chapter Nine
Lara placed a hand to her throat, her eyes wide as she tried to take in what he’d said.
He was willing to pay one billion dollars to marry her? She opened her mouth to rebuke him and then decided against it.
“You can always refuse to marry me seeing it goes against your esteemed values and the fact that I don’t have royal blood in my veins.” Jack’s tone was challenging.
“I’m not refusing,” she replied quietly.
“No. Of course, you’re not. How could you refuse and let your beloved brother down? So, you and your parents have skillfully manipulated Michael and me. Like two fools, we fell under your spell. Only you had counted on marrying Michael and keeping your royal bloodline untainted. You hadn’t anticipated I would make an offer too good for your parents to refuse.”
“Why did you offer if you hate me so much?”
He hesitated and Lara’s heart gave a huge leap. Surely it must be that he cared for her, perhaps loved her? She held her breath waiting for his reply.
“Of course, I don’t hate you, Lara, but I resent anyone trying to trick me. You knew your brother was in trouble, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but…”
“Yet you refused my proposal and accepted Michael’s. As far as I’m concerned, that says it all. Don’t get me wrong. I understand this isn’t your fault and thanks to your brother, your parents have placed you in an unenviable position. I pity you because I know you don’t have a choice in deciding your own future.” He paused and then continued. “So, I’ve decided it for you. I told you a while ago, Lara, that I always win, no matter what. So, this time I have won myself a bride.”
Her head shot up as a wave of anger threatened to engulf her. How dare this man judge her? He wasn’t even aware it was only tonight she had been told about Carl’s gambling debts and yet he hadn’t giving her a chance to explain.
“You are obnoxious,” she hissed. “I certainly misread you when I climbed aboard your boat in Port Margaret. You’re nothing but a ruthless predator who believes his filthy money can buy anything.”
“I’ve proved it can.” His smile was arrogant as he ran a sensual finger down the line of her throat stopping where the robe covered and protected her breasts.
Pushing his hand away, she stood and moved to the center of the room. She tried to control her breathing as she faced him, faced the mockery written clearly within his blue eyes. “You might have bought a princess and a title and a place in my family but I warn you, Jack, you’ll regret what you have done.”
“Why? Overall, I consider I’ve made a good investment. We’ll quietly clear Carl’s debts out of the way and the rest of my money will correct Challoner’s economy. In time I expect to receive a good return.”
She clenched her fists. “I can’t believe we are standing here in the middle of the night discussing a return on your damned investment,” she burst out.
Stepping closer, he grinned and for one moment, she saw her other Jack, the relaxed fisherman without a care in the world, not this ruthless business tycoon who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Then the moment was gone but to her horror, her skin burned as if it was on fire at the look of desire in his eyes. She trembled, wanting his arms around her.
“Don’t forget the most important return, Lara. I will have you as my loving wife and together we will make beautiful babies.”
“I may be obliged to marry you but I don’t need to accept you willingly as my lover. I despise you for treating me like some sort of slave girl who can be bought and used for your sexual gratification.”
He laughed, throwing his head back and she watched as the soft light from the bedside lamp caught the sheen of his dark hair. “How dramatic you are, princess. You, of all people, should know royal marriages are still arranged and I would think most of them are reasonably happy.”
“Yes, royal marriages. Not marriage to a commoner who barters and trades with human lives. If you think I would ever let you make love to me now, you’re sadly mistaken.” She stopped at the sudden change of expression on Jack’s face. She had pushed him too far.
He reached for her and with a flick of his hand, discarded her robe leaving her exposed and vulnerable in her silk nightdress. She could feel his heart pounding beneath her open hand as he pulled her against his chest.
“Having sex for us won’t be a problem, Lara,” he said, his voice harsh. “But, like every good royal bride, you should walk down the aisle in virginal white so, as much as I would like to take you now, I still intend to wait until we’re married.”
Breaking away, she picked up the robe and pulling it on, held it tightly around her, fighting the tears welling in her eyes. “You have not only bought me, you have made me feel like a whore. I will never forgive you.”
“A whore? Well, that should be an education for us both then, sweetheart. But, don’t fret, you won’t have to wait too long before we indulge our sexual fantasies.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your parents have decided on a tight schedule with the wedding in two months time. But don’t worry, you don’t have to act the doting fiancée because I fly back to Australia later today and I won’t return until a week before the wedding.”
She was stunned, first by the news of the wedding date but more so, that he was leaving her. A surge of pride made her utter her next words. “Good. I’m glad you’re going. I don’t want you near me.”
“Temper. I’m sorry I’m leaving you to arrange all the wedding plans but I’m sure you will have an absolute army of people to help you.”
Sitting on the bed again, Lara stared at her trembling hands. She was shocked at the bitterness of the words between them.
“If we’re to get this investment sorted, I have a lot of work to do in Australia,” he continued, his voice calm. “I have excellent managers of my companies but I need to spend time with them so I’ll be free to enjoy our honeymoon.”
“Is that the only reason you’re going back?” She hadn’t meant to sound so suspicious.
“No. It’s not. If you prefer me to be blunt, I need to keep away from you.” The bed dipped slightly as he sat next to her and took one of her hands in his. “I know we don’t like each other, Lara, but nothing has changed in regard to our physical lust for each other. When I’m near, I can’t keep my hands off you.”
She looked up at him, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. Did he really mean that?
He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing each finger in turn. “I admit I was jealous of Michael. Just as I think you might be jealous of any woman friend I have, particularly one that would like to marry me.”
“What woman friend? Are you going back because of her?” She tried but failed miserably to keep the jealous tone from her voice.
He gave her a wicked smile. “I’ve told you why I’m going back but you know what we men are like. We like to have, shall we say…a final fling before tying ourselves down to having a wife and kids.”
She tore her hand from his grasp. “You are vulgar and crass,” she said, not quite believing what he was saying but then, she knew little about him and his love affairs in Australia.
“I’m behaving as you would expect a common man like me to behave.”
“I was willing to give myself to you when we were on the island and here, yesterday. Why are you saying these things, Jack? Why are you deliberately trying to hurt me?”
He sighed and rubbed a hand across his face in a tired gesture. “I’m sorry, Lara. I don’t mean to hurt you. This has been an extraordinarily difficult couple of days for both of us, especially you. But things will get better when we are married, I promise.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips lightly against hers before she could reply.
“Now, try and get your beauty sleep. I gather your mother is arranging for some official engagement photographs to be taken in the morning before I leave.”
~ * ~
“I am so sorry, Lara. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
She poured her brother another cup of coffee as they sat opposite each other in the sitting room of her suite the next morning. It had still been early when Carl knocked at her door and asked to speak to her. He looked haggard and disheveled as if he hadn’t been to bed, and her vulnerable heart softened at the anguish etched in his face.
“Please don’t worry. It’s done, Carl. I’m going to marry Jack.”
Carl took a gulp of his coffee. “But, if I hadn’t been such a stupid fool you wouldn’t be placed in this terrible position. I can’t believe I let this gambling addiction control me leaving us in such a mess. I’m so ashamed.” His face crumbled as he tried to hold back his tears.
She rose and held him close, comforting and soothing, her heart breaking for her brother and his weakness. “It’s okay, Carl. We can come through this. You are going to get some help, aren’t you?”
He hugged his sister tightly before looking into her concerned face. “Yes. Absolutely. I know I have a major problem but it was also part of the deal between father and Jack that I sort myself out and get counseling for my addiction.”
Sitting again at the table, she held her brother’s hand trying to ease his agony.
“Can you ever forgive me, Lara? I mean, all I can think about is Michael and Jack fighting over you. It was as if you were wearing a sign saying princess for sale to the highest bidder.”
She was silent, not quite sure whether she should laugh or cry at Carl’s remark.
“I know you would much prefer to be with Michael and the fact you’re being forced to marry Jack because of me, is a nightmare,” Carl continued, his face tightening again with guilt.
“I love him, Carl.”
“What?”
“I love Jack. I loved him from the moment I first saw him and I would never marry Michael.”
He looked astounded as he took in the quiet, calm words of his sister.
“The only trouble is he doesn’t love me. He believes I knew about your difficulties all along and have manipulated everything to suit. But he still wants to marry me and I’m willing to accept him on any terms so I can be with him.”
Sitting back in his chair, a look of relief swept across Carl’s handsome features. “Well, I’m shocked. I had no idea. I thought you were having a fling with some hunky, Aussie fisherman.”
This time Lara did burst out laughing. “You can’t tell me I don’t know how to pick them,” she giggled. “Bringing home a multi-billionaire to save us all from ruin.”
“Do you think you’ll be happy with him?”
“I don’t know but it won’t be for the lack of trying on my part.”
Carl stood and she could see it was as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Trust me, Jack worships you. It’s written all over him,” he said, with a grin.
She stood next to her wayward brother and gave him another hug. “I hope you’re right,” she smiled, touching his cheek in a parting gesture. “And yes, of course I forgive you.”
~ * ~
Jack had to hand it to Lara. Not by even a blink or a gesture did she show her true emotions as later that morning they posed for their official engagement photos in the ballroom of the royal palace.
He knew she had to be miserable because he was the person who had caused it, he decided, as he dutifully moved closer to her where she sat on a high-backed velvet chair in regal splendor.
He still puzzled over the situation he found himself in but the one thing he was sure of was that he wanted Lara as his wife. Even if she didn’t love him. And the way he had lashed into her with his caustic, biting words, he had made sure she didn’t even like him. He was still brewing over the fact that she would have preferred to marry Michael. He guessed that most times he would have shrugged his shoulders and walked away. But, after hearing the way Michael had spoken about Lara and the exposure of his cruel streak, there was no way Jack would let her marry that bastard.
It was going to be a rocky road ahead for them and he was deliberately giving her space by returning to Australia for a few weeks. However, if he could swallow the bitterness about her attitude toward him, he was sure their feelings toward each other would gradually change. The fact she was only marrying him to save her family stuck in his gullet like a hard, unmovable stone, and he had to get over it to give their marriage a chance.
He looked down at Lara’s perfectly styled hair and her straight, slender body dressed in an elegantly tailored suit of palest aqua. You can make up all the excuses you like, mate, but she is beautiful and you want her for your own. The thoughts drummed through his brain as at the photographer’s suggestion, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Lara, move your hand so we can see your ring.” Obviously, Francesca was coordinating the photo shoot, Jack acknowledged, as Lara obediently turned her hand so the precious antique engagement ring was prominently displayed. Not his ring. Francesca had given it to Jack and Lara earlier explaining it was a time-honored tradition that this ring was passed from mother to daughter through the generations. He had made no comment as he’d slipped the heavy ring on Lara’s slender finger and lifted her hand to his lips. Her eyes had been downcast and he hadn’t been able to tell what she’d been thinking.
He wanted to say, “Don’t worry, my love. I’ll buy you a ring of your own soon, very soon.”
“Your Highness, if you could look up at Mr. Lucas now?” The photographer adjusted one of the lights as Lara turned her head to look at Jack. He was instantly struck by the sadness in her eyes and an almost imperceptible quiver of her bottom lip.
“It won’t be long now,” he said quietly, wishing he could hold her in his arms and comfort her.
“I can’t believe this is happening. Am I in the middle of a dream?”
He touched her face, her skin as soft as silk beneath his fingers. “At least you didn’t say it was a nightmare,” he said, his smile warm as his eyes held hers.
“Only because I didn’t think of it in time. Otherwise, I would have.” Her mouth curved into a responding smile. Later Jack would find out that was the moment the photographer took the photo which would be sent around the world—a photo showing a man and a woman supposedly very much in love.
At last the session was over and he indicated to Francesca it was time for him to leave.
“What a pity you are unable to stay for the ball tonight,” Francesca commented as the three of them walked to the main entrance of the palace where his luggage waited to be loaded into the royal car to take him to the airport.
“Your Majesty, I apologize again for having to leave but, as I explained to Lara, I have a great deal of business to conduct before our wedding. From here I fly to Hong Kong and them on to Japan for a series of meetings, before going home.”
He gave a small bow of his head as Johann and Carl joined them, both greeting Jack warmly. Carl was particularly enthusiastic in his greeting as he turned and hugged his sister.
“You will be able to call this palace home in a few weeks,” Lara said pointedly.
He turned to her and only he noticed the cynicism behind her remark. “Your Majesties and Carl, please excuse us while I say goodbye to my fiancée in private,” he said, catching hold of Lara’s arm.
The others smiled indulgently as he led her into one of the side salons and closed the door.
“I haven’t had the chance to fill you in on the rest of the arrangements I made with your parents,” he said, watching her closely as her body tensed.
“And what would that be?”
“In return for my…investment and the fuss of a royal wedding, I negotiated that we honeymoon in Australia and live there for most of the year. We’ll return two or three times a year to Challoner and you’ll have minimal royal duties.”
She frowned. “Thank you, Jack. Thanks for once again consulting me and asking me what I would like.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, sweetheart. Besides, I know how much you love Australia.”
He could see her now familiar look of defiance as she folded her arms across her chest. “Aren’t you worried about leaving me here for all of these weeks? Aren’t you afraid someone like Prince Michael will take advantage of me?”
There was silence as he stared into her stormy green eyes. Would this sensation ever go away? This irrational jealousy at the mention of that creep’s name? He knew she was trying to get to him—stir him up and make him react.
“I’ll be in regular contact, my love,” he said softly, deciding to ignore her last remark. “But, you don’t look at all like a forlorn fiancée who has said a passionate goodbye to her beloved. Come here and we’ll change that.”
She held her hands up in a defensive gesture. “No. No, Jack,” she said, trying to break away.
“Too late, princess,” he murmured, as his hands cradled her face and he lowered his mouth to hers. She pressed her lips tightly together but he stroked them with his tongue until, with a soft sigh of compliance, she allowed him to part them and taste her. He deepened the kiss with a primitive passion, his senses swimming as Lara responded. Her hands grasped his jacket as he kissed her with a hunger he was unable to control.
Drawing away at last, he looked down at her, committing her beauty to his memory for the lonely weeks to come. The delicate flush on her cheeks, the deepening red of her lips rosy from his passion and the glazed, dreamy look in her clear eyes.
His voice wasn’t quite steady as he said, “There, that’s better. Now you look like a woman who has just known her lover’s kiss.”
She smoothed her hair into place as she appeared to struggle with her emotions. “You flatter yourself, Mr. Lucas,” she replied, her defiant attitude in place once more.
Jack opened the door so they could return to the others waiting at the entrance. “By the way, I forgot to mention the last part of the contract with your parents,” he whispered.
“What?”
“To produce an heir as soon as possible. I explained it wouldn’t be a problem.” He gave her a cheeky wink as he placed his arm around her waist and they faced the rest of the family.