The Forced Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

spiteful over
    their relationship from the start. And her disappointment over Raf Di Salis hadn’t sweetened her disposition either.
    Over dinner that evening, she said, ‘We aren’t having visitors for New Year, by any chance, are we’
    ‘No one. Why, is there someone you wish to invite’ her father asked.
    ‘No,’ Emily said too vehemently. ‘Absolutely not. I was just—checking, that’s all.’
    Sir Travers examined the wine in his glass. ‘Did you hope, perhaps, that Rafaele might be joining us’
    ‘On the contrary,’ Emily denied quickly.
    He gave her a long, steady look. ‘Why do you dislike him’
    ‘Does there have to be a reason’ Her tone was defensive.
    ‘I suppose not,’ he said. ‘But I would prefer it if you were friends.’ There was a quiet, almost stern note in his voice that
    Emily knew of old. ‘I expect him to be a regular guest here, and as his hostess, my dear, you will make him welcome.’
    Emily’s heart sank, but she managed a neutral, ‘Yes, of course.’
    At the same, she surreptitiously crossed her fingers that there would be no return visit from the Count until she was safely
    back at school.
    And it seemed her luck was in, because Raf Di Salis continued to stay away and Emily found the latter part of her holiday
    truly enjoyable, in spite of Simon’s absence.
    She was packing to return to school when she eventually heard from him. Simon was back at High Gables just to collect
    his things, having found work with an importexport company in the City.
    Over a snatched lunch at the village pub, Simon explained that, although he was starting at the lowest level, the job could
    be a stepping stone to real money.
    ‘And I could travel,’ he told her exultantly. ‘The company has branches all over the world.’ He paused, then put his hand
    over hers. ‘And in a few months I’ll be earning enough to come back for you.’
    Emily smiled and tried to be thrilled for him, but there was a bleakness in her heart that she could not explain. It occurred
    to her that his words had a hint of afterthought about them. That maybe if he hadn’t had belongings to collect from his
    uncle’s house, she might not have heard from him at all.
    Also, there seemed to be a tacit agreement between them not to mention the Boxing Night party, and although she was
    prepared to accept this, she still felt she deserved an explanation, if not an apology.
    After all, Simon must know that he wasn’t the only one to suffer the embarrassment of an encounter with Raf Di Salis that
    night. Wasn’t he even curious
    But she swiftly told herself she was being unfair. His life was undergoing some sweeping changes, and part of the reason
    he was undertaking them was for her.
    She watched him drive away, clinging to his promise to call her every weekend.
    He will come back to me, she whispered to herself, as she waved to him. He will come back. I—I know it.
    But clearly not immediately, because he was far too busy. And gradually the phone calls crammed with news of his
    successes at work, and the friends he was making, began to dwindle away until they stopped completely.
    At Easter there was no sign of him, and Emily, hurt and bewildered, could not bring herself to ask for news when she met
    any of the Aubreys. And, a week or so later, she was completely devastated when the announcement of his engagement
    to a girl called Rebecca West appeared inThe Times .
    ‘He’s done well for himself,’ her father commented curtly over breakfast. He passed the newspaper to Raf Di Salis, who
    was staying with them again. ‘Her father’s Robert West, of course, the South African media tycoon.’
    The Count returned some non-committal reply, but Emily was aware that he was watching her across the table. Which
    made it utterly essential that she stayed in her seat, eating her toast as if it was all that mattered, when what she really
    wanted was to escape to her room and give way to the tears tightening in her chest.
    But