Bride By Design. Leigh Michaels

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СКАЧАТЬ design when I see it, but I could no more produce it myself than I can fly to the moon. Those genes passed me by.”

      “You sound very calm about it.”

      “I’ve had years to come to terms with the idea that my talents run in other directions. So has Henry, as a matter of fact—he realized long since that I wasn’t able to be quite what he needed.”

      “But you must have feelings about him bringing a stranger in.”

      “Of course I do. As a matter of fact, I’m very involved in the business—I manage the staff, I handle customer service, I watch the bottom line. But I have to agree with Henry. Much as it would hurt me to close down Birmingham on State, I’d rather see that happen than have it be merged into one of the companies that mass produces jewelry for the lowest common denominator.” She looked at him across her teacup. “If he thinks you’re the right man, then I’m quite happy to endorse his choice.”

      David rubbed his knuckles against his jaw. “If you’re serious about that, then he can’t have told you his whole plan.” He poured himself more coffee. He’d had too much already, he knew. His nerves were jangling. On the other hand, that would probably be happening even if he hadn’t consumed any caffeine at all.

      Her voice was calm. “If you’re asking whether he’s confided in me that he wants me to marry his chosen successor—”

      David dropped his spoon. “You know about that, too?”

      The look she gave him was almost sad. “I did tell you that he keeps very few things from me.”

      “You can say that again. You must think it’s a little medieval of him.”

      She looked as if she was thinking it over. “He has his reasons,” she said finally. “His own marriage was arranged by his family, and it was successful—so of course the idea occurred to him when he began thinking of the future of Birmingham on State. Legal partnerships have their shortcomings, while a marriage would be safer for the business. A stranger who marries into the family isn’t a stranger anymore. I couldn’t toss you out on your ear if you displeased me, but you couldn’t take over the firm and cut me out, either.”

      “He obviously hasn’t heard about this thing called divorce.”

      “He sees no reason why a marriage which is arranged to achieve good and sensible goals, and entered into with both parties’ full knowledge and agreement, should ever dissolve. And I must say I agree.”

      “My God, you don’t only look like the ice queen, you’re frozen all the way through.”

      The words were out before he’d stopped to think, and for an instant he thought he saw the glint of tears in Eve’s eyes before she looked away. Regret surged through him. It wasn’t like him to be carelessly rude.

      But before he could speak, she’d faced him again, and her gaze was resolute. “Of course, you should also understand that Henry is looking to the future of Birmingham on State. Beyond his lifetime—but also beyond yours and mine. A legal partnership can’t create an heir for the business, but a marriage could.”

      The woman was obviously serious. Along with being crazy as a loon, he thought. He set his cup down with a click. “And you still don’t think he’s a little twisted?”

      Eve’s voice was cool. “I think that what Henry doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

      “In other words,” David said slowly, “whatever Henry has in mind, you’re planning on a marriage in name only.”

      She nodded.

      “Why?”

      Her composure seemed to slip. “You mean why don’t I want to…to—”

      “No, I’m not asking why you don’t want to sleep with me. I want to know why you’d settle for a marriage that isn’t a marriage.”

      Her fingers tightened on her cup till her knuckles were white. But her voice was once more steady. “I don’t think that’s any of your business. Let’s just say that I have my reasons for wanting the protection of a wedding ring, without emotional entanglements.”

      You poor deluded darling, he thought. To think that a ring will keep men from hitting on you, the way you look…Of course, once a man actually got close enough to realize that underneath the gorgeous, intriguing exterior lay the soul of a glacier, he probably wouldn’t come back for more. But there would always be another man in line…

      Then her words echoed oddly through his mind. I have my reasons for wanting the protection of a wedding ring.

      “I think I see,” he said gently. “You may as well tell me, Eve. Do you know that you’re pregnant or are you just afraid you might be?”

      She drew in a sharp breath and for a moment he thought she was going to throw her teacup at him. He watched with fascination as the color rose in her cheeks, as she fought for and regained self-control. So she wasn’t quite as chilly as she’d seemed; the glacier appeared to have a crack or two.

      “Neither,” she snapped.

      “That’s good. I’ve never given much thought to the idea of raising kids, but I guess if I was stuck with a couple of rug rats I’d rather they be mine.”

      He could almost hear the tinkle of ice in her voice. “You certainly won’t have to worry about rug rats.”

      “You’re pretty certain I’m going to agree to this crazy plan.”

      “It would be very foolish of you to walk away. To be Henry Birmingham’s hand-picked successor is a solid-gold opportunity.”

      “I wonder what he’d do if I turned him down,” David mused.

      Eve shrugged. “Probably work his way on through his list.”

      “What list?” He recalled a comment Henry had made almost carelessly. At the time David had been too flattered by the idea that the king of jewelry design had noticed him at all to pay much attention to the details. But suddenly he remembered the remark all too well. Henry hadn’t just told David he was talented. He’d said something about him being one of the three best young designers in the country. So Henry had a list of three…at least.

      Eve’s gaze flicked over him. “Don’t take it personally. You can’t think you’re the only gifted young man in the country. Or that Henry would gamble the future of his business on the first man who seemed to meet his specifications, without looking any further.”

      “How far down his list was I?”

      “I don’t know exactly.” Her voice was calm and level.

      “I see. That’s one of the few things he didn’t share with you.”

      “Quite right. If it makes you feel any better, you’re the first one he’s asked me to meet.”

      So if there had been others higher on Henry’s list, they hadn’t passed all the hidden tests along the way. “That’s a relief. I think.”

      “Anyway, now that he’s made the offer, it doesn’t matter where СКАЧАТЬ