“Um, pompous, and I’m sure you know the meaning.”
“I do, and it’s not flattering.You make me sound like Mr.Collins inPride and Prejudice.”
“Would you prefer Mr.Darcy?”
“He was at least successful,” he answered dryly.
“That’s fair,” she agreed, and laughed.Cat couldn’t believe she laughed.She also couldn’t believe she wanted the job.“When would I start?”
“Tomorrow.”
“That’s soon.”
“Things are desperate around here.But we haven’t even discussed compensation.”
“You said it was generous.”
He named a figure that made her eyes widen and her lips part.Wow.Yes, generous indeed.
“It will help you get home and on your feet, as I imagine two years of graduate school drained your savings.I know from firsthand experience that being an international student is expensive.”
She suddenly felt stupidly close to tears.Money was an issue.She hadn’t been a spendthrift, but she hadn’t needed to earn that second degree, either.“You studied overseas?”
“I did a residency at John Hopkins in neurosurgery.It was a great experience and I considered staying, as there was an opportunity at the hospital, but then I was offered a position in London and returned.
“I’ll phone Eloisa now and get back to you after I speak with her.Is the number you’re calling from the best number to reach you?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be in touch soon.”
*
Rhys Harmon hungup and placed his cell phone on the cottage dining table that had become his desk until he found a new caregiver for his girls.He’d been optimistic that he’d be able to get some work done from the dining room table, but Jilly and Olivia’s constant squabbles, and even more worrying silences, kept him from focusing.
He’d come to Derbyshire with a caregiver.He’d done the whole exhausting application and interview with the agency and followed up on those references before he’d hired someone the agency had assured him was professional, experienced, and flexible.But after four days she’d left, and now he was buried in the English countryside with his two young daughters, his paper, the book, and the deadlines.
Oh, and Christmas, but at the moment, Christmas was the least of his concerns.
Rhys picked up his phone and called Eloisa Graham, who’d been his neighbor for nearly six years.He wasn’t sure she’d be available to take his call, but she did.
“Rhys,” she said.“How are things in the Peaks District?I didn’t expect to hear from you until you and the girls returned.”
“We’ve had some bumps along the way, and I’m in need of a new caregiver.One of your former students applied for the position and gave you as a reference.”
“Did she?Who was that?”
Rhys’s mind went blank.What was her name?Had she even given him her name?He pushed aside his papers and looked to see if he’d made any notes during the call, but he hadn’t.“Eloisa, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t remember her name.I think her name was Kate or Kat.”He rubbed at his temple, frustrated.“I have her number, let me call her back and—”
“No need.I just received an email from Catriona Blake, one of my former graduate students, letting me know she’d given you my name as a reference.”
Catriona.That was it.Definitely not a very American name.
“Was she a good student?Responsible, that sort of thing?”
“Yes.She’s a lovely girl.I very much enjoyed having her in my program the last few years.”
“Can you think of any reason I shouldn’t hire her?Anything that might make her unsuitable as a minder for my daughters?”
