Seducing the Secret Heiress

by Seducing the Secret Heiress (epub)

  They moved together down the corridor to the huge studio door. Famous faces stared out at her from portraits on the walls. Perhaps she might now count herself among them.

  Applause crashed over them as Gabe swung the heavy studio door open. Cast, crew and audience gave her a standing ovation. She took a step back.

  ‘No,’ Gabe said, pulling her towards the front of the set. ‘You deserve it all. Enjoy it.’

  The audience called her name. Her cheeks glowed and elation filled her heart. Finally she’d found a place in the world where people admired her, liked her for herself.

  When the applause died, Gabe led Charlie into the dim light at the side of the set. He found a quiet, isolated spot behind the cameras. Applause rang out again, and Charlie could see Abigail leading out Tim out onto the set.

  Gabe drew her to him. She looked around quickly.

  ‘Gabe, people will see,’ she protested.

  ‘When you’re in love, you don’t care who knows it.’

  And there it was.

  Love.

  Gabe loved her.

  ‘You love me?’

  ‘Oh Charlie, how could you doubt it? In hospital . . . I thought I’d lost you.’

  ‘Gabe—’

  But his kiss cut her short. She forgot about the show, forgot about the audience and the millions who would be watching, and poured her whole soul into that moment. The moment she knew would define the rest of her life.

  A life with Gabe.

  ‘Get your hands off my fiancée.’ The familiar ugly voice roared through her brain like a tsunami. Her body froze like a block. She turned slowly, stumbled back.

  Gabe pulled her close.

  ‘I said, get your filthy hands off my fiancée.’ Paul’s normally handsome face twisted in fury as he walked forward.

  Gabe pushed her behind him. ‘Call security,’ he called to the closest cameraman. ‘You.’ He pointed to Paul. ‘Take another step and I’ll have you for trespass.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t think so.’ Paul’s voice dipped with sarcasm. He stood just a few metres from them now. ‘There is no law against a man collecting his lying, cheating fiancée.’

  Gabe dropped into a boxer’s pose. ‘Get back,’ he said to Charlie over his shoulder. ‘I’ll hold him. You run.’

  Gabe crouched, his fists at the ready. In seconds, the two men would be within striking distance.

  She had to act. If Gabe hit Paul, he’d be the one slammed up for assault. She knew Paul well enough to know he’d go to the ends of the earth to wreak revenge on anyone who came even close to hurting him, or worse, humiliating him.

  Charlie leaped in front of Gabe. ‘Stop. I know him.’

  Gabe simply heaved her aside. ‘Charlie, go. It’s another lunatic.’

  She hauled down his fists with all her strength. ‘No, I know him.’

  Gabe stilled. His eyes clouded with confusion. ‘You know this guy?’

  ‘You bet she does.’ Paul moved in close. ‘Charlotte Wentworth knows me very well, if you know what I mean.’ He sniggered, his mouth ugly in its vulgarity.

  Gabe lunged.

  ‘No, Gabe.’ Her desperation checked him.

  Gabe’s eyes bore into hers like drills. ‘Wentworth?’ Paul’s words must have sunk in.

  A sweat broke out across Charlie’s body. ‘I’ve something . . .’ But her voice shattered before she could finish.

  Paul dropped a heavy arm across her shoulders. ‘It appears, my friend, that your star cook has been passing herself off as someone she’s not.’

  Gabe’s teeth clenched. His hands twitched at his side. Charlie could tell he was only just managing to hold himself in control.

  Charlie slipped from Paul’s grasp. She needed to handle the situation and fast.

  ‘Gabe, I need to explain—’

  Paul grabbed her around her waist. ‘Well,’ he said. ‘I don’t know about you, darling, but I’ve had just about enough of this miserable country. Come on, Charlotte, we’re going home.’ He took her arm and pulled her towards the exit.

  ‘Stop right there,’ Gabe growled.

  Charlotte noticed two security guards enter the studio.

  ‘Tell me this isn’t true,’ he implored.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ she begged, reaching for his hands.

  ‘But—’ Gabe shook his head as if trying to awaken from a dream. ‘Wentworth—’ He looked at her as if it were for the first time.

  ‘Enough.’ Paul’s voice was authoritative and bullying. ‘Come on, Charlotte. Now.’

  A few months ago, his demands would have made her jump. Now she whirled on him in fury.

  ‘Don’t you dare talk to me like that. I want you to leave.’

  Paul sneered. ‘Is that right? Fine. I’ll leave, but you’re coming with me.’

  Her arm burned as he gripped her roughly and began dragging her across the floor.

  ‘Security,’ Charlie cried. ‘This man is assaulting me.’

  The two burly guards made short work of Paul, pinning his hands behind his back.

  Incensed, he began shouting obscenities and threats of legal action. Then he turned his attention to Charlie. ‘If you don’t come now, you’ll be cut off without a cent. Do you understand?’ he shouted. ‘You’ll be left with nothing.’

  It took security less than a minute to remove a furious Paul Forsyth from the premises but Charlie barely noticed as she ran back to Gabe. What she saw broke her heart.

  ‘Who are you?’ he asked through clenched teeth.

  ‘Gabe, please—’

  ‘Damn it, Charlie. Answer the question.’

  It was over. She took a deep breath. ‘I’m Charlotte Wentworth. That was my cheating ex.’

  ‘He didn’t seem to be aware he was an ex. Is that a lie, just like your name is a lie?’

  ‘No. No. Gabe—’

  ‘You met me and decided you’d prefer to be a celebrity. After all, it’s not like you needed his money.’

  Fear crept into her heart. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Oh come on.’ He raised his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Don’t insult my intelligence. Wentworth. Went worth mining? Diamonds. You’re just another spoilt princess looking for headlines.’

  ‘No. Gabe. You’ve got it all wrong.’

  ‘Oh, yes? Which bit?’ He brought his face close to hers. ‘The part about you being worth millions? The part where you’re still engaged? Or the part where you lied about who you are to get on television?

  As the wave of accusations slammed into her, Charlie realised she had no defence.

  Guilty as charged.

  Gabe spun away from the woman he thought he’d loved. Was anything about her real?

  Idiot. Taken for a ride by another rich princess. But this time hadn’t just been lust – he’d fallen for Charlie. His mind worked fast. Damn, it must have begun . . .

  He whirled back to face her. ‘What did you do? Stalk me all the way to Italy?’

  ‘Gabe—’

  ‘I’ve got to hand it to you, Charlotte, you really had me.’

  Abigail rushed up. ‘Come on, you two, we’re live in five minutes.’ She looked from Charlie’s face to his. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

  ‘She,’ Gabe stabbed his finger at Charlie, ‘can’t go on.’

  ‘What?’ Abigail’s eyes bulged with astonishment. ‘Gabe, she has to go on. We’re live for goodness’ sake.’

  ‘Forget it,’ he said harshly.

  ‘What if I tell the truth?’ Charlie asked softly.

  ‘Will someone please tell me what’s going on?’ Abigail wailed.

  ‘Trust me,’ Charlie implored, grabbing his arm.

  ‘Trust?’ He pulled free. ‘Damn it, Charlie, for all I know you’ve got four kids and a dog in Australia.’

  The theme music blared across the set and the audience clapped on cue.

  Abigail danced with agitation. ‘Come on.’

  ‘I’ll confess everything,’ Charlie implored.

  ‘No,’ Gab
e said. Charlie would be derided across the country. But then, what did he care? She was nothing now. Why not let her self-destruct on national television? ‘Fine. But after tonight, don’t come near me again.’

  He turned away from the woman with whom, just a few moments ago, he’d thought he could spend the rest of his life.

  Charlie knew she’d lost Gabe but she would not stand by and let the show – and his career – be ruined.

  Abigail dragged her to the edge of the brightly lit set and miked her up. ‘Good luck,’ she said, before propelling Charlie into the light.

  Charlotte Wentworth walked onto the set, blinking back tears. As she took up her position, she pressed her teeth hard into her lips. She needed the pain to make her focus. She couldn’t think about herself now; she must ensure Gabe’s reputation remained intact. She took a deep breath and checked her ingredients and equipment. The theme music ended and the audience applause died away as Jasper walked onto the set.

  ‘Welcome to the grand final of First-Class Chef,’ Jasper said. Tonight . . .’

  But Charlie didn’t hear another word as a shock of blonde hair caught her attention. There, sitting in the front row of the audience, was Sophie Eddington-Smythe. Her immaculately made-up face beamed with malicious triumph.

  All Charlie’s fears left her in that instant. Sophie was behind Paul’s sudden appearance. Of course. Her revenge for not winning Gabe. Sophie wanted to destroy Gabe and take Charlie down with him.

  Charlie forced a dazzling smile onto her face and saw Sophie’s grin lose a little of its gloss. Charlie knew exactly what to do.

  Jasper arrived at her station. ‘So, Charlie, talk us through your entrée.’

  Charlie’s mind worked faster than it had ever done in her life. The silence stretched just a little too long. Jasper’s eyes widened.

  ‘Jasper, tonight I’m going to start with Accidental Liar’s Terrine.’

  The judge blinked at her. ‘Sorry?’ He frowned. ‘Run that past me again.’

  ‘Accidental Liar’s Terrine. This is how you make it.’

  Jasper looked at her as if she were quite mad.

  ‘First you take a lump of Ignorant Little Rich Girl Minced Chicken and add a handful of Billionaire Mixed Herbs and stir in engagement.’

  She glanced up into the control room. Her recipe had already caused a commotion. Abigail shouted into a mike and production staff raced down from the control area. But Gabe sat still, staring at her through the glass.

  ‘Then, add a touch of Cheating Fiancé Vinegar, to give everything a kick.’

  ‘A kick . . .’ Jasper added unnecessarily.

  ‘Yes, then the Ignorant Little Rich Girl Mince is a little lost without a touch of Runaway Billionaire Pepper. So you season with that next.’ She noticed Emma in the front row with Rupert and Amelia sitting quietly next to her. Rupert held the Snoopy toy on his lap. She looked away quickly. Emma’s shocked expression nearly de-railed her train of thought.

  ‘You pack the mixture into the mould and cover with some “I didn’t plan on meeting you foil” and pop it into the oven to cook.’ She turned and placed the tin in the oven.

  ‘You weigh the mixture down a little with “I can’t come clean” weights and cook until the mixture is set.’

  Jasper gave a little cough. ‘How did you come up with that recipe?’

  ‘From experience. I lied a few months ago. I didn’t think it would hurt anyone, but I was wrong.’

  ‘What was the lie?’

  Charlie took a deep breath and faced directly into the camera. ‘I’m not Charlie Brown, the catering assistant from Brisbane. My name is Charlotte Wentworth. I’m the heiress to the Wentworth diamond fortune. Well, I was – I’m not sure I am now.’

  The audience took a collective gasp.

  Abigail dropped her clipboard, the sound echoing across the studio. Chaos obviously erupted in the control room as people jumped from their seats.

  All except Gabe, who remained in his chair, unmoved.

  Charlie looked away quickly as her voice threatened to break. ‘I met a man in Italy and I lied about my identity. For once in my life, I wanted to be liked for who I was, not for what I was worth.’

  Abigail indicated wildly for the audience to remain quiet. The hushed whispers ceased.

  ‘I ran away from Australia, like a child, when I found my fiancée cheating on me with his secretary. Then I met a wonderful man on a beach in Italy.’

  She began chopping parsley.

  ‘I lied to him. It seemed so harmless at the time, but things snowballed out of control.’

  Charlie looked out across the gaping faces of the audience. One or two women looked away when she met their eyes, but several gave her encouraging smiles. It was enough to risk a look up to the control box.

  Gabe hadn’t stirred, but his gaze locked on her face.

  Her breath caught in her throat.

  ‘So you justified the lie then?’ Jasper brought her back to the job at hand.

  ‘I suppose so. I didn’t think it would matter. I was only planning to be Charlie Brown for a few days. But that doesn’t make it right. I had several opportunities to come clean but I didn’t.’

  ‘What happened next?’ Jasper asked, clearly intrigued.

  Charlie noticed some audience members sit forward on their seats. ‘Well, I liked being Charlie Brown more than being Charlotte Wentworth.’

  She picked up a huge pot and placed it on the stove then poured a generous splash of olive oil into it. ‘Next on the menu, InTooDeep Bouillabaisse,’ she said.

  ‘It sounds difficult to make.’

  ‘Actually, you’d be amazed how easy it can be,’ she said in a rueful tone.

  Then Jasper turned to the camera. ‘We’ll be right back after this break. But now, get on the phones and cast your vote. Who is Britain’s First-Class Chef? If you like Accidental Liar’s Terrine, vote for Charlie by calling the number on your screen now. That’s 1800 C H A R L I E. Write that number down and we’ll be right back.’

  When Abigail gave the all-clear signal, the whole studio went crazy.

  Charlie stirred her bouillabaisse. Jasper began firing questions at her. Abigail ran over to listen and the crew had trouble keeping the audience in their seats.

  In the control box, Gabe huddled in an animated conversation with a group of the production crew. Charlie tried to block out everything around her. She whipped a glance at Sophie, who looked decidedly less jubilant.

  Tracey ran up and touched up her make-up. ‘Wow, Charlie, the phones are going crazy. It’s amazing.’

  Charlie nodded. She knew everyone would be calling in to vote for Tim, the other finalist. They’d be making very sure she didn’t win.

  ‘Well, Tim deserves to win,’ she said. ‘He gave up his job for this show.’

  The make-up artist stopped brushing powder from her face. ‘You have my vote,’ she whispered.

  ‘Really?’ Charlie was grateful to have one ally in the room.

  ‘Yes. My boyfriend cheated on me last year. It makes you do crazy things.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Charlie nodded. ‘Sure does.’

  Gabe’s voice came across the intercom. ‘Clear the set, we’re back in three.’

  Charlie couldn’t read anything from his tone.

  ‘Okay, everyone, five, four, three . . .’ Abigail counted out the last seconds.

  For the next few minutes, Charlie was left to finish preparing her main meal as Jasper spoke to Tim about his dish. It sounded fantastic.

  Jasper came back just as she was preparing to add the seafood to the pot.

  ‘I hope that’s local seafood, Charlie.’

  ‘Of course. Britain has wonderful produce if you know where to find it.’

  ‘I’m a little nervous to ask, but can you tell us the background to this dish?’

  She drew in a deep breath. ‘When I falsified my identity, I knew I’d have to confess sometime. But every day there seemed to be more reasons for keeping quiet.’
She deveined the prawns as she spoke. ‘I was falling in love with the man I’d met in Italy and I thought if I told him the truth, he’d despise me for lying.’

  ‘So you maintained the lie.’

  ‘Yes, but never in a million years did I think I’d end up on national television.’

  ‘Come on, Charlie, you’ve been on this show for ten weeks. Ample time for you to tell the truth.’

  Her stomach clenched. She dragged in a breath.

  ‘You’re right,’ she conceded. ‘But for the first time in my life, I was actually succeeding at something on my own terms. I’ve led a privileged existence all my life.’ She threw all the seafood into the bouillabaisse. ‘But when I ran away, my family and fiancé cut off my money,’ she continued. ‘For the first time, I had to survive on my own. Getting a spot on this show is the most important achievement of my life.’

  She glanced up at the audience. Absolute silence.

  ‘Before this, I was nothing. I know it was selfish, but I just had to achieve something without my father making a phone call first.’

  ‘Do you think your family will be proud of you?’

  Charlie shook her head. ‘After this, my family will disinherit me.’

  ‘You’re in the grand final of the top cooking show in Britain. Any parent would be proud, surely?’

  ‘I’ll be lucky if my father doesn’t manage somehow to have my Australian passport cancelled.’

  She plated up her meal and peppered it with parsley.

  ‘There you go, my In Too Deep Bouillabaisse.’

  ‘Okay, Britain, the lines are open for just twenty more minutes. Back after the break for dessert and then we announce the winner of First-Class Chef.’

  Just ten minutes later, golden confetti was floating down around Charlie and the studio audience screamed her name. Jasper presented her with a golden trophy.

  She wanted to enjoy this incredible moment, but Gabe’s stony face told her everything she needed to know. He’d make good on his promise. He never wanted to see her again.

  The applause faded.

  Gabe’s voice finally hit the intercom. ‘That’s a wrap. Great job, everyone.’

  Charlie tried to leave, but was swamped by the crew and members of the audience all clamouring for her attention. By the time she’d signed nearly a hundred autographs and answered dozens of questions, the control booth stood empty. She looked wildly around the studio, but she couldn’t see Gabe anywhere.