“I’m not joking.”
She looked searchingly at him. “How do you know that?”
“Because he’s been picking my brains about you. What you thought, what you did, how you reacted to things. Everything. He wanted to know everything about you. It was never overt, always subtle, but always there. I knew what was going on. I knew he was going to pursue you... when the time was right.”
“But...” When had Blaize ever noticed her? “He didn’t know me,” she remarked in puzzlement.
Jerry gave her a wise look. “He knows more about you than you can possibly imagine.’’
“Then why didn’t he do something about it? If he was so interested in me...”
“Oh, Blaize Callagan is a master of strategy,” Jerry said bitterly. “He would wait until the time was right for him.”
Tessa frowned over that remark, aware Blaize did calculate everything to his best advantage. He certainly liked time to be on his side.
Jerry quickly recollected himself and projected an earnest look. “I did my best to protect you, Tessa. I never realised something serious might come of his, uh, interest. So I tried to put the lid on it. I told him you were getting married. Wouldn’t even look at another man. But that, quite obviously, was no deterrent to Blaize Callagan.”
“Oh!” Tessa did not know whether she was shocked or flattered by Blaize’s ruthless disregard for her attachment to another man.
“When the accident happened to Rosemary, he saw his chance. And took it. No doubt if that hadn’t happened he would have made some other chance to open the way,” Jerry said musingly. “Once that guy makes up his mind, nothing stands in his way.”
If it does, he steps around it, Tessa thought.
Jerry paused to project apologetic appeal. “I was called to choose a substitute secretary for the conference. But it was... made clear to me that you were the only suitable choice. Not spelled out exactly. But the message was quite unmistakable. I am not known to be slow at picking up inferences. I got the message. After all, I’ve got a wife and kids to support.”
He heaved a rueful sigh. “I regret to say that, although it weighed heavily on my mind, I did put my livelihood ahead of your welfare, Tessa. I hasten to add that, knowing your particular circumstances and your character, I felt if any woman could stand up to Blaize Callagan you were the one. And I prayed very hard that everything would go right.”
Tessa remembered Jerry had looked as though he was praying in the helicopter. After Blaize had lifted her bodily into her seat. And he had advised her, too late, on Tuesday morning to keep her guard up with Blaize or she might get torn apart.
“I have always thought you were a grand girl, Tessa,” Jerry went on with gathering fervour. “Taken a personal and paternal interest in you. I hope you appreciate—I’m sure you do—that Blaize Callagan is a very hard man to say no to. I just couldn’t.”
“I see.” She gave him a stern look. “You let me walk into the lion’s den without so much as a word of warning, Jerry Fraine.”
He lifted his hands higher. “Tessa, I swear, I didn’t know for certain. I could have been putting two and two together and making five. But the fact is... well, to put it bluntly, you do have a lot of femininity... and...”
“I do?”
Jerry nodded knowingly. “The cutest bottom in the building.”
Tessa huffed. “I’m more than just a bottom, Jerry Fraine.”
“I know. I know,” he said hastily. “And I figured Blaize Callagan would find that out in very short order. At least, I hoped so. I prayed for it.”
Tessa now understood why Blaize had looked at her as he did in his office last Monday morning—studying her and giving those little nods of satisfaction. He had noticed her, and wanted her, and when extraordinary circumstances had presented him with a handy opportunity, he had gone for what he wanted. Totally ruthless.
He had known she was getting married. And he hadn’t known the wedding had been called off. Was he a complete cad? Well, she was going to find out about that when a suitable moment came.
Jerry grinned. “Obviously you got to him, Tessa. And good for you! I couldn’t be more delighted. Thrilled. Without a doubt, what Blaize Callagan needs is a wife like you.”
Tessa frowned. Why did Jerry think Blaize needed a wife like her? On the surface of it, she wasn’t suitable for Blaize at all.
Jerry suddenly cracked up, peals of mirth spilling from him in uncontrollable bursts. “I just think it’s glorious justice that everything’s turned out the way it has. The biter got bitten. Well and truly. Not even Mr. God Almighty Callagan could have anticipated that it would all turn out like this.”
He took his spectacles off and wiped tears from his eyes. “Or maybe he did. Forget what I just said, Tessa. Maybe he always meant it to. God knows. I’ve never been able to read him right. Not completely right.”
Blaize had meant to have her, Tessa thought. That was absolutely right. However, she was only too aware that it was she who had forced the marriage decision onto him. If she hadn’t, would Blaize have ever come to it?
Jerry shook his head. “I was wrong to laugh. It was the surprise of it. That’s all. Apart from my wife, you’re the most marvellous girl it’s been my privilege to know, Tessa. And I congratulate you. With all my heart and mind and soul, I do most fervently congratulate you. You’re the only person I know who’s beaten Blaize Callagan on a deal and come out winning. A pity you can’t stay on. You could have given me lessons.”
Tessa couldn’t help smiling at him. Whether the winning would go on was a big question mark. She had no idea what the future held. “Why do you think Blaize needs a wife like me, Jerry?” she asked bluntly.
Jerry Fraine was a very shrewd and a very smart man. He paused, instantly sensing it was a serious question, and he gave her the respect of giving it serious thought. “Don’t repeat this, Tessa. This is between us. But I think Blaize Callagan needs humanising. I do believe you’re possibly the one person who can do it. And, Tessa...”
“Yes?”
He smiled in his kindly fashion. “I hope he makes you happy. I don’t know if you will be, but I wish you all the best... always.”
“Thanks, Jerry.”
They parted with mutual regret. They had shared a good working relationship. Tessa thought if she had any influence over Blaize, Jerry Fraine would eventually be promoted. She had no concern at all over Jerry repeating this story to anyone, except possibly his wife. Jerry was the soul of discretion when it came to his business life. After all, he had a wife and kids to support.