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Kris Kastell, the beautiful widow of a manipulative racing driver is persuaded by her friend to apply for the position. Metier's charismatic nephew convinces her to take the job despite her deep misgivings about her future employer's sarcastic attitude.

Kris soon bonds closely with her young charge. But can their friendship make up for her abrasive relationship with her employer and the animosity of the brittle, spoilt Isabella?

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About the Author

Details
Publisher	Writers Exchange E-Publishing
Author	Beryl Trebble
Recommended Minimum Age	Adult Only
Sexual Content	High (NOT erotica)
Word Count	54,508
Electronic Download Formats:	PDF, PDB (Palm/Ereader), HTML, LIT (Microsoft Reader), PRC (Unencrypted Mobipocket), RB (Rocket), IMP (Gemstar 1150), IMP (Gemstar 2150/Rocket 1200)
Price:	$4.95

Excerpts (Read a sample or view an illustration):

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Chapter One To a casual onlooker, the two young women, elegantly dressed, and in animated conversation, could only be glamorous wives of up-and-coming young executives. The women appeared to be trifling their day away with, yet, another money-spending spree in London's more up-market establishments. How far from the truth that picture presented. Lauren, dark hair cropped in gamin style, outgoing and flamboyant, had worked every inch of the way to become the successful and highly acclaimed interior decorator that she was today. As friend and confidante of the beautiful girl seated opposite her, Lauren knew the heartache and misery that lay behind the public face of Kris Castell, the twenty-six year-old widow of the late Tony Castell. Tony Castell had been a ruthless, outwardly charming man with many dubious roles. High on the guest lists of society, he was internationally known and indeed famous for being a daredevil with a racing career that had finally killed him. He had given no credit to his wife for the impeccable organization of the extravagant entertainment he demanded. In time, he had pushed her more and more into the background, preferring to have adoring, busty beauties surrounding him. Kris too had been captivated. He'd been her first love, and in his own way, he had loved her in the beginning. The uniqueness of her fresh and innocent demeanor had excited him, and the challenge of her Victorian chastity had driven him to pursue her passionately until he had managed to break it. Then desire had overwhelmed him, and he had taken her virginity under the moonlight one hot night. However, the novelty of a "virgin" bride soon wore thin, and he returned to the excitement of more experienced conquests. At first, to assuage his feelings of guilt, he'd showered her with expensive gifts. Soon that complex passed, though, and he started flaunting his women brazenly in front of her. As her marriage crumbled, Kris hid her humiliation and breaking heart from eager news-hounds, confiding only in Lauren who did her best to provide comfort and support. Tony had died in a bloody blaze of headline glory eighteen months ago, only nine months after their marriage. Slowly, Kris had tried to rebuild her life, and only recently had regained some of her former zest for living. She'd sold the villa on the Riviera as well as the ostentatious Paris flat, and all its trappings, and settled in a modest flat not far from Lauren's Mews apartment. Although money was not a problem, she had no desire to live the life her husband had once lived. She would much rather no announce to those around her about her financial state. She wanted to work for her money and was determined to do so. Her friend had invited her to share it with her, but Kris needed her independence. Besides, she knew Lauren had numerous male friends and felt that she had a right to her privacy. Kris had enjoyed re-decorating her new home doing most of the painting and papering herself. She had rooted happily through antique shops, attended sales and joined Lauren in hunting through huge warehouses filled with wonderful fabrics. The result had transformed a modest flat into a home filled with colour, light, and a warm welcoming atmosphere. By herself, she would go for drives in the countryside, taking home wild flowers and ferns. She enjoyed the therapy of sun on her face, wind in her hair and the anonymity of her life. Once her life returned to normal, she had felt the need to take a job and establish her own independence. Recently she'd started accepting some of Lauren's invitations to join her and her friends. Her easy charm and infectious laugh had many men enamoured, but she carefully fobbed them off, the pain of past hurts still too near to the surface. A few weeks back Kris had told Lauren that she had become restless again. Her job was dull and held no prospects. She wanted something she could sink her teeth into; that was the topic they'd discussed over the lunch table. "Darling, I've found just the thing and it is absolutely tailor made for you. Remember when I talked to you about the job I did for Metcon Enterprises, you know, the huge organization controlled by Raoul Metier and his cousin Luke Coney? I had lunch with one of their associates after an art exhibition the other day." Lauren gave her friend an impish grin. "Don't worry, he's fat, balding, sixty, and happily married, okay? Anyway, he was talking about Raoul Metier's wonderful personal collection, and all the time I was trying to draw everything out about the man. Boy has he got it all; and on top of everything else he is soooo good looking." "Oh, Lauren...you and your man-catching! So, if you have been checking his credentials for yourself, where do I fit in? You know I'm not looking for an eligible bachelor." "After everything I heard, I spoke to Luke Coney about you and he wants you to go and see him." "You what?" "I knew I'd have to do the spadework for you or you wouldn't go, and this is too good an opportunity to pass over. The long and the short of it is this: Raoul Metier needs someone to manage his home in the country, smile at his visitors, that sort of thing. But most of all he needs someone to care for his five-year-old daughter." Kris grimaced. "Sounds charming. Who's doing the job at present? If it's that cushy, why is she leaving?" "I have all the answers, my friend. She is an old family retainer that Metier brought out of retirement. Her position was supposed to be temporary, but he never got around to doing anything about it. Now that the little girl is five and a bit of a handful, it's getting too much for the old lady. Besides, the entertaining can be quite hectic, and I'm sure he'd rather have a more glamorous hostess!" "Sounds like a calculated business to me. Where's the child's mother?" "It's very sad, really. About four years ago she had a skiing accident in the Alps. She is still in a deep coma; Luke says the doctors told Raoul that she might not come out of it. Raoul was devastated and immersed himself in his work. He adores the child, but he's so high powered now he can't spend that much time with her. The place in the country is supposed to be wonderful; it's in the Lake District, I think. You'd be mistress of the manor, and with your experience of the glitterati, the weekend entertainment should be a piece of cake." Kris thought long and hard; it sounded tempting. She was appalled at the tragic story and her heart went out to the child at its centre, but she was apprehensive about the implications to the other side of the job. Lauren cut into her thoughts. "You know, it won't be like it was before, Kris. He is a sophisticated man who's already achieved his success. He's not trying to prove anything like Tony. I expect his guests will be close friends or business associates. Oh, yes, I forgot. He does have a girlfriend. Does that make it better? She's a foreign socialite, or something like that, and Luke says she hasn't the slightest interest in the child, so she's certainly not going to interfere. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about; it's purely a business arrangement." "I...I don't know. My scars are still new, and I couldn't face the debauchery and drunkenness that happened at Tony's parties and...." Lauren interrupted, "Do me a favour. Go and talk to Luke Coney, and then make up your mind, okay?" Lauren looked into her friend's anxious green eyes and smiled as Kris nodded her assent.

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