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Rosie had given hi he needed on a plate He was sorry she’d be hurt—and she would get hurt—but it couldn’t be helped His aunt should have known that this would have a bad ending He’d never made any secret of the fact that the chains of domesticity were not for him ‘Yours is a very unusual proposition’

‘It’s bold,’ she argued

‘It’s a e of convenience’

‘Yes,’ she agreed ‘That’s what’s so good about it—both sides benefit’

Was she being so businesslike because she thought it was the only way to communicate with him, or did she have that hard streak beneath her vulnerable shell? Looking at her face, he decided she was certainly gritty and determined She was a survivor, like hie of convenience a little outdated?’

‘In this instance, it will be perfectly in tune with our needs’

‘Then I agree,’ he said

‘You do?’ She looked at him with surprise

‘Pay attention, Ms Clifton I just agreed to htly say, my aunt has faced us both with a problehtforward business deal I agree that we should be married—and as soon as possible’

Triuht-headed in victory, and frightened at what she’d done Her erotic fantasies involving Xavier belonged in her fantasy world, where he was everything she wanted him to be, and he made no unreasonable demands on her In reality, he was too much of what she wanted, and his deorous, but, with everything at stake, what choice did she have?

‘Okay,’ she said, extending her hand for him to shake on the deal ‘Let’s do it’

‘You do know that in those feords your world has changed for ever?’ he asked as he closed his hand around hers

‘I know it,’ she whispered, sensation streah her at his touch ‘And I’d hoped e,’ she added levelly ‘It would have to, to embrace yours’

‘Good’ He seemed pleased ‘I’ll have my people make a formal announcement We’ll have to celebrate I’ll hold a ball’

‘A ball?’ Rosie was aghast The drinks party had been bad enough This was alltoo fast