Kim Lawrence - The Sins of Sebastian Rey-Defoe

‘I know of a job vacancy that might suit you.’

She opened her eyes and turned her head, still nestled on the leather headrest, to face Sebastian, not bothering to hide her suspicion. ‘You suddenly became Santa Claus?’

‘No, I suddenly became in need of a wife.’

She struggled to match his flippancy. ‘Is that a proposal?’

‘Yes.’

The colour flared hot and then faded pale in her cheeks as she sat bolt-upright and reached for the door handle. ‘I’m assuming this is some sort of joke. Word to the wise—don’t give up your day job. Stand-up is not your thing.’

‘What I am suggesting is a business arrangement.’ Only his long fingers silently drumming on the steering wheel suggested he was not as relaxed as he appeared.

Mari’s fingers tightened on the door handle. ‘Hate is not a good basis for a business arrangement.’

‘I’ve factored that in,’ he retorted with unimpaired cool. ‘In public we would act the happy, loved-up couple.’

A hissing sound left her lips. ‘Marriage. You’re actually talking about marriage —it’s not a sick joke?’

Seven Sexy Sins Seven Sexy Sins Title Page About the Author Dedication PROLOGUE CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright

The true taste of temptation!

From greed to gluttony, lust to envy, these fabulous stories explore what seven sexy sins mean in the twenty-first century!

Whether pride goes before a fall, or wrath leads to a passion that consumes entirely, one thing is certain: the road to true love has never been more enticing!

So you decide:

How can it be a sin when it feels so good?

Sloth—Cathy Williams

Lust—Dani Collins

Pride—Kim Lawrence

Gluttony—Maggie Cox

Greed—Sara Craven

Wrath—Maya Blake

Envy—Annie West

Seven titles by some of Mills & Boon ®Modern™ Romance’s most treasured and exciting authors!

The Sins of Sebastian Rey-Defoe

Kim Lawrence

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KIM LAWRENCElives on a farm in Anglesey with her university lecturer husband, assorted pets who arrived as strays and never left, and sometimes one or both of her boomerang sons. When she’s not writing she loves to be outdoors gardening, or walking on one of the beaches for which the island is famous for along with being the place where Prince William and Catherine made their first home!

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Thanks, Peter

Contents

Cover

Introduction ‘I know of a job vacancy that might suit you.’ She opened her eyes and turned her head, still nestled on the leather headrest, to face Sebastian, not bothering to hide her suspicion. ‘You suddenly became Santa Claus?’ ‘No, I suddenly became in need of a wife.’ She struggled to match his flippancy. ‘Is that a proposal?’ ‘Yes.’ The colour flared hot and then faded pale in her cheeks as she sat bolt-upright and reached for the door handle. ‘I’m assuming this is some sort of joke. Word to the wise—don’t give up your day job. Stand-up is not your thing.’ ‘What I am suggesting is a business arrangement.’ Only his long fingers silently drumming on the steering wheel suggested he was not as relaxed as he appeared. Mari’s fingers tightened on the door handle. ‘Hate is not a good basis for a business arrangement.’ ‘I’ve factored that in,’ he retorted with unimpaired cool. ‘In public we would act the happy, loved-up couple.’ A hissing sound left her lips. ‘Marriage. You’re actually talking about marriage —it’s not a sick joke?’

Seven Sexy Sins Seven Sexy Sins Seven Sexy Sins Title Page About the Author Dedication PROLOGUE CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright The true taste of temptation! From greed to gluttony, lust to envy, these fabulous stories explore what seven sexy sins mean in the twenty-first century! Whether pride goes before a fall, or wrath leads to a passion that consumes entirely, one thing is certain: the road to true love has never been more enticing! So you decide: How can it be a sin when it feels so good? Sloth —Cathy Williams Lust —Dani Collins Pride —Kim Lawrence Gluttony —Maggie Cox Greed —Sara Craven Wrath —Maya Blake Envy —Annie West Seven titles by some of Mills & Boon ® Modern™ Romance’s most treasured and exciting authors!

Title Page The Sins of Sebastian Rey-Defoe Kim Lawrence www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author KIM LAWRENCE lives on a farm in Anglesey with her university lecturer husband, assorted pets who arrived as strays and never left, and sometimes one or both of her boomerang sons. When she’s not writing she loves to be outdoors gardening, or walking on one of the beaches for which the island is famous for along with being the place where Prince William and Catherine made their first home!

Dedication Thanks, Peter

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

PROLOGUE

Blaisdon Gazette. 17 November 1990

A hospital spokesman this morning said that two babies, believed to be twins, found yesterday on the steps of St Benedict’s Church, are now in a serious but stable condition. Police are anxious to trace the mother, who might be in need of medical care.

London Reporter. 17 November 1990

The foundation stone of the hospital’s new wing was laid by the late Sebastian Rey’s grandson, who was named after his philanthropist grandfather. Stepping in for his father, whose duties captaining the Argentine national polo team kept him away from the ceremony, seven-year-old Sebastian Rey-Defoe is the son of the well-known English socialite Lady Sylvia Defoe. Sebastian is set to inherit the Rey billions and the Mandeville Hall estate in England. He suffered only minor injuries in the crash that killed his grandfather outright.

14 February 2008

‘THERE IS A REASON, I suppose, why I am staying in a place called the Pink Unicorn?’ Not a name you could say and think of minimalist decor, and not a name Seb could even say without a grimace of distaste.

‘Sorry.’ His irritatingly cheerful PA pretended she hadn’t heard the sarcasm. ‘But it is Valentine’s Day and there isn’t a decent place within twenty miles of Fleur’s school that isn’t fully booked. The Lake District is considered romantic. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious,’ she soothed. ‘And it is five star, so you won’t be slumming it, and it has great reviews—people on the website rave about the little personal touches. Your room is... What does it say...? That was it: charming and bijou with beams and—’