Forced Bride Page 5

be conducted only through our lawyers.’

  ‘Hell’s bells.’ Simon sounded startled. ‘Surely you don’t expect old Henshaw to handle this kind of thing It would be the

  death of him.’

  ‘Of course not,’ Emily returned irritably. ‘He’s Raf’s cotrustee, for heaven’s sake. Thinks the sun shines out of him. No, I

  was planning to hire some big-hitter from London. Someone who won’t run scared of the great Count Di Salis.

  ‘And now—today—I get back from shopping,’ she added furiously, ‘to find this—this bloody telephone message, saying

  that he’s arriving in England in forty-eight hours time and I can expect to see him the following day.’

  She swallowed. ‘What’s worse, he actually dared to tell Penny that he couldn’t wait to see me again, and now she’s

  being all arch and asking which room she should prepare for him, and what would he like for dinner’

  ‘I didn’t know she was such a romantic,’ Simon muttered.

  Emily glared at him. ‘He flirts with her,’ she said stonily. ‘Outrageously.’ She shook her head. ‘Oh, God, Simon, what am

  I going to do And please don’t say “I told you so.”’

  Simon was silent for a moment. ‘Have you called him back’

  She shook her head. ‘I came straight here to ask your advice.’

  Simon chewed on his lip. He seemed, Emily thought, as much on edge as she was herself.

  ‘Why not get in touch with him’ he said at last. ‘See if you can head him off by agreeing to his quickie divorce.’

  ‘Never,’ she said fiercely.

  ‘But what other solution is there—apart from running away, of course’

  Emily lifted her head and stared at him. ‘Simon,’ she said. ‘Darling, you’re a genius.’ She nodded, her eyes narrowing.

  ‘When he arrives, I just won’t be there. Penny can tell him quite truthfully that I’ve gone away for an indefinite period and

  left no forwarding address.’

  Her mouth curled. ‘The world of finance is bound to collapse without him, so he won’t want to hang around, waiting for

  my return. Apart from anything else, it would make him look very silly,’ she added reflectively.

  ‘And, as soon as he’s out of the way again, I can get the annulment started.’ She gave a small exultant laugh. ‘Everything

  beautifully sorted.’

  ‘But where will you go’ Simon asked. ‘You haven’t got long to decide.’

  ‘Somewhere that he won’t even dream of looking.’ She thought for a moment, her bottom lip caught in her teeth. ‘I can’t

  use my passport, of course. I’m sure he could trace me. So it will have to be some incredibly unlikely place in this

  country.’

  There was another silence, then Simon said slowly, ‘Actually, I might be able to help you there. Some people I know

  have a weekend cottage in Scotland—a village miles from anywhere called Tullabrae. They rent the place out when

  they’re not using it.’

  ‘Scotland’ Emily repeated. ‘I don’t suppose Raf even knows where that is.’ She looked at him, her eyes sparkling. ‘Is it

  empty at the moment’

  Simon looked towards the window, at the expanse of wintry sky, and pulled a face. ‘Almost certainly, I’d say.’

  ‘God, it could save my life.’ She thought rapidly. ‘I could rent it for two weeks. That will give Raf plenty of time to give

  me up as a bad job and go back to Paris or Hong Kong or wherever he’s operating from at the moment.’ She put an

  eager hand on his arm. ‘Could you contact them for me—make the arrangements Tell them I’ll pay cash.’

  He looked down at the carpet. ‘Yes—I suppose so.’ His tone sounded strange. ‘If that’s what you really want.’

  ‘Well, of course it is.’ She was puzzled. ‘It sounds ideal. And as you say, I haven’t much time.’

  He made no reply and she looked at him, frowning a little. ‘Darling, is something wrong You’ve been odd ever since I

  got here.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ He summoned a smile. ‘It’s just—Scotland in January. The weather could be tricky.’

  ‘All the better,’ Emily said triumphantly. ‘Count Di Salis prefers his snow in the Italian Alps, designer style. The domestic

  kind won’t appeal to him at all.’

  For a moment he hesitated, then got to his feet. ‘Then I’ll email them now. Make the deal.’ He paused at the door. ‘Shall

  I ask Tracey to bring you a hot drink I won’t specify the flavour, as everything tastes like dishwater.’

  Emily wrinkled her nose. ‘Thanks, my love, but no thanks.’ She hesitated. ‘Have you told your aunt and uncle yet that

  Mrs Whipple left I bet they’re devastated after all these years. I know how I’d feel if Penny gave notice.’

  ‘I haven’t said anything yet. They’re having such a great time on their trip, I don’t want to spoil things. And I’ll hire

  someone else before they get back.’

  Left alone, Emily looked around her. The drawing room at High Gables had always been a gracious room, with its

  beautiful Chinese carpet and pastel furnishings, but since the housekeeper’s departure it was beginning to look shabby

  and unloved. Bare too, she thought, with faint puzzlement. The Georgian candlesticks were missing from the mantelpiece

  and the bow-fronted cabinet containing Celia Aubrey’s prized collection of Meissen figurines seemed half-empty.

  It still seemed incredible that Mrs Whipple should have left while her employers were on their holiday of a lifetime, visiting

  relatives and old friends on a leisurely trip that would take them all round the world.

  And even worse that her place had been taken by Tracey Mason, even temporarily, who’d been sacked as a barmaid

  from the Red Lion for poor timekeeping and general laziness.

  And with no one to keep an eye on her except Simon, who was house-sitting in the Aubreys’ absence and running his

  own import business from High Gables at the same time.

  But, although he might jib at Tracey’s coffee, manlike, he probably didn’t notice unpolished furniture and smeared

  windows, or tally the amount of breakages.

  I hope he does look for a permanent replacement for her soon, Emily thought with a sigh, because the house is beginning

  to look really sad now.

  As though its pulse had stopped beating. And that wouldn’t have happened in Mrs Whipple’s day.

  Much as Emily had grieved for her father, she’d been determined, after his death, to see that the Manor remained just as

  it had been, with all the gracious charm he’d loved, setting her face resolutely against any suggestions of further

  modernisation. And, although it galled her to admit it, Raf Di Salis had accepted her stance and allowed her to have her

  way.

  She got up restively and went to the window. I don’t want to give him credit, she thought, but in this case I have to. He’s

  fulfilled his part of the bargain. And I—I haven’t made waves. Or, not until now.

  She sometimes wondered if she hadn’t been pressured into becoming his wife—if he’d simply acted as her

  trustee—whether they could have managed some semblance of a working relationship.

  In the months before the bombshell of her father’s terminal illness had burst on her, she might not have welcomed Raf’s

  visits but she’d almost become accustomed to them.

  And when she’d been summoned home from school in the middle of the summer term to the news that Sir Travers had

  suddenly collapsed, she’d been almost glad to find him there and had come almost insensibly to rely on his quiet, almost

  impersonal kindness in the trauma of the weeks that followed.

  An inoperable brain tumour,
the doctors had told her, their faces compassionate. And only a matter of time…

  ‘I’ve changed my will,’ Sir Travers said one afternoon when she was sitting with him. ‘You’ll still inherit everything I have

  to leave, my dearest, but not until you’re twenty-one and better able to cope with that kind of responsibility.

  ‘In the meantime, however, I’ve created a trust and your affairs will be administered by Leonard Henshaw.’ He paused.

  ‘And also by Rafaele.’

  The breath caught in her throat. ‘Oh, no, surely not.’ The protest was instinctive. ‘Mr Henshaw I can understand, if you

  think this trust is really necessary, but Count Di Salis is—practically a stranger,’ she added stiltedly.

  ‘I thought that lately you’d become friends.’

  ‘Hardly that, although he’s been—helpful.’

  ‘Nevertheless, this is my decision and it will stand.’ He paused. ‘There is one more thing. As my heiress, you could find

  yourself the target of unscrupulous people and I wish you to be—properly shielded.

  ‘I have discussed this with Rafaele and he has a suggestion to put to you.’

  Her heart seemed to stop. ‘What—what kind of suggestion’

  ‘He intends to ask you to become his wife.’ He saw the shock in her pale face and put his hand over hers. ‘Naturally, he

  would not expect it to be a marriage in the—conventional sense,’ he added awkwardly. ‘Because you’re still young for

  that kind of commitment, even if you wished it.’ He paused. ‘Do you wish it’

  ‘No,’ Emily managed.

  Not with him, she thought wildly. Never with him.

  ‘Then, as your husband, Raf would simply become your legal protector for the duration of the trust.’ The drawn face

  smiled a little. ‘Keeping the wolves at bay, my darling.’

  And who’ll keep him at bayShe thought it, but did not say it.

  ‘And when the trust ends’ she questioned tautly.

  ‘Naturally, you would both be free to go your separate ways. I have his word on that.’

  Her voice was strained. ‘But this can’t be what he wants either.’

  ‘Perhaps not,’ her father said. ‘Let’s just say it’s his way of repaying an old debt.’ He paused. ‘Emily, I can’t force you

  to marry Raf Di Salis, but I need to know that when I’m gone, you won’t be alone. For my peace of mind, I beg you to

  accept his proposal. Do this for me, darling—please. I can rest easy only if I know you’re being cared for.’

  The hoarse words were like nails being driven into her coffin. She said tonelessly, ‘If it’s—really what you wish…’

  ‘It is.’ He patted her hand. ‘Go to him, my dear. He’s waiting for you in the drawing room.’

  Raf was standing by the window when she entered. He looked at her, his face expressionless.

  ‘Your father has told you what I wish to ask’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘So—will you be my wife, Emilia’

  ‘Yes,’ she said again.

  She thought he was going to come towards her and was suddenly assailed by a vivid memory of his arms holding her, his

  lips caressing hers. She froze and immediately felt foolish, because he hadn’t moved at all. In fact, it was almost as if he’d

  taken a step backwards, she thought in confusion.

  His tone was wintry. ‘Then it is settled. You have given your word to me and to your father, which I think is more

  important.’

  She lifted her chin. ‘Yes.’

  ‘And he explained the terms of the contract between us Just nod or shake your head.’ His voice bit. ‘Spare me another

  monosyllable.’

  Her eyes flashed angrily, but she gave a reluctant nod.

  ‘You clearly expect to be obeyed,’ she said coldly. ‘I hope you don’t require to be loved and honoured too.’

  ‘I am no believer in miracles.’ He walked across the room to the door. His faint smile was ironic. ‘Now, shall we go to

  your father and share our good news’

  Remembering, Emily bit her lip. It was the marriage, she thought, that had finally sealed the impenetrable barrier between

  them.

  She had tried to play the minor role in his life assigned to her quietly and dutifully, but it had never been easy—had made

  her tongue-tied and wary when he was around. And oddly resentful when he wasn’t.

  And, although he’d adhered strictly to the terms of their arrangement, she’d always been aware of a strange tension

  between them and felt nervous and on edge whenever she was obliged to be alone with him.

  So—I have no intention of ever being alone with him again, she thought, staring at the bare trees outside. And very soon

  now I won’t even have to think about him.

  And she wouldn’t be looking back at the past now, she told herself, if Raf hadn’t forced himself back into her

  consciousness like this.

  She glanced down at her watch, wondering what on earth was keeping Simon all this time. Maybe the cottage wasn’t

  available after all, but there would be others.

  And maybe she was wrong to involve him. After all, he’d had one run in with Raf Di Salis already and could well be

  targeted again, when her husband came looking for her. Perhaps it was the thought of that which was making him so

  morose—and odd.

  She was on her way to the door to say she’d changed her mind when he returned.

  ‘The booking’s all made, starting from the day after tomorrow. The caretaker in the village will be informed and have the

  place ready for you.’ He gave her a sheet of paper printed with a detailed description of the cottage and how it could be

  reached. ‘The nearest station is Kilrossan,’ he said. ‘Let Mrs McEwen know the time of your train and you’ll be met.’ He

  paused. ‘I made the reservation in your maiden name. I hope that’s all right.’

  ‘Entirely appropriate,’ she said. ‘Under the circumstances.’

  She was half-expecting him to offer to go with her. She would refuse, of course. Her marriage vows might be totally

  meaningless, but, unlike Raf Di Salis, she intended to keep them, even for the short time that was left. And, to give Simon

  his due, he seemed to accept this, even if he didn’t completely understand.

  But then, she thought, I’m not sure I understand myself.

  She said, ‘I’d better go home and start packing. Although I’ll have to be careful or Penny will get suspicious.’

  ‘Tell her what she wants to hear,’ he said. ‘Let her think you’re going off to meet your husband, but that it’s all to be a

  huge surprise.’

  ‘Now why didn’t I think of that’ She went to him, lifting her face for his kiss. ‘Will you be all right—if Raf comes asking

  questions’

  ‘He won’t,’ he said. ‘His pride would never stand for it.’

  ‘I’ll miss you. Let me know as soon as the coast’s clear and I’ll come back.’

  ‘And I’ll miss you too.’ His mouth was suddenly hot and passionate on hers. It was the first real sign of emotion he’d

  shown that morning and Emily tried to respond with equal ardour. But it wasn’t easy when she felt so apprehensive, and

  eventually she freed herself gently.

  ‘I’m sorry, darling. I can’t seem to think of much beyond getting away from here.’

  As they walked to the door, his arm round her shoulders, she said, ‘By the way, what’s happened to the candlesticks’