Page 25

Daniel took a breath and reached for the half-drunk glass of brandy he’d left on the bar. Perhaps the hair of the dog and a second wind would get him through the afternoon unscathed.

Just as he’d knocked back the last of the dark liquid, the old wooden pub door swung open and encased in a shaft of sunlight, Julia arrived, wearing a ridiculous hat. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. She looked like a flamingo.

Daniel was just about to go and say hello, when from behind Julia, Kitty appeared. She peeped around her aunt as if checking the lay of the land, and her fingers played with the end of her ponytail. Daniel grinned. Things were looking up.

“Excuse me, ladies,” he said to the surrounding W.C. members, “but our guest of honour has just arrived.”

Daniel swept the gaggle of ladies away as he strode towards Julia, placing an arm around her shoulder and guiding her to a seat at the head of the table.

“Julia! It’s so lovely to see you. How are you? I’m assuming you’re on the mend, and you’ll soon be tap dancing on the bar again, just like the good old days.” Kitty’s eyes met Daniel’s, and the smile she gave him confirmed her appreciation of the fuss he was making of her aunt. Brownie points for him.

“And who’s this?” he asked, giving a subtle wink to Kitty.

“This is my niece, Kitty,” said Julia. “She’s come to help me until I’m back on my feet. She’s a lawyer, you know. Very successful and single,” Julia said with emphasis.

The furious look and the blush her words brought to Kitty’s face were delightful. Daniel wanted nothing more than to kiss the pink from her cheeks.

“Then, as a successful, single lawyer, we’ll have to take special care of Katherine while she’s here. Give her a warm Tottenbridge welcome.” Daniel wiggled his eyebrows at Kitty, and her rosy-hued cheeks flared even hotter to match Julia’s outfit.

“Katherine? Have you two met already?” she asked.

“Just in passing,” Daniel said. “Your niece has been getting friendly with the furniture lately. How’s the head, Bruiser?”

She pulled a face, and Daniel snickered.

“Well, it looks much better. Much less lumpy. I’ll call off the St. Bernard and keg of brandy I ordered.”

Daniel turned to Julia again, helping to settle her in the seat at the head of the large wooden table. “I’ve been telling Katherine that she should find a little distraction while she’s in Tottenbridge. A hobby. What do you say, Julia?”

Kitty’s eyes narrowed, and she looked as if she was about to strangle him.The thought of her being just a little cross with him had his dick nudging at his fly.

“Oh, absolutely,” said Julia. “I’ve been saying that too much work and no play has made Kitty a little too serious.”

“Then let’s begin loosening her up this afternoon,” he said with a wink.

Kitty glared at him, a pout on her lips, and Daniel wondered how long it would be before she bit back at his teasing her? He wanted her to bite back. To bare her teeth a little. Hell, that wasn’t the only thing he wanted her to bare. He’d thought about his proposition to her at the village green and the way she’d turned him down. Daniel wasn’t used to being refused. He intended to change her mind.

“Okay, let’s get started, ladies. Please take a seat, and we’ll begin,” Daniel said to the hive of women who buzzed around the bar. He sat Kitty next to Julia at his side and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You look amazing, by the way. I promise not to get youtoodrunk.”

Her wide-eyed look was exactly what he’d hoped for, and with a smirk, Daniel cleared his throat.

“Okay, ladies, for our first tasting this afternoon, we’ll start with a pure, virginal white.” He cast a look at Kitty before continuing. “But don’t let that deceive you. This sauvignon blanc is a little firecracker.”

As he spoke, one of his bar staff poured the guests a small glass of wine, and Daniel followed suit for himself and Julia. But when it came to Kitty, he gave her a full glass, catching her attention. She raised a single eyebrow but didn’t say a word. She still wasn’t ready to bite back, then.

Once everyone was ready, he proceeded with his tasting notes, holding court and his audience’s rapt interest.

“This wine, whilst on the surface appears unassuming, has hidden depths. Note the beautiful body on the first taste. The flavour that curls around the tongue. Though young, fruity, and fresh, its finish is one of lingering sophistication that leaves one wanting more.”

He delivered every single word to Kitty, her gorgeous discomfort driving him on. Her seduction would be fun. Daniel relished the rising colour on her face as the women clucked and chattered, sipped their wine, and picked over the cheese boards.

She looked everywhere else in the room but at him. Simply willing her to glance over was having no effect. He wanted to play. To banter. And she was either too shy or too stubborn. He hoped it was the latter. More fun that way. He was going to have to up his game. He quietly made some notes on a napkin. After a few minutes, he tapped his glass with a knife to quiet the chatter.

“Lovely ladies of the W.C.,” he said, holding up a bottle of red. “If I could have your attention. I would like to welcome an honourary member this afternoon. I believe you all know Julia Finch has recently undergone a hip replacement.” There were murmurs and nods around the table. Julia blushed graciously at their well wishes. “You may not know, however, that her niece Katherine is in town to help with her convalescence.”

Further muttering of approval rolled through the gathered ladies as Daniel warmed to his subject.

“Katherine would have us believe she’s a lowly corporate lawyer, but I know she wouldn’t mind me divulging her genuine passion, seeing as we’re amongst friends.” Kitty’s eyes grew to saucers as everyone turned to look at her. “Katherine is, in fact, a celebrated star of amateur theatre, having been recently nominated for the Dame Judith Dentures award for Rising Talent.”