Mrs. Lambton gave a cautious nod.
Paul hesitated. “Why isn’t your brother the one interviewing me? Surely if that were the case, he could ensure he approves of?—”
“Adam does not want a companion,” she interjected bluntly. “And it isIwho will be hiring you, not Adam. Personally, I feel he should not be living here alone in this huge house. It would have been a big enough undertaking if he were fit. Now that he is blind…” She massaged her temples with her fingertips. “However, Adam has made it abundantly clear that he wishes to reside here. A live-in companion is my attempt at a compromise.” She peered at Paul. “The advert did stipulate that this is a live-in position?”
Paul nodded.
She smiled. “Then perhaps all that remains is for me to formally offer you the position. Are you willing to accept?”
Paul quickly turned over his options in his head. Jobs on the island were few and far between, and after a year of looking, he’d been panicking. He was more than ready to leave home, not that it hadn’t been useful to stay with his parents while he hunted for jobs.
But let’s face it, Dad’s more than ready for me to leave, too.Possibly the understatement of the year.
Paul didn’t want to have to leave the Isle of Wight. He loved living there, and it had been a real wrench to study onthe mainland. This position offered him the chance to live in a beautiful house, overlooking one of his favorite places on the island, Steephill Cove.
Yeah, never mind that—what about this Adam?By the sound of it, Paul might not last long in his new job, not if Adam was determined to make him quit.
That made him stop and think. Paul had never been a quitter, and the idea of staying the course when others had fled appealed to him.
“What would the job entail, exactly?” A bit of last-minute information might provide him with the push he needed.
Mrs. Lambton straightened in her chair. “You would be responsible for preparing my brother’s meals, doing the shopping, the laundry and the cleaning. You would make sure he attends any appointments with his doctor or at the hospital. You would see that all his mail is answered. In return, you will be provided with a salary, room and board, and the run of the house. But you must bear in mind that Adam’s care is your first priority.” She scowled once more. “I was more than prepared to take care of him, but Adam has made itveryclear that he does not want me living here.” She lowered her gaze to stare at the polished surface of the desk, but not before Paul caught a flash of anger.
He hesitated before speaking his mind. “It seems to me Adam doesn’t wantanyoneliving here.”
Mrs. Lambton raised her chin slowly. “Am I to understand you do not wish to accept the position?” There was an undercurrent to her voice, something Paul couldn’t get a handle on. Her gaze was speculative. For one brief moment, it almost appeared that she wanted him to turn down the job. Except that didn’t make sense.
It intrigued the hell out of Paul.
He smiled. “I would be delighted to accept.” He watched her reaction carefully for any sign of the emotion he’d just witnessed, but there was nothing.
“Excellent.” She extended a hand across the desk and Paul shook it firmly. “As today is Friday, how about if we consider Monday the first day of your employment? Will that give you enough time to arrange to move your belongings here?”
He nodded. “More than adequate.” He didn’t have that much in the first place.
“Then perhaps it’s time for you to meet Adam.”
That was all it took for Paul’s heart to start racing.
She rose to her feet and led him out of the room to the next door. She paused outside. “Adam is in here, and in the circumstances, I feel it important that you meet him without my presence.” Paul swore he saw pity in her eyes. She patted his arm. “I will be in the next room when you have finished.” And with that she smiled and left him standing outside the closed door.
Paul stared at it, heart pounding.For God’s sake, just get in there. Adam wasn’t an ogre.
No, he’s a cantankerous, obstinate bastard who doesn’t want a companion.
Heart quaking, he raised his hand and rapped on the wooden surface.
Nothing.
Paul knocked again, louder this time. Still no sound came from the room.
There was nothing for it but to enter. Paul pushed open the door and walked into the room, facing straight ahead. When he saw the figure by the window, he caught his breath. He’d built up a picture in his mind of Adam, conjured up by Mrs. Lambton’s description and his own preconceptions of what an author looked like. The reality bore no resemblance to his imaginings.
Adam sat in a wide armchair by the window, facing away from Paul, a white cane leaning against the arm. His curly, black hair almost reached his shoulders, the light glinting off it. There were hints of silver at the temples. His beard was thick, his long legs encased in sweatpants, stretched out in front of him, his feet bare. Adam had wide shoulders, his arms toned, a black T-shirt hugging his contours, from what Paul could see at any rate, from his angle.
Paul cleared his throat. Adam’s only response was a slight stiffening of his posture. He continued to stare toward the window. Paul walked quickly across to Adam’s chair. “Good afternoon, sir. My name is Paul Vaughan. Mrs Lambton has just hired me as your companion, so I thought I’d introduce myself.”
Adam didn’t move, didn’t make a sound. It was only the steady rise and fall of his chest that told Paul he was indeed breathing.
