“Oh. Okay then.” Kate's gaze skipped from his face to the window, then to his clothes sitting in the chair. “I can help you pack, if you'd like.”
She reminded him of a doe on the edge of the woods, ready to dart under cover at the slightest provocation. He supposed he couldn't blame her. Before he could answer, a hard trio of knocks interrupted the conversation.
Kate jerked in surprise, gasped, and clapped a hand over her heart. Her body tensed and she darted a look from the door to Chayton. “Oh god, have they found us already? Where should we go?”
“Shh.” Chayton pushed off, dropping his arms to his sides. When he reached her, he set a hand on her shoulder to soothe her. She really was on edge. “I ordered you some clothes. Like I said I would, remember? Just to get you through until we get back to the states.”
“How can you be sure it's them and not the others?” she asked, staring up at his eyes.
He had the urge to cup the fine line of her jaw and cradle it in his palm. “I can't be positive, but I'll check before I open the door. All right?”
Chayton stepped away and went to the door, glancing through the speakeasy before swinging it open. A hotel employee stood there with several glossy pink boxes in his arms. Behind him sat a trolley with two garment bags hanging from the rack.
“Sir, your order from the boutique.”
“Thanks.” Chayton accepted the boxes and put them aside on a small table, then hooked his fingers through the hangers of the bags when the attendant passed them across next. Fishing money from his pocket, he tipped the employee and closed the door. He glanced at Kate to assess her mood. The intense fear was gone from her face, replaced by relief.
“That's all for me?” she asked.
“It's not as much as it looks like, probably. But it'll get you through the next two days while we travel back to the states. See if everything is all right. I can have something else brought up if not.” Chayton laid the garment bags neatly on the bed, then pulled his phone out while Kate came over to inspect everything.
“Thank you,” Kate said.
“Of course.” Chayton turned away and shot a text off to Mattias. “Did you decide where you want to do this? One of my homes, or at one of my acquaintance's?”
Kate paused her examination of the clothing. “Your home, I think. Montana, right?”
“That's one. We can do it there.” He smiled over his shoulder, then said, “We should be ready to depart for the airport in two to three hours.”
Kate exhaled and arched her brows as if to say, whew, this is a big step.
He said, “It's just marriage. An exchange of I Dos. Do you think you can get through without stuttering?”
“I...I...I don't know,” Kate said, suddenly stuttering—and grinning.
Caught completely off guard, Chayton laughed. Maybe this fake marriage thing wouldn't be that bad after all.
Chapter Six
Fifteen hours after departing Singapore on a private jet, Kate arrived at the place she would say vows she didn't mean to a man she didn't love. The Mediterranean style home nestled against a backdrop of forest and surrounded by rural flats of Montana had more than just size going for it. As the waning minutes of dusk started to give way to a darker gray, she studied the sprawling, blocky structure. Set off by encroaching shadows, lights cleverly situated in manicured hedges flickered on, illuminating three tall archways. Cathedral windows spanned the front, along with a high balcony that disappeared around the edge of the home. Two turrets provided a flair of whimsy. A four tiered fountain sat in front, where grass took over from the U-shaped drive. Pines had been brought in and placed strategically in landscaped areas, along with brilliant, deep pink roses shaped into short trees.
Kate stared out the window of the limousine, surprised at the stylistic choice. She wasn't sure what kind of home she thought Chayton would own, but this wasn't it.
Not unused to grandeur, she found the impressive home welcoming despite its size. A warm glow emanating beyond the window panes lured a person in, promising shelter, comfort and surcease from any storm.
Like Chayton. He exuded the same sense of security, at least once you got to know him. On the long trip across the ocean, he'd been an exemplary host, providing her with every amenity even though it wasn't his personal plane. He'd gotten her drinks himself, made deli sandwiches regardless of a stewardess there to do exactly that, and offered her the luxurious bedroom—the only one—on board the jet.
Chayton's acquaintances, Mattias and Leander, had also proven to be polite gentlemen and easy to get to know. Although she'd expected a flurry of questions, the men hadn't inquired after her personal life. They kept their conversation to more general topics, like galas, society gatherings and light political mentions. She'd slept after a while, content and secure that Anton couldn't reach her at thirty-thousand feet. Now they were here, pulling up before the heavy wooden doors, ready to take the ruse to the next level.
Chayton got her bags from the trunk himself and led her through the entry way, past a smiling butler, into a grand foyer done in Mediterranean themes. Patterned tile, elaborate wrought iron banisters and square pillars segregating sitting areas from dining areas and other rooms enhanced the overall effect. What glimpses she got of the furnishings was all rich leather and marble topped wood.
“The dresses you picked out on the flight over are already here. One of my assistants made the trip into the city so you wouldn't have to do it tomorrow,” Chayton said, leading her through the foyer toward the double staircase. He veered right, ascending with the same graceful gait.
Kate followed, palm running up the cool wrought iron banister. On the flight over, she'd perused dresses from a local shop that would suit the occasion via a borrowed laptop. The task had been harder than she thought, considering it probably didn't matter what the dress looked like, as long as it was white and screamed 'wedding'. “That's a big help, thank you.”
“Tomorrow we'll run through how we want to do this and once the photographer arrives, we'll take some pictures and say our 'vows'. I've got someone ready to send the photos to the right places where it'll be seen by the right people. If I had to guess, I'd say by tomorrow evening at the latest, Anton will know you're off the market for good.” Chayton led her into a private room off an upper hallway. Complete with its own master bath, the suite was a study in baby blues and light brown with cream accents. Mahogany dressers offset the lighter tones, as well as an impressive headboard sporting intricate leaf carvings around the scalloped edge.
Kate felt right at home in this room. It was large and airy with french doors leading onto a balcony. “Tomorrow evening? That's sooner than I expected. But the sooner he knows, the less harassment I'll suffer.”
Chayton set her bags on a tufted bench at the end of the bed. He glanced back. “Exactly. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask the staff or come find me. My room is down the opposite hallway, the only suite with double doors.”
Kate drew her attention from the room and centered it on Chayton. She smiled. “All right. Thanks again.”
“You're welcome. I have some calls to make, so I'll see you in the morning and we can get this show on the road, as they say.” He crossed the room and stood next to her, holding her gaze for a long minute.
Kate stared into his eyes, then inclined her head. “Sounds perfect. I'll see you in the morning.”
Chayton stepped on, letting himself into the hallway.
Kate watched until he was gone. It seemed impossible to her that tomorrow, she would marry that man. Pushing her hair away from her face, she turned back to her bags and walked over to start unpacking. She wanted to contact her friends and a few acquaintances to let them know what was going on. To update them after she'd all but disappeared off the face of the earth. The employees in charge of things should have the situation well under control. After all, they were paid exorbitant amounts of money to manage from the top down. They consulted her for bigger decisions but otherwise, oversa
w the day to day running of an empire.
Then she remembered that the phone lines attached to people she knew might be tapped. Briefly, she mourned the loss of having a friendly face around tomorrow, when she knew her nerves would hit a peak. Fake marriage or not, she had to don a fancy dress and say vows and—Kate paused. She straightened with a few shirts in her hands. Would she have to kiss him? Or did they skip that part? The thought of Chayton's mouth on hers sent a surprising jolt through her.
Stop being ridiculous. It was just a kiss. A peck, nothing more, nothing less. He might forgo the entire thing, and that was fine by her.
Taking the shirts into the closet, she snapped the light on. The closet was large, with several racks for clothes and shelves for shoes that could probably house more than a hundred pair. Five white garment bags hung from a rack to the left, clearly the wedding dresses Chayton had mentioned earlier.
Kate slipped the shirts onto hangers, then went to inspect the dresses. It was one thing to see a dress online; it was another to run her fingertips over the beading and satin. Two of the dresses were full gowns, with large, layered skirts and fitted bodices. The remaining three were more mermaid in style, snug and simple with beading or crystals sewn here or there. She found herself wondering which one Chayton would like, and which one she would feel most confident in tomorrow.
“It doesn't matter what the thinks,” she whispered to herself. “He won't care one way or another.”
Yet the question remained.
Tomorrow was soon enough to choose.
. . .
Chayton entered his downstairs office to find Mattias and Leander waiting for him. Closing the door, he crossed to a side table and poured them all a few fingers of scotch. He walked each glass to his brethren, then went back for his own. He knew what they were here for—and it wasn't to joke around about the 'wedding'.
“I just want to ask one last time,” Mattias said, after taking a drink. “Are you sure about this?”
Chayton tipped back a stinging swallow of scotch. He didn't usually drink. “Yes.”
“On the plane, you referred to this as a 'fake' wedding. But it's really not. No, you're not in love, and no, you're not planning to make it last, but it's as real as real gets. Officially, you'll be her husband and she'll be your wife, which makes you liable to abide by the state's laws and regulations about what you both get when you dissolve the marriage.” Mattias pressed his point home while he paced through the room.
“She's not interested in my money or my holdings. And I'm not interested in hers. This is just to extract her from a difficult situation without bloodshed or other heartache. If only all our missions could be resolved this easy.” Chayton watched Mattias pace and glanced at Leander, who wore a frown.
“I still think you should draw up some kind of agreement. Even if it's chicken scratch on a notepad. Anything you can present to a lawyer with her signature,” Leander said.
“We'll be all right. She's focused on fixing her predicament and I'm focused on helping her. I think I'd know if she'd rigged this whole thing.” Chayton took another drink. He hissed at the burn. The truth of it was—he knew Mattias and Leander were right. As a group, they had seen some incredible situations, and subterfuge to obtain funds from a member of the elite happened all the time. But he wasn't worried about Kate, didn't think she was out for money. It was nothing he could prove yet he felt certain he and Kate both had the same goal in mind.
“All right. I just had to make sure.” Mattias toasted Chayton with a wry grin, then finished his scotch. “I have to call home, so I'll leave you to it and see you tomorrow at the ceremony.”
“Thanks, Mattias. I appreciate you acting as witness.” Chayton also finished off his drink and set the tumbler aside.
“I'm happy to stand in,” Mattias said.
“You've got big brass balls, Chayton. Never thought I'd see the day,” Leander said with a low laugh. He set his unfinished drink aside, clapped Chayton on the shoulder, then departed the room.
Chuckling, Chayton watched Leander depart. “At least we're never unsure what he's thinking or feeling.”
Mattias laughed. “Indeed. I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well.”
Chayton traded handshakes with Mattias and watched the prince exit in Leander's wake. When they were gone, he poured himself another drink and upended the contents in two stinging swallows. Standing by the window which overlooked the expansive gardens, now doused in darkness, he thought about the upcoming wedding and the possible implications if he was wrong about Kate. Immediately his gut instinct kicked in to assure him that he wasn't, but he wouldn't be a member of the Royal Elite if he didn't ask himself the hard questions.
If she went after his holdings and his money, he had no way to stop her. Oh, his lawyers would put up the best fight possible, but he had no pre-nuptial agreement, nothing in writing to protect him from her taking a large percent of his wealth. On top of that was the concern that in acquiring his part of the family dynasty, she would then have a partial say in how things were run. Like he did. Which could throw a wrench into how the resorts performed.
His father would be furious.
Chayton turned from the window. Exhaling, he poured himself another round.
Chapter Seven
Kate stood before the full length mirror provided by the staff earlier that morning, shocked at the change in her appearance. She'd woken from a dead sleep, rumpled and puffy faced, far from 'bride' material. After a late lunch, she'd taken a shower, had a visit from a hairstylist and manicurist that Chayton had arranged, and had her make up done by an assistant who also helped her change into the dress. Now she looked perfectly suitable to walk down the aisle, a full fledged bride by anyone's standard. The dress she'd chosen—full tulle skirt, beaded bodice and modest, scalloped neckline—fit like it was made just for her. Nipped in at her small waist, the gown flared in beautiful layers to her feet, making her feel like the princess she wasn't.
She examined the tiny seed pearls the hair dresser had threaded through the styled updo of curls, amazed at the intricacy involved in making it look natural instead of awkward. A bouquet of stargazer lilies—her favorite—sat on the vanity, delivered a half hour ago compliments of Chayton. He'd picked her brain on the flight from Singapore about small details, and it appeared he hadn't forgotten anything.
“Miss Kate?”
Kate twisted at the waist and glanced at the open door. Lia, a plump redhead with a sparkling personality and vivacious smile, the girl who'd been provided as her personal assistant, gestured to the hallway beyond.
“It's time, Miss Kate. Everyone's waiting.”
“All right. Thank you, Lia. I'll be right down.”
Lia bobbed a nod, then disappeared into the hall.
Kate exhaled a deep breath. Earlier, just after breakfast, Chayton had taken her on a 'dry run' through the ceremony. In the large living area, furniture had been moved aside to provide her a small area to walk. Chayton had waited near a non-existent altar before an official who hadn't been present then. They talked through taking pictures and what poses might be most convincing released to the media. All in all, it had been non-stressful and fairly businesslike.
Then why was she suddenly so nervous? Of course she'd been in a casual outfit this morning and not an elaborate wedding dress, and no one but the two of them had been present. Now there would be an official, Mattias standing in as 'best man' and the photographer to bear witness to their great lie.
Stepping away from the mirror, she picked up the bouquet and departed the bedroom. Taking care to descend the grand staircase, she nearly tripped over her skirt when she saw Leander standing at the bottom in a tuxedo of black, white and silver. His hair, pulled neatly back into a low tail, made his clean shaven face that much easier to see.
“Leander—hello.” Kate finished her descent, wondering at Leander's presence.
“Hello. I'm offering my services as a stand in escort.” He smiled an easy going smile and croo
ked his elbow out.
Kate made it to the ground level and slipped her fingers under his offered arm. “Well...thank you.” This hadn't been in the original walk-through plans.
She started to turn toward the living area, but Leander coaxed her a different direction. He guided her past the large dining hall to a set of back doors in a wall of tall windows. This far into the afternoon, the sky was less blue and more pinkish-orange, indicting dusk wasn't far away. Pressing a door open, he led her out onto a stone porch covered by a high roof. Fine white netting adorned with tiny white lights had been wrapped around six columns spanning the length of the porch and more lights decorated the hedges on the other side of thick railing separating the sitting area from the start of the yard and gardens. Bright red rose petals littered the stone and the set of three stairs Leander led her down.
What was going on? Chayton hadn't mentioned any of this. She followed the pretty trail of rose petals past the hedges, through draped netting drawn back at the sides, and onto a stone path between sections of grass and fountains. Ahead, the petals ended at an arbor with live rose vines wrapped all around. More netting wove between, interspersed with little lights, creating a charming backdrop to the three men who stood just in front of the arbor itself.
A man in a suit holding a small book stood near Chayton and Mattias, both of whom looked resplendent in tuxedos of their own. Chayton, long hair neatly pulled back and secured, was every inch a handsome groom with his polished shoes and striking features. Somewhere, a fine wedding melody played, subtle and understated, to give her something to walk down the aisle to.
Recovering from her shock at Chayton's unexpected surprise, she smiled when he did, battling nerves as Leander led her up to the 'altar'.
“Who gives this woman?” the official asked.
“I do.” Leander winked and gently handed her to Chayton.
Chayton Page 6
