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‘Right,’ Lysander retaliated with the kind of stinging disbelief that could only infuriate
Colour winging an arc across her cheekbones, Ophelia sucked in a steadying gulp of sustaining oxygen Unfortunately it only rier than ever, particularly when he did not i for an air of coed in a stylish semicircle by the tall s and sat doithout invitation ‘I’ve decided that I’e plan,’ she announced with dignity
‘So we are now in agreement?’
Her blue eyes glinted with the hidden fire of opals ‘As reement as we’re ever likely to be’
‘If you’re not prepared to put your whole heart in this venture I won’t go through with it’
Surprise and dismay attacked Ophelia at that unexpected response
‘I have to be able to trust you,’ Lysander pointed out ‘This won’t work otherwise’
Although Ophelia had proarden until the very end of the interview, that state that you’ve locked e!’
Level bronze eyes ry ones
A rebellious little frisson of sexual awareness knotted low in her pelvis Her breasts stirred, the tender pink tips tightening inside a bra that now felt unco very fast She couldn’t credit how he could have that effect on her even when she was annoyed with hihtened while she bla level of susceptibility
‘I’ve locked you out of arden,’ Lysander contradicted without a shade of disco out the details of our arrangement’
Her teeth gritted as she sed back a hostile response It was the truth, even if she didn’t like it He owned her garden She tried to be mollified by his assurance that the padlock would be re could soothe the deainst her will and rewarded for her surrender with so she had always considered to be very
‘What kind of details?’ she questioned tightly
‘You will have to sign a pre-nuptial contract’
‘All right’ Ophelia was unsurprised that his first concern was the protection of his massive wealth ‘What else?’
‘To ement to remain a secret The only people who need to be in on this are our lawyers Have you discussed this with anyone else?’
Ophelia thought of Pa and decided to fib ‘No,’ she said
‘I’ for a special licence to speed the process up My legal teaal Court estate would be the most suitable location I understand it’s still in occasional use and very private’
Ophelia was taken aback by that suggestion ‘Yes, it is But I would honestly prefer a civil ceremony’
‘It would be virtually iister office Although I take every possible precaution to protect reat deal of publicity I’ards our association’ His rich dark accented drawl carried a pronounced note of finality
Ophelia linked her slender hands together and studied them with fixed attention Her ideas and opinions were not required Everything was to be based on his needs and preferences, not hers, and he had alreadyhammered out, it was her place in his scheme and he was determined to keep their future ht she to be offended by that or relieved?
‘Although there won’t be guests as such, we’llas normal an occasion as possible in case the validity of the e,’ Lysander continued
‘Let’s forget the use of thatword “hen I’ested dulcetly ‘You know you’d beit like it is’
Lysander studied her with hard dark eyes across the divide of the coffee-table Her crystalline gaze was screened, her full pink ht pout He was not deceived by this er on the ripe curve of her lips He ondering how she could put out such a sexual vibe when she wore neither‘As you wish You will dress like a bride for the cererapher will record the occasion’
‘Hoill the living arrangements work?’ she prompted tautly
‘Easily I’ll spend several days a enerally weekends’
‘I don’t think you’ll be very coine hi up residence in a house that was full of history and charm but very short on luxury and convenience
‘My household staff will take whatever measures are necessary to ensurewill be organised in advance’
Ophelia dared to look up and, encountering his stunning metallic eyes, felt as if she had been zapped by an electric current that set every nerve and skin cell jangling In haste she tore her attention fro do you think we’ll have to keep up the pretence?’
‘Fourteenher know that the matter had been considered with care and reduced to as short a period as would be deemed acceptable in the circue leaks into the public doe and we’ll have to pretend that it’s for real Is that understood?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Ophelia agreed without really thinking about that possibility ‘But in the o on as if I’m still Ophelia Carter, rather than your wife’
‘I may not want you to behave like a wife,’ Lysander hastened to assure her with sardonic ih you’re in a relationship with me’
Ophelia shot hilance ‘In a relationship?’ she echoed in be—’
‘Why would we be going through this whole charade just to blow it by acting like strangers e’re beneath the sa impatience ‘That is out of the question—’
‘But you’ll still have your…er…women, won’t you?’ Ophelia cut in thinly, both tone and lips compressed
‘Not at Madrigal Court In the light of authenticity, you will be the only woman in that household’
Ophelia was interested to note that he did have so to be expected to deal with his wo on the doorstep, as it were A split second later, however, she recalled the original arguripped her ‘But if people don’t appreciate that we’reto think I am?’
‘My housekeeper who sleeps with nificent disregard on the score of what her feelings her if I never take you out of the house, and the enerates What does it matter?’
Outrage was roaring through Ophelia in an enervating surge ‘It matters a heck of a lot to me! A housekeeper who sleeps with you, an occasional lover? How on earth can you suggest that I pretend to be either?’
‘I didn’t suggest it Other people will choose the labels and award theood reason to still be at Madrigal Court when Ia fortune on the place
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