A Strict Seduction by Maria Del Rey Page B

full, majestic brilliance. The acres of land around went with the house, a vast expanse of rolling green, woods, and stretches of water glistening in the sun.
    â€˜It’s like something from a film,’ I said, my voice almost a whisper despite the fact that we were alone and in the car.
    â€˜They say this place put him back a few million,’ Todd said, a note of pride in his voice. That was the thing about Jack Salter, he seemed to inspire loyalty in everyone who came into contact with him. I knew Todd was the only one who felt a sense of admiration for a man who’d made millions from nothing and yet still came across as a normal sort of man rather than an accounting machine with a computer instead of a brain.
    â€˜I wish we didn’t have to do this,’ I said quietly as Todd steered the car into a space near the entrance. Ours was the only car there, alone in the shadow of the great mansion, which only added to my nervousness.
    â€˜Don’t worry,’ Todd insisted, trying to inject a relaxed note into his voice. He was tense, but I knew he couldn’t admit that to me.
    â€˜What if I say the wrong thing?’ I asked.
    Todd took my hands in his and looked at me. ‘Don’t worry,’ he repeated, ‘he doesn’t bite. Look, forget everything you’ve heard about him, treat him as though he’s just some other bloke.’
    I shook my head. ‘But he’s not, is he? I mean, he’s your boss for a start. Our whole future depends on him, doesn’t it? I mean, if he likes you then you’ll do well, and if he takes a dislike to you then…’
    Todd cut me off right there. ‘Don’t think about it like that,’ he insisted. ‘Just relax, okay?’
    I nodded, though there was no way I could relax. ‘I’ll do my best,’ I promised, feeling once more out of my depth. God, here I was only just gone eighteen, and I was going in to meet one of the most powerful men in the country. What could I possibly have to say to him? I knew I was going to come across as some tongue-tied silly girl…
    Todd was out of the car first, and he came round and opened my door. I stepped out and felt the cool breeze touch my thighs. I was wearing a summer dress, short, loose, cotton, and way too simple for the occasion. It was Todd’s idea, and now I wished I’d dressed up a bit more.
    â€˜You look fine,’ Todd remarked, as though reading my mind.
    He took my hand and we began to walk towards the house. In the distance I could see a group of men working in the fields, putting up fences, and beyond them a lake sparkling with jewels of light. It was so peaceful, a perfect summer’s day, the sort that only the very rich can afford.
    There was someone at the door to greet us, a ready smile to hand. She was tall, elegant and tanned, with long blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Todd had obviously met her before, they shook hands and said hello and then she turned to me.
    â€˜You must be Elaine,’ she said simply, speaking with the effortless diction that only those born to wealth can acquire.
    â€˜Hello,’ I replied, nervously returning her smile. She seemed friendly enough and I longed to know who she was. Jack wasn’t married, we all knew that, but was this woman his girlfriend? Whoever she was she was dressed immaculately in long wrap-around skirt and a simple silk blouse. Simple but expensive, that was obvious.
    â€˜I’m Amanda,’ she said, ‘I work here at the house. Come on, Jack’s out by the pool.’
    We entered the house and followed her through a hall that could easily take our flat and still leave room for a party. The walls were lined with ancient portraits, coats of arms and the like. A wide oak staircase curved upwards to our right and left, heading up to a first floor landing that looked down over the hall. There were doors to left and right, and corridors leading off all over the place. I