Claiming My Bride of Convenience

‘In the last two weeks? I don’t believe you.’

‘Believe it.’ I was tight-lipped, staring into the distance, wanting her gone.

‘No, I don’t think so. The way she marched into that ballroom, looking furious... You’ve been married for a while, haven’t you? And now you’ve decided to trot her out like a show pony—heaven only knows why.’

I did not deign to reply, my jaw and fists both clenched.

Veronique let out a hard laugh. ‘Some marriage,’ she said, and walked off.

I cursed myself a thousand times for not handling that altercation better. I watched out of the corner of my eye as Veronique hurried towards a cluster of chatting women and whispered in one of their ears. The gossip was already spreading.

I joined Daisy, slipping an arm around her waist to anchor her to me in the coming storm. She shot me a startled, pleased look, before resuming her discussion of stitching, or sewing, or whatever it was she was going on about. My mind was elsewhere as I watched the storm brew, one whisper at a time.

Instinctively my arm tightened around Daisy’s waist and she glanced at me again, a wrinkle of worry marring her smooth forehead.

‘Matteo...?’

‘I’m just so fascinated by your knowledge,’ I said with a smile. I glanced at her companion, my eyebrows raised. ‘Did you know my wife runs her own textile company?’

‘It’s not quite as grand as that...’ Daisy protested, and then they were off again, chatting away, while my stomach tightened with anxiety.

How would Daisy react to everyone knowing she’d been my secret? My tucked away and, as it turned out, not very convenient w

ife? Would it ruin all my plans?

‘I’m just going to nip to the ladies’,’ Daisy said, and I watched, dread seeping into my stomach like acid, as a woman broke away from a gossipy cluster and headed towards the powder room as well—no doubt to interrogate Daisy or perhaps just skewer her with a few stiletto-sharp innuendoes.

Heaven help us both.

She was gone for fifteen excruciating minutes while I considered my options. Deny how the information had been leaked out? No. I was no coward, and I instinctively abhorred the idea of lying to Daisy. Make light of it, because I didn’t care what any of these vapid, rabid social climbers thought? No, because I knew she would. Accept it and show the world that things were different now? Yes.

Even as part of me thrilled to the idea of making my marriage known in every aspect, another part quelled at the thought of people assuming we’d fallen in love with each other. Thinking I was weak...

Because it was weak to buy into that illusion. To be held hostage to your feelings. I knew that better than anyone, because I had once been such an unfortunate, misinformed prisoner.

Finally Daisy emerged from the ladies’ room. I could tell just by looking at her that she’d heard. Her face was too composed, a touch resigned. Still, it could have been worse.

I started towards her. ‘Daisy...’

‘The cat is out of the bag.’ Her smile was both wry and painful. ‘I heard the gossip in the ladies’. I think they wanted me to hear.’

‘Daisy, I’m sorry...’

‘What do you have to be sorry for, Matteo?’ Up went her chin in a stance I suspected Daisy had adopted for most of her life. ‘It’s the truth.’

She pressed her lips together, as if steeling herself, and I took hold of her arm, drawing her to me.

‘What were those women saying?’ I asked in a low voice.

‘Oh, the expected. You had a wife tucked away but obviously didn’t think much of her.’

‘Daisy—’

‘And the only reason you’re trotting me out now is because I made a fuss at that ball a few weeks ago. Otherwise I’d still be firmly in the cupboard.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I said again, meaning it. I hated to see her hurt—especially by this vicious brood of pointless vipers.

‘Like I said, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s the truth, isn’t it? We wouldn’t be here—I wouldn’t be here—if I hadn’t marched up to you at that stupid party.’ She gave a hollow laugh. ‘Goodness only knows what I was thinking.’