Kate could see that she was being outmanoeuvred. `If you think it's that necessary I'll buy some new clothes myself,' she tried, but he shook his head.
`No, this is to be at my expense.'
`But I really can't let you buy clothes for me!' 'Why not?'
'Well… it's too personal.'
`If it bothers you that much, think of it as a kind of uniform,' Luke said, an edge of impatience creeping back into his voice, much to Kate's amusement. He had obviously been nice for long enough.
Realising that there was no point in arguing further at this stage, she stood up and gathered together the cups.
`I'll go shopping this afternoon,' she promised.
It was a busy morning, and Kate was glad of the hectic pace to keep her mind occupied. She didn't want to think about what Luke had said. Prim and proper. Uptight spinster. Was that how he saw her? Was that how she was?
She had spent all weekend telling herself how indifferent she was to Luke, only to lose control completely as soon as he criticised her. Some indifference! It would have been far more dignified to have reacted with cool unconcern, instead of shouting like that and then letting herself be won over by a simple smile. Really, it was pathetic!
Kate had resolved to go out and buy a token dress to keep Luke satisfied but she had reckoned without his insisting on accompanying her. He caught her trying to slip out of the office unnoticed, and took her arm in a firm grasp.
`There's really no need for you to go with me,' she protested, propelled despite herself along the pavement by his hand beneath her elbow. `You must have lots to do this afternoon.'
Luke's smile was almost malicious as he glanced down at her. `I'm a successful businessman, and that means finding time for the things that matter. I like to keep a close eye on expenditure and select my investments very carefully! Left to yourself, Kate, I have no doubt you would buy yourself some more neat, practical suits, and that's not what I have in mind at all!'
Five minutes' walk took them to the centre of Knightsbridge, crowded with shoppers in spite of the cold February day. Luke swept Kate through the throng and into a small shop tucked away in one of the back streets behind Harrods. It was discreetly lit, with thick carpets and an expensively perfumed air. Inside there were few clothes on display, but, when Luke had explained what he wanted to the alarmingly well-dressed sales staff, a seemingly inexhaustible supply was produced out of nowhere.
Luke sat on a spindly chair with his arms crossed as different outfits were held up against an uncomfortable Kate, nodding abruptly or dismissing them with a wave of his hand.
`She needs autumn colours,' he said as an assistant proffered a bright turquoise dress. `That's too hard for her.' Kate eyed it wistfully as it was whisked out of sight. `Look,' he went on, picking up a soft tan skirt that was draped over a sofa and holding it impersonally against her. `This is what she needs-soft lines, earthy colours that reflect her personality.'
Kate was scarlet with embarrassment, but neither Luke nor the saleswomen took any notice. They carried on talking over her as if she were no more than a dummy, matching shoes with bags and holding up scarves and belts that appeared out of bottomless drawers.
`Relax!' Luke ordered as Kate shifted uncomfortably yet again. `I thought you Frenchwomen were supposed to take an interest in clothes.'
`I think I must take after my father,' Kate said glumly. `My mother and sister can shop till they drop, but I've never been able to get that excited about it.'
`It shows,' Luke said caustically. `Now, go and try that lot on and look as if you're enjoying yourself!'
The pile was borne off to the fitting-room, while Luke took a mobile telephone out of his briefcase and dialled a number, jabbing at the buttons with characteristic aggression. Kate heard him booking a table for two for dinner that night, and wondered whom he was taking out. Helen Slayne? Or was she the reason for his fraught weekend?
The thought of Helen's vibrant beauty made her study her reflection in the fitting-room a little forlornly. No amount of expensive clothes would give her that kind of glamour.
`Come out and let me have a look,' Luke commanded from the other room.
With a sigh Kate tucked in the olive-green shirt and did up the zip on the skirt. The suede was soft and luxurious, and she smoothed it with her hands as she pulled aside the curtain and presented herself for Luke's inspection.
He walked round her, studying each outfit so dispassionately that Kate's tawny eyes began to snap with golden lights. It was humiliating, standing here, being inspected. She was burningly aware of Luke's eyes on her body-not that he seemed to notice it. She might as well have been made of plastic as he prowled around her, a dark, powerful presence, impossible to ignore.
By the time Kate emerged from the fitting room, laden with outfits and dressed in her own clothes once more, she was tight-lipped but determined not to get involved in another scene.
Luke was talking into his phone again. `Helen? It's Luke. Just to say that I won't be able to make it tonight after all… What's that? That's too bad,' he said curtly. `I've got an important business meeting tonight.' He switched off the phone and banged the aerial back with the flat of his hand as he turned to look at Kate. `Do they fit?'
`Yes, but-'
`We'll take them all.'
He handed a credit card to a beaming assistant, who hastened to relieve Kate of her burden. `Now for the hair.'
Kate maintained a frosty silence as Luke led her through what seemed an unnecessarily tortuous route to the hairdressers'. For someone who had a limousine and driver at his disposal, he was far too ready to walk, she thought as she struggled to keep up with his long, decisive stride.
It was a dull, cold day, and Kate wrapped her coat about her against the wind, thinking longingly of the warm, comfortable Mercedes which had been summoned to collect all the bags from the shop and deliver them to Kate's flat later. Luke had flatly refused to wait for it to give them a lift.
`There's no point in sitting around waiting for the car when it's just as quick to walk. Now, hurry up, Kate, or we'll be late.'
The Cadogan Salon was in a quiet street not far from the King's Road. Kate eyed its green awning uneasily, but once inside she was taken into friendly but capable hands.
`I want you to cut it short,' Luke instructed, holding his hand just below Kate's jawline. `About here. And do anything else you think necessary. I want her to look smart and stylish.' He turned back to Kate. `I'm going back to the office now. Take a taxi home when they've finished with you here, and be ready for me to pick you up at half-past seven.'
Kate let herself be helped into a gown to protect her suit. `But I thought you had an important business meeting?'
`I have. I'm taking you out to dinner.'
She stared at him as she tied the belt automatically. `Me? Why?'
'I want to discuss the Paris trip with you, since we haven't had an opportunity this afternoon,' Luke said briskly. `And don't try and pretend you're busy. You're the sensible sort of girl who would spend the evening before a trip getting herself organised and making sure you got to bed early, so if you had had any plans I'm quite sure you would have cancelled them. Or am I wrong? Is there more behind that demure exterior than meets the eye? Is there a queue of palpitating lovers waiting to take you out tonight?'
His mockery was obvious, and Kate's chin tilted with stiffened pride. `No, the palpitating lovers were last night.'
There was a brief flash of admiration in Luke's eyes. `Good,' he said. `In that case, I'll see you later.' He pulled his diary out of his inside pocket. `Remind me of your address.'
`It's all right,' Kate said quickly, remembering the photographs of her parents and of the manor in her sitting-room. She didn't want to run the risk of Luke's coming in and recognising them. `Why don't I just meet you at the restaurant?'