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.She cared about those two children and felt that in some way fate had thrown them together for a purpose.Don did not want her; he had hinted, quite strongly, that he wanted the house and contents sold in order that he could take his share.He wanted a divorce; there was no possibility of reconciliation.So what was there to keep her in England? Again she wished she were somewhere else.She was being rushed into a decision influenced by the desperate plight of the Scott children, but were there any snags? One did not precipitate oneself into a totally new life without at least some prior consideration.And yet within less than thirty seconds she was hearing herself say,‘I’ll accept the post, Monseigneur.When would you like me to start?’He leant back in his chair, and it was only then, when she heard him draw a long breath, that she fully realised just how anxious he had been.He looked at her.‘I think it is I who should ask: when can you come, Miss Clark?’Yes, that was the more sensible way, she had to admit.‘I’d have to go home first,’ she began.‘Certainly,’ he agreed.‘I suppose—’ Jane began to calculate, aware that she was creating a state of urgency that was not necessary, since the children’s minds could be put at rest merely by their uncle’s being in a position to tell them that Miss Clark was coming soon.‘I should say that a week would be enough.There isn’t much to do, not really.’Philippe de Chameral’s glance was swift, and strange.‘A week, mademoiselle? You will surely have to give you employers some notice?’She coloured, lowering her head quickly.It had entirely slipped her memory that she had led him to believe that she worked for a living.'Yes—of course.Er—perhaps we had better say a fortnight I th-think my—employer would be satisfied with one week’s notice.’‘I leave it to you, then.The main thing is that it’s settled that you take up the post as nanny to my niece and nephew.’ He paused a moment, and then, ‘You have parents? You might like me to write to them?’Jane shook her head.‘I have no parents,’ she said.‘You’re young to have lost your parents.You have brothers and sisters?’Again she shook her head.‘No, I’ve no—no relations.’ Her eyes smarted suddenly.No relations Don was already being considered as a nonentity in her life.It was incredible, like something that happens to others but never to oneself.‘I’m sorry,’ her companion was saying, but went on to add, his voice cool and clipped and alien-sounding.‘That circumstance does make things easier for you, mademoiselle.You have a home of your own?’‘I share a home.’ How easily that had come to her lips!‘I see.Well, it is all settled.You’ll receive all expenses, naturally.Perhaps my secretary at the refinery will make a rough assessment and I can advance you some money.’‘There’s no need, Monsieur de Chameral,’ she said.‘It will do later.’ She would have some money from the sale of the furniture, she thought.‘As you wish.’ He was beckoning the waiter to fill up their glasses.‘I can now tell the children that you are coming back to them.’‘Have they been very unhappy?’ she asked, a tremor in her voice.‘Very.We’ve had tears every day since you went I don’t believe they would ever have settled if you were unable to come back to them.’Jane blushed at the compliment but said nothing, and for the remainder of the meal she and her companion talked of inconsequential things, he asking how she liked the hotel, and Jane, encouraged by the slight thawing of his cool detachment, venturing the odd question about his estate, and the refinery.Jane stood in the middle of the room staring at her husband,‘It’s all off, you say? You and Gina have parted, for good?’Don swallowed, turning from his wife’s disbelieving eyes.‘We quarrelled, badly, over something she did ’ He broke off, swallowing again.Jane, knowing him so well, saw at once that he was heartbreakingly cut up by the quarrel
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