The Tycoon's Bought Fiancée Read Online Free PDF Page A

never have the misfortune to meet again.” His wolfish smile flickered. “Have I left anything out?”
    â€œNot a thing. In fact, I doubt I could have put it better.”
    David unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap. Stephanie did the same.
    â€œBon appétit, Mrs. Willingham,” David said softly.
    â€œBon appétit, Mr. Chambers,” Stephanie replied, and she picked up her fork, speared a shrimp, and began to eat.
    * * *
    More toasts were drunk, the wedding cake sliced. The Blums and the Crowders continued to make themselves scarce, appearing only from time to time and then just long enough to gobble down a few mouthfuls of each course as it was served.
    â€œWe just adore dancing,” Bobbi Blum gushed between the Boeuf aux Champignons and the salad.
    â€œSame with us,” Hayden Crowder said as his wife sat smiling uneasily beside him. “Why, we never sit very long at these shindigs, no matter who’s seated at our table, do we, honey?”
    â€œNever,” Honoria said, and jumped to her feet. “We never stay seated, no matter what.”
    David watched with a thin smile as both couples hurried off. Then he pushed his plate aside, tilted back his chair and folded his arms over his chest.
    â€œWell,” he said after a minute, “this is one wedding they’re never going to forget.”
    Stephanie glanced up. “No. I suppose not.”
    Across the dance floor, the Blums and the Crowders were standing in a little huddle, looking back at table seven as if they expected either the police or the men with straitjackets to show up at any minute.
    David couldn’t help it. He laughed.
    Stephanie’s lips twitched. “It isn’t funny,” she said stiffly—and then she laughed, too.
    He looked at her. Her cheeks had taken on a delicate flush and there was a glint in her dark eyes that hadn’t been there before. She looked young, and beautiful, and suddenly he knew that he’d been kidding himself when he’d told himself she wasn’t the most beautiful woman in this room, because she was. She was more than beautiful, she was indescribably gorgeous.
    And he’d been sniping at her for the past hour. Damn, he had to be crazy! Everything he’d done had been crazy, since he’d laid eyes on her. He should have sat down beside her, introduced himself, asked her if he could see her again. He should have told her she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met….
    He could still do all of that. It wasn’t too late and, heaven knew, it was the best idea he’d had in the past couple of hours.
    â€œMrs. Willingham. Stephanie. About what happened earlier…” Her face lifted toward his. David smiled. “In the church, I mean.”
    â€œNothing happened,” she said quickly.
    â€œCome on, let’s not play games. Something happened, all right. I looked at you, you looked at me…”
    â€œMr. Chambers—”
    â€œDavid.”
    â€œMr. Chambers.” Stephanie folded her hands in her lap. “Look, I know this isn’t your fault. I mean, I know Annie probably set this up.”
    â€œProbably?” He laughed. “Of course, she set this up. You’re unattached. You are unattached, aren’t you?”
    Stephanie nodded. “I’m a widow.”
    â€œYeah, well, I’m divorced. So Annie took a look at her guest list, saw my name, saw yours, and that was it. It’s in her blood, though I can’t imagine why, considering her own record.”
    Color flooded Stephanie’s face. “I assure you, Mr. Chambers, I have absolutely no wish to marry, ever again.”
    â€œWhoa!” David held up his hands. “One step at a time, Mrs. Willingham—and before anybody takes that step, let me assure you that I’d sooner waltz Mrs. Blum around the dance floor for the next three weeks than ever do something as stupid as tying another knot. Not