A Wedding in Africa (The Africa Series) by Shirley Carnegie

smile.
    ‘Listen to me, Lacey, as far as I’m concerned you’re one hell of a professional. No question of that. You’ve certainly kept me on my toes. You’ve really made me think about the lodges, and what they can do for me. For Matshana. And I, for one, am very grateful to you.’
    ‘You are?’ Lacey knew he was sitting perilously close to her; knew that the heat from his body was fanning the flames of her own emotions, but, right now, she simply didn’t care. Just being near to Tate Maddox was enough to make her feel safe. Content. Just hearing the rich, deep timbre of his voice made her feel warm inside. No-one had ever made her feel like this before. ‘Do you really think I’m a professional?’
    Tate chuckled and squeezed her fingers. ‘I sure do. And not just any old professional, mark you – but the very best kind of professional. Someone who actually cares what they’re writing about. Not that I’m claiming to be any judge of what makes a good magazine journalist, I hasten to add.’
    ‘Well, let’s just hope Mortimer agrees with you.’
‘I tell you what,’ Tate still held her fingers in his hand and Lacey didn’t try to move away. ‘Let’s put some meat on the bones of this story of yours. Ask me anything you like. Come on - anything at all. Costs going over budget, construction problems, planning restrictions – you ask it and I’ll answer it. These damn lodges haven’t all been plain sailing. In fact, they’ve been a pain in the butt a lot of the time. But they’ll be worth it in the end. So, if Mortimer Schutte wants to spice up their story a bit, let’s go for it, I say! Tell it like it is!’
    Lacey’s heart began to beat wildly. It was as though Tate was giving her carte-blanche to find out the truth, really immerse herself in the spirit of Matshana. Should she use this golden opportunity to find out the truth about Themba? Should she at least try to fulfil her professional responsibilities to her father and Mortimer - and Style Concepts? After all, it was what she was being paid to do.
    Mortimer was right. A human-interest story like this one could make them a lot of money. Her status as an investigative journalist would be secure forever, and no-one, not even her father and Mortimer, could question her professional credibility ever again. Why, Mortimer might even agree to let her stay on at Style Concepts after they were married. How brilliant would that be?
    She knew that any journalist worth their salt would give their right arm for a story like this to fall into their lap. Could she afford to give up this opportunity to cement her own professional reputation in Cape Town and beyond?
    ‘So?’ said Tate. ‘What’s the verdict? Do you want an exclusive interview about the trials and tribulations of Matshana’s build programme or not?’
    Suddenly, Lacey knew that she couldn’t do it. She had to stay true to her ideals. She couldn’t exploit Tate’s trust in her. ‘That’s so kind of you, Tate, but it’s probably not what Mortimer has in mind.’
    Tate’s smile froze. ‘So what does he have in mind then? I thought you were sent here to talk to me about the lodges. What else could possibly be on the agenda?’
    ‘I’m not really sure what angle Mortimer’s actually looking for,’ Lacey lied. ‘Like I said, I’m not much of an investigative journalist. Ask Mortimer – or my father for that matter. And you’re right, as far as I’m concerned, I’m here to publicise the lodges. Nothing else. And if Mortimer doesn’t like what I’ve written – I guess he’ll just have to sack me!’
‘So this guy - this Mortimer Schutte – he’s your boss, is he? I thought your father owned Style Concepts.’
     
‘He does, but Mortimer’s his number two.’
    ‘Second in command? Over you? Jasper Van der Zyl made that jerk, Mortimer Schutte, his number two, over you? His own daughter? So, let me get this straight - effectively, Schutte is your boss? Am I