LITMIR.BIZ

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      “Clever like a psychotic vixen. I decided to let Papa go on believing her lie for the sake of peace in his new marriage. I hoped that in time Corinne would give up her impossible fantasy and move out.

      “After my father’s second divorce she ended up in the hospital following a failed suicide attempt.”

      Sickened by what she’d just heard, Andrea couldn’t lie there any longer and slid off the bed. “Did she really mean it?”

      His hands curled into fists. “I doubt she intended to go through with it, but you never know. Her talent for manipulation is unexcelled. She’d claimed Papa for her new father and wasn’t about to let that relationship go.

      “He felt sorry for her and brought her home. Slowly she began wrapping her tentacles around him. I’m afraid he allowed it because of the guilt he felt over his second marriage not working.”

      “I can understand that. Guilt has a lot to answer for.”

      “Indeed.”

      “Yet while he suffered, her true intent was to lie in wait for you.”

      “Afraid so. Father set up Odette in a new apartment in Paris, but Corinne stayed on with him, and never left the château except to travel.

      “After I learned about my condition, I saw no point to my life except to stay in the service. I worked my leaves around her absences to visit Papa, but there were times when I couldn’t avoid her.”

      “Ten years in exile is too high a price to pay.”

      This time it was Lance who groaned. “When you don’t give a damn about anything, you don’t notice time passing. Not until I received a phone call from Henri telling me about Papa’s illness. It made me realize he needed me. That’s when I decided to come home for good.”

      She took a fortifying breath. “Are you sure Corinne isn’t the real reason you asked me to marry you?”

      His eyes turned to flint.

      “If you can ask me that question, then you don’t know me at all and a marriage between us would never work.”

      “Don’t go, Lance—” she cried as he started to leave the room. “I’m trying to understand. When you kissed me in front of her—”

      “I did what came naturally,” he cut her off. “We’re going to be married soon. We’re having a baby. In private I’ll never ask you to do anything you don’t want to do, but in public I plan to treat you like my wife. If you have a problem with that, tell me now.”

      She swallowed hard. “No, of course not.”

      “Then let’s go downstairs.”

      As they left her room, Andrea felt Lance’s fingers twine through hers in a tight grasp. When they reached the doors leading to the terrace, he turned and put his hands on her shoulders. His eyes held a fierce glint.

      “You don’t have to do this if Corinne makes you uncomfortable. I’ll talk to Papa in private.”

      “No, Lance. She’s part of your family. If not now, when?” Only a sick woman would hold him and his father captive with her lies all these years.

      “Andrea—” his voice grated. She had the curious feeling he was about to kiss her again when Corinne opened the doors. She must have been standing there waiting for them.

      The other woman flashed Lance an odd smile. “Geoff’s been counting the minutes.”

      “So have we.”

      He ushered Andrea past Corinne. They moved out to the patio where lunch had been served.

      Geoff’s gaze fastened on Andrea. “Excellent. We’re all together. Where did Lance take you to dinner last night?”

      “A little inn called Le Marronier d’Or. The bacon crêpe was out of this world.”

      “That means he took you to Merlin’s trysting place as well.”

      Andrea nodded. “We saw a magnificent stag.”

      He smiled. “Were you able to get a picture?”

      “No.” She let out a soft laugh. “Isn’t that the way it always goes?”

      Lance put a hand on her thigh beneath the table. She felt the heat curl through her sensitized body. “I’ll take her another night when we’re more prepared.”

      Corinne had seated herself next to Geoff. “I told him you had news of vital importance, Lance.”

      “But I couldn’t pry it out of her,” Geoff admitted.

      “I can always count on Corinne.” Lance sounded so sincere, Andrea wouldn’t have understood the double entendre if she hadn’t known all the facts. “In truth you’ve been such a good stepsister to keep my secret, I give you permission to tell Papa right now.”

      It was obvious Corinne hadn’t been prepared for that sally, but she recovered with remarkable aplomb. She turned to Lance’s father with her fingers woven together around her wineglass.

      “Would you believe Lance and Mrs. Fallon have fallen in love and are planning to be married right away? What has it been? All of three or four days since Lance came home?”

      “I believe it.” Geoff smiled. “I watched it happen.”

      Andrea decided Geoff was a great actor himself. His comment seemed to throw Corinne. She turned to Andrea.

      “How long has it been since you buried your husband? Did I understand two months?”

      “Three,” Andrea corrected her.

      Her gaze flew to Andrea’s left hand. “It sounds like the fastest courtship in history. Is that the ring your deceased husband gave you?”

      “It’s the one I bought for her,” Lance spoke up. He looked at his father. “Last night I asked Andrea to marry me, and she said yes.”

      Andrea knew Geoff would always behave like the great gentleman he was, but she didn’t expect to see the illuminating smile that lit up his eyes. He studied both of them for the longest time.

      “Except for Lance coming home in one piece, that’s the best news I’ve ever heard. Congratulations you two.” He stood up and walked around to Andrea. “Let me welcome you to the family.”

      Lance squeezed her arm before she got to her feet to hug his father. He kissed her on both cheeks. She felt his happiness. It couldn’t all be pretense. The knowledge filled her with relief.

      When he reached for Lance, the two men embraced with the kind of warmth between a father and son who loved each other without reservation.

      Corinne held back. “You don’t honestly expect people to believe you’re in love this fast—”

      “Why not?” Geoff took his place once more. “There’s no accounting for matters of the heart. Lance has asked Andrea to be his wife. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”

      “But he can’t marry her—” Corinne blurted.

      Geoff studied his stepdaughter for a moment. “Whatever do you mean, ma chérie?“

      “They haven’t waited a decent interval. Her husband’s barely dead. What will people say?”

      “Corinne?” Andrea addressed her. “Since you and I are going to be related through marriage, there’s something you should know.”

      Her jaw hardened. “What else is there?”

      “I’m sure you’re familiar with the old expression about a door closing and another one opening. It’s true my husband only passed away recently, but he left me a precious legacy.”

      “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”

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