In the Millionaire's Possession by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online Page B

Marc Delaroche said gently. ‘ And not merely about your missing lover. They spoke too about your fight to keep this house. Opinion is divided as to whether you are brave or a fool, but none of them thought you could win. ’

    ‘ How kind of them, ’ she said between her teeth. ‘ That must have done my cause a lot of good. ’ She paused. ‘ Did they know who you were — and why you were here? ’

    ‘ I said nothing. I only listened. ’ He shrugged. ‘ They spoke of your grandfather with affection, but not of your parents. And you do not mention them either. I find that strange. ’

    Helen bit her lip. ‘ I hardly knew them. They left Britain when I was still quite small, and my grandfather brought me up with the help of various nannies. That ’ s why we were so close. ’

    Marc Delaroche frowned swiftly. ‘ My father ’ s work took him abroad also, but I travelled with him always. He would never have considered anything else. ’

    ‘ My father didn ’ t work — in the accepted sense. ’ Helen looked past him, staring into space. ‘ He ’ d been brought up to run Monteagle and the estate, but after the financial disasters we ’ d suffered that no longer seemed an option. Also, he knew he would never have a son to inherit what remained. My mother, whom he adored, was very ill when I was born, and needed an immediate operation. The name was going to die out. ’

    ‘ He had a daughter. Did he not consider that? ’

    Helen ’ s smile was swift and taut. ‘ I never had the chance to ask him. There ’ s always been a strong gambling streak in our family — fortunes won and lost down the centuries — and my father was a brilliant poker player. He had a load of friends among the rich and famous, so he travelled the world with my mother, staying in other people ’ s houses and making a living from cards and backgammon. ’ Her mouth twisted wryly. ‘ At times he even earned enough to send money home. ’

    ‘ But then his luck ran out? ’ Marc Delaroche asked quietly.

    She nodded, and began to walk along the corridor again. ‘ They were in the Caribbean, flying between islands in a private plane with friends. There was some problem, and the aircraft crashed into the sea, killing everyone on board. My grandfather was devastated. Up to then he ’ d always believed we would recoup our losses somehow, and carry out the restoration work he ’ d always planned. That we ’ d be reunited as a family, too. But after the crash the fight seemed to go out of him. He became — resigned. Instead of winning, he talked about survival. ’

    She stared ahead of her, jaw set. ‘ But Monteagle is mine now, and I want more than that. ’

    ‘ Has it hurt you to tell me these things? ’ His voice was oddly gentle.

    ‘ It ’ s all part of Monteagle ’ s history. ’ She hunched a shoulder. ‘ So you probably have a right to ask. But that ’ s as far as the personal details go, ’ she added, giving him a cool look. ‘ You ’ re here on business, and I feel we should conduct ourselves in a businesslike manner. ’

    Oh , God , she groaned inwardly. Just listen to yourself. Miss Prim of the Year, or what?

    ‘ Ah, ’ he said. ‘ And therefore all matters of gender should be rigorously excluded? ’ His grin was cynical. ‘ How do you do that, I wonder? ’

    She bit her lip. ‘ That is your problem, monsieur . Not mine. ’

    She reached the imposing double doors at the end of the corridor and flung them open. ‘ And here, as you requested, is the State Bedroom. ’

    The curtains were half drawn over the long windows, and she walked across and opened them, admitting a broad shaft of dust-filled sunshine.

    It was a big room, the walls hung with faded brocade wallpaper. It was dominated by the huge four-poster bed, which had been stripped to its mattress, although the heavily embroidered satin canopy and curtains were still in place.

    ‘ As you see, ’ she added woodenly, ‘ it has not been in