‘Sooner or later it’s going to come out that I’m no longer working for either of them.’
‘In three months, when the new season’s catalogue is released, Maeve officially becomes the new face of Eduardo’s. Between now and then I need to get you signed up with as many other contracts as possible.’ Rose placed her hands on Sarah’s upper arms. ‘I can’t reiterate strongly enough that to survive the loss of your contracts, you have no choice but to continue to market yourself differently.’
Sarah grimaced. ‘I know. More catwalks and more public appearances.’ It’s why Rose had lined up so many events for her this week.
‘Be happy, Sarah. It’ll work out. Today you’ve directed the spotlight onto the Extend Foundation. Ryan was thrilled with how much was raised and I’m happy the public now sees you in the role as patroness of the foundation.’
‘I’m still not sure I should’ve announced myself as patroness. If something happens and word leaks out about what happened in Russia, it could rebound badly against the charity.’
‘This is another reason why you need to keep your relationship to Ryan a secret. If the shit hits the fan, nobody can tie you together. All Ryan has to do is release a statement saying you’re no longer patroness. In the meantime, you can bet there’ll be lots of society ladies who’ll now want to align themselves with the foundation and try to launch fundraisers hoping you’ll make an appearance at their events.’
‘Speaking of making appearances …’ Sarah glanced at her watch. ‘We’d better move back closer to the stage. It must be nearly my turn.’
‘Miss Bryant! Quickly!’ They no sooner approached the main line-up than a frazzled looking lady with a clipboard summoned her. ‘You’re next.’
‘Focus only on the auctioneer as if you’re having a private conversation,’ Rose advised. ‘Don’t dwell on the crowd.’
Sarah’s nerves felt like they were almost stretched to snapping point as she walked onto the stage and took her place next to the auctioneer. It didn’t help that the designer who’d been hired to dress all the celebrities had selected a very short black leather skirt and ridiculously high stiletto heels to draw attention to Sarah’s long legs. In contrast, the lace top had a very demure neckline with no hint of cleavage. However, it did cling to Sarah’s chest so that her ample breasts were in no way disguised.
Normally she functioned as a clothes hanger for fabulous garments, tonight people were eyeing her off rather than the clothes.
This will all be over soon.
‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Sarah Bryant is another of our celebrities who needs no introduction.’ The Master of Ceremonies waited for the applause to die down before he continued. ‘Sarah, may I say how stunning you look tonight?’
‘Thanks, George.’
‘I understand you’re home in London this week to support a number of charities. Can you tell us why you’ve chosen to support the Children’s Leukaemia Foundation?’
Heat washed into her cheeks. Posing for photographs was one thing but she wasn’t used to public speaking.
She repeated the lines she’d rehearsed. ‘I visited the leukaemia ward at the children’s hospital about sixteen months ago and spoke to the children and their families. As if having a child with leukaemia wouldn’t be stressful enough, I learned that many of the parents were from outside London and that the current family accommodation isn’t large enough to house all the parents during their child’s hospital stay.’
It’d been harrowing listening to parents recounting the distances they’d had to travel home and back to the hospital each day because they couldn’t afford accommodation close by and the family centre was full.
‘I wanted to support the fundraising push that will double the size of the family accommodation facility at the hospital.’
George nodded. ‘The doctors are certain the children respond more rapidly to treatment if their loved ones are close by.’
‘It’s logical, isn’t it? It’s so traumatic for a child to be in hospital.’ One hand curled at her side until her nails bit into her palm but she welcomed the pain over her own childhood memories of being in hospital alone. ‘To be separated from family isn’t good for the child’s optimal recovery.’
The audience clapped.
‘Well, Sarah, I’m sure there are plenty of people here tonight who’ll be happy to support the Leukaemia Foundation by bidding for the right to have dinner with you. Who’ll start the bidding?’
‘Five thousand pounds,’ came a voice from the crowd.
Five thousand pounds?
Good grief. Someone was willing to spend that much money to have dinner with her?
Sarah tried to keep her expression neutral as the auctioneer asked for more bids. Although she was thrilled to be able to raise so much money, whoever it was doing the bidding must be a staunch supporter of the cause to pay such an amount to have dinner with her for five hours. She hoped she was worth it.
She was unable to see very far past the stage as the lights were almost blinding, however the auctioneer must’ve seen someone signalling because the next thing she knew, the price had hiked up to ten thousand pounds.
Disbelief coursed through her with each rise in the bidding. There was some fairly active bidding up to the fifty thousand pound mark, then several of the men dropped out to leave three in contention. By eighty thousand pounds, Sarah felt decidedly light-headed. It sounded like nobody else was left in the race so she’d be able to make her escape from the spotlight soon. ‘Your bid stands at eighty thousand pounds, Lord Finmere. Do I have any more bids for a dinner date with the beautiful Miss Sarah Bryant?’
‘Yes.’
Sarah only just stopped her jaw from sagging when she recognised the baritone voice of the man who’d chosen this point to enter the bidding.
What was Nick Henderson doing?
‘Two hundred thousand pounds.’
Bloody hell.
The audience let out a collective gasp and there were murmurs of excitement.
Sarah battled down nausea.
It’d been bad enough being up here on stage but now the whole bidding process was turning into a three-ringed circus.
‘Sir, am I to understand you correctly? Two hundred thousand pounds to the Leukaemia Foundation for one night’s dining with Miss Bryant?’ Even the auctioneer sounded taken aback.
‘That’s correct.’
Oh—my—God.
‘I’m sorry, sir. I can’t see your face because of the lights. Would you please identify yourself?’
‘Nick Henderson.’
Damn. Damn. Damn him!
This was too much.
Her blood began to pump through her veins with furious, molten heat.
What the hell was he playing at? He knew very well she didn’t want to have dinner with him.
Worse—in front of a cast of hundreds of guests and reporters—he was giving the gossips fodder for all sorts of speculation by making such an outrageously high bid.
She couldn’t bear thinking what the headlines would be in tomorrow’s tabloids. This was the very type of behaviour that could cause the paparazzi to start trying to learn more about her life. The speculation would make them follow her around and intrude into her home life.
‘Lord Finmere,’ the auctioneer said, ‘do you wish to increase your bid?’
‘I’ll leave the pleasure to Mr Henderson,’ the lord stated in a clipped voice. ‘Another time, Miss Bryant.’
‘Dinner with Miss Bryant stands at two hundred thousand pounds. Do I have any advances?’
Somebody?
Anybody?
Silence.
The gavel banged down and Sarah had to steel herself not to jump. ‘The bid is won by Mr Henderson.’
Sarah’s guts knotted and she felt completely sick.
The only way she managed to summon a smile and wave as people started standing to applaud the bid, was to think about how much good that money would do for the children and their families.
‘I’m going to Siberia,’ Sarah muttered as one hand went to her stomach and she tried to clamp down on the rise of acid bile.
The woman peered at her in confusion. ‘Pardon?’
‘Nothing.’ But when did the next plane leave for Siberia?
He thought she was rude and the feeling of antipathy was definitely mutual so why the hell couldn’t he leave her alone?
Rose weaved through the line-up of celebrities who were still waiting to be auctioned off. ‘Oh Lordy, Sarah! The man is unstoppable, isn’t he? There’ll be all sorts of rumours flying now.’
‘All that grandstanding,’ she bit out. ‘Does he think his money impresses people?’
After clearing her throat Rose said, ‘Billions usually do.’
Perspiration prickled along Sarah’s hairline. ‘This is all an attempt to have me bend to his will and get me to sign up for his documentary.’ Although she knew it was childish, she felt like stamping her feet in a fit of pique.
Don’t dwell on Nick Henderson. Just think about how much two hundred thousand pounds will help the Leukaemia Foundation.
Rose let out a short laugh. ‘Oh, honey, I doubt it’s only about that.’
‘Okay. I bruised his ego by turning down his dinner invitation and instead of accepting my refusal, he’s paid for the pleasure of my company and drawn everyone’s attention to it.’ She crossed her arms over her chest and willed her gut to stop roiling. ‘This is going to make headline news tomorrow in the tabloids.’
‘Just don’t fall for his charm because I don’t think he’s interested in settling down. He hasn’t—’
‘Charm?’ Her laugh was bitter. ‘I’d rather dine with a rattlesnake.’
‘Sarah? Is there something going on here I don’t know about?’
Seeing surprise on Rose’s face, Sarah wished she could reel back what she’d said, but she needed to let off steam. ‘I disliked the man instantly. I’d say he thinks he’s God’s gift to women and I hate that he’s so goddamned arrogant.’
Rose looked puzzled. ‘I don’t know that he’s quite so egotistical but I’m certain his little black book is filled with names of some of the most beautiful women in Europe and North America. While he seems to avoid being photographed and in the social pages, he’s rumoured to change his lovers more often than a Vogue magazine goes to press. I’d say he’s probably got you marked out for more than a conservation documentary.’
‘He’s destined for disappointment on both counts.’
‘You seriously don’t find him attractive? Or want to do the documentary?’
If she didn’t know what she knew, yes she’d find him extremely attractive and there’s no way she’d pass on the documentary but she wasn’t going to divulge any details of that night to Rose.
In the end, the shudder that passed through her body was response enough for her agent.
‘What happened this afternoon, Sarah? We haven’t had time to talk but something’s obviously got you into a hissy fit. I was certain you’d want to do the documentary and you sounded happy about it until Nick made an appearance. I’m quite sure Jocelyn noticed it too and they are very close.’
Sarah’s arms uncrossed and she stood with her hands on her hips. ‘How much do you know about Nick Henderson other than him being Jocelyn’s brother?’
‘Well, if I’d signed him as a model I’d have the two most attractive looking people on the planet working for me.’
‘Oh, please. Be serious, Rose. Evidently he’s a playboy. Do you think his interest in NOCO is even legitimate or is it a respectable facade he can hide behind?’
Rose drew her head back and sent Sarah a troubled look. ‘The Hendersons are one of the most respectable families in the United Kingdom. His parents both came from banking families and the Henderson-Davenport Bank is the result of a merger between the two banks once his parents married.’
‘Obviously a marriage based on business.’
‘Whoa! Where’s all this cynicism come from?’
‘I don’t like Nick Henderson and I want nothing to do with him.’
‘Tell me something I haven’t already figured! You could’ve lit a fire with the sparks of hostility that radiated from you this afternoon as soon as he came along. I’ve never seen you like that.’
‘I thought I’d been quite subtle.’
‘As a sledgehammer.’ Rose angled her head thoughtfully and looked critically at Sarah. ‘I wish you hadn’t been so obvious in front of Jocelyn.’
‘He rubbed me up the wrong way.’
Rose drew her further backstage as a few people moved closer to them. ‘Well, you’re about to spend five hours sitting across a table from him tomorrow night. Want to tell me exactly why he’s got your back up?’
‘No. I want you to accept that I have my reasons.’
‘I know that stubborn set to your chin, but let me advise you not to cut off your nose to spite your face. You need the NOCO deal.’ Rose spoke softly enough that she wouldn’t be overheard, but she wagged a finger as she spoke, making Sarah feel like a chastened child. ‘It could set the stage to have you transition out of modelling and into television. Doing so would be a perfect cover for your loss of contracts with Eduardo and Manuel. People would assume you’d moved on to a new venture and reporters wouldn’t get a whiff of the story and sniff out the truth.’
‘I would’ve loved to have done the documentary if he wasn’t involved.’
‘Love, he’s quite respectable. Despite the rumours of him being a playboy, Nick plays by the rules.’
Oh, if only you knew, Rose.
Of course Nick Henderson hadn’t made the newspapers in a raid on a boat trafficking girls for a rich man’s pleasure—girls of barely legal age. It was clear he had friends in high places because his name had been conspicuously absent in the articles that had appeared in the papers the day after the raid. It was probably those same friends who kept his photo from the social pages.
‘He’s quite discreet in his affairs and is an admired philanthropist,’ Rose continued quietly as she looked around them as though she was making certain they weren’t being overheard.
‘Oh yes, he’s discreet but he’s admired doing what? Living off his parents’ wealth and playing philanthropist with money he didn’t earn so he can make himself look good?’
‘Nothing could be further from the truth.’ A stern, forbidding note had entered Rose’s voice and she’d turned into a lawyer-like defence counsellor for the accused. ‘Nick could’ve led an easy life but he turned his back on the billions his parents had earned and struck out on his own.
‘He and his two closest friends—the other founding directors of NOCO—worked as building labourers before they formed their own construction company and started making their own millions,’ her agent continued. ‘They’ve been brilliant success stories. Each of them has billionaire status and it’s all been achieved through hard work—not through nepotism or inherited wealth. Their ethics are highly regarded and they’ve always been very vocal in constructing buildings that are eco-friendly. Their interest in conservation is long-standing.’
Shit. The way Rose seemed to have Nick on some sort of pedestal only made Sarah seethe more violently against him. Man, she’d love to rock that pedestal, send him careering off it and have him lying smashed to pieces on the floor when he fell.
‘He’s never been involved in anything scandalous—’
‘He’s never been caught,’ she muttered.
‘Sarah! What the devil has got into you? Have you met Nick before today?’
‘No.’ It was an honest answer.
‘Then I’m truly gobsmacked. I’ve never seen you in such a belligerent, judgemental frame of mind.’ She shook her head. ‘No person is a paragon of virtue but Nick Henderson is a gentleman.’
Gentleman, my arse.
‘You have absolutely no need to be concerned about having
dinner with him tomorrow night. In fact, if you give up this unfounded prejudice, you might enjoy an evening out for a change!’
‘Whoa. Low blow, Rose.’
‘Maybe, but it’s about time you went out again on a date.’
‘Except that I’d rather choose who I spend the evening with.’ And, she’d never choose a guy who forced himself on a woman.
Was he still part of the rich set that plied barely legal women with alcohol and used them for sex?
Overbearing bastard.
Men like Nick Henderson needed to be exposed.
Could she be the one to do it? If so, how would she manage it when he was obviously so powerful?
‘Don’t antagonise him,’ Rose warned. ‘Although we’ll have signed off on the deal tomorrow morning, I don’t want you making things uncomfortable when you start working for Jocelyn. Be cool if you have to be but be polite.’
Damn it all. Working for Jocelyn would make it hard for Sarah if she exposed Nick’s true colours.
‘I promise I’ll be all sweetness and light,’ she said with an exaggerated saccharine quality to her voice.
Like hell she would.
Maybe exposing him wasn’t a good plan because it had the potential of backfiring on her and her contract with Jocelyn. But if Nick Henderson thought he could disregard her wishes by buying a date with her then expect to enjoy the evening, he had another thing coming.
‘I called through to your driver. He’ll already be waiting for you at the back entrance if you’re ready to go home?’ Rose asked.
‘More than ready.’
What she wasn’t ready for, was the reception she received when she got there.
Chapter 5
Sarah had only arrived home from the auction, closed the door to the apartment and poured herself a glass of water when she heard the whirring and clicking of her brother’s electric wheelchair.
‘Hi, Ryan.’
He manoeuvred himself into the room with what seemed to be an even broader grin than usual across his ruggedly handsome face. ‘Hi.’
It was a given that Helen, Ryan’s live-in helper and companion, would be close behind him. She was part of the family now. ‘Did you have a good evening, Sarah?’
Seduced by the Billionaire Page 5