The Wedding Ultimatum. HELEN BIANCHIN

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СКАЧАТЬ I have spelt out the terms. It is for you to accept or decline.’

      He was that heartless? She felt sickened as she rose to her feet and collected her purse. If she remained much longer in his company she’d say or do something regrettable.

      ‘Thank you for dinner.’ Politely spoken words that lacked sincerity.

      Rafe lifted a hand and summoned the waiter. ‘I’ll see you to your car.’

      ‘That’s totally unnecessary,’ she responded stiffly, and began making her way towards the entrance.

      She acknowledged the maitre d’, then stepped out onto the pavement, and she had only managed a few steps when a tall male frame drew level.

      ‘In such a hurry to escape?’ Rafe drawled, watching the play of street-lighting on her expressive features.

      ‘You got it in one.’

      She reached the corner, turned, and walked as quickly as stiletto heels would allow.

      Another block and a half, then she’d be free of him, and she almost counted off the seconds until her car was in sight.

      ‘Goodnight.’

      He ignored the obvious dismissal and accompanied her to the small sedan, then stood waiting as she unlocked the door and slid in behind the wheel.

      The ignition fired and she attempted to pull the door closed, only to have him hold it open as he leaned towards her.

      ‘Twenty-four hours, Danielle,’ Rafe reminded silkily. ‘Think carefully. You have much to gain, and everything to lose.’

      Then he stood back, and she eased the car out of its parking space and into the flow of traffic.

      Damn him. Who did he think he was, for heaven’s sake?

      Don’t answer that, an inner voice prompted as she attempted to focus her attention on negotiating her way out of the inner city.

      A marriage arranged to the mutual benefit of both partners wasn’t unheard of in this day and age.

      The question was whether she could enter into such a business agreement with a man she professed to dislike.

      A child. Her stomach muscles twisted into a painful knot at the thought of surrogacy. Rafe Valdez had given his verbal assurance she’d retain an active part in the child’s life after the divorce.

      Was it too high a price to pay?

      First, Danielle determined, she’d have a lawyer peruse Rafe’s written agreement.

      Then she’d make a decision.

      CHAPTER TWO

      SEVERAL days later Danielle stood at Rafe Valdez’s side in an ornate gazebo situated in the gardens of his beautiful Toorak home and exchanged marriage vows directed by a celebrant in the presence of Ariane and Rafe’s lawyer, who acted as witnesses.

      The previous week had passed in a blur, each day seemingly more hectic than the last as legal documents were signed and Ariane’s affairs brought to order pending the wedding itself.

      Soon after signing the marriage certificate, Rafe Valdez would attach his signature to an affidavit authorising payment of all Ariane’s debts and the restoration of her previously sold assets.

      Wealth was equated with power, and he’d used it ruthlessly to achieve his objective.

      Danielle extended her hand for him to slip the wedding ring onto her finger, and her own hand shook slightly as she returned the tradition.

      ‘You may kiss the bride.’

      She heard the words, experienced momentary panic as the man at her side cupped her face and covered her lips with his own in an evocative open-mouthed kiss that tugged at something deep inside.

      Surprise caused her eyes to widen momentarily before she quickly lowered her lashes, forcing a smile as she accepted the celebrant’s voiced congratulations, closely duplicated by Ariane and Rafe’s lawyer.

      Ariane’s hug conveyed maternal concern. The words had all been said, and it lent much to Danielle’s resolve that she’d managed to convince her mother that her decision to become Rafe Valdez’s wife was not born out of capricious insanity!

      Now, however, she wasn’t so confident.

      Bankruptcy had been averted, a considerable debt wiped, and precious d’Alboa possessions restored. All for a price.

      One she was about to begin to pay for.

      The man who stood at her side was an unknown quantity. Yet before the night was over she’d share her body with his and engage in the most intimate of physical acts.

      The knowledge ate at her equilibrium and almost brought her undone.

      During the past week she had seen him once, and that had been in his lawyer’s office when she’d attached her signature to the pre-nuptial agreement.

      One contact had been made by telephone, informing her of the date, time and place their marriage would take place.

      This morning her clothes and personal possessions had been transported to his home, and less than an hour ago she’d driven her small sedan through the tall gates guarding his elegant mansion and entered the spacious lobby with Ariane at her side, where they were greeted by Rafe, introduced to his housekeeper, Elena, and then taken upstairs to an elegant suite.

      Attired as she was in a classically styled suit of ivory silk, the only concession towards bride was a single ivory rosebud she held in one hand. Her hair was swept up into a smooth twist, and she wore minimum make-up.

      Rafe had chosen formal attire, and she’d taken one look at him, noted the impeccable tailoring, the crisp white shirt, and suppressed the momentary urge to flee.

      He had the look of an indolent predator, all darkly coiled strength and indomitable power. Enhanced by a tall frame and an impressive breadth of shoulder. Together with an intrinsic quality that was elemental, primitive.

      The celebrant handed Rafe the marriage certificate, offered the customary pleasantries, then left.

      There was champagne, and Danielle sipped the sparkling liquid, aware of its potential potency, given that she’d eaten a token slice of toast for breakfast and picked at a salad for lunch.

      It seemed superfluous, even hypocritical, to have Rafe’s lawyer propose a toast to their union, and a proffered tray of hors d’oeuvres did nothing to tempt her appetite.

      Rafe’s gaze narrowed as he caught a flicker of concern chase across Ariane’s features, and he selected a bite-size portion and deliberately fed it to the woman who now bore his name.

      He watched as flecks of gold fire sparked in those dark brown eyes, and for a moment he thought she’d refuse. Certain, had they been alone, that she would have.

      The lawyer murmured words Danielle didn’t catch, and Rafe placed his champagne flute down on СКАЧАТЬ