The Rented Bride (Highland Billionaires Book 1)

by KyAnn Waters

  Trent watched the video as a guy wearing latex kitchen gloves crept up on an iguana. The iguana remained still as the guy slowly reached down, then suddenly grabbed the lizard behind its jaw and behind its hind legs. The creature spread its mouth as if hissing, but didn’t struggle.

  Trent closed the app and slipped the phone into his pocket. Carefully, he slid the clothes aside until he could see the iguana. The animal didn’t move, and Trent edged closer until he was able to bend down close enough to reach it. He seized the animal as the guy had in the video, then didn’t move. The iguana hissed, but didn’t struggle. Trent rose and went to the door.

  “Open the door, Ms. Adams.”

  The door opened and she took two steps backwards as Trent hurried from the room, holding the iguana. She followed.

  “Close my grandfather’s door, please, then come with me,” he said.

  She did as he asked, and he led her down the hallway to the rear stairs. They passed the library and she said, “Hold up a second,” then hurried into the room. She emerged a minute later, and lifted a cell phone for him to see. “I dropped it when the iguana ran out from behind the curtain.”

  More questions leapt to mind, but Trent said nothing until they reached the rear delivery entrance. They stopped at a storage room.

  “If you will.” Trent nodded at the door.

  She opened the door. He took a few steps inside, set the iguana down then quickly backed out and closed the door. Then he faced Cassandra Adams. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

  She met his gaze squarely. “You first. I think whatever happened up there in your grandfather’s room trumps an iguana invasion.”

  He thought hard, trying to come up with some way to put her off, but there really was none. One way or another, he had to tell her something.

  “My grandfather mistook you for my fiancée.”

  “And you didn’t correct him,” she said.

  “I…I didn’t want to upset him. He had an episode during the party—”

  “An episode?” she cut in. “Is he all right? Of course he is,” she said. “We were just talking with him. I’m so sorry.”

  Trent regarded her. “Thank you. I appreciate you going along with the ruse. Annie gave him a heavy sedative. I doubt he’ll remember anything tomorrow.”

  She nodded. “I hope he’s on the mend.”

  Trent smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his heart. “So do I. Now, can you enlighten me about the iguana?”

  “Sure.”

  Trent listened as she explained about a string of incidents she was certain were due to Gallagher trying to sabotage the party. The iguana was the final damning evidence. Still…

  “That explains why you became so aggressive when you found me in the hallway. You thought I was up to no good.”

  She nodded. “I have never encountered problems like I have here.”

  “So I gather,” he said. “But I’ve used Gallagher Events for nearly ten years. The unfortunate situation with Teri was disappointing. I know she regrets her conduct, but sabotage?” He shook his head. “Just doesn’t seem plausible. She values her reputation.”

  Cassie snorted. “Her reputation. If the rumors I heard are true, it was her reputation she put on the line.”

  He shrugged. “There has to be another explanation.”

  “No, Teri wants revenge, and is damaging my reputation in the process,” she said. “I mean, come on. I’m even wondering if she had anything to do with the mix up with the lobster tails.”

  “I’ll admit, it’s strange,” he said. “But I’m not going to convict anyone yet.” He softened his gaze. “Including you.”

  “It’s your party, Mr. Weston.”

  “Yes, and it’s past time I rejoined the festivities.” He glanced toward the ballroom. “I need to find Annie, my grandfather’s nurse. I don’t want him left alone for long.”

  “I’ll find her. Go to your guests while I wrap up this party, hopefully without further incidents.”

  “Thank you for handing everything so well. I appreciate it.”

  The first blush of embarrassment showed in her expression. “Even when I laid you out on the hallway carpet?”

  “My fault. I should’ve corrected your mistake the first time. I admit, it was a bit of fun not being recognized in my own home. I’m not usually on the receiving end of orders,” he said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll see to my guests.”

  She nodded. “Of course. I will make arrangements for someone to take care of our friend in there.”

  “Thank you,” he said, and headed toward the ballroom.

  The hour grew late. The iguana was safely stored in a duffel bag, which Henry had taken to one of the garages until animal control could pick it up in the morning. Annie, Mr. Weston’s nurse, was upstairs with her charge, and Trent Weston had moved through the guests as if he were performing a dance. Cassie took clean wine glasses from a tray she’d brought to the bar and stacked them on the rear counter. She couldn’t resist a glance in Trent’s direction. He sat, his back to her, in conversation with a small group of people seated on a leather couch to the right of the bar. Laughter spilled from his lips in an intoxicating timber. He sipped a glass of scotch. Cassie swallowed hard as the crystal glass brushed his slightly parted lips.

  Earlier he’d been clean shaven, but now a hint of shadow darkened his angular jaw as it had when she’d mistaken him for the deliveryman. The man had a dangerous edge that startled her. She pictured wealthy billionaires as older men who sat at desks all day ruling their empire from a high-powered computer. Even Trent’s grandfather didn’t fit the image she’d had. If Trent hadn’t told her how ill James was, Cassie would have thought him fitter than most men his age.

  As for Trent, the only thing about him that fit her mental picture was the close cut of his hair at the sides. The dark locks were a bit longer on top, however. She’d touched just enough of his body when they’d nearly taken a tumble together to know that beneath the fitted slacks, starched white shirt and tailored jacket, he was solid muscle. Not at all what she expected of a man who spent his time in the office. But he definitely moved like a man who had mastered his body in the bedroom. Her cheeks warmed. Those were the kinds of thoughts that would get her booted faster than Teri Gallagher had been. She started when Trent rose. His gaze shifted and she focused so hard on the glasses she stacked that her neck tensed.

  “He’s not paying the slightest attention to you,” she whispered. “Your place is behind the scenes.” The invisible girl. Her job was to make sure the champagne flowed and the plates of hors d'oeuvres remained filled. Most guests now filtered back into the ballroom from the formal dining room where the buffet was being served. They were now enjoying cocktails and dancing. Through it all, Cassie remained keenly aware of Trent, and the shock she’d felt when he’d called her darling. She hazarded a glance in the direction he’d been sitting and released a slow breath when she discovered he’d left that group.

  “There you are. Cassie, I’ve been looking for you.”

  Cassie spun at the gravelly voice behind her. James Weston stood at the bar, with Annie beside him. Her heart began to pound. “Mr. Weston, you should be resting.”

  “I told you to call me Granddad.”

  The bartender cast a curious glance her way. By all that was unholy, how was she going to explain this?

  “He insisted,” Annie said. “Said he had to be with his granddaughter-in-law.”

  The bartender’s gaze snapped onto her, but Cassie forced a smile as her heart thundered, and said, “And that would be me?” Even to her own ears, it sounded more like a question than a statement.

  “I told you,” he said to Annie. “Now leave us.” He clasped Cassie’s hand then curled it around the crook of his arm. “Shall we dance?”

  Cassie chuckled. “I think we’d both be in trouble. Let’s sit by the fire.” Along the wall opposite the bar, a fire burned in the mammoth stone hearth. Clustered seating encircl
ed the area.

  Cassie helped him into a plush loveseat with a low back. He patted the space next to him. “Tell me about you.”

  A server walked past with a tray of canapés.

  “I thought they were serving dinner,” he said.

  “Yes, there’s a buffet in the formal dining room. Lobster tails and sea bass, garlic butter asparagus—”

  He smiled broadly. “Perfect. Will you have dinner with me?”

  Cassie started. Dinner? She glanced around the room. Where was Trent? He wouldn’t be pleased that his grandfather was out of bed.

  James rose, forcing her to follow suit. “Should we find Trent?” How was she supposed to get out of this without weaving more into Trent’s tapestry of lies?

  Once again, James tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and started away. “Trent is fine.” He leaned close and whispered, “I know when you’re in love it’s hard to be apart, but you’ll have plenty of time to spend with him later. Do you like Brettonwood, lass?”

  She nodded. “What’s not to like? It’s a castle.”

  He laughed. “True. I’m glad you like it. After all, it’s your home now.”

  “My home?” she blurted.

  He gave her a quizzical look as he guided her around a group of people and headed down the hall toward the dining room. “Of course. You’ll be living here.”

  “It’s just that I have to get back to Miami for, uh, some upcoming parties we booked.”

  A few people filled plates at the buffet. Servers stood behind sterling silver chafing dishes. Mr. Weston stopped at the end of the buffet line.

  “I’m amazed my grandson kept you a secret for so long,” James said.

  “Yes.” She could agree with that. “But he worries about you. You’re all the family he has.” She tried to remember every word Trent had spoken. She didn’t want to think about the chaos that would ensue—or Trent’s anger—should she mix up details.

  “I know he worries,” James said. “And he is all the family I have.”

  They reached the table and picked up plates, then filled them. He smiled at her as they settled at one of the many tables draped in fine white linen. “Until now.” He touched her cheek. “Young lass, such a pretty thing. You and Trent will make beautiful babies.”

  She choked on a bite of fish. “Babies?”

  “Oh, now I know you need time, just the two of you. We can have the ceremony here at Brettonwood. Have you thought of where you’ll go on your honeymoon? It would please me to send you home. A couple weeks in Inverness.”

  Cassie nodded. “That would be lovely.”

  “We should have the ceremony soon, while we still have snow on the ground.”

  “Ceremony?” A woman with short curly black hair kissed Mr. Weston on the cheek. “If Trent sees you, he’s going to be pissed.”

  “I’m not drinking, and he can hardly be upset that I’m spending time with my future granddaughter-in-law.”

  The woman’s eyes lit with interest. She sat in the chair next to Cassie. “Celina Young. Friend of the family.”

  “More like my daughter,” James said, his accent thickening. “Like you,” he said, covering Cassie’s hand.

  This was becoming complicated.

  Celina’s eyes sparkled. “Well, damn. I knew Trent was up to something.”

  “Nothing is really planned,” Cassie murmured. “I mean, we haven’t set a date.”

  “Nonsense,” James said. “We have all of our friends here tonight. It would make the perfect birthday wish for this old dying man.”

  Celina’s expression sobered. “Don’t talk that way, James.” She looked at Cassie. “After all, you have to get to know your future granddaughter-in-law.” She surprised Cassie by hugging her. “Welcome to the family,” she whispered, then pulled back.

  Panic sent Cassie’s heart into a wild rhythm. She had to get away. She wasn’t good at lying and she sure as hell had no experience playing happy girlfriend to a man like Trent Weston. Look how badly she’d botched things up already.

  “Excuse me.” She pushed back from the table and shoved to her feet.

  “Cassie—” James jumped to his feet, faltered, then stumbled back a pace.

  Cassie seized his arm in an effort to steady him. For an instant, she thought they would tumble to the carpet together, but Celina leapt to his side, and Annie appeared beside Cassie. They lowered him into the chair.

  Celina met her gaze and said, “Find Trent.”

  Cassie nodded and rushed from the room. Sidling between a group of women dressed in evening gowns who were tipsy on fine wine and mixed cocktails, she burst from the hallway into the ballroom. With every man wearing a tux, she thought it would be difficult to see Trent in the crowd. However, she immediately spotted him near the fireplace and their gazes met. Cassie motioned with her hand for him to join her.

  His brow furrowed in the instant before he said something to an older woman dressed in a sequined emerald gown, then headed toward Cassie with purposeful strides.

  He reached her and said, “What is it?”

  “Your grandfather. He’s in the dining room with Annie and Celina.”

  “Dammit,” he muttered. “Come on.” He grasped her arm and hurried from the room.

  “He found me earlier, asked me to have dinner with him,” Cassie blurted. “I didn’t know how to say no.”

  Trent nodded. “Granddad can be persistent.” Trent met her gaze, eyes intense. “Thank you.”

  They entered the dining room. Annie sat to James’ left with an arm around him. He coughed, one trembling hand on the table.

  Trent rushed across the room and dropped onto one knee beside him. “Granddad.”

  His grandfather waved him off. “Don’t reprimand me. I wanted dinner, to visit with Cassie, and now I want my birthday cake and champagne.”

  “Champagne—” Trent began, but stopped when Ace rolled a large table into the room. Candles covered the top of a four-tier cake. Blue and white icing in the cross pattern of the Scottish flag surrounded each tier. The Scottish theme had been Cassie’s idea. A second cart followed with filled champagne glasses. Champagne hadn’t been part of her plan.

  A tremor rippled through her stomach.

  James.

  A bagpiper entered and the pipes blared a rendition of Happy Birthday. Guests in the dining room gathered round. Others drifted in from the ballroom. The final notes rang out and guests applauded. James covered his heart. Someone who didn’t understand the nature of his condition might have taken the gesture as heartfelt appreciation.

  Trent pulled him into a hug, whispering something in his ear. James shook his head.

  Trent pulled back, his mouth pinched into a tight line, and said, “We are not doing this now.”

  Dread simmered in Cassie’s gut. Not doing what now?

  James started to rise. Trent jumped up and grasped the older man’s arm as he rose.

  “Ace,” James called. “Bring me a glass of that champagne, then pass it around.”

  The chef picked up one of the glasses and brought it to him.

  “Thank ye, lad,” James said. “And thank you, everyone.” He spoke loudly. “It’s late and my grandson is forcing this old man to bed. But before I go, I want to congratulate him and his future bride, Cassandra Adams. Come here, lass.”

  Cassie froze.

  “Come along, lass,” he coaxed. “It’s all right.”

  She looked at Trent. His eyes pleaded for her to go along with the farce. She forced her legs to move. When she reached James, he pulled her into a bear hug that made her want to cry.

  He pulled back, a broad smile across his face. “Welcome to the family, lass.”

  The crowd cheered.

  “Trent, where is her ring?” James demanded.

  “Ring?” Trent repeated.

  Cassie’s heart thundered.

  “You’ve been planning to make this announcement for three weeks,” James said. “I know you, lad. You have a ring.”<
br />
  Trent looked at Cassie. She gave her head a single shake. Don’t you dare, she thought.

  Time slowed as he reached inside his pocket and withdrew a small, velvet box.

  Cassie gasped in unison with another cheer from the crowd when Trent opened the box. The biggest diamond she’d ever seen shimmered in the chandelier light.

  Oh god, run, she ordered her legs, but her feet remained rooted to the carpet.

  Trent took the ring from the box and set the box on the table as he grasped her left hand.

  “Trent,” she whispered.

  He slid the ring onto her finger.

  “Kiss her,” someone shouted.

  More shouts followed.

  “Don’t you dare,” she whispered, but he was already pulling her close.

  His mouth covered hers. Her knees weakened, but he hugged her tight, keeping her upright. She jammed her eyes closed. The same cologne she’d detected earlier when he’d fixed her earring filled her nostrils. His hand pressed into the small of her back, Cassie clutched his shoulders.

  In the next instant he broke the kiss, pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered. “I promise, I’ll fix this. Just give me some time.”

  “Time?” she whispered back. “I’m leaving in the morning.”

  He shook his head. “I need you stay on a little longer.”

  Chapter Seven

  Trent got his father into bed and left strict instructions for Annie not to let him return to the party. Could tonight get any more chaotic? He needed to find Cassie and explain his actions…and beg for her help.

  Despite her petite stature, Cassie wasn’t difficult to spot in the ballroom, standing with Celina near the balcony doors. He paused at the threshold of the ballroom. Cassie smiled at something Celina said, her mannerism refined and feminine. She looked the part, acted the part, but could she play the part? He needed a bride. Maybe he could hire one.

  He crossed the room. Cassie gazed in his direction, her blue eyes pleading.

  “You’ve been a bad boy,” Celina said as he approached. “Where have you been hiding her?”

  “Miami.” He wrapped an arm around Cassie. “I wasn’t ready to share.”