The Society Bride
Page 15
‘But that’s awful!’ Nena exclaimed, horrified that such a trusted member of her grandfather’s entourage could have stooped to this level. ‘How could he have done this to Grandfather when he knew how much he was trusted? It’s awful, Ramon. He shouldn’t get away with it.’
He shrugged. ‘I know he shouldn’t, but believe me, Nena, this is the best way to deal with the matter. It’ll avoid an uproar, and the company has not suffered very much from his devious behaviour. Mercifully, he hasn’t had time to do much damage.’
‘No—thanks to you,’ she said, her eyes meeting his across the table.
‘I did nothing but my duty. This sort of thing is precisely why your grandfather wanted someone responsible at the helm. I was merely doing my job.’
Nena smiled tentatively. ‘Perhaps that’s true, but—well, I feel awful that I imagined so many things about you.’
‘You aren’t entirely to blame,’ he responded ruefully, reaching for her hand and stroking her fingers. ‘I did nothing to alleviate those doubts. I couldn’t, you see. I didn’t want to upset you unnecessarily, and I didn’t feel I could voice my opinion until I had absolute proof of what Sir Wilfred was doing.’
‘I understand. How stupid I’ve been.’
‘Not at all. I rather like that my wife is jealous of me. I would be just the same about you.’
‘Would you?’ she asked, colouring, suddenly curious.
‘Yes. Don’t even think about having any good-looking young men hanging around.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ Nena said, smiling at him. ‘I’m quite happy with what I’ve got.’
‘Are you? I certainly hope so. Because I am. More than happy.’ He rose, came around the table and, slipping his hands around her neck from behind, firmly kissed the top of her head.
‘You’re sure this marriage isn’t just an obligation for you?’ she queried once again, needing to be certain, to feel absolutely sure before she committed.
‘Tell me, what does it look like to you, mi amor? Do I seem bored to you? Unhappy? Not forthcoming in bed?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘Then what are you worried about?’
‘I don’t know. Nothing any more, I suppose. It just seemed so—so imposed, so businesslike.’
‘Let’s face the truth of the matter, Nena. My parents and your grandfather were right. Despite this being a totally intolerable situation by today’s standards they’ve proved us wrong.’ He pulled her up and they faced one another. ‘Frankly, all I want to do is take you back into bed and see if together we can’t make another baby as soon as possible.’
‘Oh.’ Nena stared at his chest and swallowed, the thought of the baby sending a shaft of pain searing through her.
‘Nena, the miscarriage happened because the time wasn’t right. We weren’t completely sure of one another, and somehow nature understood that and took care of things in its own fashion. But not any more. This time I will be here, next to you, making sure nothing happens to you ever again.’
‘And Luisa?’ she asked in a small voice, needing to cover every piece of terrain.
‘I explained to her that day at the restaurant. That’s why I met with her. To tell her once and for all that it was over between us, that I had found the woman of my dreams and that there was no possibility of us having any kind of relationship except friendship.’
‘Really?’ Nena raised her face to his, a rush of relief and warmth coursing through her at the gleam in his bright chestnut eyes, at the possessive look he sent her and the delicious feel of his hands caressing her back.
‘Let’s get one thing clear, Nena,’ he said, drawing away from her and posing his hands on her shoulders. ‘I will never lie to you. Either you trust me and I trust you or this relationship makes no sense. Do you trust me?’
She looked at him for a long moment, drinking in his words. Then she smiled, looked straight into his eyes.
‘Yes, I do.’
‘For as long as we live?’
‘Until death do us part,’ she whispered in response.
‘Then there’s very little left to say,’ he murmured, drawing her close, ‘that can’t be said in other ways.’
Scooping her into his arms as though she were a feather, he held her a moment, gazing into her eyes. ‘You are mine,’ he declared, ‘all mine. And I shall never, ever let you go.’
‘Ditto,’ she murmured, letting her head sink onto his strong shoulder.
Ramon took her to the bed and laid her in the middle of it. ‘Now, it’s time to get down to augmenting our small family, señora mia,’ he said, a wolfish grin spreading over his features.
‘And I’ll be only too happy to oblige, kind sir,’ she whispered, pulling him down onto the bed, where he landed on top of her.
‘Then let’s get to it.’
‘Wait—hadn’t we better put the “do not disturb” sign out?’ Nena asked suddenly.
‘Forget it,’ he growled. ‘They’ll get the message soon enough when there’s no answer. Now, can we please forget about anything that isn’t just us, Nena?’
‘Anything you say, my love,’ she replied demurely, smothering the gurgle of love and laughter bubbling inside. ‘Anything you say.’
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7296-9
THE SOCIETY BRIDE
First North American Publication 2004.
Copyright © 2004 by Fiona Hood-Stewart.
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