Heiress on the Run (Harlequin Romance) by Sophie Pembroke

centre. Do you want them as we go along, or shall I put them together in a full report at the end of the week?’
    Dominic let his shoulders relax. ‘It can wait. Just give me the full accounting when we’re done. Including your hours and salary.’
    Her eyes widened again as she looked at him. ‘Okay. Will do.’
    What was it that made it so hard for her to let people trust her? he wondered. Was it just that the scope of this job was a little outside her normal remit? Or was it something more?
    Maybe he’d ask her, one day. If he got the chance.
    ‘So, is it time for me to know where we’re going yet?’
    Faith gave him a mysterious smile. ‘Soon,’ she promised.
    The Americans obviously hadn’t been given any hints, either. They arrived in the lobby in dribs and drabs, dressed in the same cautious smart/casual attire Dominic had opted for. As soon as they were all assembled, Faith clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention and said, ‘Okay, ladies and gentlemen. Time for your first, proper London experience of the trip.’
    Leading them out of the lobby, she kept talking. ‘I know you’ve all been to London before, and I know that you’ve probably experienced a lot of the standard tourist attractions. But there are some things that are so quintessentially London, it would be wrong to miss them out this week. I promise there’ll be some more unusual outings in your future but, just for tonight, I went for the classics.’
    She certainly had. Dominic blinked at the sight of an old-fashioned Routemaster double-decker bus parked outside the Greyfriars Hotel. It looked utterly incongruous, like a penguin in the desert. Glancing over at Faith, he saw she was biting her lip, nervously awaiting his reaction. The Americans were already jostling to get on board, chattering and joking excitedly. But she was waiting to see what he thought. His opinion mattered to her. He liked that.
    ‘Can’t wait to see where it’s taking us,’ he said, and offered her his arm.
    Grinning, she took it, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow, and he realised that it must be the first time they’d touched. Because if he’d felt that electric shock at contact before, he’d have remembered. The touch, the scent, the closeness of her filled his senses, and he had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other to reach the bus and help her up the steps.
    Note to self , he thought as he followed her. Do not touch Faith Fowler again. That way lies madness.
    * * *
    Faith held her breath as she stepped onto the bus, praying it was everything Julian had promised. She’d called in favours from every person she knew in the tourist trade in London to find the best options for the week ahead, and sent up thankful prayers when Julian told her that his latest venture, Big Red Tours, had a last-minute cancellation for that night. The photos and testimonials had been great, but you never knew for sure until you were there...
    With the last step, she looked around and let out a relieved sigh. It was perfect.
    Ben and Jerry were already seated at the table at the back, and a waiter in black tie dress was offering them a drink. The original bus seats had been torn out, replaced by wooden tables for two and four, bolted to the ground, as were the mismatched chairs around them. Red, white and blue cotton bunting hung from the ceiling, and the adverts were all replaced by vintage wartime posters.
    Terri and Marie ventured upstairs and Faith followed, wondering at the sight of more bunting and an honest-to-God rooftop garden, with more seating areas dotted about.
    ‘This is incredible, Faith!’ Marie said, beaming as she took a glass of champagne from the upstairs waiter. ‘Where on earth did you find such a thing?’
    Faith smiled. ‘Trade secret.’
    She waited until everyone had explored the bus and chosen a seat before instructing the driver to start the tour. Period music, the sort that would have played on the American bases