Stand-In Bride's Seduction

“You’d be willing to do this, then? Be so far from all of us?” Alex asked quietly.

“If it means having a chance to come to terms with everything, then, yes.”

There was an undercurrent between the men that Rina couldn’t put her finger on. Judging from Loren’s expression, she too was out of the loop. Alex turned to Rina, his dark eyes serious.

“Did you have somewhere in mind that would suit Benedict’s needs at this time? Privacy is of the utmost importance.”

“Actually, I do have a place that should work. A friend of mine runs an exclusive boutique hotel and health spa on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, about twenty minutes from Queenstown by private launch. There’s a fully equipped gym, aqua therapy facilities, a lap pool—pretty much everything you need. Above all, it’s totally secluded. Only a private wharf, or heli access. Of course, being winter there and with Queenstown the tourist mecca it is, it’s a pretty busy time of year for Mia, but I could call her if you like—see if she has space available?” Rina offered.

“I know the area. You think you could arrange this now?” Benedict asked, his chocolate brown eyes burning with intent.

Rina looked at the ornate antique ormolu clock on the sideboard. “I can try. New Zealand is twelve hours ahead of us, so it’ll be ten-thirty a.m. there. I should be able to get a hold of her.”

Loren rose from her chair. “Come with me, Sara, I’ll take you to my study. Perhaps you can call your friend from there.”

“When would you want to book from, and for how long?” Rina asked as she followed Loren to the door.

“As soon as she can take me, and for at least a month.”

Her head spun slightly at the swiftness with which Benedict had made his decision. Clearly he wanted to get away from Isla Sagrado, but why so urgently?

“And, Sara?”

She turned in the doorway. “Yes?”

“I want sole occupancy—well, for me, my trainer and possibly one or two other personal staff. I’ll pay handsomely for the privilege.”

She nodded. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do.”

When Rina returned to the dining room she was bubbling with suppressed excitement.

“It’s doable,” she said as she entered the room. “Provided you agree to her financial terms, and that you pass a credit check, you’re all set for next week. I had to do some persuading because she was heavily booked for the time you want, but she’s agreed to transfer those to other resorts and spas in the area. She does expect to be well compensated for the loss of trade and for the disruption to her existing guests, of course. I’d told her I’d let you know and call her back.”

“And her terms?” Benedict asked.

“The same rate as if she had a hundred percent occupancy of the hotel, plus a premium of twenty percent.”

“Make the premium thirty percent. I’ll pay half up front, the other half at the end of the occupation.”

Rina gasped. “Are you sure?”

“Never more so. Call her back.”

“I still can’t believe he made up his mind so quickly,” Rina said to Rey as they drove back to the cottage.

“He has his reasons,” Rey replied enigmatically. “Thank you for supporting him in this. For making it easy for him.”

“I’m just glad I could help.” She stared out at the dark landscape and worried at her lower lip with her teeth. “His injuries—he will recover from them, won’t he?”

Rey sighed. “We hope so. But the accident has taken a far greater emotional toll than we expected. I think his recovery may take a while longer. I’m only sorry he feels the need to be so far from us while he does so.”

Rina reached across the interior of the car and put her hand on Rey’s thigh, squeezing gently with her fingers.

“He’ll be all right. Mia will ensure he’s looked after and her staff is exceptionally well trained as far as privacy is concerned.”

“They will need to be. My brother’s pride has taken enough of a blow with his accident—it would crush him to see pictures of himself, in his less-than-able state, plastered across the tabloids. This way, when he returns to Isla Sagrado, he’ll be his old self again.”