Forced Bride Page 4

  put all the pain of separation and misunderstanding behind them.

  Her mouth tightened as she remembered how, in the aftermath of that disastrous night, she’d waited in mounting

  desperation to hear from Simon. But forty-eight endless hours had passed without a word and, as the time lengthened,

  her pride would not allow her to contact him and demand to know what the hell was going on.

  She’d been in the village, parking her bicycle outside the general stores, when Jilly Aubrey had emerged.

  ‘Well, hi,’ she drawled, giving Emily the usual disparaging once-over. ‘Where’s that gorgeous Italian who was staying

  with you I want to invite him to our New Year bash, if he’s going to be around.’

  Emily gave her a cool look. ‘I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. He’s gone, and he won’t be coming back for New Year,

  or any other time.’If my prayers are answered …

  Jilly shrugged. ‘Don’t sound so pleased, honey, because you’re in the same boat. Simon’s staying on in London,

  according to Mother.’

  ‘London,’ Emily repeated before she could stop herself.

  ‘You mean you don’t know’ Jilly’s eyes glinted with malice. She lowered her voice confidentially. ‘Dad found out over

  Christmas that he’d been borrowing money from Ma again, and there was a massive explosion,chez nous . Fall-out

  everywhere, my dear. So pretty Cousin Simon’s been sent off to seek his fortune, or find a job that will enable him to pay

  a few of his debts, anyway. If such a thing exists,’ she added with a faint sneer. ‘Whatever, he won’t be allowed back

  until he’s gainfully employed, so I’d look around for another boyfriend if I were you.’

  ‘But I’m not you,’ Emily said quietly. ‘I believe in Simon and I’m prepared to wait.’

  The other girl shrugged again. ‘More fool you,’ she retorted. ‘Don’t say you weren’t warned.’ And she walked down the

  street to her car and drove away.

  Simon could have told me, Emily thought forlornly as she queued for her stamps at the post office counter. In fact,

  heshould have told me.

  And we didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye because of that bloody Rafaele Di Salis.

  Even the slightest mention of his name seemed to have the power to make her burn with rage and humiliation, although

  she’d done her damnedest to put him out of her mind.

  But she was still haunted by the way he’d looked at her that awful night, and it was galling beyond belief that he should be

  the first man to see her even semi-naked.

  One of her first acts after his departure had been to wrap that horrible underwear in newspaper and add it to the

  incinerator in the garden where the last of the dead leaves were burning.

  Gone, she’d told herself. Over and done with. Only, somehow, it didn’t seem to be that simple, and she didn’t know

  why.

  She tried to give her thoughts a more positive turn as she cycled back to the house, telling herself that it was a good thing

  that Simon was looking for work—the first step towards the future they were planning. Although it didn’t mean, of

  course, that her father would fall over himself to give them his blessing. But it was a start.

  And as for Jilly’s remarks—well, Emily decided, she shouldn’t give them credence. Simon’s cousin had been spiteful over

  their relationship from the start. And her disappointment over Raf Di Salis hadn’t sweetened her disposition either.

  Over dinner that evening, she said, ‘We aren’t having visitors for New Year, by any chance, are we’

  ‘No one. Why, is there someone you wish to invite’ her father asked.

  ‘No,’ Emily said too vehemently. ‘Absolutely not. I was just—checking, that’s all.’

  Sir Travers examined the wine in his glass. ‘Did you hope, perhaps, that Rafaele might be joining us’

  ‘On the contrary,’ Emily denied quickly.

  He gave her a long, steady look. ‘Why do you dislike him’

  ‘Does there have to be a reason’ Her tone was defensive.

  ‘I suppose not,’ he said. ‘But I would prefer it if you were friends.’ There was a quiet, almost stern note in his voice that

  Emily knew of old. ‘I expect him to be a regular guest here, and as his hostess, my dear, you will make him welcome.’

  Emily’s heart sank, but she managed a neutral, ‘Yes, of course.’

  At the same, she surreptitiously crossed her fingers that there would be no return visit from the Count until she was safely

  back at school.

  And it seemed her luck was in, because Raf Di Salis continued to stay away and Emily found the latter part of her holiday

  truly enjoyable, in spite of Simon’s absence.

  She was packing to return to school when she eventually heard from him. Simon was back at High Gables just to collect

  his things, having found work with an importexport company in the City.

  Over a snatched lunch at the village pub, Simon explained that, although he was starting at the lowest level, the job could

  be a stepping stone to real money.

  ‘And I could travel,’ he told her exultantly. ‘The company has branches all over the world.’ He paused, then put his hand

  over hers. ‘And in a few months I’ll be earning enough to come back for you.’

  Emily smiled and tried to be thrilled for him, but there was a bleakness in her heart that she could not explain. It occurred

  to her that his words had a hint of afterthought about them. That maybe if he hadn’t had belongings to collect from his

  uncle’s house, she might not have heard from him at all.

  Also, there seemed to be a tacit agreement between them not to mention the Boxing Night party, and although she was

  prepared to accept this, she still felt she deserved an explanation, if not an apology.

  After all, Simon must know that he wasn’t the only one to suffer the embarrassment of an encounter with Raf Di Salis that

  night. Wasn’t he even curious

  But she swiftly told herself she was being unfair. His life was undergoing some sweeping changes, and part of the reason

  he was undertaking them was for her.

  She watched him drive away, clinging to his promise to call her every weekend.

  He will come back to me, she whispered to herself, as she waved to him. He will come back. I—I know it.

  But clearly not immediately, because he was far too busy. And gradually the phone calls crammed with news of his

  successes at work, and the friends he was making, began to dwindle away until they stopped completely.

  At Easter there was no sign of him, and Emily, hurt and bewildered, could not bring herself to ask for news when she met

  any of the Aubreys. And, a week or so later, she was completely devastated when the announcement of his engagement

  to a girl called Rebecca West appeared inThe Times .

  ‘He’s done well for himself,’ her father commented curtly over breakfast. He passed the newspaper to Raf Di Salis, who

  was staying with them again. ‘Her father’s Robert West, of course, the South African media tycoon.’

  The Count returned some non-committal reply, but Emily was aware that he was watching her across the table. Which

  made it utterly essential that she stayed in her seat, eating her toast as if it was all that mattered, when what she really

  wanted was to escape to her room and give way to the tears tightening in her chest.

  But she could not—would not break down in front of Raf Di Salis, of all people.

  I hate him, she thought childishly. I hate him for being here. For—knowing how I must feel, because he might just pity me,

  and that would be unbearable.

&nbs
p; But when Simon eventually did return, he had no wife with him, tycoon’s daughter or not. It was Emily herself who had

  been married for over two years. And she was hesitant at first when Simon rang and asked if he could see her.

  ‘Nothing heavy, Em,’ he persuaded. ‘Just a chat about old times over a drink.’ He paused. ‘Unless your husband would

  object.’

  She said curtly, ‘He’s not here to express an opinion,’ and the die was cast.

  Simon had been frank about his engagement, which had been broken after only a few months.

  ‘It was never right with Rebecca,’ he said. ‘And I always knew it. Her father encouraged me because her previous fiance

  had a cocaine habit, and I seemed marginally more acceptable.

  ‘Plus it had also been made clear to me that your father had very different plans for you. That, all along, he intended you

  for his aristocratic Italian financier and I had no chance. By asking Rebecca to marry me, I was trying to prove to myself

  that I didn’t care. That I’d moved on. And when I heard you’d actually married Rafaele Di Salis, I felt almost justified.’

  He shook his head. ‘But it was hopeless, because I knew in my heart that nothing would ever change the way I felt about

  you.’

  He shot her a keen glance. ‘People in the village say that he’s hardly ever around. That you rarely see him.’

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘Apart from the gossip columns and the pictures in glossy magazines.’

  He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. ‘Doesn’t that hurt you’

  She shrugged. ‘No, why should it I didn’t marry for love and, as soon as I’m twenty one, the trust will end and I can get

  a divorce.’

  He was staring at her as if he’d never seen her before. ‘My God, Em.’ His voice was barely a whisper as his hand closed

  round hers. ‘Are you saying you’re going to be free quite soon—and that you and I might get a second chance’

  She disengaged herself gently. ‘I can’t possibly say that. It’s far too soon and too much has happened.’

  He said quietly, ‘I want you back, darling. I should have stayed and fought for you, but I had so little to offer. But now I’ll

  move heaven and earth to get you back, so be warned.’

  And now he has me back, Emily told herself. And we can consign the last three years to well-deserved oblivion, and—be

  happy.

  Starting now, she thought, as she heard the chime of the front doorbell. She uncoiled herself from the chair, smiling in

  anticipation as she walked across the room and out into the hall, where Mrs Penistone was admitting the newcomer.

  ‘Simon, how nice.’ She offered her cheek for his kiss, aware of the housekeeper’s faint disapproval. In the older

  woman’s eyes, Emily was still a married woman even if her marriage had never been conducted on conventional lines.

  ‘Penny, we’ll have lunch in half an hour.’

  ‘Yes, madam,’ was the dour reply as Mrs Penistone retreated.

  Simon followed Emily into the drawing room and closed the door behind them.

  ‘Darling,’ he said fervently and took her in his arms, kissing her passionately. As he raised his head at last, he smiled

  down at her. ‘All intruders dealt with’ he asked breathlessly. ‘The divorce papers safely signed’

  Emily freed herself gently and moved to one of the sofas. ‘Not—exactly.’

  ‘But surely they brought them’ Simon seated himself beside her.

  ‘Probably. I didn’t ask.’ She hesitated. ‘You see, I’ve decided against a divorce.’

  ‘What’ The word seemed to explode into the air. ‘What the hell are you talking about Are you saying you’ve changed

  your mind about marrying me’

  There was a sharpness bordering on anger in his voice that she’d never heard before.

  ‘Of course not.’ She stroked his cheek with a placatory hand. ‘It’s nothing like that. It just occurred to me that it would

  be much quicker and simpler if I got an annulment. So I opted for that instead.’

  Simon drew a deep, unsteady breath. ‘And you told them this You—actually said it to your husband’s lawyers’

  ‘Naturally.’ Emily paused. ‘I can’t say they were best pleased, but I convinced them I was in earnest and they’ve now

  gone off to break the news to their lord and master.’

  There was a silence, then Simon said hoarsely, ‘Have you gone mad Are you completely off your bloody head You’ve

  sent a message to a man like Raf Di Salis that you want rid of him on the grounds of non-consummation’ His voice rose.

  ‘Tell me this is a joke—please.’

  Emily’s brows snapped together. ‘I couldn’t be more serious. It’s a far more honest way of ending this travesty than a

  divorce—especially the no-fault variety Raf is pushing for.’ She lifted her chin. ‘He should think himself lucky. After all, I

  could be citing all the women that hehas slept with since our marriage.’

  ‘Well, you certainly didn’t want him, so why the hell should you care how he spends his nights’ Simon got to his feet and

  began to pace the room restlessly, his face like thunder. ‘For God’s sake, Em, call the lawyers back. Tell them you’ve

  had second thoughts, before it’s too late, and that you’ll sign anything they want.’

  ‘Why should I’

  He said bluntly, ‘Because when Di Salis hears you’re asking for an annulment, it will be like a red rag to a bull. And you

  don’t want him angry, Em. Really you don’t.’

  For a moment Emily remembered Signor Mazzini’s warning about throwing down the gauntlet and felt chilled. But she

  rallied, saying with an assumption of lightness. ‘Poor Simon. What on earth did he do three years ago to scare you so’

  He flushed angrily. ‘He didn’t do anything, in the way you mean. He didn’t even say much—because he didn’t have to.

  It’s just—the way he is. Maybe you haven’t seen the ruthless side of him, Em’, he added. ‘But it’s there, just below the

  surface. And I wouldn’t deliberately upset him any more than I’d poke a sleeping tiger with a stick.’

  ‘But why should he be upset’ Emily shrugged. ‘He certainly doesn’t want me either, so why the hell should he care how

  the marriage ends, just as long as it does’

  ‘Because I don’t think it’ll be that simple. Not with him.’ Simon paused. ‘God—you didn’t mention me in all this, did

  you’

  Emily’s frown deepened at the anxiety in his voice. ‘Not by name, but I made it clear I planned to remarry. I’m not

  ashamed of that. Or of you, for that matter.’ She took a deep breath. ‘And I also think it’s time that Count Di Salis

  realised he can’t always have his own way.’

  She paused. ‘And now let’s have a drink. I asked Penny to put some champagne on ice to celebrate the morning’s

  achievements, but maybe you’d prefer a large Scotch instead.’

  ‘Make it a treble,’ Simon said moodily. ‘And have one yourself. Because I’m telling you now, Em, before this business is

  finished you’re going to need it.’

  CHAPTER THREE

  ‘IWON’T see him,’ Emily said stormily. ‘Iwill not .’

  ‘And just how,’ Simon asked, ‘do you plan to avoid him’

  ‘I don’t know. But I’ll find some way.’ She looked at the piece of paper crumpled in her hand. ‘As soon as I received his

  letter I wrote back, making it perfectly clear that I wouldn’t meet him under any circumstances. That any discussion must