Claiming His Wedding Night. Lee Wilkinson
Читать онлайн книгу.
when, looking at her from beneath long thick lashes, he added, ‘It might be as well to keep my name out of it and let your father think that you’re dealing with Calhoun.’
‘But that would give him a totally false picture,’ she protested.
Jared lifted broad shoulders in a slight shrug. ‘It’s up to you, of course. If you think he can stand the additional stress and worry, tell him the truth by all means…’
As she reached for her phone, he added casually, ‘There’s just one more thing. Tell him that I have to be in the States for the next ten days or so, and that I’ve invited you to join me there while further discussions take place—’
‘I don’t know what you expect to gain by this,’ she burst out, ‘but if you think for one minute that I’d go anywhere with you, you’re mad!’
He sighed theatrically.
‘Oh, yes, I know,’ she cried, her voice bitter, ‘I don’t have much option.’
‘In view of the fact that we’re already over the Atlantic, you don’t have any option.’
As she bit her lip, he added, ‘Now, as time is flying, your father must be getting anxious to hear from you…’
He would be, she knew, and over the past weeks his hypertension and the amount of stress he was under had proved to be a big concern for his doctors.
But what was she to say to him?
A few seconds’ thought convinced her that it would be far too risky to tell him the truth. He was bound to find out sooner or later, of course. But for the moment at least, she would go along with Jared’s scenario, while she tried to put in place some kind of damage limitation.
Taking a deep breath, she strove to steady herself. Her father knew her well and, as the news she was about to give him would appear to be as good as anyone had dared hope, she mustn’t allow him to pick up any signs of distress.
As she brought up the number of the nursing home, Jared rose to his feet and, showing the kind of supreme confidence that made her grit her teeth, said, ‘I’ll leave you to it,’ and disappeared into the forward cabin.
At the first ring, her father’s voice asked eagerly, ‘Perdita?’
‘Yes.’
‘I was just starting to get worried. How are things going? Any hope of saving the company?’
Trying to sound positive, she said, ‘Yes, I think there might be.’
‘So what does Calhoun want?’
She hesitated, then went along with it. ‘He started off by asking for fifty-one per cent of the shares.’
‘Just as I thought,’ John said grimly.
‘But when I told him you wouldn’t agree to that, he said he might be willing to negotiate.’
‘The trouble is, negotiations like that could take weeks, and we just don’t have the money to keep going in the meantime.’
‘He’s offered us a way round the problem.’ Perdita explained about the immediate injection of cash.
She heard her father’s sigh of relief before he remarked, ‘In the circumstances, that’s extremely generous. I mean, Salingers must know they have us right where they want us.’
‘Yes,’ she agreed. ‘But of course it could well prove to be a two-edged sword, as it will effectively put us in debt to them.’
As soon as the words were spoken, she bit her lip, realizing just how worried and despondent she must have sounded.
‘Well, in the circumstances, we haven’t much choice,’ John said practically. ‘And I’m only too relieved and thankful that you’ve done so well. I always knew I could rely on you.’
When, pierced to the heart by such undeserved praise, she remained silent, he added, ‘Look at it this way; we’ve got a stay of execution while the negotiations take place, so there’s still a chance.’
Trying to sound cheerful, she agreed, ‘Of course.’
Chapter Three
‘SO WHERE are you now?’ John asked. ‘On your way back to the office?’
After a moment’s panic, Perdita lied, ‘No. I’m still at the airport.’
‘But Mr Calhoun’s gone, I imagine?’
‘No, not yet.’
‘I thought he was planning to leave early?’
‘Yes, he was, originally.’
Then, trying to sound calm and matter-of-fact, she went on, ‘But things have changed. You see he’s due to be in the States for the next ten days or so, which means the face-to-face negotiations he prefers would be held up…’
Her voice not quite as steady as she would have liked, she went on, ‘So he’s suggested that I go with him, as his guest.’
‘To New York, presumably?’
Though she didn’t know for sure, it seemed easier to answer, ‘Yes.’
‘And you’ve agreed, of course?’
‘Well, I…’
‘Don’t worry about the office,’ John said eagerly. ‘Apart from anything else, a few days in New York might prove to be a nice little break for you.
‘I understand Salingers have a couple of hospitality suites at their Fifth Avenue headquarters that are on a par with the Plaza.’
When she didn’t immediately answer, he repeated, ‘Don’t worry about this end. I’m quite sure Helen can hold the fort until Martin comes back. It’s much more important to get these negotiations over and done with successfully.
‘I presume Salingers have their own plane?’
‘Yes. I’ve just had breakfast on board their executive jet.’ It was such a relief to be able to speak the truth that she added, ‘And pretty luxurious it is, too.’
She heard her father’s chuckle before he remarked, ‘Well, at least you’ll be travelling in style.’
Then, as she hesitated, wondering just what to tell him, he queried, ‘I take it Salingers’ car will be running you back home to pick up your passport and some clothes?’
His words sent her into a spin. Of course! She would need a passport! Why hadn’t she thought of that straight away?
Because Jared’s presence, plus all the stress and worry, had effectively scattered her wits.
But why hadn’t Jared himself realized that she couldn’t land in the States without a passport?
She felt a little thrill of satisfaction and triumph. Whatever he’d been hoping to achieve, his plan had backfired.
‘Are you still there?’ John enquired.
‘Yes, yes, I’m still here.’
‘I was saying, I assume that Salingers’ car will be running you back home to pick up some clothes and your passport?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Then, afraid her father might suggest that she popped in to see him, she added hastily, ‘But I’ll be very pushed for time.’
‘I don’t doubt it. Well, have a safe journey, lass, and let me know when you get there.’
‘I will,’ she promised. ‘Take care of yourself.’
She ended the call, feeling oddly shaky. It had gone much better than she had dared hope. Though she dreaded to think what the future held, for the moment, at least, her father had sounded more relaxed than he’d