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      MILLS & BOON

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      CONTENTS

      CHAPTER ONE

      CHAPTER TWO

      CHAPTER THREE

      CHAPTER FOUR

      CHAPTER FIVE

      CHAPTER SIX

      CHAPTER SEVEN

      CHAPTER EIGHT

      CHAPTER NINE

      CHAPTER TEN

      CHAPTER ONE

      GABE stared at the serenely beautiful woman seated across the desk from him. For as long as he’d known her, people had commented that she was a new version of the legendary blond princess, Grace Kelly. He agreed there was a superficial likeness in looks and style.

      Women envied her and always would.

      Men envied him for having exclusive rights to her company. One day the whole world would admire her.

      “Stefanie? As you’re well aware, our marriage of convenience ended at six o’clock this morning. There must have been times when you thought March 28 would never come around.”

      She crossed one long, elegant leg over the other in a totally feminine gesture. “Let’s agree that both of us have been anxious for this day to arrive.”

      He nodded. “Our annulment means you can go back to being Stefanie Dawson, this state’s most attractive and sought-after young socialite. Now that you’re free to get on with the rest of your life, men, young and old, will line up to win your heart. Some very lucky man is going to succeed.”

      Her china-blue eyes smiled. “You think?”

      His lips twitched. “I know. You’ll probably meet him before the year is out. Maybe even on your trip around the world. Are you packed and ready to go?”

      “Yes.”

      “A limo will be by for you in two hours. You’ve got your tickets? Everything?”

      She smiled. “You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I took care of myself before we met, and shall do so again.”

      He sobered. “I realize that. But after a year of being your husband, I find I’m still in the habit.”

      “Once out of sight, out of mind.” Her glib response was oddly disturbing.

      Shifting his weight he said, “For the record, you’ve fulfilled your end of the bargain far beyond my expectations. Your reward is in this envelope, but no financial compensation could ever be enough to express the depth of my gratitude for your sacrifice. I’ll always be indebted to you. If you want, we can go over the settlement now.”

      “I don’t. When you give your word, I’ve learned you keep it.”

      There was fire in her remark. Fire he hadn’t expected.

      “Then I guess this is goodbye.” Pushing the leather chair away from the desk, he got to his feet and walked around to her. The enticing floral fragrance he associated with her filled his nostrils.

      “Thank you for everything, Stefanie. You’re a remarkable woman who deserves all that life has to offer. There’s no one like you. I’ll never forget.”

      After giving her a kiss on her petal-smooth cheek, he left the study, aware of a haunting sense of loss. That, too, was something he hadn’t expected…

      Stefanie waited until she heard the front door close before running over to the window. The driver put Gabe’s suitcase in the trunk, but she kept her eyes on the tall, dark-haired male who was taking her heart with him. Exquisite pain smote her when he levered himself in the back seat without once turning his head for a final look of farewell.

      A year ago today Gabe’s father, the powerful Senator Hershal Wainwright of Rhode Island, had gotten what he wanted—a new daughter-in-law—the one he’d handpicked to be Gabe’s wife. Two months after their marriage, the senator had gotten something else he wanted—reelection to a fifth term in the U.S. Senate.

      Today, Gabriel Wainwright, the senator’s fourth and youngest son, the handsome, hands-down public favorite of all the Wainwright sons, the one with the most promise, brilliance, charisma and charm, the one whom people, including the senator, insisted would end up in the White House one day, got what he wanted—freedom from a temporary marriage which had served its purpose—freedom to leave the past behind and live according to the dictates of his own conscience.

      Both men had gotten exactly what they wanted. Now it was Stefanie’s turn…

      Her first order of business was to cancel the limo Gabe had requested for her. With that accomplished, she spent the rest of the day finalizing certain secret plans of her own.

      At seven that evening, dressed in a champagne silk suit designed by her favorite French couturier Fabrice, she entered the Newport Yacht Club where her father was commodore.

      Turning heads with every graceful step, she found the headwaiter. After asking him

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