by Nicola Marsh
Their individual schedules had been manic but they’d survived. And tonight he’d repay her trust in him.
True to her word, she’d stood by him. Her faith in his capabilities was rock-solid.
His company had swept the buyers off their feet during the spring, summer and autumn collections. He’d graced the cover of every glossy magazine worldwide, and his compa-ny’s designs had been seen on the red carpet from Cannes to Hollywood.
Accolades had ranged from ‘Ahead of his time’ to ‘Pure design genius’. ‘Bold.’ ‘Innovative.’ ‘Hip.’
Supermodels clamoured to wear his clothes. Actresses proudly strutted to awards ceremonies in his contemporary designs.
The same magazines that had so harshly labelled him over a decade earlier now ran features on his clothes.
The entire world now knew who Patrick Fourde was—an entity in his own right.
He’d made it. Achieved his goal.
Now for the next challenge.
‘Where are we?’ Sapphire snuggled into his side, content to stare at him more than their surroundings.
‘Home.’
One word that filled him with pride and warmth.
He’d never really had a home—not a place where he felt he belonged.
That would all change with this incredible woman, starting now.
A cute little frown creased her brow. ‘This is your new place?’
‘Our new place,’ he said, keeping a firm hold on her with one arm while sliding a box out of his other pocket. ‘This comes with it.’
Her mouth made a cute little O of surprise as she stared at the box.
‘A wise woman once told me at my first solo fashion show in Paris that accessories make anything special,’ he said, flipping open the box with great deliberation.
His choice in engagement ring, secretly designed by his future sister-in-law, was vindicated by Sapphire’s sharp intake of breath.
‘So a house like this needs a good proposal.’
And there, in front of an eighteenth-century apartment just off the Rue du Monde, he knelt in front of the woman he adored.
‘Will you marry me, Sapphire Seaborn? Live in our home? Accessorise our marriage with a bunch of kids?’
‘Kids aren’t accessories,’ she said in mock outrage while her eyes glistened with tears. ‘I can see I’ll have to accept your proposal and set you straight.’
‘Is that a—?’
‘Of course it’s a yes,’ she said, dragging him to his feet and flinging herself into his arms. ‘Yes, yes, yes!’
They kissed as if there was no tomorrow—wild and passionate and unhinged.
When they eventually disengaged he slid the diamond-encrusted sapphire onto her ring finger. ‘You’re the love of my life.’
‘And I have the ring to prove it,’ she said with a jubilant yell, holding her hand at arm’s length to admire it. ‘Best. Ac-cessory. Ever.’
‘Considering my future wife owns a jewellery store, there’ll be plenty more where that came from,’ he said, sliding his arms around her waist. ‘Complimentary, of course.’
‘Sure—as long as my future husband keeps me in a lifetime of exclusive couture,’ she said, straight-faced.
‘We make a great team, sweetheart.’
She kissed him in absolute agreement.
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.
First published in Great Britain 2013
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited.
Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Nicola Marsh 2013
eISBN: 978-1-472-00201-3
Table of Contents
Excerpt
About the Author
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Copyright
