A Christmas Seduction. AMANDA BROWNING

mother winced. ‘Philip, please. Things are quite bad enough without you making them worse,’ she sighed.

      ‘But it’s what we all want to know, Mother. I think she wants to humiliate us all!’

      Maxine sent her son a level look. ‘If I am not humiliated, then there is no need for you to be. Laura is a guest in this house, and I expect you to treat her with courtesy.’

      Laura knew how much it must have cost for her to say that, and she was impressed. Jonathan was right; Maxine Harrington had class.

      Thank you,’ she responded gratefully. ‘I hope that we can get better acquainted whilst I am here,’ she added, and Maxine Harrington shot her a curious look.

      ‘Perhaps,’ she agreed distantly, then smiled coolly. ‘I understand from Quinn that you run a business. I dare say you will not want to be away from it for long.’

      It was delicately put, but Laura got the message loud and clear. She was not to outstay her welcome. She smiled wryly. ‘No more than a few days,’ she confirmed, putting a limit on her stay that the other woman could accept.

      Maxine nodded. ‘Then I hope you enjoy the holiday.’ ‘I’m sure I shall,’ Laura replied with a smile, and the other woman relaxed back into her chair.

      ‘It’s unfortunate that you didn’t tell us you were coming. I’m afraid you missed supper, but I’m sure Norah can find something for you.’ She referred to the housekeeper.

      Food was the last thing on Laura’s mind. For all her outward poise, her stomach had been doing acrobatics ever since she had walked into the room. ‘Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. Jonathan and I ate before we started out.’ She indicated the man standing just behind her.

      Turning her attention to the familiar figure, Maxine gave him a smile of such genuine warmth and welcome that Laura’s heart twisted. She knew it was foolish to feel envious, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to be welcome here too.

      ‘Jonathan, dear boy! I didn’t see you there!’ Maxine exclaimed, holding out her hands to him.

      Jonathan offered Laura a supportive smile as he stepped past her. ‘Maxine. How are you.…?’

      Laura looked on, wondering if she would ever be a part of this family. It occurred to her that they had no reason to accept her, ever. Even if, having heard the truth, they accepted it, they need not welcome her with open arms. She was nothing to them. They might always feel the way they did now. It was a sobering thought.

      ‘Here. Take this.’ Quinn suddenly appeared before her, and the husky-voiced command sent those by now familiar shivers down her spine.

      She glanced from the cut glass full of golden liquid up into his face. Her eyes lingered on his disturbingly sensual lips. He really did have a beautiful mouth. She could envisage it seeking out tender skin, burning it with the intensity of his passion. It would be insistent, and…What in the world was she doing? Good God, was she insane? she groaned silently. She absolutely did not want to think those things about this abominable man!

      ‘What’s in it? Poison?’ she quipped facetiously.

      A hint of a smile curved his lips. ‘I couldn’t find any at such short notice. It’s only brandy.’

      She eyed him askance. ‘Hmm. Do I believe you? You wouldn’t care to taste it first?’

      One eyebrow quirked at her. ‘You could try trusting me,’ he said, but sipped at the liquid all the same. ‘Satisfied?’ he asked softly, fixing her eyes with his as he held the glass out to her.

      Her nerves gave a violent jolt. Surely she had imagined that that perfectly simple question had been laced with sexual connotations? Imagination or not, her senses were reacting in a way which had nothing to do with brandy and glasses, and everything to do with his closeness. She could smell him on every intake of breath. The spicy scent of his cologne tantalised her, whilst the heat of him seared her even though they did not touch. It made her aware of herself in a way she never had been before. Her senses were sharper, more perceptive. They made her want things that were downright dangerous. Like Quinn.

      She was mad. Wanting Quinn Mannion was the height of insanity. He despised her, and she positively loathed him. Her brain knew it, so why didn’t her senses follow suit?

      She didn’t know the answer, but suddenly she really needed that drink.

      Inwardly she cursed the way her hand carried the faintest tremor as she reached out to take the glass. All would have been well even so, had not Quinn’s fingers brushed against hers as she grasped it. Just like before, a tongue of flame went shooting up her arm. She gasped, her reaction instinctive. She jerked her hand away, and the glass wobbled precariously before tumbling to the carpet.

      ‘Oh, no!’ Laura exclaimed, watching the liquid run out. Fortunately the glass hadn’t broken, but the contents were soaking in rapidly.

      ‘I’ll get a cloth,’ Caroline declared with the practicality of a woman used to spills and the various other mishaps brought about by two lively youngsters.

      Other reactions were predictably less constructive and more critical.

      ‘It was her fault,’ Stella accused, glaring at Laura. ‘I saw it myself. You deliberately took your hand away just as Quinn was giving you that glass!’

      Already unsettled by the accident, Laura lost her cool and took umbrage at that. ‘Now just a minute—’ she began, but Quinn interrupted her before she could get into a good flow.

      ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Stella,’ he snapped impatiently.

      ‘It was an accident. There’s no need to make a federal case out of it,’ he added shortly, and the younger woman bristled with affront.

      ‘How can you possibly defend her?’ she gasped, and Laura’s eyes took on a dangerous glint.

      ‘I don’t need defending by anyone,’ she pronounced firmly, and received a quelling look from the man at her side.

      ‘Stay out of this, Laura,’ Quinn ordered, and her lips tightened in annoyance. ‘You’ve done quite enough for one evening,’ he added tautly, and she drew in a furious breath. However, before she could utter a word, Caroline returned with various cloths, and Quinn pulled her out of the way.

      To all intents and purposes they were now separated from the rest of the room. Uncomfortably aware of the sense of isolation, Laura folded her arms in front of her and glared at him balefully.

      ‘What do you mean, I’ve done enough?’

      ‘Trouble just naturally follows you around, doesn’t it?’ he jibed, setting her teeth on edge.

      ‘What exactly are you accusing me of now?’ she demanded to know.

      ‘You have this unbelievable talent for picking fights with everyone in the room,’ he denounced her, and she caught back her first sharp retort in favour of something more taunting. Her eyes glittered as her chin went up.

      ‘Were you impressed?’

      Those blue eyes sharpened intently. ‘Did you expect me to be?’

      Laura gave an offhand shrug. ‘No, which was just as well, as I would have been disappointed. Not much impresses you, does it, Quinn?’

      ‘I would be impressed by your sensitivity if you decided to leave,’ he told her coolly, and she laughed in spite of herself. He was persistent.

      ‘It appears we’re both to be doomed to disappointment,’ she sighed elaborately, watching Caroline climb to her feet. ‘Will it be stained?’ she asked in genuine concern.

      Caroline brushed her hair from her forehead with the back of her hand, and puffed out a breath. ‘It’s hard to say. I suggest you have it professionally cleaned after the holiday, Maxine.’

      ‘Naturally I shall get it done,’ Laura insisted, for it