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‘So smaller and more discreet?’

‘S obscene

‘Suests waiting er

‘Well, it’s too late for that,’ he said, ‘and, under the circumstances, I think everyone should be left in no doubt that I am fully committed to this match’

‘I’rateful’ She only wished there were no barriers between them, and she could really explain how she felt, but she was as much to blame for the distance between theht her to feel that she wasn’t worthy of love, and she guessed that his had taught him pretty much the same ‘I’d rather not wear this,’ she said honestly as she handed back the ring ‘Wearing it would feel dishonest to me’

‘Nonsense,’ Xavier insisted, but soht just understand He confirmed her suspicion when he said, ‘I do know you a little That’s why I took you aside I anticipated souests now We’ll go back into the ballroom, where you will se’

It was only the understanding in his eyes that ht, I’ll do it,’ she said Her heart squeezed tight when she saw the relief on his face ‘Of course I’ll do it,’ she repeated, suddenly filled with the ent need to reassure him

The next day every newspaper carried the story of the fabulous engagement ball at Don Xavier Del Rio’s palatial ible bachelor off the scene Everyone see, Rosie read with relief She was back at the hotel, and had ordered every newspaper she could think of, so she could check that no one suspected their engagee would be a sham They’d made the headlines, of course, and there were endless shots of Rosie staring lovingly at Xavier, and Xavier s down at his fiancée There were even le ‘The ring of the century’ so, as if the fabulous jeere a weather condition that had blown everyone away

As far as Rosie was concerned the ring was aher of herthis plan e to Xavier, when she was fast developing feelings for his that would only be dis anything

The ring was also a huge responsibility, Rosie reflected, tossing the newspaper aside, and one she had no interest in keeping The diaer, and she didn’t dare to take it off in case she lost it She knew she was being ungrateful, but the ring see with theirit looked unreal So, perhaps it was the perfect ring, after all

She was going to keep her proined If she and Xavier were lucky enough to have a child, she would love that baby with every fibre of her being, and defend it fiercely from hurt, but would Xavier do the saure of speech to him?

One of the worst parts of the ball had been speaking to the islanders after the announceroup of the to join in their exciteement had torn her in two She hated the pretence, and wondered if Xavier had noticed that she’d left the ball al she was upset, Margaret had stepped in, calling for the driver to take Rosie back to the hotel Rosie had slipped ahile Xavier had been talking to the aive hi She’d played her part She had been char back, now that she was to marry such a prominent member of the aristocracy Safely back at the hotel, she’d stared at herself in thethe woman in the exquisite dress She’d washed her face, put on her cotton PJ’s, and had fallen into bed exhausted, sleeping fitfully as she dreaht aith an impossibly naïve woman, who didn’t have a clue what tomorrow held

She sprang alert at the sound of a knock on the door Breakfast Thank goodness! She was starving She’d been too nervous to eat before the ball, and during it she had been with—

‘Xavier?’

She stood back froht? If I’d known you were cohtened the belt on the hotel’s towelling robe He looked as if he hadn’t slept for a week His stubble was thick His hair was tangled He had obviously tugged on the first jeans he’d found