Marrying A Millionaire. Laura Martin
do about that, Miss Stubbs. I bring Robbie up the best way I know how, and all I can tell you is he’s a perfectly reasonable child when he’s with me.’ Cathy placed a protective hand on her son’s shoulder. ‘He’s been extremely unhappy all week and it’s been torture—for both of us.’ Her voice shook noticeably ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, all I want to do is to go home.’
‘Miss Taylor—!’
Cathy didn’t wait to hear any more. Daniel stood aside and she exited the classroom without so much as a backward glance, conscious of the anger and misery bubbling up inside.
Poor Robbie! The thought that he had endured so many hours in that woman’s company—! Cathy ran a shaky hand through her hair. Miss Stubbs didn’t even look as if she liked children! Cathy closed her eyes. Perhaps this was all a mistake. How could she have imagined that she could just up sticks and move to a place like this without there being huge consequences?
She crouched down in the corridor and placed a gentle palm against Robbie’s cheek. ‘Have you been a naughty boy today?’
‘No…’
Cathy knew that look. ‘Not even a little bit?’ she asked gently.
‘P’raps…just a bit.’ Robbie hung his head. ‘We have to sit still all the time, and we can’t talk, and…’ His voice trailed to a halt. Robbie looked towards the closed classroom door. ‘She’s not nice! Why can’t she be all smiley and funny like Miss Collins was?’
‘I don’t know.’ Cathy heaved a sigh and rose to her feet. She heard a murmur of voices from behind the classroom door and wondered what Daniel and Miss Stubbs were talking about.
‘Is Daniel telling Miss Stubbs off?’ Robbie asked hopefully. ‘For being so mean,’ he added, with feeling. ‘He taught us painting today. He’s very funny. We did about buildings.’ Robbie grabbed Cathy’s hand. ‘I’ll show you mine, if you like. Daniel said it was very good.’
‘I promise I’ll look at it first thing on Monday. Only, I don’t think it’s such a good idea to go in there now.’
‘You can’t on Monday. Nor Tuesday,’ Robbie told her gleefully. ‘We’ve got holidays…’ He thrust a small fist into the pocket of his trousers and produced a screwed-up piece of paper. ‘It says on this letter Miss Stubbs gave to us.’
‘Oh.’ Cathy smoothed out the paper and read the contents quickly. The school, it seemed, was having to have some emergency work done on its roof. ‘Well, that’s nice, then, isn’t it?’ She beamed down at Robbie. ‘A lovely long weekend together.’ Cathy glanced regretfully towards the classroom door, half hoping Daniel would appear. ‘Well, I suppose we’d better be going.’ She took Robbie’s hand. ‘Come on, scamp!’ she added cheerfully. ‘Let’s see what we can have for tea.’
‘Cathy! Wait up!’ After a few moments, Daniel’s deep voice echoed down the empty corridor.
Cathy inhaled a steadying breath, turning to watch as he caught up with her. She really needed to conquer this feeling of light-headed excitement, she told herself. It surely couldn’t be the best thing for her heart.
‘Are you OK?’
‘As well as can be expected.’ She managed a weak smile, conscious of the thudding inside her chest. ‘Considering I’ve just been told I’m inadequate as a parent, that is.’
‘She said that to you?’ His dark head shook. ‘Don’t let Miss Stubbs upset you. She’s not the greatest diplomat in the world. And it’s Friday; she’s tired.’
‘You’re making excuses for her!’ Cathy accused.
‘No.’ Daniel’s voice was firm. ‘No, I promise you, I’m not.’ His mouth curved into a warm, sympathetic smile. ‘I’m just trying to make you feel better.’
Cathy shook her head a little and frowned. ‘I’m not sure she even likes children!’ she murmured, squeezing Robbie’s plump hand. She glanced up into Daniel’s face, conscious of how desperately glad she was to see him again. ‘Do you think I was very rude?’
‘Do you care?’ Dark eyes sparkled mischievously. Heavens! Cathy thought, as her stomach turned an unexpected somersault. No wonder Sandra is desperate to get her hands on him. ‘No,’ Daniel added. ‘I thought you were…’ He hesitated a moment. ‘Just right.’
‘Really?’ Cathy frowned, wondered what was going through his mind. ‘I hate confrontation,’ she declared. ‘Look at me!’ She held out her hand. ‘I’m shaking like a leaf!’
‘I’ll give you a lift home.’ Daniel’s fingers were strong and firm. The thrill of his touch was like an electric shock. She stared down as he squeezed her hand reassuringly, cursing the fact that kindness always made her want to cry. ‘You’ll be fine. Hey!’ Daniel’s voice was gentle. He squeezed her hand again, bending his six-foot-plus frame a little, tilting Cathy’s chin so that he could look into her face, frowning as he saw the tears. ‘Hey, now. You know she’s not worth it,’ he asserted gently. ‘She’s old and crotchety and a snob to boot.’
‘You’re right.’ Cathy sniffed and wiped away the tears with the back of her hand. ‘I know you’re right. It’s just…well, it’s been a hard week, and now this—’ She inhaled a huge breath, conscious of a small, anxious face looking up at her.
‘Mummy, don’t cry!’ Robbie’s small voice wavered a little. He tugged at her hand. ‘Please!’
Daniel delved into the pocket of his trousers and produced a handkerchief. Then he bent down and scooped Robbie into his arms. ‘How about a ride home in my Land Rover?’
‘Yeah!’ Robbie jiggled excitedly. ‘I want to go in the Land Rover! I want to go in the Land Rover!’
Cathy smiled, curious now to know what Daniel was doing here. ‘Are you a teacher?’ she asked.
‘A teacher?’ The gorgeous mouth curved a little. ‘Absolutely not! One day a week is enough for me.’
They began walking along the corridor towards the main entrance of the school. ‘I just help out,’ he continued conversationally. ‘The school needed someone to help with art, so…’ Broad shoulders were lifted in a shrug. ‘I offered.’
‘That’s very good of you—you don’t get paid, I take it?’
‘No.’ Daniel held open the main door for Cathy and Robbie and they emerged into the fresh spring air. ‘I do it for the love of working with people like Miss Stubbs,’ he added dryly.
‘Careful!’ Cathy whispered urgently, staring into a space behind Daniel’s left shoulder. She watched as he glanced around quickly. ‘Got you!’ She grinned, glad of the opportunity to lighten the atmosphere. ‘All this talk about taking no notice of what Miss Stubbs says,’ she accused. ‘You’re as frightened of her as I am!’
Daniel held up both hands in supplication. ‘OK, I admit it. She terrifies the life out of me!’ His mouth twisted humorously. ‘That was cruel!’ he asserted. ‘For a split second I actually thought she was standing right behind me! My heart is banging away like a steam train.’ On impulse he took Cathy’s hand in his. ‘Here, feel it!’
Touching him caused turmoil. Cathy felt the solid strength of his chest beneath her splayed fingers, the touch of his hand upon hers, and struggled to blot out the sharp ache of desire which surged through her body. His heart was beating fast? Cathy tried to keep a calm fac¸ade. She hadn’t expected this. Not Miss Stubbs, nor her outburst, but most especially not Daniel. It was difficult keeping her thoughts under control when he was near. He was so…She shook her head, hardly able to put what she thought about him into words. Kind…handsome…funny…utterly irresistible…‘You see what you’ve done to me?’ Dark, mesmeric eyes held Cathy’s gaze.
‘Sorry…’ she murmured.
‘Don’t