A High Price to Pay by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online Page B

preamble, 'I got your message. I thought we'd better
    talk—finalise things.'
    'Oh?' Alison gave him a hostile glance, aware that her pulses were
    still drumming haphazardly. Why had he had to pop up like the
    Demon King? she wondered crossly. 'Well, I'm afraid I have other
    plans for today.'
    'Then cancel them.' His tone brooked no opposition. 'Ring work, if
    that's where you're going, and tell them you won't be in. Say you're ill,
    if you prefer our engagement to remain our little secret for the time
    being,' he added sardonically.

    She set her teeth. 'I was going to work, yes. I have a busy morning
    ahead, and as it happens, I was going to ask my boss if I could have
    the afternoon off to be with my mother. She hasn't been at all well
    and…'
    'I'm aware of that. Perhaps the news that she doesn't have to move out
    of this house will be just the tonic she needs. And I've had to postpone
    today's schedule too. I thought we'd drive over and see my mother. I
    think our respective families should be the first to know the good
    news, don't you?'
    'Good news?' Alison gaped at him. 'You talk as if this engagement
    was real!'
    'As far as the rest of the world's concerned, it is.' Again a note in his
    voice forbade argument. 'You're almost bound to confide in your
    mother. As she'll be living under the same roof with us, she's- sure to
    realise we're not enjoying a conventional relationship. But I'd prefer
    my mother to retain some illusions. Although she'll be so relieved that
    I'm answering her prayers at last that .she won't enquire too closely,
    but welcome you with open arms.'
    'Oh, really?' Alison lifted her chin. 'I'd have said I was the last girl on
    earth she would ever expect you to produce as her future
    daughter-in-law.'
    Nicholas shrugged. 'That's a risk we'll have to take,' he dismissed.
    'Now, phone your boss, and let's make a start.'
    It was foolish, she knew, but his failure to utter even a token
    reassurance about her suitability rankled with her.
    She said stiltedly, 'My mother is still in her room, but I'm sure she'll
    want to—speak to you ...'

    'To assure herself about my prospects?' The dark brows lifted
    mockingly. 'Well, there's no problem. You were going to offer me
    dinner here, I hope.'
    Alison was taken aback. 'Yes—if you wish.' The thought of spending
    the entire day in his company, and the evening as well, was a frankly
    disturbing one.
    He smiled rather grimly, as if he had gauged her inner turmoil. 'I feel
    we should further our acquaintance, don't you?'
    She shrugged slightly. 'Perhaps. I had the impression we wouldn't be
    together a great deal.'
    'Yet we can hardly be expected to shun each other this early in the
    relationship.' He sounded amused, and slightly impatient. 'I'm paying
    highly for your services, Alison. I expect a little cooperation.'
    She avoided his gaze. 'Yes—well, I'll go and make that call.'
    She told Simon she was involved with some unexpected business
    concerned with her late father's estate, and accepted his sympathetic
    enquiries like soothing balm for her feelings.
    A sleek black Porsche was waiting for them on the drive, and Alison's
    brows rose. 'No driver today?' she asked sweetly.
    'I thought privacy was more important,' Nick retorted, opening the
    passenger door for her. 'You'll have to trust yourself to my tender
    mercies.'
    And how! Alison thought silently as she adjusted her seatbelt.
    'You don't waste words do you?' Nick Bristow observed after they'd
    travelled the first few miles in silence.

    'Sometimes,' she returned coolly. 'But you're hardly here today for the
    pleasure of my company.'
    'True.' His mouth curled slightly. 'But as I've already pointed out, part
    of the bargain outlined to you was that you should "play the part" of
    my wife. Maybe you should begin by rehearsing the role of the happy
    fiancee. Hard looks, and answering me in monosyllables, are hardly
    going to convince anyone that we're the victims of a mutual and
    overwhelming