A Vow to Secure His Legacy

‘You couldn’t possibly know that.’

‘Of course I did. Face it, Imogen, we’re the same. Both with a taste for adventure.’

Automatically, she shook her head. She wasn’t like Thierry. Those extreme sports he enjoyed made her hair curl. ‘You’ve got me wrong, Thierry. I’m ordinary and cautious. I’m an accountant, remember? Until recently I’d never done anything exciting. Only the threat of dying got me out of Australia.’

‘But it did, didn’t it? You didn’t stay, waiting for the end, but went out and found your true self.’ He sounded satisfied, almost smug, as if today’s surprise sailing treat was a major win in some way she couldn’t fathom.

‘I’m afraid not.’ How could he have got her so wrong? ‘My true self belongs at home or in an office. This is just...’ She shrugged. ‘My sister was the courageous one, not me.’

The wind shifted and the little boat shivered as Imogen struggled to guide it. Instantly, Thierry was beside her, his shoulder against hers, his hand over hers on the tiller. Seconds later they were gliding easily over the water again. He lifted his hand but didn’t move away.

A sense of wellbeing filled her, and for once Imogen didn’t fight it, just accepted this glorious moment, with the rush of wind, the thrill of sailing and Thierry beside her.

‘You don’t think it took courage to look after your dying mother? Even though it cost you your lover? You don’t think you were courageous when you faced what you thought was your own death? Or when you planned to face pregnancy alone?’

‘I didn’t have any choice. That wasn’t courage. That was necessity.’

Thierry lifted her free hand to his lips and her heart sang. ‘You’re wrong, Imogen. You’re exciting and marvellous and brave. We’re well matched—because we both have a taste for life.’

She opened her mouth to disagree but his finger on her lips stopped her. ‘We are, Imogen. Don’t you feel it whenever we’re together?’

The trouble was she did. But she told herself it was because she’d fallen for him, hook, line and sinker. Whereas he— Well, Thierry wouldn’t fall for someone like her.

‘You’re talking to a woman who has just spent days learning how to make the perfect choux pastry. I’m no daredevil.’

Thierry shook his head. ‘You think it’s so black and white? That we aren’t all complex? I might love motor rallies and alpine climbing but I never spent all my time doing that. Do you know how many hours I spent beneath the engine of my rally car, getting it tuned to perfection? Or planning the optimal route for a trek?’ He slipped his arm around her, his embrace warming her in places she couldn’t name.

‘You don’t understand. I’m not the woman you think I am. That woman in Paris wasn’t the real Imogen.’

‘Wasn’t she?’ His voice was a deep burr that did wicked things to her heart and her self-control. ‘You’ve spent so long putting yourself in a pigeonhole you can’t see that you’re more complex than you ever imagined.’ He paused. ‘I think that’s why you’re afraid to take a chance on me.’

Before she could say anything he rose and took up a position just far enough away that she couldn’t touch him. But his eyes held hers, bright and challenging.

‘We have so much going for us, Imogen. Why won’t you give us a chance? Us and our child?’

Because I’m scared. I’m terrified to love you when you don’t love me back.

‘Trust your instincts, Imogen. Think of the good times we could have together.’ His was the voice of temptation, coursing through her like liquid chocolate.

Of course she wanted to stay. That was the trouble. It was too easy to imagine being with him, spending time together, not just at the château or in his arms, but living, sharing adventures like this.

‘All you have to do is let go of your fear and trust in us.’

Let go of her fear! After living with fear so long that was easier said than done. Yet the temptation to trust in him was almost overwhelming. Only a lifetime’s caution held her back.

But what was she holding back from? Fear of not being loved? If she walked away from Thierry she’d sever whatever bond they already had. Plus she’d destroy any chance that he’d ever love her.

Did she ask too much, expecting him to love after such a short time, just because she loved him? Imogen frowned. Looked at that way, she seemed impatient and greedy.