Jessica Hart - Bride for Hire

‘Well...’ Daisy hesitated, knowing that her life would seem irredeemably dull to Seth but determined not to make any apologies for it. She wasn’t the one who looked bleak whenever families were mentioned, after all. ‘My father died when I was small, but my mother married again a few years ago and my stepfather’s wonderful.’ Her voice wobbled a bit when she thought about Jim, who had been so kind to her and brought her mother so much happiness. She had to find Tom for him. ‘We’re a very close family,’ she went on more steadily, ‘but I can’t exactly say that my life has been packed with excitement.’

‘Is that why you became an actress?’

‘What?’ Daisy’s eyes slid away as she remembered. ‘Oh...yes,’ she said hurriedly. ‘Yes, I think I hoped I’d find...oh, I don’t know...something different. I love my home and my family but sometimes it’s all a bit too safe.’ She stopped, aware that she was giving too much away. It was true, though. She loved creating beautiful displays of flowers but there were times when she longed to escape from the humdrum problems of the shop in Battersea. That was why she had broken with Robert, who was so meticulous and kind but who couldn’t understand that she wanted more out of life before she settled down to marriage. Then Jim had fallen ill, and she hadn’t thought about excitement for a while.

And now here she was, having dinner with one of the most eligible men in the world who was going to take her off to his own Caribbean island.

Seth had been watching her face. ‘So now you’re just waiting for a starring role?’

Daisy thought of beautiful, businesslike Astra who was the star of this particular play. She was only the understudy.

‘Sort of,’ she said with an unconsciously wistful sigh, and there was a tiny moment of silence as they looked at each other.

‘Daisy,’ Seth began suddenly, but he never finished what he was about to say. A couple had crossed the room towards them, and the man was clapping Seth on the shoulder.

‘Seth Carrington! What are you doing here?’

Hardly knowing whether to be relieved or peculiarly disappointed at the interruption, Daisy looked up as well and her eyes widened as she recognised James Gifford-Gould. With his vast inherited fortune and playboy lifestyle, James was so rarely out of the gossip columns that he was almost familiar. A languid blonde with a cat-like smile hung on his arm and offered her cheek for Seth to kiss as he got to his feet and returned their greetings.

‘This is Daisy,’ he said, and coolly introduced James and the blonde whose name was Eva.

‘Hello,’ said Daisy, hoping that she sounded equally composed.

Eva barely nodded. Her eyes had already flickered over Daisy and rested for one disintegrating moment on her dress before quite obviously dismissing her as without interest. James was the sort of man who mentally undressed every female he met, and his eyes lingered rather longer.

‘Hel-lo,’ he said, his gaze continuing to rove over her. ‘You look much too sweet to be with a ruthless type like Seth. ‘I didn’t think they still made girls like you.’ He glanced knowingly at Seth. ‘Not your usual style, Seth! Where did you find her?’ he joked. ‘I’d like one too!’

To Daisy’s surprise, Seth was looking boot-faced. ‘I’m afraid I got the only one,’ he said curtly, ‘and I’m keeping her.’

‘I quite understand, dear fellow,’ said James with a wink. ‘I’d feel exactly the same.’

Eva was beginning to look petulant. ‘Come on, James,’ she said, tugging at him, and after a last practised smile at Daisy he allowed himself to be dragged off.

Seth sat down again, scowling. ‘That man’s the worst gossip in London!’

‘Isn’t that what you wanted?’ said Daisy, puzzled. ‘I thought people were supposed to start gossiping about us?’

‘Not the way James Gifford-Gould is going to gossip,’ said Seth obscurely. He glanced away to where James and Eva were being seated at a table. It was on the other side of the room, but had a clear view of where Seth and Daisy sat. ‘Now they’ll be watching us all evening,’ he grumbled. ‘I’ll have to act as if I was jealous of the way he looked at you.’

‘I thought you were already doing that,’ said Daisy with some tartness. She was completely confused about what Seth wanted now!

Seth’s expression froze for a moment. ‘Why would I be jealous?’ he demanded in a glacial voice.

‘I can’t imagine,’ she said frankly, ‘but you were giving a pretty good impression of it just now!’

‘I was no—’ Seth shut his mouth firmly and controlled his temper with an effort. ‘Look, we’re supposed to be acting like lovers, not arguing. Gifford-Gould won’t miss anything!’ Reaching across the table, he put his hand over hers and forced a smile. ‘It’ll be easier if we talk like lovers too. What do lovers talk about?’

‘I’ve no idea,’ said Daisy stiffly. She was excruciatingly aware of his hand. It was warm and strong and she could almost swear that the lines in his palm were tingling into her skin.

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