Читать книгу Royal Seductions: Diamonds: The King's Convenient Bride - Michelle Celmer, Michelle Celmer - Страница 13

Eight

Phillip knocked on the door to her suite at exactly 6:45 p.m., just as he’d promised last night before she left his room.

When she opened the door and he stepped into her sitting room, she breathed a soft sigh of appreciation. As always, he looked perfect. Dark wool slacks that fit him just right, a long-sleeved, cashmere pullover sweater the same rich, smoky gray as his eyes, topped with a stately jacket.

“I’m just about ready,” she told him.

He eyed her with obvious appreciation. “You look beautiful.”

The compliment, the way his eyes swept so leisurely over her, left her feeling warm and fuzzy. The extra time she’d taken to blow her hair out smooth and straight, the care she had taken on her makeup, and her choice of dress—a red, clingy number that was sexy, without being too flashy or risqué—had been worth the effort.

“I’d have been ready sooner,” she told him, “but my meeting with the wedding planner ran longer than I anticipated.”

“No rush,” he said. “I doubt she’ll start without us.”

Still, she hated to be late for anything. “I just have to grab my shoes and a sweater.”

She scurried into her room to her closet. She yanked her cardigan from the hanger and grabbed a pair of sling-back, marginally sexy heels from the top shelf. Her totally impractical, just-for-fun shoes.

“How are the wedding plans going?” he called from the sitting room. And because she was sure he was only asking to be polite, she didn’t embellish. The important thing was that he was making an effort.

“Very well,” she called back, tugging the shoes on her feet. “Did you have a productive day?”

“Not really.”

His voice was close. She turned and saw that he was leaning in the bedroom doorway, watching her.

“Did I mention how beautiful you look?”

“I believe you did.”

He was wearing that hungry, I’m-going-to-eat-you-alive expression. Like the one he wore last night. And when she remembered what it felt like to touch him, to put her hands on his bare skin, she started to get a funny tickle in the pit of her stomach.

Exactly one more week until the wedding. This time next Friday, they would be legally married and probably at their reception. And after that, either his or her bedroom….

This week couldn’t go by fast enough.

“I’m ready,” she said.

“There’s a car waiting.” He stepped aside so she could exit the bedroom, but as she was walking past, he curled a hand around her upper arm, tugged her to him and kissed her. A deep, toe-curling, out-of-this-world kiss that she felt from her toes to her scalp and everywhere along the way. And it was over way too fast.

“What was that for?”

He grinned down at her. “Do I need a reason?”

Heck no.

But if he kept doing stuff like that, looking at her like a hungry wolf, this was going to be the longest week of her life.

The car dropped Hannah and Phillip at Sophie’s residence. When they knocked, a butler answered the door. He nodded and motioned them inside, just as Sophie swept into the foyer.

She wore a flowing, gauzy dress that complimented her long, willowy figure. She wore her long, dark hair up and off her face. She looked utterly elegant, if you overlooked the fact that she was barefoot.

“You’re right on time!” She pulled Hannah into a warm embrace and kissed her cheek. She smelled of honeysuckle and faintly of apples. Then she stepped back and looked them both up and down. “Aren’t you two the handsome couple.”

Phillip handed her the bottles of wine. “I hope these will do.”

She read the labels, then flashed him a bright smile. “Perfect.”

She passed them along to the butler. “Would either of you like a drink before dinner?”

Hannah shook her head. “No, thank you.”

“Me neither,” Phillip said. “Unless you think I might need a drink.”

She smiled sweetly, but with just a hint of sass. “Why would I think that?”

There was something going on, Hannah could feel it. Sophie was up to something. Or at least, Phillip suspected she was.

“Dinner will be a few minutes yet. Why don’t we wait in the study?”

Her residence was as richly decorated and furnished as the palace. More modern, but just as warm and inviting. And the scents coming from the kitchen were mouthwatering.

“Your house is beautiful,” Hannah told her.

“Thank you, Hannah. After dinner I can give you the full tour.”

“I’d like that.”

As they entered the study, Hannah was so busy taking in the interior that, only when she felt Phillip go board stiff beside her, did she realize something was wrong.

She followed his line of sight and realized there was someone else in the room with them. For a second she was confused, then she recognized the man sitting in the winged leather chair across the room.

The family resemblance was undeniable.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Philip demanded. Hannah actually took a step aside, so she wouldn’t get caught in the crosshairs. “You never said he would be coming.”

Sophie shrugged. “You never asked.”

Phillip’s half brother rose from his seat and shot Sophie a stern look. “I’m a bit surprised myself.”

“I knew you were up to something,” Phillip told his sister. “But I never imagined you would pull something like this.”

He looked seconds from blowing his top. Hannah wouldn’t have been at all surprised if steam shot from his ears. She had never seen Phillip this way and, frankly, it intimidated as much as fascinated her. She was just happy that the animosity he shot like laser beams from his charcoal eyes wasn’t directed her way.

Sophie, on the other hand, didn’t look the least bit rattled. The glare Phillip shot her would have crushed the average person, but she didn’t even flinch.

She had probably seen it so many times, she was immune.

“I invited you over for a family dinner. And we’re all family, aren’t we?” She turned to Hannah. “I don’t believe you’ve met our brother.”

Hannah didn’t miss the fact that she said brother, not half brother. “No, I haven’t.”

“Hannah, this is Ethan Rafferty. Ethan, this is Phillip’s fiancée, Hannah Renault.”

Hannah stepped forward and shook his hand. His grip was firm and unashamed.

“It’s a pleasure, Hannah.” He spoke with a very distinct American accent, and though it was silly, she couldn’t help liking him instantly.

She had seen photos of him in the paper and always thought he bore a resemblance to Phillip, but in person, the similarities were striking. They were built similarly, even though Ethan wasn’t as tall, and their coloring was the same. Intense smoky-gray eyes and dark hair, although, while Phillip’s was short and wavy, Ethan’s hung long and straight to his shoulders.

They also wore identical angry expressions.

Hannah had the distinct impression that this was not going to be the pleasant family dinner she had been hoping for.

“We’re leaving,” Phillip said.

“Great idea,” Ethan replied.

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, you two are acting like spoiled children. Grow up, already.”

They refocused their glare from each other to their sister. They looked so much alike, it gave Hannah chills. If only they could see themselves. But Hannah was sure neither would be able to see past their preconceived notions of one another.

And though Hannah was inclined to agree with Sophie, and would have happily backed her, she was still an outsider. It wasn’t her place to interfere with family issues. Besides, she didn’t have siblings, much less illegitimate ones, so how could she begin to understand the complicated relationship they must have?

“Glare at me all you like,” Sophie told them. “Whether you like it or not, you two are related. So just deal with it.” With a frustrated huff, she turned to the door. “What is it, Wilson?”

Hannah turned to see that the butler was standing in the doorway.

“Dinner is served, miss.”

Sophie turned back to her brothers. “Is one civilized meal together really too much to ask for? Can’t we put aside our differences, forget the past for one night and try to get along like mature adults?”

Hannah could see, by both men’s expressions, that she had hit a nerve. After a moment, they both grumbled an agreement.

“Thank you.” Sophie led them all to the dining room, and had the good sense to seat the men on opposite sides of the table.

The food was beyond fantastic, each course more delectable than the next. The conversation however was pathetically lacking. Though Sophie tried to start a dialogue, extracting more than a one-word answer from either of them was like pulling wisdom teeth with a pair of tweezers. Despite what Phillip had told Hannah about Sophie being a free spirit, it was clear that she cared very deeply for both her brothers, and wanted to see them acting like a family.

“Everything was delicious,” Hannah told Sophie as the dessert dishes were being cleared.

Sophie smiled. “Thank you, Hannah. I don’t get in the kitchen nearly as much as I’d like these days. It’s nice to know that I haven’t lost my touch.”

Sophie made dinner? “I didn’t know you cook.”

“Sophie is an amazing chef,” Ethan said, an undeniable note of pride in his voice. “She studied in France. I offered her a position as head chef in the resort of her choosing, but she turned me down.”

Phillip shot him a look, one that said he’d heard nothing of the job offer, and didn’t like being left out of the loop. “Sophie’s place is here, with her family.”

At first, Hannah thought he was just being stubborn, then she realized he was jealous. After all, she was the only immediate family he had left. If she moved away, he would be alone.

But if he could care so deeply for one sibling, surely he could find room in his heart for one more. Did it really matter so much that he and Ethan shared only one parent?

“Until he agreed that opening one here on Morgan Isle would be the perfect compromise,” Sophie said. “Speaking of that, Phillip, did you read the proposal I left on your desk?”

“I may have skimmed it,” he said.

Phillip hadn’t mentioned a business proposal to Hannah. Of course, he wasn’t exactly chatty when it came to the professional aspects of his life. Or any part of his life, for that matter.

Picking up on Hannah’s confusion, Sophie said, “I’ve proposed a business partnership between Ethan and the rest of the family.”

“And why is it he needs a new business partner?” Phillip asked.

Ethan shot daggers with his eyes, so Hannah was guessing the reason was an unpleasant one.

Sophie only smiled. “If that’s the way you want to play this, I’d be happy to quote a list of each and every one of your mistakes and transgressions, Phillip.”

Phillip glared silently at her, and Ethan actually smiled. No doubt about it, Sophie was the driving force in this family. She pulled the strings.

“Here’s the thing,” Sophie told Phillip, leaning toward him to emphasize her point. “I want this. But I can’t do it without you.”

“So, what’s in it for me?” Phillip asked.

“Besides the money? You’ve complained incessantly, for as long as I can remember, that I need to embrace my position in this family. Well, if you agree to this partnership, you’ll never hear a complaint from me again.”

She definitely had Phillip’s attention. “How do I know you’ll live up to that?”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

Hannah could see by his expression that she hadn’t.

“Well?” she asked. “Are you in or out?”

“I need time to think about it.”

“No. You’ve had months to think about it. I want an answer tonight.” She turned to Hannah. “I think the boys need a few minutes to talk. How about that tour I promised you?”

Sophie led Hannah to the study, where she poured herself a tumbler of scotch. She offered Hannah a glass, but she shook her head.

Sophie took a long sip. Then she took a deep breath and asked, “So, how did I do in there?”

Hannah realized that, although Sophie seemed to be in complete control, the experience had really taken a toll on her. “You were great. It was impressive how you kept them both in line.”

“Years of practice, believe me. I’ve never known two more stubborn men in my life. Though they would die before acknowledging it, they’re so much alike.”

“I noticed that.”

“And I love them both to death, even though they don’t always make it easy.”

“Tell me if I’m overstepping my bounds, but what did Phillip mean when he asked why Ethan needs a new partner?”

“Ethan’s former business partner recently embezzled several million then disappeared. He risks losing everything. And it’s not like any of that money was handed to him either. He started with nothing and built his empire from the ground up, one brick at a time.”

Hannah shook her head. “How awful.”

“I was the one who suggested the partnership. At first he wouldn’t hear about it. He was too proud to accept what he considered a handout. But as it stands now, he doesn’t have much choice. When our lawyers came up with a business proposal, and it was clear that it was a partnership and not charity, he finally gave in.” She took another sip of her drink. “Phillip, I wasn’t so sure about. We’ve been going back and forth with this for months.”

“I think he’ll go for it.”

Sophie smiled. “I like you, Hannah. I think you’ll be good for Phillip. I just hope you realize what you’re getting yourself into, marrying my brother.”

“I’ve been preparing for this for eight years.”

Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”

She nodded. “I had tutors and coaches and advisors.”

Sophie shook her head in disbelief. “Wow. And you think you’re ready?”

She sure hope so. “I guess we’ll see.”

“The ’rents tried to handpick a spouse for me, too. He was a duke. Not bad looking, but he had the personality of a brick.”

“I take it that didn’t go over well.”

She shook her head. “If I ever get married, it will be to someone I love. Not that I’m knocking what you and Phillip are doing,” she quickly added.

“You wouldn’t be the first. My friends thought it was really cool at first. I mean, who wouldn’t want to marry a prince and live in a palace? It’s every girl’s fantasy. Then they saw me spending my weekends in the dorm studying while they went out and had fun. They all had boyfriends, and I was always alone. When they realized how much work it really was, they all thought I was crazy.”

“It’s kind of ironic. You spent years training for a life that I couldn’t get far enough away from.”

“Yes, but I wasn’t forced into this life. It was my choice.”

“Was it?”

She nodded. Though raised in the U.S., her father was born on Morgan Isle. A cousin to a cousin of the royal family. It was the only reason she was chosen to be Phillip’s wife. Something about maintaining the royal bloodlines.

“There is one thing I never learned,” she told Sophie. “Cooking.”

“You don’t cook at all?”

“The most complicated thing I’ve ever made was boxed macaroni and cheese.”

Sophie made a sour face. “That sounds dreadful.”

“But I’ve always wanted to learn.”

“I could teach you,” Sophie said.

“Would you really?”

“Of course! I would love to.”

“Okay,” Hannah said, feeling suddenly and inexplicably happy. Not only would she have a sister, something she had yearned for as long as she could remember, but it looked as though she had made a friend.

“Now, how about that tour I promised?” Sophie said.

Though Hannah’s life here started out a bit rocky, it seemed that things were taking a turn for the better.