CHAPTER 1 - "Baby you can drive my Car"
Marian jerked her head up from the papers she'd been studying ,
The sound of a car door slamming prompted her to check the time. Scooping up her purse and stuffing papers in a bag overflowing with books; she raced toward the staircase.
Its about bloody time ...she muttered.
...
Shielding his eyes from the glare of the strong morning sun, Rob slipped on his sunglasses to examine the sprawling house that lay before him- Large, old and ornate, the stone mansion was charming despite its grandeur. A long balustrade wrapped the front of the building to connect the towers at each end.
The house is a castle, he thought, and she no doubt treated like a princess. Pampered and pandered to, ...designer clothes and expensive jewels, He bit his lip crossly as he stared down at his Canali suit and shiny new Omega watch. He shouldn't be one to criticize on that count. . Dammit Matty why did I let you talk me into this job, I should have let Carter take it,
He straightened his collar and tugged on the cuffs under the impeccably tailored jacket. Sighing, he strode toward the house with resignation, This was either going to be a bloody boring hell job, or a deceptively dangerous disaster. But it is a job, my job, he thought as he rang the bell.
He followed the maid Kate into the hall, " You're late" ...she scowled under her breath as she led him into an office at the back of the house.
Edward Fitzwater sat in the dark paneled library surrounded by books and antiques from around the globe, Edward was ancient but kind looking, Coming around the desk he extended a hand..."You're young" he observed.
"Robert Huntington Sir...and I am sure that you have read my dossier and can attest to my experience; despite my age. Besides age can be an advantage'
Edward smiled as he shook his hand…"Well, that put me in my place my boy...welcome, You will need that wit if you are going to tolerate Marian all day and live to tell about it."
On cue Marian stormed into the study, "You're late, we have to leave" she spat
"Marian..where are your manners", Edward scolded
"My manners are already in the car and halfway down Exeter street, Let's go"
Edward rolled his eyes and looked apologetic…"You're on your own Huntington, Better get moving."
With a nod of agreement and a quick 'Good day Sir' he followed the frantically disorganized Marian into the hall as she scrambled to jam everything into her bag.
"Allow me miss", he retrieved her bag, and reached for the items under her arm, depositing them inside the cavernous tote.
Marian scowled …"Don't call me miss, I'm not 16. …...Go out to the car. Put my stuff in the back seat and for God sake, start the air."
Nodding his head in servitude, he escaped out the door as Marian screamed for Kate to get water, while she scrambled to find her campus map in the hall secretary.
The door closed and blocked out the chaos behind, Hell job ...he muttered to himself.
Tossing the bag into the back seat of the shiny black BMW he slid into the cool leather seat and clicked on the ignition. As the engine purred, he set the air to high and adjusted the mirrors. Well this part of the job would be a pleasure. He had driven a pretty wide range of vehicles in his career and this one was top notch. Precise handling, flawless acceleration, grea...
He was startled out of his appreciation as the door flew open and the chaos ensued once again. Marian fumbled with a purse, a phone , a day planner and a stack of disheveled papers as she slammed the door. "Move",she ordered bluntly.
"Yes Maam'...Huntington schooled his features as she glared at him in the mirror, Barely able to suppress a smirk, he looked back at the road..
Marian was on the phone for most of the trip , which left time for him to observe her unnoticed through the rear view mirror.
Not bad looking….. brown hair with a soft curl, wide blue eyes which when they weren't scowling at you were rather nice...as she relaxed on the phone he even caught her smiling during the conversation with her friend Allan. She didn't appear to be as high maintenance as he had presumed. Her clothes and makeup were actually quite conservative. No jewelry except a small cross necklace... She looked like the average girl dotting any university campus in the country.
He managed to secure a space in the crowded university parking lot. Darting from the car, he pulled open the door and offered a hand as Marian hung up the cell and switched back into bitch mode.
" I get out of class at 2:30. Then, I need to run to the bookstore to pick up my textbooks ...so be back her at three. Park where I can see you. Don't beep the horn, I'll find you….and don't call me madame."
"As you wish Milady." He nodded in affirmation, glancing down so she couldn't see his amusement.
Frowning he watched her storm up the sidewalk...a tornado of papers, electronic devices and bags.
Turning back to the car, he sighed and shook his head before contemplating his options. When he had taken this job, Matilda had pointed out that it would be a great opportunity. High profile and plenty of free time to allow him to improve his skills. Not one to procrastinate, he had immediately registered for online classes; set up a schedule and a list of objectives. Now, where to begin?