The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal Read Online Free PDF Page A

some considerable strain recently, but mentioned that she hopes it is about to be resolved. If so there will hopefully be no recurrence. But you do need to look after her, Señor Valero. No more worries, you understand?’
    ‘Thank you,’ he answered with a confirming nod. ‘I will take care of her.’
    When the doctor left the room, Elena hugged her father, tears spilling from her eyes. ‘I had no idea Mamá had anything wrong with her. We must stop her from worrying so much.’
    Her father looked from Elena to Vidal and back again. ‘You are the one with that power, my child. Is it good news?’

Chapter Three
    V IDAL watched Elena’s face as she struggled to answer her father’s question. There had been times during their last two meetings when he had felt that he was in danger of bursting a blood vessel. Not only was she gorgeous to look at, but feisty too, and he loved that in a woman. Every hormone in his body jerked into life whenever they met and he wanted her with a desperation that was not good for his health.
    Reina had been so different. Good-looking, yes, but he’d never felt for her what he was now feeling for Elena. He and Reina had not even slept together, although no one would ever have believed it. They had kept up the illusion of being very much in love.
    ‘ Papá, of course it is good news. I was on the verge of telling Vidal that I would marry him when you telephoned.’ Elena turned, daring him to dispute it, fierce anger flaring in her eyes.
    Vidal immediately smiled and pulled her to him, relieved that her father couldn’t see her expression. Golden daggers of light shot across the space between them, blinding him, telling him that although she hadagreed to the union in principle she had no intention of sharing his bed.
    How naïve she was. Did she really believe that he would settle for anything less? She didn’t know him very well if that was the case. It would be interesting persuading her to think differently. Even the thought of it sent a hot surge of desire through his loins. ‘You have done the right thing,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I knew all along that you’d see sense.’
    Her eyes flashed more arrows of fury, but when she turned back to her father they had gone.
    ‘Mi querida,’ he said, enfolding her in his arms, ‘you have made me so happy. Your mother, too, will be relieved. It will help her pull through this. She has been out of her mind with worry.’
    ‘No more,’ she told him quietly.
    ‘You are a good daughter.’
    Elena nodded, though Vidal was well aware of the conflict raging inside her.
    ‘I am proud of you.’
    ‘I am proud of her too,’ Vidal said to her father, holding Elena against him. ‘I have to admit that she took some persuading. Which I perfectly understand since she has her own life in America. But loving daughter that she is she put her parents’ troubles first.’ With slow deliberation he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.
    Elena stiffened, though Vidal gave no indication that he was aware of it, giving a satisfactory smile instead as he lifted his head, quelling the urgent feelings that had shot like lightning through his limbs. It was going to be a fight, persuading this lady to change her attitude towards him.
    At least the first hurdle was over. There would be many more, he was aware of that. He was also aware that his life, which had become rather routine and unexciting of late, was about to be turned upside down.
    And how he was going to enjoy it!
    It was not until they left the hospital and were on their way back to the bank to collect her car that Elena allowed herself to give full vent to her feelings. ‘Don’t think that because my mother’s health has forced me into agreeing to marry you that I’m happy about it.’
    ‘I never thought for one moment that you would be,’ came Vidal’s calm reply. ‘But I admire you for putting your parents first.’
    ‘I had little choice,’ she retorted.
    ‘It occurs to