Again Estelle nodded.
‘He has said that if I do not comply, if I do not settle down, then he will leave his share of the business to my…’ He could not bring himself to call Luka his brother. ‘I refuse to allow that to happen.’
She could see the determination in his eyes.
‘Which is why I have come this evening to speak with you.’
‘Why aren’t you having this conversation with Araminta? I’m sure she’d be delighted to marry you.’
‘I did briefly consider it,’ Raúl admitted, ‘but there are several reasons. The main one being she would not be able to reconcile the fact that this is a business transaction. She would agree, I think, but it would be with hope that love would grow, that perhaps a baby might change my mind. It will not,’ Raúl said. His voice was definite. ‘Which is why I come to speak with you. A woman who understands a certain business.’
‘I really think you have the wrong idea about me.’
‘I am not here to judge you. On the contrary, I admire a woman who can separate love from sex.’
He did not understand the wry smile on her face. If only he knew. It faded as he continued.
‘We are attracted to each other.’ Raúl said it as a fact. ‘Surely for you that can only be a bonus?’
Estelle blew out a breath; he was practically calling her a hooker and yet she was in a poor position to deny it.
‘We both like to party,’ Raúl said. ‘And we like to live life in the fast lane—even if we know how to take things seriously at times.’
He was wrong about the fast lane, and Estelle knew if she admitted the truth he’d be gone. But, yes, she was undeniably attracted to him. Her skin was tingling just from his presence. Her mind was still begging for a moment of peace just to process the dance and the kiss they had shared last night.
He interrupted her wandering thoughts.
‘Estelle. I have spoken with my father’s doctor; it is a matter of weeks rather than months. You would only be away for a short while.’
‘Away?’
‘I live in Marbella.’
Now she definitely shook her head. ‘Raúl, I have a life here. My niece is sick. I am studying…’
‘You can return to your studies a wealthy woman—and naturally you will have regular trips home.’
He looked at her, with her gaudy make-up and teased hair. He chose to remember her fresh-faced on the balcony, recalled the comfort she had given even before they had kissed. He should not care, but he did not like the life she was leading. Suddenly it was imperative for reasons other than appeasing his father that she take this chance.
‘I do not judge you, Estelle, but you could come back and start over. You can live the life you want to without ever having to worry about the rent.’
Estelle stood and walked to the window, not wanting him to see the tears that sprang in her eyes because for a moment there he had sounded as if he actually cared.
‘You certainly won’t have to host dinner parties or cook for me. I work hard all day. You can shop. We’ll eat out every night. And there are many clubs to choose from, parties to attend. You would never be bored.’
He had no idea about her at all.
‘After my father’s death, after a suitable pause, we will admit our whirlwind marriage cannot deal with the grief—that with regret we are to part. No one will ever know you married for money. That would be written into the contract.’
‘Contract?’
‘Of course,’ Raúl said. ‘One that will protect both of us, that will lay down all the rules. I have asked my lawyer to fly in for a meeting at midday tomorrow. Naturally it will be a lengthy meeting. We will have to go over terms.’
‘I won’t be there.’
He didn’t look in the least deterred.
‘Raúl, my brother would never believe me.’
‘I will come with you and speak to him.’
‘Oh, and he’ll believe you? He’ll believe we met yesterday and fell madly in love? He’ll have me certified insane before he lets me fly off with a stranger—’
‘We met last year.’ Raúl interrupted her tirade. It was clear he had thought it all through. ‘When you were in Spain. It was then that we fell madly in love, but of course with your brother’s accident it was not the time to say so, or to make plans to move, so we put it down to a holiday romance. We met again a few weeks ago and this time around I had no intention of letting you go.’
‘I don’t want to lie to him.’
‘You are always truthful?’ Raúl checked. ‘Does he know about Gordon, then? Does he know—?’
‘Okay,’ she interrupted. Because of course there were things her brother didn’t know. She was actually considering it—so much so that she turned to him with a question. ‘Would your family believe it?’
‘Before I found out about my father’s other life I chose to let him think I was serious about someone I used to date. It was not you I had in mind, but they do not know that.’
It could work.
The frown that was on her brow was smoothed, the impossibility of it all was fading, and Raúl knew it was time to leave.
‘Sleep on it,’ Raúl said. ‘Naturally there is more that I have to tell you, but I am not prepared to discuss certain things until after the marriage.’
‘What sort of things?’
‘Nothing that impacts on you now—just things that a loving wife would know all about. It is something I would not reveal to anyone I did not trust or love.’
‘Or pay for?’
‘Yes.’ He placed the cheque on the coffee table and handed her two business cards.
‘That is the hotel my lawyer will be staying at. I have booked an office there. The other card contains my contact details—for now.’
‘For now?’
‘I am changing my phone number tomorrow,’ Raúl said. ‘One other thing…’ He ran a finger along her cheek, looked at the full mouth he had so enjoyed kissing last night. ‘There will be no one else for the duration of our contract…’
‘It’s not going to happen.’
‘Well, in case you change your mind—’ he handed her an envelope ‘—you might need this.’
She opened it, stared at the photo that had been taken last night. His arm was on the chair behind her, she was laughing, and there was Raúl—smiling, absolutely beautiful, his eyes on her, staring at her as if he was entranced.
He must have known the photographer was on his way, Estelle realised. He had been considering this even last night.
Raúl had rearranged the seating—she was certain of it now.
She realised then the lengths he would go to to get his way.
‘Did you arrange for Gordon to be called away?’
‘Of course.’
‘You don’t even try to deny it?’
He heard her anger.
‘You’d prefer that I lie?’ Raúl checked.
She looked to the mantelpiece, to the photo of her brother and Amanda holding a tiny, frail Cecelia. She was so tired of struggling. But she could not believe that she was considering