Vows Made in Secret
Vows Made in Secret
Louise Fuller
A woman scornedArt expert Prudence Elliot is shocked when a new job brings her face-to-face with Laszlo de Zsadany the irresistible enigma who blazed through her life like a comet, leaving only her shattered heart in his wake.A husband discoveredEven more shockingly, not only is Laszlo a secret millionaire, but their youthful pledging of love was legally binding hes her husband!A fiery reconciliation!Prudence is an addiction that Laszlo cannot fight but surely the heat between them will quickly burn out? Except soon hes forced to admit that his craving for his wife is blazing out of control !Discover More At www.millsandboon.co.uk/louisefuller
I honoured you with a gift. The most important gift a man can give to a woman. I made you my wife and you threw it in my face.
Prudence gaped at him, shock washing over her in waves. She opened her mouth to deny his claim but the words clogged her throat. His wife? Surely he didnt really think that they were actually married? Her heart was pounding and the palms of her hands felt suddenly damp. Married? That was ridiculous! Insane!
Dazedly she thought back to that day when shed been led, giggling and blindfolded, to his great-uncles trailer. Laszlo had been waiting for her. She felt a shiver run down her spine at the memory, for hed looked heartbreakingly handsome and so serious she had wanted to cry. Theyd sworn their love and commitment to one another and his great-uncle had spoken some words in Romany, and then they had eaten some bread and some salt.
Her pulse was fluttering, and despite her best efforts her voice sounded high and jerky. Were not married, she said tightly. Marriages are more than just words and kisses. This is just another of your lies
Her voice trailed off at the expression of derision on his face.
Youre going off topic, pireni. Were still married. Im still your husband. And youre my wife.
LOUISE FULLER was a tomboy who hated pink and always wanted to be the princenot the princess! Now she enjoys creating heroines who arent pretty pushovers but are strong, believable women. Before writing for Mills & Boon she studied literature and philosophy at university and then worked as a reporter on her local newspaper. She lives in Tunbridge Wells with her impossibly handsome husband, Patrick, and their six children.
Vows Made in Secret
Louise Fuller
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
To my husband, Patrick, who provided inspiration not just for the love scenes but the emotional conflict!
Contents
Cover (#ue432370b-fe76-5e9e-b082-1a2b762326b7)
Introduction (#ue708865b-3972-579e-b676-85c768819fe2)
About the Author (#udc19bb03-7112-5252-9ec4-095506b84096)
Title Page (#ue53062d5-ed74-58bc-8b3c-777d985d9b90)
Dedication (#u5f795a85-ae14-5578-be35-b59e693eeb58)
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Extract from Tycoon's Delicious Debt by Susanna Carr (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE (#u0f1d44dd-9fa6-5606-9829-0774de11bd46)
SCOWLING, A LOCK of dark hair falling onto his forehead, Laszlo Cziffra de Zsadany stared at the young woman with smooth fair hair. His jaw tightened involuntarily as he studied her face in silence, noting the contrast between the innocence of the soft grey eyes and the passionate promise of her full mouth.
She was beautiful. So beautiful that it was impossible not to stand and stare. Such beauty could seduce and enslave. For such a woman a man would relinquish his throne, betray his country and lose his sanity.
Laszlo smiled grimly. He might even get married!
His smile faded and, feeling restless and on edge, he leant forward and squinted at the cramped, curled inscription at the bottom of the painting. Katalina Csesnek de Veszprem. But even though his eyes were fixed intently on the writing his mind kept drifting back to the face of the sitter. He gritted his teeth. What was it about this painting that he found so unsettling? But even as he asked himself the question he shrank from acknowledging the answer.
Anger jostled with misery as he stared at the face, seeing not Katalina but another, whose name was never spoken for to do so would burn his lips. Of course it wasnt so very like her; there were similarities, in colouring and the shape of her jaw, but that was all.
Disconcerted by the intense and unwelcome emotions stirred up by a pair of grey eyes, he glanced longingly out of the window at the Hungarian countryside. And then he froze as he heard an unmistakable hooting. It was bad luck to hear an owls cry in daylight and his golden eyes narrowed as he uneasily searched the pale blue sky for the bird.
From behind him there was a thump as Besnik, his lurcher, sat down heavily on the stone floor. Sighing, Laszlo reached down and rubbed the dogs silky ears between his thumb and forefinger.
I know, he murmured softly. Youre right. I need some air. Come. Standing up straight, he clicked his fingers so that the dog leapt lightly to its feet. Lets go! Before I start counting magpies.
He wandered slowly through the castles corridors. The wood panelling on the walls gleamed under the low lights, and the familiar smell of beeswax and lavender calmed him as he walked down the stairs. Passing his grandfathers study, he noticed that the door was ajar and, glancing inside, he saw with some surprise that the room wasnt empty; his grandfather, Janos, was sitting at his desk.
Laszlo felt his chest tighten as he took in how small and frail Janos appeared to be. Even now, more than six years after his wife Annuskas death, his grandfather still seemed to bear the burden of her loss. For a moment he hesitated. And then, softly, he closed the door. There had been an almost meditative quality to his grandfathers stillness and he sensed that Janos needed to be alone.
He wondered why his grandfather was up so early. And then he remembered. Of course. Seymour was arriving today!
No wonder Janos had been unable to sleep. Collecting art had been his hobby for over thirty years: a personal, private obsession. But today, for the first time ever, he would reveal that collection to a strangerthis expert, Edmund Seymour, who was arriving from London.
Laszlo grimaced. He instinctively distrusted strangers and he felt a ripple of dislike for Seymoura man hed never met, and to whom he had never so much as uttered a word, but whose company he would now have to suffer for weeks.
Pushing a door open with his shoulder, he glanced warily into the kitchen and then breathed out slowly. Good! Rosa wasnt up. He wasnt ready to face her gimlet eye yet. Apart from his grandfather their housekeeper was the only other person from whom he couldnt hide his feelings. Only, unlike Janos, Rosa had no qualms about cross-examining him.
Pulling open the cavernous fridge, he groaned as he saw the cold meats and salads arranged on the shelves.
And then, despite the rush of cold air on his face, and the even colder lump of resentment in his chest, he felt his mood shift and he closed the fridge door gently. Food had been a comforting distraction during his grandmothers long illness. But by the time of her death it had become a passiona passion that had led to him financing a restaurant in the centre of Budapest. The restaurant had been his project: it had been a risk, and a lot of hard work, but he thrived on both and he was now the owner of a staggeringly successful chain of high street restaurants.
Laszlo lifted his chin. He was no longer just Janoss grandson but a wealthy, independent businessman in his own right.
He sighed. Not that he wasnt proud of being a de Zsadany. It was just that the name brought certain responsibilities along with it. Such as Seymours impending visit. He gritted his teeth. If only the blasted man would ring and cancel.
As if on cue, his mobile phone vibrated in his pocket. Clumsy with shock, and a ridiculous sense of guilt, he pulled it out with shaking fingers: it was Jakob! Relief, and the tiniest feeling of regret, washed over him.
Laszlo! I thought youd be up. I know youll have forgotten, so Ive just rung to remind you that we have a visitor arriving today.
Laszlo shook his head. Typical Jakobringing to check up on him. Jakob Frankel was the de Zsadany family lawyer, and a good man, but Laszlo couldnt imagine letting his guard down with him or any other outsider. Not any more: not after what had happened the last time.
I know you wont believe me, Jakob, but I did actually remember it was happening today.
He heard the lawyer laugh nervously.
Excellent! Ive arranged a car, but if you could be on hand to greet?
Of course I will, Laszlo interrupted testily, irritated by the tentative note in the lawyers voice. He paused, aware that he sounded churlish. I want to be there, he muttered roughly. And let me know if I can do anything else. It was the nearest he got to an apology.
Of course. Of course! But Im sure that wont be necessary. Jakob spoke hurriedly, his desire to end the conversation clearly overriding his normal deference.
Laszlo murmured non-committally. For most of his life Janoss hobby had seemed a strangely soulless and senseless exercise. But Annuskas death had changed that opinion as it had changed everything else.
After her funeral life at the castle had grown increasingly bleak. Janos had been in a state of shock, inconsolable with grief. But once the shock had worn off his misery had turned into a kind of depressiona lethargy which no amount of time seemed able to heal. Laszlo had been in despair; weeks and months had turned into years. Until slowly, and then with increasing momentum, his grandfather had become almost his old self.
The reason for his recovery, like all catalysts for change, had been wholly unexpected. A stack of letters between Annuska and Janos had reminded him of their mutual passion for art.
Tentatively, not daring to hope, Laszlo had encouraged his grandfather to revive his former hobby. To his surprise, Janos had begun to lose his listless manner and then, out of the blue, his grandfather had decided to have his sprawling collection catalogued. Seymours auction house in London had been contacted and its flamboyant owner, Edmund Seymour, had duly been invited to visit Kastely Almasy.
Laszlo grimaced. His grandfathers happiness had overridden his own feeling but how on earth was he going to put up with this stranger in his home?
Jakobs voice broke into his thoughts.
I mean, I know how you hate having people around There was a sudden awkward silence and then the lawyer cleared his throat. What I meant to say was
Laszlo interrupted him curtly. There are more than thirty rooms at the castle, Jakob, so I think Ill be able to cope with one solitary guest, dont you?
He felt a sudden, fierce stab of self-loathing. Seymour could stay for a year if it made his grandfather happy. And, really, what was a few weeks? Since Annuskas death time had ceased to matter. Nothing much mattered except healing his grandfather.
I can manage, he repeated gruffly.
Of course...of course. The lawyer laughed nervously. You might even enjoy it. In fact, Janos was only saying to me yesterday that this visit might be a good opportunity to invite some of the neighbours for drinks or dinner. The Szecsenyis are always good fun and they have a daughter around your age.
In the early-morning light the room seemed suddenly grey and cold, like a tomb. Laszlo felt his fingers tighten around the handset as his heart started to pound out a drumroll of warning.
He took a shallow breath, groping for calm. Ill think about it, he said finally. His tone was pleasant, but there was no mistaking the note of high-tensile steel in his voice. I mean, our guest may simply prefer paintings to people.
He knew what his grandfather really wanted, and why he had inveigled Jakob into suggesting it. Janos secretly longed to see his only grandchild marriedto see Laszlo sharing his life with a soulmate. And why wouldnt he? After all, Janos himself had been blissfully happy during his forty-year marriage.
Laszlos fingers curled into his palms. If only he could do it. If only he could marry a perfectly sweet, pretty girl like Agnes Szecsenyi. That would be worth more than fifty art collections to Janos.
But that was never going to happen. For he had a secret, and no matter how many dinner dates his grandfather engineered, a wife was most certainly not going to result from any of them.
* * *
Now, you have read my notes properly, havent you, Prue? Only you do have a tendency to skim...
Pushing a strand of pale blonde hair out of her cloud-grey eyes, Prudence Elliot took a deep breath and counted slowly up to ten. Her plane had landed in Hungary only an hour ago, but this was the third time Uncle Edmund had rung her to see how she was doing: in other words, he was checking up on her.
Edmund paused. I dont want to sound like a nag, but its just... Well, I just wish I could be there with you...you do understand?
His voice cut through her juddering, panicky thoughts and her anxiety was instantly replaced by guilt. Of course she understood. Her uncle had built up the auction house that bore his name from scratch. And today would have undoubtedly been the most important day of his careerthe pinnacle of his lifes work: cataloguing reclusive Hungarian billionaire Janos Almasy de Zsadanys legendary art collection.
With a lurch of fear, Prudence remembered the look of excitement and terror on Edmunds face when hed been invited to the de Zsadany castle in Hungary. His words kept replaying in her head.
The mans a modern Medici, Prue. Of course no one actually knows the exact contents of his collection. But a conservative valuation would be over a billion dollars.
It should be Edmund with his thirty years of experience sitting in the back of the sleek, shark-nosed de Zsadany limousine. Not Prudence, who felt she could offer little more than her uncles reputation by proxy. Only Edmund was in England, confined to bed, recovering from a major asthma attack.
Biting her lip, she glanced out of the window at the dark fields. She hadnt wanted to come. But shed had no choice. Edmund owed money, and with debts mounting and interest accruing on those debts the business was in jeopardy. The fee from the de Zsadany job would balance the books, but the de Zsadany family lawyer had been adamant that work must start immediately. And so, reluctantly, shed agreed to go to Hungary.
She heard Edmund sigh down the phone.
Im sorry, Prue, he said slowly. You shouldnt have to put up with my nagging when youve been so good about all this.
Instantly she felt ashamed. Edmund was like a father to her. He had given her everything: a home, a family, security and even a job. She wasnt about to let him down now, in his hour of need.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to inject some confidence into her voice. Please try not to worry, Edmund. If I need anything at all Ill ring you. But Ill be fine. I promise.
He rang off and gratefully Prudence leant back against the leather upholstery and closed her eyes until, in what felt like no time at all, the car began to slow. She opened her eyes. Two tall wrought-iron gates swung smoothly open to let the limousine pass, and within minutes she was looking up at a huge, grey stone castle straight out of a picture book.
Later she would realise that she had no memory of how she got from the car to the castle. She remembered only that somehow she had found herself in a surprisingly homely sitting room, lit softly by a collection of table lamps and the glow of a log fire. She was about to sit down on a faded Knole Sofa when she noticed the painting.
Her heart started to pound. Stepping closer, she reached out with one trembling hand and touched the frame lightly, and then her eyes made a slow tour of the walls. She felt light-headedas though she had woken up in dream. There were two Picassospink perioda delightfully exuberant Kandinsky, a Rembrandt portrait that would have sent Edmund into a state of near ecstasy, and a pair of exquisite Lucian Freud etchings of a sleeping whippet.
She was still in a state of moderate shock when an amused-sounding voice behind her said softly, Pleasetake a closer look. Im afraid the poor things get completely ignored by the rest of us.
Prudence turned scarlet. To be caught snooping around someones sitting room like some sort of burglar was bad enough, but when that someone was your host, and one of the richest men in Europe, it was mortifying.
Im soso sorry, she stammered, turning round. What must you...? The remainder of her apology died in her throat, the words colliding into one another with a series of shuddering jolts as her world imploded. For it was not Janos Almasy de Zsadany standing there but Laszlo Cziffra.
Laszlo Cziffra. Once his name had tasted hot and sweet in her mouth; now it was bitter on her tongue. She felt her insides twist in pain as around her the room seemed to collapse and fold in on itself like a house of cards. It couldnt be Laszloit just couldnt. But it was, and she stared at him mutely, reeling from the shock of his perfection.
With his high cheekbones, sleek black hair and burning amber eyes, he was almost the same boy she had fallen in love with seven years ago: her beautiful Romany boy. Only he most certainly wasnt hers any more; nor was he a boy. Now he was unmistakably a man: tall, broad-shouldered, intensely male, and with a suggestion of conformity that his younger self had lacked. Prudence shivered. But it was his eyes that had changed the most. Once, on seeing her, they would have burnt with the fierce lambent fire of passion. Now they were as cold and lifeless as ash.
She felt breathless, almost faint, and her hand moved involuntarily to her throat. Laszlo had been her first loveher first lover. He had been like sunlight and storms. She had never wanted anything or anyone more than him. And he had noticed her. Chosen her with a certainty that had left her breathless, replete, exultant. She had felt immortal. The knowledge of his love had swelled inside heran immutable truth as permanent as the sun rising and setting.
Or so shed believed seven years ago.
Only shed been wrong. His focus on herfor that was what it had beenhad burnt white-hot, fire-bright, and then faded fast like a supernova.
Prudence swallowed. It had been the ugliest thing that had happened to her. After the fierce bliss of what shed believed was his love, that disorientating darkness had felt like death itself. And now, like a ghost from paradise lost, here he was, defying all logic and reason.
Surely he couldnt be real? And if he was real then what was he doing here? It didnt make any sense. She stared at him, groping for some kind of answer. Her stomach lurched as she remembered the last time shed seen him: being pushed into the back of a police car, his face dark and defiant.
Laszlo didnt belong in a place like this. And yet here he was. Standing there, as though he owned the place.
She felt her stomach lurch. In the back of her mind, pushed down in the darkness, shed always imagined that hed drifted into bad ways. So to watch him saunter into the room was almost more than her brain could fathom. Helplessly, she racked her brain for some shred of explanation.
Whwhat are you doing here? she stammered, her voice sounding small and shrunken, like a soul facing purgatory.
Laszlo stared at Prudence, his handsome face cold and blank. But inside it was as though he was falling from a great height. His mind was racing, explanations tumbling over one another, each one more desperate and untenable than the last. And all the time, like a silent movie, the short, doomed pretence of their love played out before his eyes.
Aware that he was playing for time, he felt a rush of anger. But words had literally failed himfor he had blotted out all traces of her so completely that just looking at her made him feel dizzy.
I could ask you the same question, he murmured.
And then, with shock, he remembered that it had been only that morning that his hunger-fuelled brain had conjured up her memory. He shivered as the hairs stood up on the back of his neck and he remembered the cry of the owl he had heard earlier. Had he somehow summoned her here?
The part of his mind not numb with shock pushed the suggestion away irritably: of course he hadnt. Clearly she hadnt come looking for him, for her own shock was unmistakable. So what exactly was she doing here?
Eyes narrowing, he stared assessingly at her and waited for answers.
White-faced, Prudence stared back at him dazedly. She must have fallen down a rabbit hole, for what other explanation could there be? Why else was Laszlo Cziffra here in this isolated castle in the Hungarian countryside? Unlessher blood turned coldcould he be working for Mr de Zsadany?
Her mind cringed from the possibility and, remembering his blank-eyed indifference when shed told him she was leaving him, she felt suddenly sick. But that had been seven years ago. Surely after all this time they could treat each other with at the very least a polite neutrality? But instead of cool curiosity, he was watching her with a sort of icy contempt.
I dont understand She broke off, the colour draining from her cheeks as he walked slowly across the faded Persian carpet towards her. What are you doing here? she said again. You cant be here.
Watching the shock on her face turn to horror as he approached, Laszlo felt the floor yaw beneath him like a wave-tossed ship. But he had no intention of revealing to Prudence how strongly he was affected by her presence. Or her evident dismay at seeing him again.
Breathing deeply, he steadied himself. But I am, he said slowly. Why are you trembling, pireni?
She tried to ignore it. Just as she was trying to ignore how handsome he was and his nerve-jangling nearness. But the familiar word of endearment seemed to grow to a roar inside her head, drowning out her answer to his question.
For what felt like a lifetime they stood, staring at one another in silence, as they had done a hundred...a thousand times before.
The mans voice, when it came, startled both of them.
Ah, there you are! Im sorry Im late. The traffic was terrible.
A plumpish, middle-aged man, with thick, dull blonde hair and a panicked expression on his face, hurried into the room. Turning to Prudence, he shuffled some files under his arm and held out his hand.
Im so sorry to have missed you at the airport, Miss Elliot. You got my message, though?
Still speechless with shock, Prudence nodded. She had felt a momentary spasm of relief at the mans arrival. But now it would appear that her relief was premature. For his words had made it painfully clear to her that Laszlos presence was a shock only to her.
The man glanced cautiously at Laszlo and cleared his throat. I see you two have already met. So let me introduce myself. Jakob Frankel. I work for the law firm that represents Mr de Zsadany. May I say on behalf of the family how grateful we all are for you stepping in at the last moment. It was really very kind of you.
Laszlo felt his guts twist. His brain was struggling to give meaning to what was happening. Jakob had told him that Edmund Seymour was ill and that someone else was coming in his place. Typically, hed forgottenfor one stranger was no better or worse than another. But suddenly Jakobs words seemed to take on a new and wholly unpalatable significance: Seymours replacement was Prudence Elliot. And that meant she would be living under his roof for the foreseeable future!
Its my pleasure, Prudence said hoarsely.
The lawyer nodded and, looking nervously from Prudence to Laszlo, said, Everyone is most grateful.
Prudence smiled weakly and opened her mouth to speak but Laszlo interrupted her.
Miss Elliot could buy her own castle with the fee were paying her. I dont think she needs our gratitude as well.
Flinching at the undertone of hostility in his voice, Prudence felt rather than saw Laszlos dark, probing gaze turn towards her. Her breath, suddenly sharp and serrated, tore at her throat and she touched her neck nervously. She still had no idea what he was doing here but he must be important, for the lawyer was clearly deferring to him. The thought somehow exhausted her, and she felt suddenly on the verge of tears.
This wasnt supposed to be happening. It was bad enough feeling out of her depth professionally. But now there was Laszlo, staring at her with those cold, dismissive eyes, and all she could think was that he could still make her feel like nothing. How he had made her feel like nothing seven years ago. Swallowing, she gritted her teeth. At least shed fought for their relationship; he, on the other hand, had been too busy doing whatever hed done to get himself arrested.
And she wasnt nothing. In his words, she was being paid enough to buy a castle to do this job and that was what she was there to do. Her job. It didnt matter that once upon a time, her love hadnt been good enough for him.
Lifting her chin, she turned towards the lawyer. Youre very kind, Mr Frankel, she said clearly. Thank you for allowing me to come. This is a marvellous opportunity for me. I just hope I can live up to your expectations.
Oh, I wouldnt worry about that, Laszlo murmured softly. We have very low expectations.
There was another long, tense moment of silence and then Frankel gave a nervous laugh. What Mr Cziffra is trying to say
Is that Miss Elliot and I can take it from here, Laszlo finished smoothly.
The lawyer looked at him doubtfully. You can?
I think I can manage. Laszlos voice was as cold and flat as an Arctic ice floe and Prudence shivered as Frankel nodded, his plump face flushed.
Of course, he said hastily. Of course. He turned towards Prudence.
Youll be in safe hands, Miss Elliot! After Mr de Zsadany, no one knows more about the collection than his grandson.
The shock was like a jolt of electricity.
Prudence felt her whole body still and then start to shake. The room was spinning at the edge of her vision. Janos Almasy de Zsadany was Laszlos grandfather! But how could he be? Janos Almasy de Zsadany was a billionaire several times over. Laszlo was a Romanya traveller who lived in a trailer. How could they possibly be related?
With an almost painful stab of hope she wondered if she had misheard Frankel and she turned to Laszlo, expecting, praying he would still be staring at her with the same cold, uninterested expression. But she saw instead that he was staring at her with a look of pitying scorn and horror.
Her stomach convulsed with fear. Frankel was telling the truth.
Heart thumping, feeling dizzy and sick, she glanced numbly at the lawyer. But he seemed unaware of the turmoil he had created with his simple statement of fact. Fighting her misery, she glanced back at Laszlo. There was no denial on his faceno embarrassment or confusion, and she stared at him, unable to ignore, even in her misery, his luminous, impossible beauty.
He looked up and she flinched as he met her gaze, the softness of his mouth only seeming to emphasise the hard challenge in his eyes.
Frankel coughed. Right. In that case Ill be on my way. Goodnight, Miss Elliot! Ill see myself out, Mr Cziffra.
Thank you, Frankel. Laszlo stared steadily at Prudence, his eyes glittering like shards of yellow glass. Enjoy the rest of your evening. And dont worry. Ill take good care of Miss Elliot.
Prudence felt her stomach turn to liquid as Laszlo turned towards her and nodded.
I promise Ill give her my full and undivided attention.
The table lamps felt suddenly like spotlights, and although the room was warm she felt cold and shivery. She watched Frankel leave with a mounting sense of dread, every nerve in her body straining to breaking point. She wanted to run after the lawyer and beg him to stay but her body was rooted to the spot. Numbly, she stared at the paintings on the wall. Just moments ago they had given her such innocent pleasure. But not any more. Now they seemed like cruel-eyed onlookers, mocking her stupidity.
The anaesthetic of shock and bewilderment was starting to wear off and she felt a sudden stabbing surge of irritation. Okay, it was awkward and stressful for both of them to be thrown together like this, but surely she had a far greater reason to be upset than him? Surely she deserved some answers here? Her lip curled. In fact, how could he just stand there and not offer one word of explanation?
Glancing at his expressionless face, she gritted her teeth. Quite easily, it would appear. Her chest tightened. He hadnt changed a bit. He was still putting the onus on her to resolve everything. As though he were a witness rather than a central protagonist in what was happening.
Pretending Im not here isnt going to make this go away! she said slowly. Willing herself to stay as cool as she sounded, she lifted her chin and met his gaze. We need to sort this out.
Laszlo stared at her. Sort this out? he echoed softly. His mouth tightened as he suppressed a humourless laugh. There was nothing to sort out! Except out of which door he would throw her! Is that what we need to do? His eyes met hers. So. Youre Seymours replacement? he said coolly.
Heart thumping against her ribcage, Prudence nodded. Keeping her eyes straight ahead, she cleared her throat. And youre Mr de Zsadanys grandson!
She fell silent and waited for his answer. But he did nothing more than nod. Turning her head, she clenched her fists: the words incorrigible and impossible were ricocheting inside her brain. Was that it, then? No explanations. Not one word to acknowledge the impact and implication of those words.
As though reading her mind, Laszlo sighed. His eyes looked through her and past her as he spoke. My mother was Zsofia Almasy de Zsadany. She was Janoss daughter and only child.
It was like hearing a marble statue speak and her heart flinched at the chill in his voice.
She met my father, Istvan, when she was sixteen. He was seventeen, a Kalderash Roma. Both their families opposed the match but they loved each other so much that nothing could keep them apart.
His eyes gleamed and she felt a jolt of pain at the accusatory barb of his words.
They were married and I was born nine months later.
Prudence stared at him numbly. Who was this Laszlo? And what had he been doing living in a shabby trailer in England? Had he been rebelling? Or estranged from the de Zsadanys? Her head was swimming with questions. From knowing next to nothing about him she suddenly had so much information she could hardly take it all in. But her heart contracted as she realised that even the small things he had shared with her had been half-truths.
Why were you there? In England, I mean?
He frowned. After my parents died I spent time with both my families. My grandfather wanted me to go to school. To be educated. So I stayed in Hungary during term-time, and in the holidays I went and visited my fathers family, wherever they happened to be living. His eyes gleamed remorselessly. I wanted to be loyal to both my mother and my father.
She forced herself to meet his gaze. I see, she said slowly. But you didnt want to be open and honest with me? She felt a sudden rise in tension as his eyes slid slowly and assessingly over her rigid frame.
No. I did not, he said finally.
Prudence gaped at him, her pledge to stay calm and detached now completely forgotten. Didnt you think it might have been better, not to say fairer, to share the whole truth with me? she said furiously. You knowthe fact that your grandfather was one of the richest men in Europe? And that you lived in a castle surrounded by priceless works of art?
He looked away from her and shrugged. Prudence felt almost giddy with rage. How dare he just stand there and shrug at her? As if it didnt matter that hed lied to her. As if she didnt matter.
What difference would it have made? he said flatly. There were lots of facts you didnt know about mewhy focus on that one? His face twisted. Unless, of course, it wasnt the truth you wanted to share. Maybe there were other things youd have liked to share. Like my grandfathers money.
The breath seemed to snarl up in her throat. How can you say that? She stepped towards him, her body shaking with anger. How can you even suggest? Her head was spinning, nerves humming with rage and frustration. Dont you dare try and twist this, Laszlo. You lied to me!
Laszlos face was suddenly as pale and rigid as bone and she had to curl her fingers into her hands to stop herself from flinching at the hostility in his eyes.
I didnt lie, he said coldly. I am half-Romany and I did live in a trailer.
Oh, thats okay, then, Prudence said sarcastically. Maybe it was your other half. The half that lived in a castle. Perhaps he lied to me?
Anger was bubbling up inside her, her breath burning her throat. She wasnt the one whod lied about who she was. She winced as her nails dug into her skin. Had he actually told her the truth about anything?
Laszlo met her gaze. You believed what you wanted to believe.
Prudence shook her head in disbelief. I believed what you encouraged me to believe, she said furiously. Theres a difference.
There was a dangerous silence and then his eyes narrowed.
Youre missing the point, Prudence. It doesnt matter what someone believes if they dont have faith. His voice was ragged, frayed with a bitterness she had never heard before. Without that its all just words.
She sucked in a breath. Yes, it is. Your words. The lies you told me. Her heart was pounding; her hands were tight fists against her sides. Dont try and turn this into some philosophical debate, Laszlo. Im upset because you lied to me and you took away my choices.
So now were even, he said coldly.
CHAPTER TWO (#u0f1d44dd-9fa6-5606-9829-0774de11bd46)
SHE STARED AT him blankly. Even? Even!
What thats supposed to mean? She flung the words at him, wishing they were sticks or stones or better still bricks. But he didnt reply. Instead he made an impatient sound and she watched helplessly as his face closed tight like a trap. Her muscles were aching with the effort of not picking up a lamp and beating him to death with it. How could he do that? Just switch off in the middle of a conversation and take himself outside of it?
Feeling a familiar cold, paralysing panic, she wrapped her arms around herself. But of course she didnt need him to answer anyway. She knew exactly what he was talking about.
An undertow of defiance tugged at her frustration and slowly she shook her head. No, Laszlo. If youre talking about the fact that I ended our relationship, then we are not even. Not even close to being even.
Her whole body was suddenly shaking and she wrapped her arms more tightly around herself. Walking away from Laszlo and from her romantic hopes and dreams had been hardone of the hardest things shed ever doneand it had taken every ounce of willpower shed had. But if hed wanted to, if hed wanted her, he could have stopped her; shed given him every chance to change her mind. Only hed barely uttered a word when shed told him that she was leaving him. Certainly not the sort shed craved. Hed let her go and that had been his choice.
A sudden, suffocating misery reared up inside her as, with a shudder, she remembered just how cold and unapproachable hed been.
She stood rooted to the spot, numbed and struck dumb at her own stupidity. No wonder hed been so secretivesmuggling her into his trailer and carefully sidestepping her requests to meet his family. Fool that she was, shed been too dizzy with love, too in thrall to the way her body had softened and transformed beneath his touch, to wonder why. Besides, shed been flattered at the start, at least, for shed believed that he wanted her all to himself. Hed stolen her heart and her virginity in quick succession and all the while hed been living a lie.
She looked at him wearily. But why did this lie matter, really? After all, she couldnt change the past. Or change the fact that he hadnt loved her enough to fight for her. Her mouth twisted. This discussion was a dead end. There was no point in trying to talk about their relationship now: it was seven years too late. And besides, she had a new life now. Maybe not the one shed been hoping for, but a good life, and she wasnt about to let him pick up her world and smash it to smithereens.
Her pulse fluttered into life and she glanced at the door, wishing she could go back in time to the moment before shed walked through it. And then, with a start, she remembered that even if that had been possible it simply wasnt an option. Edmund needed this job. That was why she had come to Hungary. And she needed to focus on that fact and not get sidetracked into a post-mortem of her romantic past.
She took a calming breath. The cataloguing was more important than her feelings. Not that she had any feelings for Laszlo any more. At least not any that should get in the way of what was essentially a job like any other. Their relationship was history and, while clearly she would never have chosen to meet him again, let alone work with him, there was no reason not to treat him like any other clientalbeit one who was difficult, bordering on the socially inept.
Fighting down the urge to bolt through the door, she lifted her chin and met his gaze. She wasnt going to let his inability to let go of the past upset her. She would be calm and efficienta detached professional.
This is getting us nowhere, Laszlo, she said firmly. Im here to do a job for you and your grandfather.
Biting her lip, she paused, her muscles tightening again. Did Janos know about her relationship with his grandson? That could be awkward. But then her body relaxed. Somehow she didnt think so. It was a long time ago, and theyd never met, and Laszlo had probably had hundreds of girlfriends since her. Her cheeks grew suddenly hot and quickly she pushed that thought away.
I know he wants to start on the cataloguing as soon as possible, so why dont we put aside our differences and try and concentrate on making that happen for him? Can we do that? Can we call a truce? She gave a small, tight smile and clenched her hands into fists to stop herself from crossing her fingers.
Laszlo stared at her speculatively. She wanted this job. It was obvious from the conciliatory note in her voice and the slight increase in tension around her shoulders. His gaze drifted hungrily over her neck to the pulse beating in the hollow at the base of her throat. To anyone who didnt know her she looked like the perfect English Rose, pale and demure. But he knew the other Prudence. The one beneath that calm, poised exterior, who had wrapped herself around him with passion and fervour. That contrast, and the knowledge that he alone possessed that other, hidden Prudence, had excited him unbearably. With a spasm of disbelief, he realised it still did.
Feeling his body stiffen, he lifted his gaze and smiled at her almost mockingly. Since you put it so nicely
She stared at him warily. She hadnt expected him to come round so easily. But then, with Laszlo you never knew what to expect. Thank you, she said stiffly. I must say Im a bit surprised
He smiled coolly. I know how much women love surprises.
Nodding, she forced herself to breathe slowly. Perhaps she could make this work. She just needed to stay focused on what was important: the fact that Laszlo was nothing more than a client. She looked up and found him watching her. A tingle of heat ran down her spine. She could almost see his desirefeel him wrapping it round her like a dark velvet cloak.
Her cheeks were burning. Quickly, before the sudden softness in his eyes could rattle her even more, she looked away. She was here to work and it didnt matter that she and Laszlo had once shared a passion so pagan, so consuming, that the outside world had ceased to exist. Now their relationship needed to work only on a business level.
She met his eyes. And I know men hate delays. She paused and cleared her throat. So I suggest we discuss what happens now.
Laszlo stared at her. A peony-pink flush had crept over the skin on her throat and his gaze drifted down over the pale grey blouse that clung to the soft swell of her breasts, then lower still to where the smooth downward curve of her hips and waist pressed tight against the fabric of her skirt. She was so close they were practically touching and, breathing in the familiar scent of jasmine, he found himself almost paralysed with longing again.
Breathing in sharply, he gritted his teeth. He had spent so long hating her, hating what she had done to him, that he had never supposed that he might still want her.
And yet apparently he did.
He stared at her, confused. He wanted her. But he also wanted to punish her. And yet even that wasnt wholly true, for he couldnt help but admire her. After all, how many other womenparticularly one as shy and unworldly as Prudencewould stand their ground in this situation? Not that it surprised him. She had always possessed that quality of being in a state of quiescence, of teetering on the edge. His jaw tensed as her misty grey gaze rested on his face. Only now was not the time to be thinking about Prudences finer qualities. Better to concentrate on her flaws.
You tell me. Talking was always your thing, wasnt it? For me, actions speak louder than words.
He watched colour creep across her cheeks. Saw the moment that she relaxed, the tension leaving her body, making it softer and more vulnerable.
Prudence felt her cheeks grow warm. She needed no reminder of how eloquent his actions had been. Particularly not now, when she needed to keep her thoughts in some semblance of order. But his smile was like a beam of sunlight breaking through cloud. She just wanted to follow it...place herself in its path.
Focus, she told herself firmly. She cleared her throat and began to talk quickly. As I said before, I know how keen your grandfather is to begin the cataloguing. So I think we should push on with the original timeframe.
He stepped towards her and she tensed, her body suddenly a helix of tendon and muscle.
Youre the expert, he murmured.
Blushing, Prudence swallowed. His voice was such a captivating mix of soft and seductive. She felt heat begin to build inside her and for one brief moment allowed herself to remember the touch of his fingers, travelling over her skin with the virtuosity of a concert pianist. How the rippling rhythms of their bodies had quickened and intertwined to a breathless cadence.
Prudence took a deep breath. Surely she couldnt still actually find him attractive? She must have more sense than that. But what had sense got to do with lust? No woman alive could stand next to Laszlo Cziffra and feel nothing.
Somewhere in the castle a door slammed and Prudence started forward with surprise. For a moment her hands grazed his chest as she swayed against him and then, breathing unsteadily, she teetered backwards. They were standing inches apart now. He was so close she could feel the heat of his skin. Her heart was pounding as though shed been running and her body was trembling helplessly. He smelt of newly mown hay and rain-soaked earth and she felt almost dazed with longing as every inch of her reacted to him.
Castles were built to keep out arrows and cannon fire. Not draughts, he said drily.
Still horrified by the revelation that her body apparently had no loyalty to her heart, Prudence dragged her gaze away, hoping that he hadnt noticed or, worse, correctly interpreted her physical response to him.
Werent they? she mumbled, her cheeks flushing. Whwhat was I saying? Oh, yes. The timeframe. Three weeks is a typical estimate for a preliminary assessment. Its important to be thorough at that stage. She frowned. And dont worry. If I have any problems I can speak to Mr Seymour. In fact, Ill be in close contact with him the entire time. She gave a small, tight smile. I find it helpful to have another point of view. For clarity.
Her smile faded and she stared at him nervously, aware of a sudden stillness in him, a slight narrowing of his eyes, although she couldnt quite understand what had changed. But then, why should she care? She was here to work, and Laszlos moods were no longer her concern.
Clearing her throat, she straightened her shoulders and forced herself to ignore the undertow of apprehension tugging at the back of her mind. A-and obviously Im happy to discuss any concerns Mr de Zsadany has, she stammered. His eyes clashed with hers and despite herself she felt another twinge of foreboding.
Obviously... he said coolly. I know how you love to discuss problems.
Her heart was thumping hard. There it was again: a tiny but deliberate dig. He was taking what was nothing more than a casual, unpremeditated remark and making it something personal, to do with the past. Their past. She felt sudden swift anger. Hadnt they agreed to call a truce? This was going to be hard enough as it was, without him making a difficult situation worse with his snippy double-edged comments.
Her mind was so churned up with emotion it took her another couple of moments before she understood just how difficult the situation was going to be. For it wasnt as if she was just going to work with Laszloher blood seemed to still in her veinsshe was going to have to live with him too.
A tremor grew at the back of her neck. Of course she would have to live with him. But not like this. Not dreading his every remarknot deliberately having to misunderstand his every insinuation. She needed to make it clear now that she would not tolerate being treated like that.
I dont like discussing problems. Returning his gaze coldly, she lifted her chin. Its just that I think communication is key to a successful relationship.
She had meant to sound assured, without being overtly confrontational. But she knew the moment she spoke that it was the wrong thing to say. For he went entirely still and his eyes locked onto hers like an infrared missile seeking its target.
Swaying, she took a faltering step backwards. I didnt mean us
Dont bother! I already know pretty much all there is to know about your views on relationships.
Watching the shock and confusion bloom on her face, Laszlo felt a surge of satisfaction.
His voice was little more than a rasp. You explained them to me in great detail when you walked out on mePrudence.
She flinched as he turned towards her and spat her name into the air as though it were a poison he had inadvertently swallowed.
In fact... He paused, his lip curling with contempt. You made it abundantly clear how pitiable I was to have ever imagined that our relationship might work, given the range and depth of my flaws.
N-no. I didnt Prudence began shakily, shocked and unnerved by the level of venom in his voice. But her voice died as he stepped towards her and she saw real anger in his eyes.
Oh, but you did. His face was tight with emotion. Only you were wrong. They werent my flaws. They were yours! he ground out between gritted teeth. You were just too weak and snobbish
I was not weak and snobbish. The injustice of his words melted her shock and suddenly she was coldly furious. I just didnt want to pretend any more.
Pretend what? That you loved me? His face was blunt, angular with hostility.
Liquid misery trickled through her. That we had anything in common.
He shook his head. Like loyalty, you mean? Maybe youre right. We certainly felt differently about that!
You dont need to tell me about the differences between us, she snapped, stung into speech by the censure in his voice. I know all about them. Theyre why our relationship didnt work. Why it could never have worked.
Her throat tightened as he looked at her coldly.
Our relationship didnt fail because we were different. It failed because you cared more about those differences than you did about me, he snarled. Tell me, pireni, how are you finding my communication skills now? Am I making myself clear enough?
Her heart gave a sudden jerk as abruptly he turned and walked towards the fireplace.
For a moment she stood frozen, gazing speechlessly at his back. Anger was building inside her, displacing all other feeling, and suddenly she crossed the room and yanked him round to face her.
Thats not true! I did care She broke off. Rage, hot and unstoppable, choked her words. Dont you dare try and tell me what I felt. She set her jaw, her eyes narrowing. If I cared about the differences between us it was because, yes, I thought they mattered. Unlike you, I like to talk about the things that matter to me. And, crazy though this may sound, I try and tell the truth. But what would you know about that? The truth is like a foreign language to you.
She watched his eyes darken with fury, the pupils seeming almost to engulf the golden irises.
The truth? he said savagely. You left me because you thought I wasnt good enough for you. Thats the truth. Youre just too much of a coward to admit it.
Silently, Prudence shook her head. Not only because she was disagreeing with him but because she was too angry to speak. She hadnt even known she could feel that angry.
Finally, she found her voice. How dare you talk to me about the truth when were standing here in this castle? Your castle. A castle I didnt even know existed until today. Her eyes flashed with anger. And just because I wanted to talk about the leaks in the trailer and the fact that we didnt have enough money to buy food for more than a couple of days didnt mean I thought you werent good enough!
Those things shouldnt have mattered. They didnt matter to me, Laszlo snarled.
I know! she snarled back at him. But they did to me. And you cant punish me for that fact. Or for the fact that it worried me: how we felt differently about things. We disagreed about stuff and that was going to be a problem for us sooner or later, only you wouldnt admit it, she raged at him. So it wasnt me who was a coward. It was you.
She took a sudden step backwards as he moved towards her; his face was in shadow but the fury beneath his skin was luminous.
I am not the coward here, Prudence, he said quietly, and his dispassionate tone was frighteningly at odds with the menacing gleam in his eyes.
Prudence felt her insides lurch. Beneath the chill of his gaze her courage and powers of speech wilted momentarily and she felt suddenly defeated. Suddenly she didnt want to talk any more. What was the point? Judging by the last twenty minutes it would only hurt more than it healed.
When at last she spoke, her voice was defeated. This is going nowhere, she said wearily. I know youre angry. We both are. But cant we just put our past behind us? At least until after the cataloguing is complete?
Laszlo stared at her, his eyes glittering with fury. The cataloguing? Do you know what my grandfathers collection means to him? Or why he decided to have it catalogued? He shook his head. After everything thats happened between us, do you really think Id trust you, of all people? He broke off and breathed out unsteadily.
Prudence felt a stab of fear. What was he trying to say? But you can, she said shakily. Ill do a good job. You have my word.
He winced as though she had ripped a plaster from a scab. Your word? he repeated. He tilted his head. Your word... he said again.
And this time the contempt on his face felt like a hammer blow. Her mouth had gone dry.
II only meant she stammered, but he cut across her words with a voice like a flick knife.
It doesnt matter what you meant. We both know that your word is worthless.
What are you talking about?
Balling his fists, feeling sick to his stomach, Laszlo shook his head. He felt an odd rushing sensation in his head, like a sort of vertigo, and words and memories hurtled past him like debris from an explosion. What kind of woman was she? He had long known her to be snobbish and weak-minded, but thisthis refusal to acknowledge what shed done
His jaw tightened.
I honoured you with a gift. The most important gift a man can give to a woman. I made you my wife and you threw it in my face.
Prudence gaped at him, shock washing over in waves. She opened her mouth to deny his claim but the words clogged her throat. His wife? Surely he didnt really think that they were actually married? Her heart was pounding; the palms of her hands felt suddenly damp. Married? That was ridiculous! Insane!
Dazedly she thought back to that day when shed been led, giggling and blindfolded, to his great-uncles trailer. Laszlo had been waiting for her. She felt a shiver run down her spine at the memory, for hed looked heartbreakingly handsome and so serious she had wanted to cry. Theyd sworn their love and commitment to one another, and his great-uncle had spoken some words in Romany, and then they had eaten some bread and some salt.
Coming out of her reverie, she stared hard at him wordlessly. There had been no actual marriage. It had been no more real than his love for her. But it had been part of the fantasy of their love. And now he was destroying that fantasy. Taking the memory of something beautiful, innocent and spontaneous and turning it into a means of hurting her.
Her vision blurred and she felt suddenly giddy, as though she were teetering on the edge of a cliff-face. Youre despicable! Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to ruin that day?
Ruin it? His features contorted with fury. Youre the one who did that. By walking out on our marriage.
Her pulse was fluttering and despite her best efforts her voice sounded high and jerky. Were not married, she said tightly. Marriages are more than just words and kisses. This is just another of your lies
Her voice trailed off at the expression of derision on his face.
No. This is just the ultimate proof of how little you understood or respected my way of life. For you, my being Romany was just some whimsical lifestyle choice. He watched the blood suffuse her face and felt a spasm of pain. You liked it that I was differentan outsider. But you didnt expect or want me to stay like that. You thought Id just throw it off, like a fancy dress costume, and become normal when it came to the rest of our lives. His eyes hardened. Thats when you started whining about the mess and the moving around. But thats what we do. Its what I do.
Except when youre living in a castle, she said shakily.
His gaze held hers. Youre going off topic, pireni. It doesnt matter where I lived then or where I live now. Were still married. Im still your husband. And youre my wife.
She felt a stab of shockboth at the vehemence in his voice and at the sudden spread of treacherous heat at his possessive words.
Turning her head, she swallowed. What happened in that trailer wasnt a wedding, Laszlo. There were no guests. No vicar. No witnesses. We didnt give each other rings. We didnt even sign anything. It wasnt a wedding at all and Im not your wife.
Laszlo forced himself to stay calm. He had too much pride to let her see that her horrified denial had reopened a wound that had never fully healeda wound that had left him hollowed out with misery and humiliation.
Shaking his head, he gave a humourless laugh. Oh, believe me, pireni, I wish you werentbut you are. His fingers curled into the palms of his hands. In my culture a wedding is a private affair between a man and wife. We dont register the marriage, and the only authority thats needed for it to be recognised is the consent of the bride and groom.
Prudence felt a vertigo-like flash of fear. She shook her head. Were not married, she croaked. Not in the eyes of the law.
The change in him was almost imperceptible. She might even have missed the slight rigidity about his jawline had the contempt in his eyes not seared her skin.
Not your law, maybe. He felt a hot, overpowering rage. But in mine. Yes, we were marriedand we still are.
Closing her eyes, she felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of panic. Laszlo clearly believed what he was saying. Whilst she might have viewed the ceremony as a curious but charming dress rehearsal for the vintage-style white wedding shed been planning, the marriage had been real to him. Nausea gripped her stomach. What did it really matter if there was no certificate? It didnt mean that the vows theyd made were any less valid or binding.
Heat scorched her skin. What had she done? She looked up and his gaze held hers, and she saw that he was furious, fighting for control.
Laszlo, I didnt
His voice was barely audible but it scythed through her words and on through her skin and bone, slicing into her heart.
This conversation is over. Im sorry you had a wasted trip but your services are no longer required.
Prudence looked at him in confusion, her face bleached of colour. II dont understand... she stammered. What do you mean?
Laszlo rounded on her coldly. What do I mean? he echoed. I mean that youre fireddismissed, sacked. Your contract is terminated and this meeting is over. As of this moment I never want to see your face again. He turned back towards the fire. So why dont you take your bags, turn around and get out of my house? Now.
CHAPTER THREE (#u0f1d44dd-9fa6-5606-9829-0774de11bd46)
PRUDENCE FELT THE floor tilt towards her. She reached out and steadied herself against the back of an armchair. You cant do that, she said slowly. You cant just fire me.
Oh, but I can.
Laszlo turned and looked at her, full in the face, and a shudder raced through her as she saw to her horror that he meant it.
But thats so unfair! Her voice seemed to echo around the room and she gazed at him helplessly.
I dont care.
He spoke flatly, his jaw tightening, and with a spasm of pain she knew that he didnt. Knew too that it wouldnt matter what she said or did and that it had probably never mattered. She had lost the job the moment Laszlo walked into the room. She just hadnt realised that fact until now.
She stared at him, shock and disbelief choking her words of objection. But inside her head there was a deafening cacophony of protest. He couldnt fire her. What would she tell Edmund? And what about their debts to the bank and the insurance company?
No.
The word burst from her lips like a flying spear. Laszlo stared at her calmly. Firing her seemed to have lanced his fury and he seemed more puzzled than angry at her outburst.
No? he murmured softly. No, what?
She glared at him, her cheeks flooding with angry colour. No, I wont leave. I know I made a mistake, but it all happened years agoand anyway you cant fire me for that. Apart from anything else its got nothing to do with my ability to do this job.
Its got everything to do with your ability to do this job, Laszlo said coldly. You lack conviction and loyalty and I dont employ people without those qualities.
Prudence sucked in a breath, hating him more than she had ever hated him before. Stop it! she hissed. He was so self-righteous and hypocritical. How dare he act as if he had the moral high ground? Hed lied to her. And he was the one whod broken the law and been arrested for who knew what! Perhaps he should examine his own failings first instead of focusing on hers.
She opened her mouth to tell him so and then closed it again. There was so much history in this room already. Why add more? She breathed out slowly.
Stop sitting in judgement on me! Youre not some innocent victim here, Laszlo. You lied. Maybe that doesnt matter to you, but it does to me. She stopped, her breathing ragged. Only Im not using it to get at you. I wouldnt stoop that low.
Laszlo looked at her for one long, agonising moment.
Really? he said coolly. I wonder... He ran his hand over the dark stubble grazing his chin. Just how badly do you want this job, Prudence? Are you prepared to beg for it?
She felt nausea clutch at her stomach. Youre a monster! His eyes were cold and implacable.
This is payback! Firing you makes us quits, pireni! And, believe me, youve got off lightly. If there were still wolves in Hungary Id throw you to them. So if I were you Id walk out of here while you still can.
Prudence stared at him, her chest blazing with anger. What does that mean? Are you threatening me? she asked tightly.
Laszlo stared at her in silence, his eyes glittering with mockery. Threatening you? Of course not. But this discussion is over, so I think you should accept that and walk away. His jaw tightened. That shouldnt be a problem for you. After all, youve had lots of practice.
Anger swept through her. Oh, you think youre so clever, dont you? Well, lets get one thing clear. This discussion is not over.
He gazed at her impassively in silence. Finally he said, almost mildly, Then I suppose youd better start talking. Although Im not quite sure what difference you think it will make.
She stared at him in confusion. How did he do that? Only moments earlier his anger had been incandescent beneath his skin. Now he was prepared to grant her an audience. It was impossible to keep up with him. She gritted her teeth. But hadnt it always been this way between them, though? With her trying to chase the moods which ran like quicksilver through his veins?
She lifted her chin. But the blood was humming in her ears and she felt suddenly hot and stupid in the face of his cool composure. Was she just expected to somehow plead her case while he stood there like some hanging judge? Fixing her gaze on the wall behind him, she swallowed.
I admit I made mistakes back then. But youre punishing me for them now. How is that reasonable or fair? She paused and heat burnt her cheeks as he stared at her. For a moment his eyes fixed on her, as though her words had meant something to him, and then he shook his head slowly.
Fair? he echoed. Fair! Since when did you care about fairness? You dumped me because you didnt want to live in some tatty trailer. His eyes hardened. He, on the other hand, would have been content to sleep under the stars if she was with him. Shaking his head, he gave a humourless laugh. How was that fair to me?
Blood colouring her cheeks and collarbone, Prudence flinched, his bitterness driving the breath from her lungs. It was trueshe had said words to that effectbut she hadnt meant them, and whatever Laszlo might think, shed been so madly in love then that she would have lived in a ditch with him if hed asked.
All shed wanted was for him to repudiate her fears that hed lost interest in her or, worse, found someone else. Only hed been so dismissive. And bored. As if she was a nagging child. So it had been impossible to tell him the truth, for that would have meant revealing the depth of her love. Shed been too upset to do that, but just angry enough to want to provoke him and hurt him for not loving her. And so instead shed lashed out at him about the mess and the cold and the rain.
Prudence felt a trickle of misery run down her spine, but then, almost in the same moment, she shook her head, anger filling her. He was taking what shed said out of context andsurprise, surpriseignoring the part hed played.
Damn it! Unlike her, hed actually thought they were married! So why hadnt he done more to make it work between them? Did he think that relationships just sustained themselves? A lump formed in her throat. It certainly seemed that way. Shed gone to him for reassurance but hed left her no choice but to walk away, and it had been the hardest choice she had ever made. Even talking about it now made her heart swell with grief.
She lifted her chin. Were not going to go there, Laszlo. I am not going to talk about the past with you any more. Heart thumping, she took a breath. If you wanted to discuss our relationship you should have done so at the time. Frankly, now its irrelevant.
Her grip tightened on the chair as he stepped towards her. She felt her stomach swoop. Close up, his beauty was radiant and piercinglike a flaming arrow. His eyes were more golden, his skin smoother, the angles and shading of his cheekbones almost too perfect to be real.
I dont agree. I think its entirely relevant, given that you have brought our past back into my life.
Her mouth trembled. Thats not true, Laszlo. It was you who contacted Seymours.
She stared at him indignantly. If he hadnt wanted anything to do with her then why had he chosen to use her uncles firm? Only of course he didnt know it was Edmunds business. He didnt even know her uncles name, let alone what he did for a living. She shivered. Somehow now didnt seem like the best time to tell him.
Trying to ignore the pounding of her heart, she swallowed. I know how you hate being responsible for anything, but this is your mess.
And we both know how you hate mess, Prudence, he said smoothly.
I didnt care about the stupid trailer! she snapped, her temper rising. You just focused on that and wouldnt listen to me. It wasnt a criticism of you, or your precious Willerby Westmorland! Its just who I am. Her heart was thumping so hard it hurt. I dont like mess. I like things tidy and in order and thats why Im good at my job. Maybe if youd thought about that instead of sneering at me
Im not sneering, pireni. His face shifted, and meeting her angry gaze, he shrugged. And youre right. Maybe I did focus on that remark
He stopped and Prudence gaped at him speechlessly. Was that some kind of apology?
His eyes locked with hers and he sighed. But Im not going to change my mind, Prudence. You do understand that, dont you?
Yes, she said stiffly. But, given that its probably not just your decision to make, Ive decided it doesnt matter.
Laszlo frowned. You think theres a higher authority than me?
His eyes gleamed with sudden amusement and she felt her stomach flip over.
I hope sofor Mr de Zsadanys sake. Wondering again if Janos knew of her relationship with Laszlo, she felt a stab of pain. He was such a fraud. Why, if hed believed himself to be married, had he kept her existence secret?
Forcing herself to stay focused, she lifted her chin. Seymours is the best there is. Giving this job to another firm would only demonstrate how unqualified you are to have anything to do with the cataloguing. Hers eyes flashed challengingly at him. I mean, you dont even like art!
I appreciate beauty as much as the next man, Laszlo said softly.
Really? Prudence retorted. How do you work that out? The only time we went to see an exhibition together you spent your entire time in the caf.
Laszlo shrugged, his gaze sweeping slowly over her face until heat suffused her skin.
I can think of better things to do in a darkened room. You, of all people, should know that.
Prudence stared at him, trembling, dry-mouthed; her body suddenly a mass of hot, aching need. He let the silence lengthen, let the tension rise between them.
Or have you forgotten? he murmured finally. Perhaps I should jog your memory.
He watched her eyes widen and felt his groin tighten in response. But almost immediately he closed his mind to the tormenting tug of hunger.
But I digress. I dont need to like art, Prudence. I just want to support my grandfather and be there for him
Good luck with that! Prudence interrupted him crossly. Being there for someone generally requires an element of reliability or commitment, you know.
She glared at him as his gaze rested on her accusing face.
Meaning...? he asked slowly.
Meaning that you cant commit to the next five minutes. She stared at him incredulously. Dont you know yourself at all? Trying to pin you down to a time and place is like asking you to give up your soul or something.
A slight upturn of amusement tugged at the corner of his mouth. Ah, but at least you admit I have a soul.
And then suddenly he smiled, and it felt like the sun on her face. Despite her brain warning her not to, it was impossible not to smile backfor it was a glimpse of the Laszlo she had loved so very much. The Laszlo who, when he chose, had been able to make her laugh until she cried. But then her smile faded and she reminded herself that this Laszlo had cold-heartedly used his power to avenge himself, regardless of the consequences to her or her family.
She frowned. Life cant always be improvised. Sometimes you have to do boring things toolike learn lines and turn up on set on time.
Laszlo stared at her, a muscle working in his jaw. Youre comparing our relationship to a film?
Yes. I am. Prudence lifted her chin. A very unmemorable silent film, with poor casting and no plot.
She felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck as he smiled again and shook his head slowly.
I think your memory is playing tricks on you, pireni. There were some very memorable scenes in our film. Steamy too. Award-winning, even.
For the best short film? she snapped.
I was thinking more hair and make-up, he said, his eyes glittering.
She couldnt resist. Yours or mine?
Oh, definitely mine, he whipped back.
There was a silence, and then both of them started to laugh.
Prudence stopped and bit her lip. Cant we stop thisplease, Laszlo? She saw the indecision on his face and for a moment she faltered, and then she said quickly, Its brutal. And senseless. Were just going round and round in circles, and all this name-calling isnt going to change the fact that your grandfather wants his collection catalogued and Im here to do it. So let me do it, Laszlo: for him. For your grandfather.
Their eyes locked: hers bright and desperate, his, dark and unreadable. She swallowed hard, trying to find the words to change his mind.
If I lose this contract you wont just be punishing me, she said steadily. Other people will sufferpeople youve never met...people whove done you no harm.
She held her breath and watched his face, trying not to let her desperation show.
Please, Laszlo. Please dont make this personal. Just let me do my job and then Ill be out of your life for ever.
There was a tense, expectant silence as he studied her face. She wanted this job, badly, and he wondered idly just how far she would go to get it back. Immediately prickling heat surged through him and his groin grew painfully hard. He gritted his teeth, shocked by the intensity of his bodys response.
It would be easy to give her a chance. His chest tightened painfully. But why should he? After all, she had never given their marriage a chance, had she? His face hardened. Did she really think that she could somehow emotionally blackmail him into forgetting the past and the harm she had done to him? And what about his family? What about their pain?
He remembered the long days and nights spent watching his grandmothers health fade, the years spent living with the guilt of not having given her the great-grandchildren shed so longed for.
Prudence held her breath, watching a sort of angry bewilderment fill his eyes. The tightness around her heart eased a little: maybe all was not lost yet.
Cant we just forgive and forget? she said softly. He looked up and she hesitated. Please, Laszlo. I dont believe you really want to do this.
His face was stiff with tension. Slowly he shook his head. Then you clearly dont know me at all, Prudence. His mouth was set in a grim line. I want to let you stay. For my grandfathers sake, you understand. But I cant, he said simply. You see, Im half Kalderash Roma. We dont forget or forgive.
He paused and his voice, when he spoke again, was like the sound of a tomb sealing.
And youre still fired.
Prudence gazed at him in shock, her ragged breathing punctuating the silence in the room. A sense of impotent despair filled her and then something else: a hot and acrid frustration that burnt her stomach to ash.
I see. So its not your choice. Her hands curled into fists. How convenient for you to be able to blame your stubbornness and your spite on genetics.
His narrowed gaze held hers. Im not blaming genetics. Im blaming you.
But not yourself? She stared deep into his eyes. Nothing is ever your fault, is it, Laszlo? she asked flatly. You just saunter through life, expecting everyone around you to take responsibility for the nasty, boring bits. Smiling bitterly, she shook her head. I thought husbands and wives were supposed to give and take. Not in our marriage, though!
She tensed as he stepped towards her, his eyes suddenly gleaming like wet metal.
So now youre my wife? Interesting! As my charms clearly werent sufficient to persuade you of that fact seven years ago, I can only imagine that my grandfathers wealth is a more compelling reason for you to belatedly acknowledge our marriage.
Prudence glared at him. How dare you? I couldnt care less about your grandfathers wealth.
Just about my poverty? he said bleakly.
No! Biting back the hundred and one caustic responses she might have made, she shook her head. This isnt about wealth or poverty. This is about whats happening here and now. About how youre prepared to make everyone sufferme, Edmund and all the people who have worked so hard to make this happen. She ticked them off on her fingers. All because youre so blinkered by your stupid male pride that wont see sense!
And youre so blinkered you couldnt see beyond my trailer to the people living inside, snarled Laszlo.
Thats not true, Prudence said hotly. If I didnt see those people its because you would never introduce me to anyone.
His eyes narrowed. Youre such a hypocrite. You didnt want to be part of their lives any more than you really wanted to be part of mine.
For a moment she didnt reply. It was true. She hadnt wanted to be part of his life: shed wanted to be all of it. As hed been all of hers.
She shook her head. You dont know what I wanted. She shivered on the inside. He never had.
Feeling suddenly close to tears, she clenched her fists, struggling to find a way past her misery.
Fine! Have it your way! I was everything you say and worse, she said flatly. That doesnt mean Im not good at my job. But if you fire me youll never know. Until youre stuck with a second-rate replacement. She paused and shot him a challenging glance. If you can find one, that is.
Oh, that shouldnt be a problem. I had no trouble replacing you last time, he said softly. He watched the colour leave her face.
Im not surprised, she said hotly. Being the grandson of a billionaire and owning a castle must have a lot of pulling power with a certain kind of woman.
Watching his eyes narrow at her insult, she felt a flicker of triumph that blotted out the misery of his words.
Its nice to know that you took your wedding vows so seriously, she snapped. Having vilified me for not believing our marriage was real. Whos the hypocrite now? Breathing deeply, she let her eyes meet hissteel clashing with bronze. We could stand here trading insults all night, Laszlo, but this isnt about our personal qualities. Its not even about us. There are other people involved. Not just people, but family. Just remember how anxious your grandfather was to get started. Dont his feelings count?
She paused as, with a jolt, she suddenly realised that Mr de Zsadany was sort of her family too. Shock swept over her in waves. She stared at him, legs shaking, stomach plummeting. Suddenly she had to know for certain.
Is that why he chose Seymours? she blurted out. Because he thinks Im your wife?
Laszlo stared at her calmly. No. He doesnt know were married. No one does except my cousin and my great-uncle. I didnt see the point in upsetting everyone. His eyes hardened to stone. Especially not my grandfather. He wasnt strong enough to deal with it.
She felt dizzy, sick with wretchedness. Im sorry. I really am. It sounded so inadequate, even to her. But surely that makes this easier? My staying, I mean?
She took a step back from the white heat of his anger.
Nothing about you being here is easy.
I just meant
I know what you meant, he said bleakly. I know you better than you know yourself.
Her misery gave way to fury. Stop being so sanctimonious. Youve just spent the last half-hour telling me how contemptible I am for not believing in our marriage but you didnt even tell anyone about us.
She glowered at him.
You dont actually feel any more married than I do, do you, Laszlo? Whats upsetting you is the fact that I didnt think our marriage was real. Biting her lip, she pushed a strand of tousled blonde hair behind her ear. Thats what this is really about. Thats why youre punishing me. Not because you really care about our marriage. If you did then how could you treat me like this? I mean, do you honestly think that any normal man would fire his own wife?
She flinched as he raised his eyebrows, his lips curling in disbelief and contempt.
That would depend on the wife... he said slowly.
He studied her face, noting the small frown between her eyes, the delicate flush colouring her cheeks. She was so disingenuous! His feelings about their marriage might not be consistent or rational, but at least he hadnt deleted its very existence. He frowned. He should hate herand he did. And yet his body was responding to her just as it had done in the past.
She shook her head. You cant use our marriage against me, Laszlo. Married or not, you never really let me in.
She swallowed. Except when theyd made love. But there was more to a relationship than just lovemaking. Like trust and honesty and a willingness to share.
Sighing, she shook her head. I get that your life was complicated. I even sort of see why you didnt tell me everything at the start. But nothing changed after we married. You still kept me on the outside.
She met his gaze, her hurt and anger clearly visible in her eyes.
He felt his chest tighten painfully. You didnt give me a chance. You barely managed to stay around long enough to digest the bread and salt we shared at our wedding. Besides, youre just talking about details.
Details? Prudence stared at him incredulously. Details! Your grandfather is a billionaire and you call that a detail.
She shook her head. She felt light-headedalmost dizzy. How could he stand there with that contemptuous look on his face as if he was the one whod been tricked?
Youre unbelievable! You deceived me. And you kept on deceiving me. Her voice sounded jagged. Not just about some tiny, stupid detail but about who you were
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Louise Fuller
A woman scornedArt expert Prudence Elliot is shocked when a new job brings her face-to-face with Laszlo de Zsadany the irresistible enigma who blazed through her life like a comet, leaving only her shattered heart in his wake.A husband discoveredEven more shockingly, not only is Laszlo a secret millionaire, but their youthful pledging of love was legally binding hes her husband!A fiery reconciliation!Prudence is an addiction that Laszlo cannot fight but surely the heat between them will quickly burn out? Except soon hes forced to admit that his craving for his wife is blazing out of control !Discover More At www.millsandboon.co.uk/louisefuller
I honoured you with a gift. The most important gift a man can give to a woman. I made you my wife and you threw it in my face.
Prudence gaped at him, shock washing over her in waves. She opened her mouth to deny his claim but the words clogged her throat. His wife? Surely he didnt really think that they were actually married? Her heart was pounding and the palms of her hands felt suddenly damp. Married? That was ridiculous! Insane!
Dazedly she thought back to that day when shed been led, giggling and blindfolded, to his great-uncles trailer. Laszlo had been waiting for her. She felt a shiver run down her spine at the memory, for hed looked heartbreakingly handsome and so serious she had wanted to cry. Theyd sworn their love and commitment to one another and his great-uncle had spoken some words in Romany, and then they had eaten some bread and some salt.
Her pulse was fluttering, and despite her best efforts her voice sounded high and jerky. Were not married, she said tightly. Marriages are more than just words and kisses. This is just another of your lies
Her voice trailed off at the expression of derision on his face.
Youre going off topic, pireni. Were still married. Im still your husband. And youre my wife.
LOUISE FULLER was a tomboy who hated pink and always wanted to be the princenot the princess! Now she enjoys creating heroines who arent pretty pushovers but are strong, believable women. Before writing for Mills & Boon she studied literature and philosophy at university and then worked as a reporter on her local newspaper. She lives in Tunbridge Wells with her impossibly handsome husband, Patrick, and their six children.
Vows Made in Secret
Louise Fuller
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
To my husband, Patrick, who provided inspiration not just for the love scenes but the emotional conflict!
Contents
Cover (#ue432370b-fe76-5e9e-b082-1a2b762326b7)
Introduction (#ue708865b-3972-579e-b676-85c768819fe2)
About the Author (#udc19bb03-7112-5252-9ec4-095506b84096)
Title Page (#ue53062d5-ed74-58bc-8b3c-777d985d9b90)
Dedication (#u5f795a85-ae14-5578-be35-b59e693eeb58)
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Extract from Tycoon's Delicious Debt by Susanna Carr (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE (#u0f1d44dd-9fa6-5606-9829-0774de11bd46)
SCOWLING, A LOCK of dark hair falling onto his forehead, Laszlo Cziffra de Zsadany stared at the young woman with smooth fair hair. His jaw tightened involuntarily as he studied her face in silence, noting the contrast between the innocence of the soft grey eyes and the passionate promise of her full mouth.
She was beautiful. So beautiful that it was impossible not to stand and stare. Such beauty could seduce and enslave. For such a woman a man would relinquish his throne, betray his country and lose his sanity.
Laszlo smiled grimly. He might even get married!
His smile faded and, feeling restless and on edge, he leant forward and squinted at the cramped, curled inscription at the bottom of the painting. Katalina Csesnek de Veszprem. But even though his eyes were fixed intently on the writing his mind kept drifting back to the face of the sitter. He gritted his teeth. What was it about this painting that he found so unsettling? But even as he asked himself the question he shrank from acknowledging the answer.
Anger jostled with misery as he stared at the face, seeing not Katalina but another, whose name was never spoken for to do so would burn his lips. Of course it wasnt so very like her; there were similarities, in colouring and the shape of her jaw, but that was all.
Disconcerted by the intense and unwelcome emotions stirred up by a pair of grey eyes, he glanced longingly out of the window at the Hungarian countryside. And then he froze as he heard an unmistakable hooting. It was bad luck to hear an owls cry in daylight and his golden eyes narrowed as he uneasily searched the pale blue sky for the bird.
From behind him there was a thump as Besnik, his lurcher, sat down heavily on the stone floor. Sighing, Laszlo reached down and rubbed the dogs silky ears between his thumb and forefinger.
I know, he murmured softly. Youre right. I need some air. Come. Standing up straight, he clicked his fingers so that the dog leapt lightly to its feet. Lets go! Before I start counting magpies.
He wandered slowly through the castles corridors. The wood panelling on the walls gleamed under the low lights, and the familiar smell of beeswax and lavender calmed him as he walked down the stairs. Passing his grandfathers study, he noticed that the door was ajar and, glancing inside, he saw with some surprise that the room wasnt empty; his grandfather, Janos, was sitting at his desk.
Laszlo felt his chest tighten as he took in how small and frail Janos appeared to be. Even now, more than six years after his wife Annuskas death, his grandfather still seemed to bear the burden of her loss. For a moment he hesitated. And then, softly, he closed the door. There had been an almost meditative quality to his grandfathers stillness and he sensed that Janos needed to be alone.
He wondered why his grandfather was up so early. And then he remembered. Of course. Seymour was arriving today!
No wonder Janos had been unable to sleep. Collecting art had been his hobby for over thirty years: a personal, private obsession. But today, for the first time ever, he would reveal that collection to a strangerthis expert, Edmund Seymour, who was arriving from London.
Laszlo grimaced. He instinctively distrusted strangers and he felt a ripple of dislike for Seymoura man hed never met, and to whom he had never so much as uttered a word, but whose company he would now have to suffer for weeks.
Pushing a door open with his shoulder, he glanced warily into the kitchen and then breathed out slowly. Good! Rosa wasnt up. He wasnt ready to face her gimlet eye yet. Apart from his grandfather their housekeeper was the only other person from whom he couldnt hide his feelings. Only, unlike Janos, Rosa had no qualms about cross-examining him.
Pulling open the cavernous fridge, he groaned as he saw the cold meats and salads arranged on the shelves.
And then, despite the rush of cold air on his face, and the even colder lump of resentment in his chest, he felt his mood shift and he closed the fridge door gently. Food had been a comforting distraction during his grandmothers long illness. But by the time of her death it had become a passiona passion that had led to him financing a restaurant in the centre of Budapest. The restaurant had been his project: it had been a risk, and a lot of hard work, but he thrived on both and he was now the owner of a staggeringly successful chain of high street restaurants.
Laszlo lifted his chin. He was no longer just Janoss grandson but a wealthy, independent businessman in his own right.
He sighed. Not that he wasnt proud of being a de Zsadany. It was just that the name brought certain responsibilities along with it. Such as Seymours impending visit. He gritted his teeth. If only the blasted man would ring and cancel.
As if on cue, his mobile phone vibrated in his pocket. Clumsy with shock, and a ridiculous sense of guilt, he pulled it out with shaking fingers: it was Jakob! Relief, and the tiniest feeling of regret, washed over him.
Laszlo! I thought youd be up. I know youll have forgotten, so Ive just rung to remind you that we have a visitor arriving today.
Laszlo shook his head. Typical Jakobringing to check up on him. Jakob Frankel was the de Zsadany family lawyer, and a good man, but Laszlo couldnt imagine letting his guard down with him or any other outsider. Not any more: not after what had happened the last time.
I know you wont believe me, Jakob, but I did actually remember it was happening today.
He heard the lawyer laugh nervously.
Excellent! Ive arranged a car, but if you could be on hand to greet?
Of course I will, Laszlo interrupted testily, irritated by the tentative note in the lawyers voice. He paused, aware that he sounded churlish. I want to be there, he muttered roughly. And let me know if I can do anything else. It was the nearest he got to an apology.
Of course. Of course! But Im sure that wont be necessary. Jakob spoke hurriedly, his desire to end the conversation clearly overriding his normal deference.
Laszlo murmured non-committally. For most of his life Janoss hobby had seemed a strangely soulless and senseless exercise. But Annuskas death had changed that opinion as it had changed everything else.
After her funeral life at the castle had grown increasingly bleak. Janos had been in a state of shock, inconsolable with grief. But once the shock had worn off his misery had turned into a kind of depressiona lethargy which no amount of time seemed able to heal. Laszlo had been in despair; weeks and months had turned into years. Until slowly, and then with increasing momentum, his grandfather had become almost his old self.
The reason for his recovery, like all catalysts for change, had been wholly unexpected. A stack of letters between Annuska and Janos had reminded him of their mutual passion for art.
Tentatively, not daring to hope, Laszlo had encouraged his grandfather to revive his former hobby. To his surprise, Janos had begun to lose his listless manner and then, out of the blue, his grandfather had decided to have his sprawling collection catalogued. Seymours auction house in London had been contacted and its flamboyant owner, Edmund Seymour, had duly been invited to visit Kastely Almasy.
Laszlo grimaced. His grandfathers happiness had overridden his own feeling but how on earth was he going to put up with this stranger in his home?
Jakobs voice broke into his thoughts.
I mean, I know how you hate having people around There was a sudden awkward silence and then the lawyer cleared his throat. What I meant to say was
Laszlo interrupted him curtly. There are more than thirty rooms at the castle, Jakob, so I think Ill be able to cope with one solitary guest, dont you?
He felt a sudden, fierce stab of self-loathing. Seymour could stay for a year if it made his grandfather happy. And, really, what was a few weeks? Since Annuskas death time had ceased to matter. Nothing much mattered except healing his grandfather.
I can manage, he repeated gruffly.
Of course...of course. The lawyer laughed nervously. You might even enjoy it. In fact, Janos was only saying to me yesterday that this visit might be a good opportunity to invite some of the neighbours for drinks or dinner. The Szecsenyis are always good fun and they have a daughter around your age.
In the early-morning light the room seemed suddenly grey and cold, like a tomb. Laszlo felt his fingers tighten around the handset as his heart started to pound out a drumroll of warning.
He took a shallow breath, groping for calm. Ill think about it, he said finally. His tone was pleasant, but there was no mistaking the note of high-tensile steel in his voice. I mean, our guest may simply prefer paintings to people.
He knew what his grandfather really wanted, and why he had inveigled Jakob into suggesting it. Janos secretly longed to see his only grandchild marriedto see Laszlo sharing his life with a soulmate. And why wouldnt he? After all, Janos himself had been blissfully happy during his forty-year marriage.
Laszlos fingers curled into his palms. If only he could do it. If only he could marry a perfectly sweet, pretty girl like Agnes Szecsenyi. That would be worth more than fifty art collections to Janos.
But that was never going to happen. For he had a secret, and no matter how many dinner dates his grandfather engineered, a wife was most certainly not going to result from any of them.
* * *
Now, you have read my notes properly, havent you, Prue? Only you do have a tendency to skim...
Pushing a strand of pale blonde hair out of her cloud-grey eyes, Prudence Elliot took a deep breath and counted slowly up to ten. Her plane had landed in Hungary only an hour ago, but this was the third time Uncle Edmund had rung her to see how she was doing: in other words, he was checking up on her.
Edmund paused. I dont want to sound like a nag, but its just... Well, I just wish I could be there with you...you do understand?
His voice cut through her juddering, panicky thoughts and her anxiety was instantly replaced by guilt. Of course she understood. Her uncle had built up the auction house that bore his name from scratch. And today would have undoubtedly been the most important day of his careerthe pinnacle of his lifes work: cataloguing reclusive Hungarian billionaire Janos Almasy de Zsadanys legendary art collection.
With a lurch of fear, Prudence remembered the look of excitement and terror on Edmunds face when hed been invited to the de Zsadany castle in Hungary. His words kept replaying in her head.
The mans a modern Medici, Prue. Of course no one actually knows the exact contents of his collection. But a conservative valuation would be over a billion dollars.
It should be Edmund with his thirty years of experience sitting in the back of the sleek, shark-nosed de Zsadany limousine. Not Prudence, who felt she could offer little more than her uncles reputation by proxy. Only Edmund was in England, confined to bed, recovering from a major asthma attack.
Biting her lip, she glanced out of the window at the dark fields. She hadnt wanted to come. But shed had no choice. Edmund owed money, and with debts mounting and interest accruing on those debts the business was in jeopardy. The fee from the de Zsadany job would balance the books, but the de Zsadany family lawyer had been adamant that work must start immediately. And so, reluctantly, shed agreed to go to Hungary.
She heard Edmund sigh down the phone.
Im sorry, Prue, he said slowly. You shouldnt have to put up with my nagging when youve been so good about all this.
Instantly she felt ashamed. Edmund was like a father to her. He had given her everything: a home, a family, security and even a job. She wasnt about to let him down now, in his hour of need.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to inject some confidence into her voice. Please try not to worry, Edmund. If I need anything at all Ill ring you. But Ill be fine. I promise.
He rang off and gratefully Prudence leant back against the leather upholstery and closed her eyes until, in what felt like no time at all, the car began to slow. She opened her eyes. Two tall wrought-iron gates swung smoothly open to let the limousine pass, and within minutes she was looking up at a huge, grey stone castle straight out of a picture book.
Later she would realise that she had no memory of how she got from the car to the castle. She remembered only that somehow she had found herself in a surprisingly homely sitting room, lit softly by a collection of table lamps and the glow of a log fire. She was about to sit down on a faded Knole Sofa when she noticed the painting.
Her heart started to pound. Stepping closer, she reached out with one trembling hand and touched the frame lightly, and then her eyes made a slow tour of the walls. She felt light-headedas though she had woken up in dream. There were two Picassospink perioda delightfully exuberant Kandinsky, a Rembrandt portrait that would have sent Edmund into a state of near ecstasy, and a pair of exquisite Lucian Freud etchings of a sleeping whippet.
She was still in a state of moderate shock when an amused-sounding voice behind her said softly, Pleasetake a closer look. Im afraid the poor things get completely ignored by the rest of us.
Prudence turned scarlet. To be caught snooping around someones sitting room like some sort of burglar was bad enough, but when that someone was your host, and one of the richest men in Europe, it was mortifying.
Im soso sorry, she stammered, turning round. What must you...? The remainder of her apology died in her throat, the words colliding into one another with a series of shuddering jolts as her world imploded. For it was not Janos Almasy de Zsadany standing there but Laszlo Cziffra.
Laszlo Cziffra. Once his name had tasted hot and sweet in her mouth; now it was bitter on her tongue. She felt her insides twist in pain as around her the room seemed to collapse and fold in on itself like a house of cards. It couldnt be Laszloit just couldnt. But it was, and she stared at him mutely, reeling from the shock of his perfection.
With his high cheekbones, sleek black hair and burning amber eyes, he was almost the same boy she had fallen in love with seven years ago: her beautiful Romany boy. Only he most certainly wasnt hers any more; nor was he a boy. Now he was unmistakably a man: tall, broad-shouldered, intensely male, and with a suggestion of conformity that his younger self had lacked. Prudence shivered. But it was his eyes that had changed the most. Once, on seeing her, they would have burnt with the fierce lambent fire of passion. Now they were as cold and lifeless as ash.
She felt breathless, almost faint, and her hand moved involuntarily to her throat. Laszlo had been her first loveher first lover. He had been like sunlight and storms. She had never wanted anything or anyone more than him. And he had noticed her. Chosen her with a certainty that had left her breathless, replete, exultant. She had felt immortal. The knowledge of his love had swelled inside heran immutable truth as permanent as the sun rising and setting.
Or so shed believed seven years ago.
Only shed been wrong. His focus on herfor that was what it had beenhad burnt white-hot, fire-bright, and then faded fast like a supernova.
Prudence swallowed. It had been the ugliest thing that had happened to her. After the fierce bliss of what shed believed was his love, that disorientating darkness had felt like death itself. And now, like a ghost from paradise lost, here he was, defying all logic and reason.
Surely he couldnt be real? And if he was real then what was he doing here? It didnt make any sense. She stared at him, groping for some kind of answer. Her stomach lurched as she remembered the last time shed seen him: being pushed into the back of a police car, his face dark and defiant.
Laszlo didnt belong in a place like this. And yet here he was. Standing there, as though he owned the place.
She felt her stomach lurch. In the back of her mind, pushed down in the darkness, shed always imagined that hed drifted into bad ways. So to watch him saunter into the room was almost more than her brain could fathom. Helplessly, she racked her brain for some shred of explanation.
Whwhat are you doing here? she stammered, her voice sounding small and shrunken, like a soul facing purgatory.
Laszlo stared at Prudence, his handsome face cold and blank. But inside it was as though he was falling from a great height. His mind was racing, explanations tumbling over one another, each one more desperate and untenable than the last. And all the time, like a silent movie, the short, doomed pretence of their love played out before his eyes.
Aware that he was playing for time, he felt a rush of anger. But words had literally failed himfor he had blotted out all traces of her so completely that just looking at her made him feel dizzy.
I could ask you the same question, he murmured.
And then, with shock, he remembered that it had been only that morning that his hunger-fuelled brain had conjured up her memory. He shivered as the hairs stood up on the back of his neck and he remembered the cry of the owl he had heard earlier. Had he somehow summoned her here?
The part of his mind not numb with shock pushed the suggestion away irritably: of course he hadnt. Clearly she hadnt come looking for him, for her own shock was unmistakable. So what exactly was she doing here?
Eyes narrowing, he stared assessingly at her and waited for answers.
White-faced, Prudence stared back at him dazedly. She must have fallen down a rabbit hole, for what other explanation could there be? Why else was Laszlo Cziffra here in this isolated castle in the Hungarian countryside? Unlessher blood turned coldcould he be working for Mr de Zsadany?
Her mind cringed from the possibility and, remembering his blank-eyed indifference when shed told him she was leaving him, she felt suddenly sick. But that had been seven years ago. Surely after all this time they could treat each other with at the very least a polite neutrality? But instead of cool curiosity, he was watching her with a sort of icy contempt.
I dont understand She broke off, the colour draining from her cheeks as he walked slowly across the faded Persian carpet towards her. What are you doing here? she said again. You cant be here.
Watching the shock on her face turn to horror as he approached, Laszlo felt the floor yaw beneath him like a wave-tossed ship. But he had no intention of revealing to Prudence how strongly he was affected by her presence. Or her evident dismay at seeing him again.
Breathing deeply, he steadied himself. But I am, he said slowly. Why are you trembling, pireni?
She tried to ignore it. Just as she was trying to ignore how handsome he was and his nerve-jangling nearness. But the familiar word of endearment seemed to grow to a roar inside her head, drowning out her answer to his question.
For what felt like a lifetime they stood, staring at one another in silence, as they had done a hundred...a thousand times before.
The mans voice, when it came, startled both of them.
Ah, there you are! Im sorry Im late. The traffic was terrible.
A plumpish, middle-aged man, with thick, dull blonde hair and a panicked expression on his face, hurried into the room. Turning to Prudence, he shuffled some files under his arm and held out his hand.
Im so sorry to have missed you at the airport, Miss Elliot. You got my message, though?
Still speechless with shock, Prudence nodded. She had felt a momentary spasm of relief at the mans arrival. But now it would appear that her relief was premature. For his words had made it painfully clear to her that Laszlos presence was a shock only to her.
The man glanced cautiously at Laszlo and cleared his throat. I see you two have already met. So let me introduce myself. Jakob Frankel. I work for the law firm that represents Mr de Zsadany. May I say on behalf of the family how grateful we all are for you stepping in at the last moment. It was really very kind of you.
Laszlo felt his guts twist. His brain was struggling to give meaning to what was happening. Jakob had told him that Edmund Seymour was ill and that someone else was coming in his place. Typically, hed forgottenfor one stranger was no better or worse than another. But suddenly Jakobs words seemed to take on a new and wholly unpalatable significance: Seymours replacement was Prudence Elliot. And that meant she would be living under his roof for the foreseeable future!
Its my pleasure, Prudence said hoarsely.
The lawyer nodded and, looking nervously from Prudence to Laszlo, said, Everyone is most grateful.
Prudence smiled weakly and opened her mouth to speak but Laszlo interrupted her.
Miss Elliot could buy her own castle with the fee were paying her. I dont think she needs our gratitude as well.
Flinching at the undertone of hostility in his voice, Prudence felt rather than saw Laszlos dark, probing gaze turn towards her. Her breath, suddenly sharp and serrated, tore at her throat and she touched her neck nervously. She still had no idea what he was doing here but he must be important, for the lawyer was clearly deferring to him. The thought somehow exhausted her, and she felt suddenly on the verge of tears.
This wasnt supposed to be happening. It was bad enough feeling out of her depth professionally. But now there was Laszlo, staring at her with those cold, dismissive eyes, and all she could think was that he could still make her feel like nothing. How he had made her feel like nothing seven years ago. Swallowing, she gritted her teeth. At least shed fought for their relationship; he, on the other hand, had been too busy doing whatever hed done to get himself arrested.
And she wasnt nothing. In his words, she was being paid enough to buy a castle to do this job and that was what she was there to do. Her job. It didnt matter that once upon a time, her love hadnt been good enough for him.
Lifting her chin, she turned towards the lawyer. Youre very kind, Mr Frankel, she said clearly. Thank you for allowing me to come. This is a marvellous opportunity for me. I just hope I can live up to your expectations.
Oh, I wouldnt worry about that, Laszlo murmured softly. We have very low expectations.
There was another long, tense moment of silence and then Frankel gave a nervous laugh. What Mr Cziffra is trying to say
Is that Miss Elliot and I can take it from here, Laszlo finished smoothly.
The lawyer looked at him doubtfully. You can?
I think I can manage. Laszlos voice was as cold and flat as an Arctic ice floe and Prudence shivered as Frankel nodded, his plump face flushed.
Of course, he said hastily. Of course. He turned towards Prudence.
Youll be in safe hands, Miss Elliot! After Mr de Zsadany, no one knows more about the collection than his grandson.
The shock was like a jolt of electricity.
Prudence felt her whole body still and then start to shake. The room was spinning at the edge of her vision. Janos Almasy de Zsadany was Laszlos grandfather! But how could he be? Janos Almasy de Zsadany was a billionaire several times over. Laszlo was a Romanya traveller who lived in a trailer. How could they possibly be related?
With an almost painful stab of hope she wondered if she had misheard Frankel and she turned to Laszlo, expecting, praying he would still be staring at her with the same cold, uninterested expression. But she saw instead that he was staring at her with a look of pitying scorn and horror.
Her stomach convulsed with fear. Frankel was telling the truth.
Heart thumping, feeling dizzy and sick, she glanced numbly at the lawyer. But he seemed unaware of the turmoil he had created with his simple statement of fact. Fighting her misery, she glanced back at Laszlo. There was no denial on his faceno embarrassment or confusion, and she stared at him, unable to ignore, even in her misery, his luminous, impossible beauty.
He looked up and she flinched as he met her gaze, the softness of his mouth only seeming to emphasise the hard challenge in his eyes.
Frankel coughed. Right. In that case Ill be on my way. Goodnight, Miss Elliot! Ill see myself out, Mr Cziffra.
Thank you, Frankel. Laszlo stared steadily at Prudence, his eyes glittering like shards of yellow glass. Enjoy the rest of your evening. And dont worry. Ill take good care of Miss Elliot.
Prudence felt her stomach turn to liquid as Laszlo turned towards her and nodded.
I promise Ill give her my full and undivided attention.
The table lamps felt suddenly like spotlights, and although the room was warm she felt cold and shivery. She watched Frankel leave with a mounting sense of dread, every nerve in her body straining to breaking point. She wanted to run after the lawyer and beg him to stay but her body was rooted to the spot. Numbly, she stared at the paintings on the wall. Just moments ago they had given her such innocent pleasure. But not any more. Now they seemed like cruel-eyed onlookers, mocking her stupidity.
The anaesthetic of shock and bewilderment was starting to wear off and she felt a sudden stabbing surge of irritation. Okay, it was awkward and stressful for both of them to be thrown together like this, but surely she had a far greater reason to be upset than him? Surely she deserved some answers here? Her lip curled. In fact, how could he just stand there and not offer one word of explanation?
Glancing at his expressionless face, she gritted her teeth. Quite easily, it would appear. Her chest tightened. He hadnt changed a bit. He was still putting the onus on her to resolve everything. As though he were a witness rather than a central protagonist in what was happening.
Pretending Im not here isnt going to make this go away! she said slowly. Willing herself to stay as cool as she sounded, she lifted her chin and met his gaze. We need to sort this out.
Laszlo stared at her. Sort this out? he echoed softly. His mouth tightened as he suppressed a humourless laugh. There was nothing to sort out! Except out of which door he would throw her! Is that what we need to do? His eyes met hers. So. Youre Seymours replacement? he said coolly.
Heart thumping against her ribcage, Prudence nodded. Keeping her eyes straight ahead, she cleared her throat. And youre Mr de Zsadanys grandson!
She fell silent and waited for his answer. But he did nothing more than nod. Turning her head, she clenched her fists: the words incorrigible and impossible were ricocheting inside her brain. Was that it, then? No explanations. Not one word to acknowledge the impact and implication of those words.
As though reading her mind, Laszlo sighed. His eyes looked through her and past her as he spoke. My mother was Zsofia Almasy de Zsadany. She was Janoss daughter and only child.
It was like hearing a marble statue speak and her heart flinched at the chill in his voice.
She met my father, Istvan, when she was sixteen. He was seventeen, a Kalderash Roma. Both their families opposed the match but they loved each other so much that nothing could keep them apart.
His eyes gleamed and she felt a jolt of pain at the accusatory barb of his words.
They were married and I was born nine months later.
Prudence stared at him numbly. Who was this Laszlo? And what had he been doing living in a shabby trailer in England? Had he been rebelling? Or estranged from the de Zsadanys? Her head was swimming with questions. From knowing next to nothing about him she suddenly had so much information she could hardly take it all in. But her heart contracted as she realised that even the small things he had shared with her had been half-truths.
Why were you there? In England, I mean?
He frowned. After my parents died I spent time with both my families. My grandfather wanted me to go to school. To be educated. So I stayed in Hungary during term-time, and in the holidays I went and visited my fathers family, wherever they happened to be living. His eyes gleamed remorselessly. I wanted to be loyal to both my mother and my father.
She forced herself to meet his gaze. I see, she said slowly. But you didnt want to be open and honest with me? She felt a sudden rise in tension as his eyes slid slowly and assessingly over her rigid frame.
No. I did not, he said finally.
Prudence gaped at him, her pledge to stay calm and detached now completely forgotten. Didnt you think it might have been better, not to say fairer, to share the whole truth with me? she said furiously. You knowthe fact that your grandfather was one of the richest men in Europe? And that you lived in a castle surrounded by priceless works of art?
He looked away from her and shrugged. Prudence felt almost giddy with rage. How dare he just stand there and shrug at her? As if it didnt matter that hed lied to her. As if she didnt matter.
What difference would it have made? he said flatly. There were lots of facts you didnt know about mewhy focus on that one? His face twisted. Unless, of course, it wasnt the truth you wanted to share. Maybe there were other things youd have liked to share. Like my grandfathers money.
The breath seemed to snarl up in her throat. How can you say that? She stepped towards him, her body shaking with anger. How can you even suggest? Her head was spinning, nerves humming with rage and frustration. Dont you dare try and twist this, Laszlo. You lied to me!
Laszlos face was suddenly as pale and rigid as bone and she had to curl her fingers into her hands to stop herself from flinching at the hostility in his eyes.
I didnt lie, he said coldly. I am half-Romany and I did live in a trailer.
Oh, thats okay, then, Prudence said sarcastically. Maybe it was your other half. The half that lived in a castle. Perhaps he lied to me?
Anger was bubbling up inside her, her breath burning her throat. She wasnt the one whod lied about who she was. She winced as her nails dug into her skin. Had he actually told her the truth about anything?
Laszlo met her gaze. You believed what you wanted to believe.
Prudence shook her head in disbelief. I believed what you encouraged me to believe, she said furiously. Theres a difference.
There was a dangerous silence and then his eyes narrowed.
Youre missing the point, Prudence. It doesnt matter what someone believes if they dont have faith. His voice was ragged, frayed with a bitterness she had never heard before. Without that its all just words.
She sucked in a breath. Yes, it is. Your words. The lies you told me. Her heart was pounding; her hands were tight fists against her sides. Dont try and turn this into some philosophical debate, Laszlo. Im upset because you lied to me and you took away my choices.
So now were even, he said coldly.
CHAPTER TWO (#u0f1d44dd-9fa6-5606-9829-0774de11bd46)
SHE STARED AT him blankly. Even? Even!
What thats supposed to mean? She flung the words at him, wishing they were sticks or stones or better still bricks. But he didnt reply. Instead he made an impatient sound and she watched helplessly as his face closed tight like a trap. Her muscles were aching with the effort of not picking up a lamp and beating him to death with it. How could he do that? Just switch off in the middle of a conversation and take himself outside of it?
Feeling a familiar cold, paralysing panic, she wrapped her arms around herself. But of course she didnt need him to answer anyway. She knew exactly what he was talking about.
An undertow of defiance tugged at her frustration and slowly she shook her head. No, Laszlo. If youre talking about the fact that I ended our relationship, then we are not even. Not even close to being even.
Her whole body was suddenly shaking and she wrapped her arms more tightly around herself. Walking away from Laszlo and from her romantic hopes and dreams had been hardone of the hardest things shed ever doneand it had taken every ounce of willpower shed had. But if hed wanted to, if hed wanted her, he could have stopped her; shed given him every chance to change her mind. Only hed barely uttered a word when shed told him that she was leaving him. Certainly not the sort shed craved. Hed let her go and that had been his choice.
A sudden, suffocating misery reared up inside her as, with a shudder, she remembered just how cold and unapproachable hed been.
She stood rooted to the spot, numbed and struck dumb at her own stupidity. No wonder hed been so secretivesmuggling her into his trailer and carefully sidestepping her requests to meet his family. Fool that she was, shed been too dizzy with love, too in thrall to the way her body had softened and transformed beneath his touch, to wonder why. Besides, shed been flattered at the start, at least, for shed believed that he wanted her all to himself. Hed stolen her heart and her virginity in quick succession and all the while hed been living a lie.
She looked at him wearily. But why did this lie matter, really? After all, she couldnt change the past. Or change the fact that he hadnt loved her enough to fight for her. Her mouth twisted. This discussion was a dead end. There was no point in trying to talk about their relationship now: it was seven years too late. And besides, she had a new life now. Maybe not the one shed been hoping for, but a good life, and she wasnt about to let him pick up her world and smash it to smithereens.
Her pulse fluttered into life and she glanced at the door, wishing she could go back in time to the moment before shed walked through it. And then, with a start, she remembered that even if that had been possible it simply wasnt an option. Edmund needed this job. That was why she had come to Hungary. And she needed to focus on that fact and not get sidetracked into a post-mortem of her romantic past.
She took a calming breath. The cataloguing was more important than her feelings. Not that she had any feelings for Laszlo any more. At least not any that should get in the way of what was essentially a job like any other. Their relationship was history and, while clearly she would never have chosen to meet him again, let alone work with him, there was no reason not to treat him like any other clientalbeit one who was difficult, bordering on the socially inept.
Fighting down the urge to bolt through the door, she lifted her chin and met his gaze. She wasnt going to let his inability to let go of the past upset her. She would be calm and efficienta detached professional.
This is getting us nowhere, Laszlo, she said firmly. Im here to do a job for you and your grandfather.
Biting her lip, she paused, her muscles tightening again. Did Janos know about her relationship with his grandson? That could be awkward. But then her body relaxed. Somehow she didnt think so. It was a long time ago, and theyd never met, and Laszlo had probably had hundreds of girlfriends since her. Her cheeks grew suddenly hot and quickly she pushed that thought away.
I know he wants to start on the cataloguing as soon as possible, so why dont we put aside our differences and try and concentrate on making that happen for him? Can we do that? Can we call a truce? She gave a small, tight smile and clenched her hands into fists to stop herself from crossing her fingers.
Laszlo stared at her speculatively. She wanted this job. It was obvious from the conciliatory note in her voice and the slight increase in tension around her shoulders. His gaze drifted hungrily over her neck to the pulse beating in the hollow at the base of her throat. To anyone who didnt know her she looked like the perfect English Rose, pale and demure. But he knew the other Prudence. The one beneath that calm, poised exterior, who had wrapped herself around him with passion and fervour. That contrast, and the knowledge that he alone possessed that other, hidden Prudence, had excited him unbearably. With a spasm of disbelief, he realised it still did.
Feeling his body stiffen, he lifted his gaze and smiled at her almost mockingly. Since you put it so nicely
She stared at him warily. She hadnt expected him to come round so easily. But then, with Laszlo you never knew what to expect. Thank you, she said stiffly. I must say Im a bit surprised
He smiled coolly. I know how much women love surprises.
Nodding, she forced herself to breathe slowly. Perhaps she could make this work. She just needed to stay focused on what was important: the fact that Laszlo was nothing more than a client. She looked up and found him watching her. A tingle of heat ran down her spine. She could almost see his desirefeel him wrapping it round her like a dark velvet cloak.
Her cheeks were burning. Quickly, before the sudden softness in his eyes could rattle her even more, she looked away. She was here to work and it didnt matter that she and Laszlo had once shared a passion so pagan, so consuming, that the outside world had ceased to exist. Now their relationship needed to work only on a business level.
She met his eyes. And I know men hate delays. She paused and cleared her throat. So I suggest we discuss what happens now.
Laszlo stared at her. A peony-pink flush had crept over the skin on her throat and his gaze drifted down over the pale grey blouse that clung to the soft swell of her breasts, then lower still to where the smooth downward curve of her hips and waist pressed tight against the fabric of her skirt. She was so close they were practically touching and, breathing in the familiar scent of jasmine, he found himself almost paralysed with longing again.
Breathing in sharply, he gritted his teeth. He had spent so long hating her, hating what she had done to him, that he had never supposed that he might still want her.
And yet apparently he did.
He stared at her, confused. He wanted her. But he also wanted to punish her. And yet even that wasnt wholly true, for he couldnt help but admire her. After all, how many other womenparticularly one as shy and unworldly as Prudencewould stand their ground in this situation? Not that it surprised him. She had always possessed that quality of being in a state of quiescence, of teetering on the edge. His jaw tensed as her misty grey gaze rested on his face. Only now was not the time to be thinking about Prudences finer qualities. Better to concentrate on her flaws.
You tell me. Talking was always your thing, wasnt it? For me, actions speak louder than words.
He watched colour creep across her cheeks. Saw the moment that she relaxed, the tension leaving her body, making it softer and more vulnerable.
Prudence felt her cheeks grow warm. She needed no reminder of how eloquent his actions had been. Particularly not now, when she needed to keep her thoughts in some semblance of order. But his smile was like a beam of sunlight breaking through cloud. She just wanted to follow it...place herself in its path.
Focus, she told herself firmly. She cleared her throat and began to talk quickly. As I said before, I know how keen your grandfather is to begin the cataloguing. So I think we should push on with the original timeframe.
He stepped towards her and she tensed, her body suddenly a helix of tendon and muscle.
Youre the expert, he murmured.
Blushing, Prudence swallowed. His voice was such a captivating mix of soft and seductive. She felt heat begin to build inside her and for one brief moment allowed herself to remember the touch of his fingers, travelling over her skin with the virtuosity of a concert pianist. How the rippling rhythms of their bodies had quickened and intertwined to a breathless cadence.
Prudence took a deep breath. Surely she couldnt still actually find him attractive? She must have more sense than that. But what had sense got to do with lust? No woman alive could stand next to Laszlo Cziffra and feel nothing.
Somewhere in the castle a door slammed and Prudence started forward with surprise. For a moment her hands grazed his chest as she swayed against him and then, breathing unsteadily, she teetered backwards. They were standing inches apart now. He was so close she could feel the heat of his skin. Her heart was pounding as though shed been running and her body was trembling helplessly. He smelt of newly mown hay and rain-soaked earth and she felt almost dazed with longing as every inch of her reacted to him.
Castles were built to keep out arrows and cannon fire. Not draughts, he said drily.
Still horrified by the revelation that her body apparently had no loyalty to her heart, Prudence dragged her gaze away, hoping that he hadnt noticed or, worse, correctly interpreted her physical response to him.
Werent they? she mumbled, her cheeks flushing. Whwhat was I saying? Oh, yes. The timeframe. Three weeks is a typical estimate for a preliminary assessment. Its important to be thorough at that stage. She frowned. And dont worry. If I have any problems I can speak to Mr Seymour. In fact, Ill be in close contact with him the entire time. She gave a small, tight smile. I find it helpful to have another point of view. For clarity.
Her smile faded and she stared at him nervously, aware of a sudden stillness in him, a slight narrowing of his eyes, although she couldnt quite understand what had changed. But then, why should she care? She was here to work, and Laszlos moods were no longer her concern.
Clearing her throat, she straightened her shoulders and forced herself to ignore the undertow of apprehension tugging at the back of her mind. A-and obviously Im happy to discuss any concerns Mr de Zsadany has, she stammered. His eyes clashed with hers and despite herself she felt another twinge of foreboding.
Obviously... he said coolly. I know how you love to discuss problems.
Her heart was thumping hard. There it was again: a tiny but deliberate dig. He was taking what was nothing more than a casual, unpremeditated remark and making it something personal, to do with the past. Their past. She felt sudden swift anger. Hadnt they agreed to call a truce? This was going to be hard enough as it was, without him making a difficult situation worse with his snippy double-edged comments.
Her mind was so churned up with emotion it took her another couple of moments before she understood just how difficult the situation was going to be. For it wasnt as if she was just going to work with Laszloher blood seemed to still in her veinsshe was going to have to live with him too.
A tremor grew at the back of her neck. Of course she would have to live with him. But not like this. Not dreading his every remarknot deliberately having to misunderstand his every insinuation. She needed to make it clear now that she would not tolerate being treated like that.
I dont like discussing problems. Returning his gaze coldly, she lifted her chin. Its just that I think communication is key to a successful relationship.
She had meant to sound assured, without being overtly confrontational. But she knew the moment she spoke that it was the wrong thing to say. For he went entirely still and his eyes locked onto hers like an infrared missile seeking its target.
Swaying, she took a faltering step backwards. I didnt mean us
Dont bother! I already know pretty much all there is to know about your views on relationships.
Watching the shock and confusion bloom on her face, Laszlo felt a surge of satisfaction.
His voice was little more than a rasp. You explained them to me in great detail when you walked out on mePrudence.
She flinched as he turned towards her and spat her name into the air as though it were a poison he had inadvertently swallowed.
In fact... He paused, his lip curling with contempt. You made it abundantly clear how pitiable I was to have ever imagined that our relationship might work, given the range and depth of my flaws.
N-no. I didnt Prudence began shakily, shocked and unnerved by the level of venom in his voice. But her voice died as he stepped towards her and she saw real anger in his eyes.
Oh, but you did. His face was tight with emotion. Only you were wrong. They werent my flaws. They were yours! he ground out between gritted teeth. You were just too weak and snobbish
I was not weak and snobbish. The injustice of his words melted her shock and suddenly she was coldly furious. I just didnt want to pretend any more.
Pretend what? That you loved me? His face was blunt, angular with hostility.
Liquid misery trickled through her. That we had anything in common.
He shook his head. Like loyalty, you mean? Maybe youre right. We certainly felt differently about that!
You dont need to tell me about the differences between us, she snapped, stung into speech by the censure in his voice. I know all about them. Theyre why our relationship didnt work. Why it could never have worked.
Her throat tightened as he looked at her coldly.
Our relationship didnt fail because we were different. It failed because you cared more about those differences than you did about me, he snarled. Tell me, pireni, how are you finding my communication skills now? Am I making myself clear enough?
Her heart gave a sudden jerk as abruptly he turned and walked towards the fireplace.
For a moment she stood frozen, gazing speechlessly at his back. Anger was building inside her, displacing all other feeling, and suddenly she crossed the room and yanked him round to face her.
Thats not true! I did care She broke off. Rage, hot and unstoppable, choked her words. Dont you dare try and tell me what I felt. She set her jaw, her eyes narrowing. If I cared about the differences between us it was because, yes, I thought they mattered. Unlike you, I like to talk about the things that matter to me. And, crazy though this may sound, I try and tell the truth. But what would you know about that? The truth is like a foreign language to you.
She watched his eyes darken with fury, the pupils seeming almost to engulf the golden irises.
The truth? he said savagely. You left me because you thought I wasnt good enough for you. Thats the truth. Youre just too much of a coward to admit it.
Silently, Prudence shook her head. Not only because she was disagreeing with him but because she was too angry to speak. She hadnt even known she could feel that angry.
Finally, she found her voice. How dare you talk to me about the truth when were standing here in this castle? Your castle. A castle I didnt even know existed until today. Her eyes flashed with anger. And just because I wanted to talk about the leaks in the trailer and the fact that we didnt have enough money to buy food for more than a couple of days didnt mean I thought you werent good enough!
Those things shouldnt have mattered. They didnt matter to me, Laszlo snarled.
I know! she snarled back at him. But they did to me. And you cant punish me for that fact. Or for the fact that it worried me: how we felt differently about things. We disagreed about stuff and that was going to be a problem for us sooner or later, only you wouldnt admit it, she raged at him. So it wasnt me who was a coward. It was you.
She took a sudden step backwards as he moved towards her; his face was in shadow but the fury beneath his skin was luminous.
I am not the coward here, Prudence, he said quietly, and his dispassionate tone was frighteningly at odds with the menacing gleam in his eyes.
Prudence felt her insides lurch. Beneath the chill of his gaze her courage and powers of speech wilted momentarily and she felt suddenly defeated. Suddenly she didnt want to talk any more. What was the point? Judging by the last twenty minutes it would only hurt more than it healed.
When at last she spoke, her voice was defeated. This is going nowhere, she said wearily. I know youre angry. We both are. But cant we just put our past behind us? At least until after the cataloguing is complete?
Laszlo stared at her, his eyes glittering with fury. The cataloguing? Do you know what my grandfathers collection means to him? Or why he decided to have it catalogued? He shook his head. After everything thats happened between us, do you really think Id trust you, of all people? He broke off and breathed out unsteadily.
Prudence felt a stab of fear. What was he trying to say? But you can, she said shakily. Ill do a good job. You have my word.
He winced as though she had ripped a plaster from a scab. Your word? he repeated. He tilted his head. Your word... he said again.
And this time the contempt on his face felt like a hammer blow. Her mouth had gone dry.
II only meant she stammered, but he cut across her words with a voice like a flick knife.
It doesnt matter what you meant. We both know that your word is worthless.
What are you talking about?
Balling his fists, feeling sick to his stomach, Laszlo shook his head. He felt an odd rushing sensation in his head, like a sort of vertigo, and words and memories hurtled past him like debris from an explosion. What kind of woman was she? He had long known her to be snobbish and weak-minded, but thisthis refusal to acknowledge what shed done
His jaw tightened.
I honoured you with a gift. The most important gift a man can give to a woman. I made you my wife and you threw it in my face.
Prudence gaped at him, shock washing over in waves. She opened her mouth to deny his claim but the words clogged her throat. His wife? Surely he didnt really think that they were actually married? Her heart was pounding; the palms of her hands felt suddenly damp. Married? That was ridiculous! Insane!
Dazedly she thought back to that day when shed been led, giggling and blindfolded, to his great-uncles trailer. Laszlo had been waiting for her. She felt a shiver run down her spine at the memory, for hed looked heartbreakingly handsome and so serious she had wanted to cry. Theyd sworn their love and commitment to one another, and his great-uncle had spoken some words in Romany, and then they had eaten some bread and some salt.
Coming out of her reverie, she stared hard at him wordlessly. There had been no actual marriage. It had been no more real than his love for her. But it had been part of the fantasy of their love. And now he was destroying that fantasy. Taking the memory of something beautiful, innocent and spontaneous and turning it into a means of hurting her.
Her vision blurred and she felt suddenly giddy, as though she were teetering on the edge of a cliff-face. Youre despicable! Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to ruin that day?
Ruin it? His features contorted with fury. Youre the one who did that. By walking out on our marriage.
Her pulse was fluttering and despite her best efforts her voice sounded high and jerky. Were not married, she said tightly. Marriages are more than just words and kisses. This is just another of your lies
Her voice trailed off at the expression of derision on his face.
No. This is just the ultimate proof of how little you understood or respected my way of life. For you, my being Romany was just some whimsical lifestyle choice. He watched the blood suffuse her face and felt a spasm of pain. You liked it that I was differentan outsider. But you didnt expect or want me to stay like that. You thought Id just throw it off, like a fancy dress costume, and become normal when it came to the rest of our lives. His eyes hardened. Thats when you started whining about the mess and the moving around. But thats what we do. Its what I do.
Except when youre living in a castle, she said shakily.
His gaze held hers. Youre going off topic, pireni. It doesnt matter where I lived then or where I live now. Were still married. Im still your husband. And youre my wife.
She felt a stab of shockboth at the vehemence in his voice and at the sudden spread of treacherous heat at his possessive words.
Turning her head, she swallowed. What happened in that trailer wasnt a wedding, Laszlo. There were no guests. No vicar. No witnesses. We didnt give each other rings. We didnt even sign anything. It wasnt a wedding at all and Im not your wife.
Laszlo forced himself to stay calm. He had too much pride to let her see that her horrified denial had reopened a wound that had never fully healeda wound that had left him hollowed out with misery and humiliation.
Shaking his head, he gave a humourless laugh. Oh, believe me, pireni, I wish you werentbut you are. His fingers curled into the palms of his hands. In my culture a wedding is a private affair between a man and wife. We dont register the marriage, and the only authority thats needed for it to be recognised is the consent of the bride and groom.
Prudence felt a vertigo-like flash of fear. She shook her head. Were not married, she croaked. Not in the eyes of the law.
The change in him was almost imperceptible. She might even have missed the slight rigidity about his jawline had the contempt in his eyes not seared her skin.
Not your law, maybe. He felt a hot, overpowering rage. But in mine. Yes, we were marriedand we still are.
Closing her eyes, she felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of panic. Laszlo clearly believed what he was saying. Whilst she might have viewed the ceremony as a curious but charming dress rehearsal for the vintage-style white wedding shed been planning, the marriage had been real to him. Nausea gripped her stomach. What did it really matter if there was no certificate? It didnt mean that the vows theyd made were any less valid or binding.
Heat scorched her skin. What had she done? She looked up and his gaze held hers, and she saw that he was furious, fighting for control.
Laszlo, I didnt
His voice was barely audible but it scythed through her words and on through her skin and bone, slicing into her heart.
This conversation is over. Im sorry you had a wasted trip but your services are no longer required.
Prudence looked at him in confusion, her face bleached of colour. II dont understand... she stammered. What do you mean?
Laszlo rounded on her coldly. What do I mean? he echoed. I mean that youre fireddismissed, sacked. Your contract is terminated and this meeting is over. As of this moment I never want to see your face again. He turned back towards the fire. So why dont you take your bags, turn around and get out of my house? Now.
CHAPTER THREE (#u0f1d44dd-9fa6-5606-9829-0774de11bd46)
PRUDENCE FELT THE floor tilt towards her. She reached out and steadied herself against the back of an armchair. You cant do that, she said slowly. You cant just fire me.
Oh, but I can.
Laszlo turned and looked at her, full in the face, and a shudder raced through her as she saw to her horror that he meant it.
But thats so unfair! Her voice seemed to echo around the room and she gazed at him helplessly.
I dont care.
He spoke flatly, his jaw tightening, and with a spasm of pain she knew that he didnt. Knew too that it wouldnt matter what she said or did and that it had probably never mattered. She had lost the job the moment Laszlo walked into the room. She just hadnt realised that fact until now.
She stared at him, shock and disbelief choking her words of objection. But inside her head there was a deafening cacophony of protest. He couldnt fire her. What would she tell Edmund? And what about their debts to the bank and the insurance company?
No.
The word burst from her lips like a flying spear. Laszlo stared at her calmly. Firing her seemed to have lanced his fury and he seemed more puzzled than angry at her outburst.
No? he murmured softly. No, what?
She glared at him, her cheeks flooding with angry colour. No, I wont leave. I know I made a mistake, but it all happened years agoand anyway you cant fire me for that. Apart from anything else its got nothing to do with my ability to do this job.
Its got everything to do with your ability to do this job, Laszlo said coldly. You lack conviction and loyalty and I dont employ people without those qualities.
Prudence sucked in a breath, hating him more than she had ever hated him before. Stop it! she hissed. He was so self-righteous and hypocritical. How dare he act as if he had the moral high ground? Hed lied to her. And he was the one whod broken the law and been arrested for who knew what! Perhaps he should examine his own failings first instead of focusing on hers.
She opened her mouth to tell him so and then closed it again. There was so much history in this room already. Why add more? She breathed out slowly.
Stop sitting in judgement on me! Youre not some innocent victim here, Laszlo. You lied. Maybe that doesnt matter to you, but it does to me. She stopped, her breathing ragged. Only Im not using it to get at you. I wouldnt stoop that low.
Laszlo looked at her for one long, agonising moment.
Really? he said coolly. I wonder... He ran his hand over the dark stubble grazing his chin. Just how badly do you want this job, Prudence? Are you prepared to beg for it?
She felt nausea clutch at her stomach. Youre a monster! His eyes were cold and implacable.
This is payback! Firing you makes us quits, pireni! And, believe me, youve got off lightly. If there were still wolves in Hungary Id throw you to them. So if I were you Id walk out of here while you still can.
Prudence stared at him, her chest blazing with anger. What does that mean? Are you threatening me? she asked tightly.
Laszlo stared at her in silence, his eyes glittering with mockery. Threatening you? Of course not. But this discussion is over, so I think you should accept that and walk away. His jaw tightened. That shouldnt be a problem for you. After all, youve had lots of practice.
Anger swept through her. Oh, you think youre so clever, dont you? Well, lets get one thing clear. This discussion is not over.
He gazed at her impassively in silence. Finally he said, almost mildly, Then I suppose youd better start talking. Although Im not quite sure what difference you think it will make.
She stared at him in confusion. How did he do that? Only moments earlier his anger had been incandescent beneath his skin. Now he was prepared to grant her an audience. It was impossible to keep up with him. She gritted her teeth. But hadnt it always been this way between them, though? With her trying to chase the moods which ran like quicksilver through his veins?
She lifted her chin. But the blood was humming in her ears and she felt suddenly hot and stupid in the face of his cool composure. Was she just expected to somehow plead her case while he stood there like some hanging judge? Fixing her gaze on the wall behind him, she swallowed.
I admit I made mistakes back then. But youre punishing me for them now. How is that reasonable or fair? She paused and heat burnt her cheeks as he stared at her. For a moment his eyes fixed on her, as though her words had meant something to him, and then he shook his head slowly.
Fair? he echoed. Fair! Since when did you care about fairness? You dumped me because you didnt want to live in some tatty trailer. His eyes hardened. He, on the other hand, would have been content to sleep under the stars if she was with him. Shaking his head, he gave a humourless laugh. How was that fair to me?
Blood colouring her cheeks and collarbone, Prudence flinched, his bitterness driving the breath from her lungs. It was trueshe had said words to that effectbut she hadnt meant them, and whatever Laszlo might think, shed been so madly in love then that she would have lived in a ditch with him if hed asked.
All shed wanted was for him to repudiate her fears that hed lost interest in her or, worse, found someone else. Only hed been so dismissive. And bored. As if she was a nagging child. So it had been impossible to tell him the truth, for that would have meant revealing the depth of her love. Shed been too upset to do that, but just angry enough to want to provoke him and hurt him for not loving her. And so instead shed lashed out at him about the mess and the cold and the rain.
Prudence felt a trickle of misery run down her spine, but then, almost in the same moment, she shook her head, anger filling her. He was taking what shed said out of context andsurprise, surpriseignoring the part hed played.
Damn it! Unlike her, hed actually thought they were married! So why hadnt he done more to make it work between them? Did he think that relationships just sustained themselves? A lump formed in her throat. It certainly seemed that way. Shed gone to him for reassurance but hed left her no choice but to walk away, and it had been the hardest choice she had ever made. Even talking about it now made her heart swell with grief.
She lifted her chin. Were not going to go there, Laszlo. I am not going to talk about the past with you any more. Heart thumping, she took a breath. If you wanted to discuss our relationship you should have done so at the time. Frankly, now its irrelevant.
Her grip tightened on the chair as he stepped towards her. She felt her stomach swoop. Close up, his beauty was radiant and piercinglike a flaming arrow. His eyes were more golden, his skin smoother, the angles and shading of his cheekbones almost too perfect to be real.
I dont agree. I think its entirely relevant, given that you have brought our past back into my life.
Her mouth trembled. Thats not true, Laszlo. It was you who contacted Seymours.
She stared at him indignantly. If he hadnt wanted anything to do with her then why had he chosen to use her uncles firm? Only of course he didnt know it was Edmunds business. He didnt even know her uncles name, let alone what he did for a living. She shivered. Somehow now didnt seem like the best time to tell him.
Trying to ignore the pounding of her heart, she swallowed. I know how you hate being responsible for anything, but this is your mess.
And we both know how you hate mess, Prudence, he said smoothly.
I didnt care about the stupid trailer! she snapped, her temper rising. You just focused on that and wouldnt listen to me. It wasnt a criticism of you, or your precious Willerby Westmorland! Its just who I am. Her heart was thumping so hard it hurt. I dont like mess. I like things tidy and in order and thats why Im good at my job. Maybe if youd thought about that instead of sneering at me
Im not sneering, pireni. His face shifted, and meeting her angry gaze, he shrugged. And youre right. Maybe I did focus on that remark
He stopped and Prudence gaped at him speechlessly. Was that some kind of apology?
His eyes locked with hers and he sighed. But Im not going to change my mind, Prudence. You do understand that, dont you?
Yes, she said stiffly. But, given that its probably not just your decision to make, Ive decided it doesnt matter.
Laszlo frowned. You think theres a higher authority than me?
His eyes gleamed with sudden amusement and she felt her stomach flip over.
I hope sofor Mr de Zsadanys sake. Wondering again if Janos knew of her relationship with Laszlo, she felt a stab of pain. He was such a fraud. Why, if hed believed himself to be married, had he kept her existence secret?
Forcing herself to stay focused, she lifted her chin. Seymours is the best there is. Giving this job to another firm would only demonstrate how unqualified you are to have anything to do with the cataloguing. Hers eyes flashed challengingly at him. I mean, you dont even like art!
I appreciate beauty as much as the next man, Laszlo said softly.
Really? Prudence retorted. How do you work that out? The only time we went to see an exhibition together you spent your entire time in the caf.
Laszlo shrugged, his gaze sweeping slowly over her face until heat suffused her skin.
I can think of better things to do in a darkened room. You, of all people, should know that.
Prudence stared at him, trembling, dry-mouthed; her body suddenly a mass of hot, aching need. He let the silence lengthen, let the tension rise between them.
Or have you forgotten? he murmured finally. Perhaps I should jog your memory.
He watched her eyes widen and felt his groin tighten in response. But almost immediately he closed his mind to the tormenting tug of hunger.
But I digress. I dont need to like art, Prudence. I just want to support my grandfather and be there for him
Good luck with that! Prudence interrupted him crossly. Being there for someone generally requires an element of reliability or commitment, you know.
She glared at him as his gaze rested on her accusing face.
Meaning...? he asked slowly.
Meaning that you cant commit to the next five minutes. She stared at him incredulously. Dont you know yourself at all? Trying to pin you down to a time and place is like asking you to give up your soul or something.
A slight upturn of amusement tugged at the corner of his mouth. Ah, but at least you admit I have a soul.
And then suddenly he smiled, and it felt like the sun on her face. Despite her brain warning her not to, it was impossible not to smile backfor it was a glimpse of the Laszlo she had loved so very much. The Laszlo who, when he chose, had been able to make her laugh until she cried. But then her smile faded and she reminded herself that this Laszlo had cold-heartedly used his power to avenge himself, regardless of the consequences to her or her family.
She frowned. Life cant always be improvised. Sometimes you have to do boring things toolike learn lines and turn up on set on time.
Laszlo stared at her, a muscle working in his jaw. Youre comparing our relationship to a film?
Yes. I am. Prudence lifted her chin. A very unmemorable silent film, with poor casting and no plot.
She felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck as he smiled again and shook his head slowly.
I think your memory is playing tricks on you, pireni. There were some very memorable scenes in our film. Steamy too. Award-winning, even.
For the best short film? she snapped.
I was thinking more hair and make-up, he said, his eyes glittering.
She couldnt resist. Yours or mine?
Oh, definitely mine, he whipped back.
There was a silence, and then both of them started to laugh.
Prudence stopped and bit her lip. Cant we stop thisplease, Laszlo? She saw the indecision on his face and for a moment she faltered, and then she said quickly, Its brutal. And senseless. Were just going round and round in circles, and all this name-calling isnt going to change the fact that your grandfather wants his collection catalogued and Im here to do it. So let me do it, Laszlo: for him. For your grandfather.
Their eyes locked: hers bright and desperate, his, dark and unreadable. She swallowed hard, trying to find the words to change his mind.
If I lose this contract you wont just be punishing me, she said steadily. Other people will sufferpeople youve never met...people whove done you no harm.
She held her breath and watched his face, trying not to let her desperation show.
Please, Laszlo. Please dont make this personal. Just let me do my job and then Ill be out of your life for ever.
There was a tense, expectant silence as he studied her face. She wanted this job, badly, and he wondered idly just how far she would go to get it back. Immediately prickling heat surged through him and his groin grew painfully hard. He gritted his teeth, shocked by the intensity of his bodys response.
It would be easy to give her a chance. His chest tightened painfully. But why should he? After all, she had never given their marriage a chance, had she? His face hardened. Did she really think that she could somehow emotionally blackmail him into forgetting the past and the harm she had done to him? And what about his family? What about their pain?
He remembered the long days and nights spent watching his grandmothers health fade, the years spent living with the guilt of not having given her the great-grandchildren shed so longed for.
Prudence held her breath, watching a sort of angry bewilderment fill his eyes. The tightness around her heart eased a little: maybe all was not lost yet.
Cant we just forgive and forget? she said softly. He looked up and she hesitated. Please, Laszlo. I dont believe you really want to do this.
His face was stiff with tension. Slowly he shook his head. Then you clearly dont know me at all, Prudence. His mouth was set in a grim line. I want to let you stay. For my grandfathers sake, you understand. But I cant, he said simply. You see, Im half Kalderash Roma. We dont forget or forgive.
He paused and his voice, when he spoke again, was like the sound of a tomb sealing.
And youre still fired.
Prudence gazed at him in shock, her ragged breathing punctuating the silence in the room. A sense of impotent despair filled her and then something else: a hot and acrid frustration that burnt her stomach to ash.
I see. So its not your choice. Her hands curled into fists. How convenient for you to be able to blame your stubbornness and your spite on genetics.
His narrowed gaze held hers. Im not blaming genetics. Im blaming you.
But not yourself? She stared deep into his eyes. Nothing is ever your fault, is it, Laszlo? she asked flatly. You just saunter through life, expecting everyone around you to take responsibility for the nasty, boring bits. Smiling bitterly, she shook her head. I thought husbands and wives were supposed to give and take. Not in our marriage, though!
She tensed as he stepped towards her, his eyes suddenly gleaming like wet metal.
So now youre my wife? Interesting! As my charms clearly werent sufficient to persuade you of that fact seven years ago, I can only imagine that my grandfathers wealth is a more compelling reason for you to belatedly acknowledge our marriage.
Prudence glared at him. How dare you? I couldnt care less about your grandfathers wealth.
Just about my poverty? he said bleakly.
No! Biting back the hundred and one caustic responses she might have made, she shook her head. This isnt about wealth or poverty. This is about whats happening here and now. About how youre prepared to make everyone sufferme, Edmund and all the people who have worked so hard to make this happen. She ticked them off on her fingers. All because youre so blinkered by your stupid male pride that wont see sense!
And youre so blinkered you couldnt see beyond my trailer to the people living inside, snarled Laszlo.
Thats not true, Prudence said hotly. If I didnt see those people its because you would never introduce me to anyone.
His eyes narrowed. Youre such a hypocrite. You didnt want to be part of their lives any more than you really wanted to be part of mine.
For a moment she didnt reply. It was true. She hadnt wanted to be part of his life: shed wanted to be all of it. As hed been all of hers.
She shook her head. You dont know what I wanted. She shivered on the inside. He never had.
Feeling suddenly close to tears, she clenched her fists, struggling to find a way past her misery.
Fine! Have it your way! I was everything you say and worse, she said flatly. That doesnt mean Im not good at my job. But if you fire me youll never know. Until youre stuck with a second-rate replacement. She paused and shot him a challenging glance. If you can find one, that is.
Oh, that shouldnt be a problem. I had no trouble replacing you last time, he said softly. He watched the colour leave her face.
Im not surprised, she said hotly. Being the grandson of a billionaire and owning a castle must have a lot of pulling power with a certain kind of woman.
Watching his eyes narrow at her insult, she felt a flicker of triumph that blotted out the misery of his words.
Its nice to know that you took your wedding vows so seriously, she snapped. Having vilified me for not believing our marriage was real. Whos the hypocrite now? Breathing deeply, she let her eyes meet hissteel clashing with bronze. We could stand here trading insults all night, Laszlo, but this isnt about our personal qualities. Its not even about us. There are other people involved. Not just people, but family. Just remember how anxious your grandfather was to get started. Dont his feelings count?
She paused as, with a jolt, she suddenly realised that Mr de Zsadany was sort of her family too. Shock swept over her in waves. She stared at him, legs shaking, stomach plummeting. Suddenly she had to know for certain.
Is that why he chose Seymours? she blurted out. Because he thinks Im your wife?
Laszlo stared at her calmly. No. He doesnt know were married. No one does except my cousin and my great-uncle. I didnt see the point in upsetting everyone. His eyes hardened to stone. Especially not my grandfather. He wasnt strong enough to deal with it.
She felt dizzy, sick with wretchedness. Im sorry. I really am. It sounded so inadequate, even to her. But surely that makes this easier? My staying, I mean?
She took a step back from the white heat of his anger.
Nothing about you being here is easy.
I just meant
I know what you meant, he said bleakly. I know you better than you know yourself.
Her misery gave way to fury. Stop being so sanctimonious. Youve just spent the last half-hour telling me how contemptible I am for not believing in our marriage but you didnt even tell anyone about us.
She glowered at him.
You dont actually feel any more married than I do, do you, Laszlo? Whats upsetting you is the fact that I didnt think our marriage was real. Biting her lip, she pushed a strand of tousled blonde hair behind her ear. Thats what this is really about. Thats why youre punishing me. Not because you really care about our marriage. If you did then how could you treat me like this? I mean, do you honestly think that any normal man would fire his own wife?
She flinched as he raised his eyebrows, his lips curling in disbelief and contempt.
That would depend on the wife... he said slowly.
He studied her face, noting the small frown between her eyes, the delicate flush colouring her cheeks. She was so disingenuous! His feelings about their marriage might not be consistent or rational, but at least he hadnt deleted its very existence. He frowned. He should hate herand he did. And yet his body was responding to her just as it had done in the past.
She shook her head. You cant use our marriage against me, Laszlo. Married or not, you never really let me in.
She swallowed. Except when theyd made love. But there was more to a relationship than just lovemaking. Like trust and honesty and a willingness to share.
Sighing, she shook her head. I get that your life was complicated. I even sort of see why you didnt tell me everything at the start. But nothing changed after we married. You still kept me on the outside.
She met his gaze, her hurt and anger clearly visible in her eyes.
He felt his chest tighten painfully. You didnt give me a chance. You barely managed to stay around long enough to digest the bread and salt we shared at our wedding. Besides, youre just talking about details.
Details? Prudence stared at him incredulously. Details! Your grandfather is a billionaire and you call that a detail.
She shook her head. She felt light-headedalmost dizzy. How could he stand there with that contemptuous look on his face as if he was the one whod been tricked?
Youre unbelievable! You deceived me. And you kept on deceiving me. Her voice sounded jagged. Not just about some tiny, stupid detail but about who you were
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Louise Fuller
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 16.04.2024
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О книге: A woman scorned…Art expert Prudence Elliot is shocked when a new job brings her face-to-face with Laszlo de Zsadany – the irresistible enigma who blazed through her life like a comet, leaving only her shattered heart in his wake.A husband discovered…Even more shockingly, not only is Laszlo a secret millionaire, but their youthful pledging of love was legally binding – he’s her husband!A fiery reconciliation!Prudence is an addiction that Laszlo cannot fight – but surely the heat between them will quickly burn out? Except soon he’s forced to admit that his craving for his wife is blazing out of control… !Discover More At www.millsandboon.co.uk/louisefuller