still your wish also?”

“
Definitely,”
said Rod.

“
I'm
aware that the Company is perhaps not as financially stable as it
might be, but I understand there might be a possible buyer. It could
be in your interests to consider that.”

Gabriella
shook her head. “We both believe we can make it profitable
again. We're prepared to take the risk.”

“
All
the same,” said Rod, “we'll be asking for substantial
loans from the Bank. I'd feel happier if we pruned down our own
personal expenses where we can. I was thinking we should get an
up-to-date valuation on White Gables. It's a bit of a white elephant
where we're concerned, but if we sold it and invested the money -”

“
No,”
said Gabriella.

“
No?”
Rod repeated. “But you can't want to keep it! The place is
enormous, at least twice as big as we need. It will gobble up cash
like a bear eating honey.”

“
I
want to live there.”

“
No,
Gabriella, it doesn't make sense. We can find something half the size
at half the price – an old place, if that's what you want –
but we must sell White Gables.”

“
Mr
Brewster, the house can't be sold without my approval, can it?”

“
No,
of course not, Miss Stevens.”

“
Then
I refuse.”