by Abby Green
For a second Orla’s breath caught when she saw the two identically dark-haired heads together, and then Ashling broke away from sloppily kissing her father’s big grin to look at her mother with huge innocent dark blue eyes as if to apologise for being so blatantly disloyal.
Orla stood up from where she’d been playing with Ashling on the lawn outside the villa and strolled towards her husband, her blood heating as it always did when his eyes seemed to devour her even after only a short absence. In this case, a pathetic couple of hours.
He bent and pressed a lingering kiss to her mouth, ignoring Ashling’s shameless attempts to gain his attention by clapping her chubby hands in front of his face.
Luckily Marie-Ange appeared then from the side of the house with Lily, and Ashling’s attention was diverted and she wriggled to be put down to chase after her second-favourite person. She hero-worshipped Lily.
Antonio obliged and watched her toddle off, only turning back when he knew she was safe.
Orla took advantage of the undoubtedly brief moment of peace to snake her arms around Antonio’s waist. She revelled in his equally possessive hold and pressed close to his body.
He looked down at her and arched a brow, mock-chagrin on his face at her wry expression. ‘What? I can’t help it if my daughter finds me as irresistible as her mother does.’
Orla grumbled good-naturedly, ‘Just wait till we have a son. Then you’ll know all about favourites.
‘Marie-Ange has been cooking up a storm all day. And I’ve been helping but I’m afraid she’s told me to leave the kitchen in case I set it on fire again with my enthusiastic flambéing. “Baby steps,” she keeps saying.’
Orla saw Antonio smile and felt emotion surge because there was no trepidation or doubt in his eyes any more. They were due an influx of visitors tomorrow—his family. It was becoming an annual pilgrimage.
It had taken a while for him to feel comfortable around his brothers and sisters again, the weight of guilt a heavy thing to throw off overnight. But getting to know them again had helped.
It hadn’t been easy, yet over the years Antonio had begun to develop a strong relationship with his father, who had even apologised to Antonio for being so hard on him.
Antonio twirled some of Orla’s hair around his finger. ‘You’re a force to be reckoned with, you know that, Mrs Kennedy-Chatsfield? And I couldn’t care less that you can’t cook a boiled egg without burning the water.’
And then more seriously Orla asked, ‘How was it?’
Antonio tucked the lock of hair he’d been playing with behind her ear and said, ‘Good. The physiotherapy unit is ready to be opened tomorrow, and not a moment too soon with ten more soldiers due to arrive by the end of the week.’
Orla felt pride squeeze up into her throat, constricting it for a minute. Antonio’s project—the Soldiers Rehabilitation Clinic, as it was now known—had opened six months previously. It was a great success with a huge waiting list already and talk of more centres being opened up.
Antonio was a different man these days, lighter. There had been a lot of healing in the past few years, for them both.
When Orla could speak, she said huskily, ‘I’m so proud of you.’
Antonio shook his head, his hand cupping her jaw. ‘It wouldn’t exist … I wouldn’t exist … without you.’
And then, pulling her closer, he growled softly, ‘Do you think Marie-Ange will miss us if we disappear for a short while?’
Orla gave him a stern but explicit look. ‘Very short. The poor woman has been slaving over a hot stove all day.’
With that, Antonio took Orla’s hand and all but dragged her into the house and they had just enough time to work on making a son before a familiar plaintive cry started up in the distance: ‘Dada!’
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this book, look out for the next instalment of THE CHATSFIELD:
REBEL’S BARGAIN by Annie West, coming next month.
UNCOVERED!
Read on for an exclusive interview with Abby Green
Creating a world as large as The Chatsfield must be very exciting—did you discuss the hotels with the other authors?
It was very exciting! And yes, we set up a group to talk and discuss our stories.
What was the most fun bit about creating this luxurious, scandalous world?
It was like stepping into a glamorous setting from a movie and meeting all the characters was as exciting as meeting your own.
Did you do any extra-special research for writing this book? A sneaky cocktail at an exclusive hotel perhaps?
Any excuse for research—especially if it involves cocktails in a plush exclusive hotel bar.
What did you most love about writing your story?
I loved the fact that Antonio and Orla are on opposite sides of the conference table, literally, but their attraction keeps getting in the way.
When writing your hero and heroine’s story, did they surprise you in any way?
I was surprised by my heroine’s willingness and readiness to change.
To your mind, who is the most scandalous Chatsfield?
I’d have to be loyal to my hero and say Antonio. After all, he is the eldest. After a debauched youth falling out of nightclubs, he went off to join the French Foreign Legion. You can’t get much more scandalous than that!
If you could have given your hero or heroine a piece of advice before they started on their journey in your story, what would it have been?
I would say to my heroine: beware of tall dark strangers in dimly-lit seductive hotel bars.
Name five things on your desk when you write.
Paperweight
Cup of tea
Lamp
Cork-board with printout of continuity details
Lots of pens!
Do you listen to music when you write?
No, I find it distracting.
What is your worst habit when writing?
Checking the internet—e-mails, Facebook, Twitter … sigh.
Do you have a writing routine? If so, could you share a bit about it with us?
I work best in the mornings.
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Read on for an exclusive interview with Antonio Chatsfield
If you had to pick your most public scandalous moment, what would it be?
Probably taking two women back to a hotel suite after a night in a club, but what the press didn’t see was how quickly I threw them out once I realised that they weren’t what I wanted. Because I didn’t know what I wanted until I saw Orla Kennedy.
Was there an even more scandalous event that didn’t make it into the press?
Joining the French Foreign Legion. They missed that one until I’d been there six months.
What is your biggest secret?
It’s a secret.
What do you love most about Orla?
Her prissy work suits that make me want to rip them off. And I usually do.
What were your first thoughts when you saw
Orla?
I couldn’t think. I could only want.
If your house were on fire and you could only save one thing, what would it be?
Her.
What is the naughtiest thing you did at school?
I led an expedition to the nearest girls’ school. I was ten.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Staying in bed all day with my wife.
What present would you put beneath the Christmas tree for Orla?
I would put the world if I could, but I usually settle for whatever high-tech gadget she’s most lusting after to help her organise her life even more. Along with lots of other frivolous items of course.
How will you spend your first anniversary as a couple?
Re-enacting the night we met in The Chatsfield hotel bar.
ISBN: 978-1-472-09593-0
RIVAL’S CHALLENGE
© 2014 Abby Green
Published in Great Britain 2014
by Mills & Boon,
an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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