by Maggie Cox
When Seth steered the smart sedan he’d rented at the airport down the street where she lived and parked it outside her door, for a long moment they both fell silent.
Twisting the beautiful diamond-encrusted wedding ring round her finger, Imogen formed her lips into a shaky smile. ‘Want to come in for a coffee before you head back to the hotel?’ she asked.
‘No, angel. I want you to pack the bare essentials and come with me. And before we return to the hotel together I’m going to take you to see a house.’
‘You mean you’ve found somewhere already?’
‘Wait and see,’ he told her.
Now Imogen’s nerves escalated for another reason. Whilst access to the internet had allowed Seth to scan suitable properties even while they were away, and he had informed contacts who could also help, he had barely left her side long enough to investigate.
There was only one vacant house she knew of in the area that could possibly meet his requirements, and he already owned it. It was the magnificent Gothic manor where she had first met him, and it had once been the home of his tragic ex-girlfriend...
Her suspicions proved to be right. When Seth directed the car onto the manor’s stately gravelled drive she didn’t comment right away. In the dappled afternoon sunlight the architecture of the building was indisputably grand. Its pointed arched roofs reached high into the sky, as if to denote that it was both lofty and important. Her first summation of the building hadn’t changed—it was intimidating in more ways than one.
‘Why have we come here, Seth? You told me when we first met that you weren’t even sure that you’d move in to the house.’
He rubbed at his brow thoughtfully. ‘I wasn’t. But I’ve been seriously thinking about it while we were away. It’s not as intimidating as it seems. Most of the rooms are spacious, light and airy, and the interior can be transformed into any style we want. The acreage is vast. It would be perfect to entertain business guests from abroad, and for garden parties in the summer.’ For a moment he stopped talking to contemplate her. ‘And, when we have them, it would also be a perfect place for our children to grow up.’
Imogen’s heart thundered inside her chest. They hadn’t taken precautions when they’d made love, and they’d been intimate many times since the wedding, so she shouldn’t be surprised that the subject had come up. If Seth was all for the idea, then nothing would please her more than to have his children—but to raise them in this house...? She owned to feeling uneasy about that.
‘I would love us to have a family, Seth, I really would. But I’m not sure I could be happy living here.’
His dark brows drew together in surprise. ‘Why not? You haven’t even had a proper look round yet.’
Twisting her hands together in her lap, she knew her glance couldn’t hide her misgivings. ‘There are too many ghosts here.’
‘You’re letting your imagination run away with you.’
‘No, I’m not.’ Imogen sucked in a steadying breath. ‘I’m not talking about the traditional kind of ghosts that haunt old buildings and show up in horror stories. I’m talking about the psychological ghosts of Louisa and her family. You’re already haunted by them, and now you want us to start our new life together in what was once their home.’
A flash of frustration crossed Seth’s vivid blue eyes. ‘I’m not haunted by them...not anymore. I’ve laid all my ghosts from the past to rest. I’m simply looking at the house as an asset, Imogen, that’s all. We need somewhere to live and we’ve got this place readymade. I’d be a fool to turn my back on it and sell it to somebody else, and I haven’t made a success of my business by not capitalising on my advantages.’
‘And it wouldn’t remind you of Louisa to live here?’
‘I hardly even set foot in the place when she was here. Her father didn’t think me good enough.’
‘But you’ve got some painful memories of your dealings here, haven’t you? Can you really forget about them so easily? Do you think a fresh coat of paint and some smart new furniture is enough to permanently dim the memories?’
Seth stared back into the deep brown eyes he so loved and scowled. He knew she had a point. Perhaps it wouldn’t be as easy as he’d thought to banish his past associations with the house if they lived there. But what was wrong with at least giving it a try? Practicalities aside, they needed somewhere to move into sooner rather than later—because as comfortable as it was, the luxurious hotel he was staying in wasn’t a home. And right now Seth yearned to have a home of his own with his wife...
‘I’m not saying it has to be for good. But we can at least move in temporarily until we find somewhere else. Please think about it, Imogen.’
‘Even a temporary move might prove to be too painful. And I don’t mean just for you, Seth, but for me, too.’
‘I don’t understand...’
‘No? Then, why don’t you take some time to think it over? In the meantime I’ll go back to my flat and check that I haven’t forgotten anything. You don’t have to give me a lift. It’s a lovely day and the walk will do me good.’ Opening the passenger door, she got out of the car.
Stunned and aggrieved, Seth could hardly believe his eyes. It honestly disturbed him that he didn’t understand her feelings. What did she mean by saying it would be too painful for her to move into the manor? She hadn’t even known Louisa.
He sat in the car for a long time after she’d left. Then he got out and walked across to the house. Letting himself in, he stepped inside the cavernous hall. The place seemed bright and airy, with the sun streaming through the windows, but he wasn’t completely reassured.
The powerful memory of James Siddons not accepting him, making him feel worthless on that fateful day when he’d come to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, hit him like a tidal wave. He was genuinely shocked that the memory was still so vivid. But it was hard to forget being put down when he was so young. It would always linger somewhere in his psyche and catch him unawares should he ever feel remotely vulnerable.
Yet he knew that if he didn’t take steps to try to change that his past would always haunt him. With Imogen by his side, he was certain he could create new and happier memories, and would soon forget his past sorrows. It was like being given the most priceless gift. He realised that his attention was now firmly on the present, and on his hopes for making the best life imaginable with his beautiful new wife. It would be Seth’s lifelong mission to make Imogen happy...as happy and thrilled as he was that she was the woman he loved. The only woman he would ever love from now on...
He took one last look round and then firmly closed the door. Even before he reached the car it came to him just why Imogen hadn’t taken to the idea of living at the manor. Whilst he still hoped to win her round about that, he could hardly wait to get back to her flat and share his realisation with her...
* * *
Before Imogen unpacked she decided to take a quick shower. Beneath the hot, invigorating spray, she mulled over the events of the day, feeling tense at the idea that Seth still didn’t know why she should be so unsure about his suggestion to live at the manor.
After all, it was the kind of house that most ordinary people could only fantasise about living in. To his mind, it probably didn’t make sense that she wouldn’t want to live there. No matter what changes had come about he was still pragmatic—a man who utilised his advantages—and he had told her more than once that his practice was not to involve his emotions. That most definitely wasn’t the case as far as his relationship with her was concerned, but her reasons for not wanting to live at the impressive Gothic house were mostly emotional ones.
Sighing, she knew she shouldn’t worry so much about sharing her feelings with him. Didn’t he often tell her—not just tell her but show her—how much he loved and adored her? That being the case, they would be able to come to an amicable conclusion about the
manor, she was sure...
After finishing drying herself, she pulled on her bathrobe. She’d just turned on the hairdryer when someone banged on the door. It had to be Seth. Barefoot, and naked under her robe, she dashed into the hallway to see if she was right. The shadowy outline outside the door’s glass panels confirmed that she was.
‘You weren’t as long as I thought you’d be,’ she declared with a smile. No matter what her feelings about the house, she knew she couldn’t remain at odds with him about it for long. She just loved the man too much.
Stepping inside, Seth immediately pulled her into his arms. ‘Are you naked under this robe?’ he challenged huskily.
‘I am. I’ve just had a shower.’
‘Have you, indeed? Then you have to pay the price.’
‘What price is that, exactly?’ Endeavouring to look demure, Imogen pouted.
‘Come into the bedroom and you’ll find out.’
‘Before we do that, will you tell me what you’ve decided to do about the manor?’
At the side of Seth’s chiselled jaw a muscle flinched, and suddenly he looked serious again. ‘We need to talk about that. Will you listen to what I’ve got to say?’
‘Of course.’
Imogen was on tenterhooks as they returned to the living room. Dropping down onto the couch, she fastened the belt of her robe a little tighter round her waist.
‘I think I’ve figured out why you aren’t enamoured about living there.’
‘Oh?’
As he lowered himself down beside her Seth’s gaze was candid. ‘You didn’t want either of us to be constantly reminded of Louisa and to have it impinge on our happiness. But in all honesty it wouldn’t. It turns out that it was the memory of her father that troubled me the most. He thought himself superior to anyone who wasn’t from the same class as him and, as I told you before, he could hardly wait to let me know that I wasn’t good enough. How could I be when I came from the “wrong” side of town? You might find it hard to believe, but even after all these years, and having made a success of my career, I’ve never forgotten the taunts he threw at me. That’s why I bought the house. I wanted to get back at him and prove that I wasn’t just good enough...I was better.’
‘And has it helped you to do that?’
‘When I went back there today, and went inside, I confess the memory of him was sharper than I’d realised, and at first it didn’t help. But thinking things over and taking the emotion out of it—’ his lips shaped an ironic smile ‘—I also realised that that could change. Not by my walking away from the painful memories associated with the house, but by changing them into better ones. I can’t do that on my own, Imogen, but with you by my side I feel like anything is possible.’
She felt so many emotions all at once that she scarcely knew how to voice them. But as soon as she was caught in the beam of Seth’s loving gaze she said simply, ‘Do you know just how much I love you?’
He lifted his arm to glance teasingly down at his Rolex. ‘I’m hoping that in a very short time you’ll leave me in no doubt and show me. But first I want to know if you’ll consider moving into the manor with me and making it our home.’
All her doubts vanishing, Imogen nodded. ‘I will,’ she said. Then she tenderly wound her arms round her husband. ‘And I want you to know that everything’s going to be wonderful. Let the bad memories of the past go, Seth. You have nothing left to prove to anyone. This is going to be a new life for both of us...a fresh start at something important that’s been denied us up until now. Let’s leave all the sad old memories behind and live in the present. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hope for a bright future, too. You mentioned children? Well, that features in my hopes for the future, too.’
Seth’s beautiful sculpted mouth curved in the most melting smile she’d ever seen.
‘Then, there’s no time like the present to start creating them—is there, Mrs Broden?’ he suggested.
And taking her by the hand, he lovingly led her into the bedroom...
EPILOGUE
IMOGEN STEPPED EXTRA carefully down the grand old staircase that had been faithfully restored to display its gracious beauty in all its splendour.
One of the best things about moving into the manor was the opportunity it had given her to indulge in her secret longing to practise interior design. As avant-garde as she could be sometimes, she’d always loved homemaking. And as much as she had genuinely loved her job at the legal practice, designing and choosing interiors for her new home beat it hands down...no question.
Everywhere she rested her eyes, both inside the house and in its extensive gardens, incandescent beauty and love were reflected back at her. Between them, she and Seth had created the most wonderful home. Long gone were the sad old memories that had clung there before.
They had renovated the house up to the rafters. Where before the interior had epitomised the faded grandeur of a bygone age, it now displayed a pleasing mix of modernity along with the more traditional. Restful colour merged with the vibrant furniture and fittings they’d chosen, and every now and then some beautifully classic antiques made themselves evident.
As she neared the end of the staircase Imogen reflected smilingly that these days Evergreen was truly a joy to come home to.
‘Stop right there,’ instructed the familiar deep bass voice of her husband.
Seth came into the hall from the drawing room, where he’d been looking through the latest designs Imogen had created. She’d left her drawings strewn over one of the larger mahogany tables when he’d firmly told her to go and lie down.
‘I thought I told you to take a rest?’ He frowned.
‘I’m too excited. How am I supposed to rest when my mind’s teeming with ideas for new designs and the baby’s due any day now?’
Dropping his hands to his hips, in the slim-fitting jeans he wore with a polo shirt, her husband lifted his eyebrows. ‘And that’s precisely why you should be resting—because the baby’s due, not because you’re thinking about new designs.’
Shaking his head, Seth approached the staircase and Imogen stood stock-still. Yes, she was eager to get back to her designing, but she never got tired of any excuse to gaze lovingly at her handsome husband. Having his baby was the most wonderful, fulfilling thing that had ever happened to her...next to his declaration that he loved her, of course.
‘Are you cross with me?’ she teased.
‘As if...’
Resting his hands against her waist, he lifted a hand to smooth back a straying chestnut curl from her forehead. It gave her a delightful whiff of his sexy cologne and her hormones went crazy...
‘You’re far too important for me to stay angry with you for long,’ he breathed. ‘But seriously, you need to be sensible, sweetheart. You’re carrying something very precious to me in there.’
His hands were suddenly on her rounded belly, and the heat from them added to the heat from the baby in her womb and made her heart suddenly race.
‘You’re very precious to me, too, Seth.’ She smiled and dropped a soft kiss on his lips. ‘And I promise I’ll go and rest if you agree to come with me.’
‘Decisions, decisions...’ he mocked gently. ‘What’s a guy to do when the woman in his life makes a command and he wants to stay in her good books?’
Dimpling, Imogen answered, ‘That’s easy. Just do as she says and do it smartly—especially when she’s pregnant!’
‘There’s no arguing with that, my love.’
Seemingly with no effort at all, Seth scooped her up in his arms and purposefully carried her up the stairs. And as he went the warmest glow of satisfaction and pleasure filled his heart—because now, after all the years he had felt alone, he truly knew himself to be the luckiest man in the world. At last he had found the love he had always longed for...
* *
* * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from BOUND TO THE TUSCAN BILLIONAIRE by Susan Stephens.
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Bound to the Tuscan Billionaire
by Susan Stephens
CHAPTER ONE
PLUNGING HER SPADE into the rich moist earth of Tuscany, Cass smiled as she reflected on her good luck in landing the job in Italy. She loved nothing more than being outdoors, using her body to the full. And where better than here, to an accompaniment of birdsong and the gurgle of a crystal-clear river. Her job was to help out at a grand estate over the planting season.
