'All of you,' he added softly, hi s gaze resting briefly on Cally. 'Then I'll meet you there in an hour's time.' He paused. 'What's the name of the restaurant you're using?' 'One side of it, certainly,' Nick agreed. 'I think we've made the position quite clear already.' Sir Nicholas,' Neville Hartley blustered. 'I still have things lo do, so we'll have lo postpone the discussion.' He'd released Cally's wrist, but the pressure of his fingers seemed to linger like a bruise. 'But we won't talk about it here and now,' Nick cut in decisively. Half the terrace has been completed, and work has started on the others.' 'That isn't altogether true, and you know it. In spite of her mental and emotional turmoil Cally managed to give him a steady look. They're dangerous and insanitary, and they should b e pulled down.' 'Sadly, she died while the scheme was in its infancy, so most of the houses are still untouched.

'It was an idea of our late mother's,' Gordon Hartley butted in, almost desperately. 'While you tell me all about Gunners Terrace.' Controlling the tense silence that had descended. 'Then of course you shall.' He was smiling again, using that charm of his like a weapon. 'Then why don't I join you?' Nick suggested, smoothly and unanswerably.

My neighbour's looking after the baby,' she added beaming. 'But we're going out for a meal.' The champagne she was sipping seemed lo have loosened Tracy's tongue. 'But I could spare you all some time later, when tonight's presentation is over.' 'Unfortunately I shall be leaving after breakfast.' He paused. Perhaps he could make an appointment to see you tomorrow.' She said brusquely, 'Kit's our spokesman. She wanted to pull free, but feared an undignified struggle which she might lose. The hand that had once, for a few hours, worn his ring but was now bare-a fact, she could tell, that wasn't lost on him. It was her left hand that he'd imprisoned. So why don't you say what you came to say?'Ĭally bit her lip.

'After all, you went to the trouble of seeking me out tonight. 'Not yet, darling.' Nick's voice was silky, but the fingers that closed on her wrist felt like iron. 'She really needs one.' She look a deep breath. 'But please get Tracy a drink,' she added. She turned to Kit, who was looking poleaxed, while Tracy was standing with her mouth open and her eyes out on s talks. 'Thank you, but I'm perfectly all right.' I am not-not - going to fall apart, she told herself, her body stiffening. Instead she heard Nick drawl, 'Will someone fetch a chair for my wife? She's had a shock.'

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