by Donna Alward
Three sets of eyes looked from Bella to Stephen.
“Are you going to tell them or shall I?” Will asked.
“Tell us what?” Aurora’s voice was soft but imperious, a tone they’d all learned to take very seriously.
Stephen’s dark gaze hardened as he stared at Will.
“Fine,” Will said. “Stephen knew Gabi’s company was struggling and that her father had just heard he had cancer. He made her a deal that Aurora would invest and save the company, in exchange for a sham marriage.” He looked at his mother and his gaze softened. “For Stephen’s part, he was worried about you. You have grieved so hard. He thought, rather foolishly, that a wife and perhaps a baby would help with your grief.”
Aurora rarely looked shocked but she did now. “Stephen. If that was the case, why didn’t you marry Bridget?”
Stephen’s voice was as cold as chipped ice. “Because she was a money-grubbing liar who wanted Aurora, Inc., money and a title to show off.”
“Bridget was the one who broke Stephen’s heart, not Gabi,” Will said. “And I was sent to clean up the mess after the wedding. Only Gabi and I...we fell in love.”
Stephen made a scoffing noise that had every person in the room looking at him.
Bella spoke softly. “Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean everyone else deserves to be.”
Will swallowed against a lump in his throat. “I know you’re thinking Gabi should trust me, but there are reasons she doesn’t that have nothing to do with me. Those are her secrets and she entrusted them to me, which she is probably regretting at this moment. Stephen, I told you in Italy that family is first, and that I will always owe you a debt because of what you did for me years ago. But this...what you did last night did not put family first. You put your hurt feelings and pride first. I’m ashamed of you, Stephen. And it kills me to say that. You’re my big brother and I love you.”
“I got you out of that flat in London so you could make something of yourself.”
Will stood taller. “And I did. And I’m sorry if you don’t like who I’ve become, or if it threatens you in some way. But I’m never going back to being that person. I will always owe you a debt but not on these terms, Stephen. Not when you’re so very wrong.”
His insides quivered as he faced down his brother, but it was time. Time he stepped into his own power and agency.
“You have every right to be angry, Will.” This from Aurora.
“You all should know that after Stephen spoke to Gabi last night, I made the error of offering to help Baresi out of my own wealth. She turned me down flat. She’s not in this for money.”
Charlotte got up and went to Will, and hugged him. “I was so awful to you two in Paris.”
“We expected it. Falling for each other made everything so complicated and messy.”
Christophe finally chipped in. “What are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know.” He finally sat down and wilted a bit, now that the truth was out and the family knew it all. “I’ve never...damn. I’ve never felt like this.”
Stephen walked out of the room.
Aurora sighed and looked at Will. “I’ll talk to him later. He’s hurting more than I realized. It doesn’t excuse his behavior. I had no idea, William.” She looked over the rest of the children. “I miss your papa every day, but please, do not make any more decisions to protect me or somehow coddle me. I’m fine.”
She got up and went to sit beside Will. “I confess I have my doubts. The whole situation is unorthodox. But I am the last person to judge. If you love her, that’s good enough for me.”
“Merci, Maman.” He fought the urge to lean in to her shoulder like he would have as a child.
“You really love her?” This from Charlotte.
“Yes. And she loves me, except she doesn’t trust herself.”
“Then leave this to Bella and me. What this needs is a grand gesture. And if there’s anything this family is good at, it’s grandeur.”
“I’m not sure I want to trust my future happiness to my sisters.”
Bella laughed. “Don’t worry. We’re going to do the dirty work, but you’re going to be in it the entire way. You just have to follow our instructions to the letter.”
One week later
Gabi stepped into her office and put down her briefcase, ready to start her day. While her heart was bruised and aching, she was feeling ever so much better about Baresi. When she’d returned to the villa, she’d told all to her father. She hadn’t wanted to burden him before, but something Will had said once kept coming back to her. About how being involved might be exactly what her father needed. He’d been right. Massimo had been fretting while she’d been trying to protect him. Now they consulted on everything, with her in the office to execute, and she was discovering they made very good partners.
There was a knock on the office door and she went to answer it. She had no meetings this morning, so she wasn’t sure who to expect. Opening it to find Charlotte and Bella in front of her was a shock.
“Please hear us out,” Charlotte said, stepping just inside the door. “I owe you the biggest apology. Bella and I are here to help.”
Curiosity won out, particularly if the antagonistic Charlotte was apologizing.
“I’m not sure there’s anything to help,” she replied, but she gestured to the two guest chairs in her office. She went to hers behind the desk, needing its protection and illusion of power.
“Stephen was wrong. We all know he spoke to you the night of the party and made you doubt Will. And that Will unwittingly played into the problem by offering to help with Baresi. We’re here to assure you that Aurora isn’t going to give you one penny.” Charlotte grinned. “You’re a strong, smart woman and can handle this on your own. What we need help with is handling Will.”
Bella jumped in. “He’s moping around like someone kicked his dog. You broke his heart, Gabi. He keeps saying he understands why you don’t trust him and even Maman has had a go at Stephen for meddling and being a git.”
Gabi didn’t know what to say. “I don’t think it’s that simple,” she replied.
Bella’s dark eyes were sympathetic. “Will says you have a good reason for not trusting people, but I want you to think back over your relationship. Other than the night of the party, had he ever given you any reason to doubt?”
Gabi knew he hadn’t. It was part of what scared her so much.
“I know I was awful to you in Paris, but I didn’t know all that about your engagement to Stephen.”
“I should never have agreed to it. In the end, I couldn’t go through with it. I couldn’t marry someone I didn’t love, not even to help my family. I thought that was the only way, you know? But now...” She looked around the office. “I have a bit more confidence in my business abilities. My personal life? Not so much.”
“Trust is a hard thing to fix,” Bella agreed softly. “But if any Baresi involvement is off the table, and Will still wants to be with you...would you be willing to work it out?”
She wanted to so badly she ached with it. In the days since, she’d had a chance to think about it, away from the drama of the Pemberton family. The only person who ever seemed to have an agenda was Stephen, and she was disappointed in him. But even though he’d had an agenda, he’d never lied to her. Not until that night. The arrangement had been clear and she’d agreed to it. His behavior the night of the party had been awful, but Will...she was starting to think her trust hadn’t been misplaced. Indeed, she’d rather felt she’d ruined everything since he hadn’t even called since she left Chatsworth. After all, she’d leveled him with an accusation and then...run. Again.
Charlotte leaned forward. “Gabi, we have a plan. If you’re willing, we’re pretty sure we know how you can get Will back...if you want him. You just need your passport, a plane ticket and a killer dress.” She handed over
an ivory envelope. “You’re invited to the Aurora party at the Four Seasons.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
WILL HAD BEEN a bundle of nerves all day. As head of the fashion division, Paris Fashion Week was a big deal, particularly to Aurora’s bottom line. Charlotte had shouldered much of the work on the ground for the first time, and she’d done a fantastic job. The show had been a success and the applause spectacular as Aurora had taken the stage beside a team of designers at the end. As Will watched, happy to be in the background, he realized what a dynamic, strong, amazing woman his mother was.
No wonder his father had fallen for her. She’d taken an idea and made it into an empire. Sure, being married to the Earl of Chatsworth had helped. But he knew that it came down to her vision and strength.
It reminded him of someone else he knew.
Charlotte and Bella had gone to visit Gabi and put their plan in motion, this grand gesture that they seemed to think would fix everything. His palms started to sweat as fear made its way through the elation of the day. What if she didn’t come? What if she said no?
He’d missed her with a keenness that robbed him of breath. If she said no now, if it was over for good, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to breathe again.
After the show, William slid inside the limousine with Aurora, who was glowing, and they departed for the Aurora, Inc., party at the Four Seasons in the massive, ornate ballroom.
“You look beautiful, Maman.” She’d chosen an elegant gown in white that draped and shimmered beautifully against her creamy skin. He recognized the Pemberton diamonds at her throat and felt a tightness at his own as he thought of his father. He reached over and took her hand, then kissed the top of it. “I’m so proud of you. Papa would be, too.”
“Likewise, darling. I know you doubted I’d put you in the right spot, but look at what we achieved tonight.”
“I wish Papa was here to see it.”
“Me, too, darling. Me, too. But let’s have fun tonight, yes?”
His mother didn’t know what he had planned, or she wouldn’t have suggested something so lighthearted. His future lay in the balance.
They got out of the limo at the hotel and were immediately faced with camera flashes. A few waves and smiles and they were inside, moving toward the party. There was just one thing missing for Will...or rather one person. Having Gabi here tonight would make it complete.
They were in the foyer before the ballroom, surrounded by icons and the highest fashion in the world, when a simple black dress caught his eye.
And there she was, standing between Charlotte and Bella, wearing Charlotte’s black gown—the one Gabi had seen in Milan. It suited her perfectly. The jersey draped over the curve of her hips and fell to the floor in soft folds, and the halter neckline highlighted the column of her throat and her strong, beautiful shoulders. Her hair was up and...he swallowed thickly. Bella had loaned her jewelry. He recognized the diamond-and-pearl teardrop earrings that their father had given her on her eighteenth birthday.
She’d come.
Charlotte gave Gabi a gentle nudge, and she looked startled for a moment, but then began walking across the foyer toward him, her dark eyes wide and unsure, her lip...oh, she was biting her lip. Did she not realize he would welcome her with open arms?
He glanced to his left... Aurora had melted away into the background. Out of his way.
And then Gabi was there, before him, so incredibly beautiful he wasn’t sure he knew how to breathe.
“You’re here,” he said, feeling at once stupid and awestruck. “You never said for sure if you were coming.”
She laughed. “I wasn’t sure. But then I decided that I had to stop running away. Though I might have had some help with that.” She looked over her shoulder at his sisters, who grinned ridiculously and gave them a thumbs-up. She laughed, and he thought he’d never heard such a gorgeous sound in his life.
“My sisters can be persuasive.”
She met his gaze. “I didn’t want to listen. I was afraid to listen, Will. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized I’d panicked because of my insecurities, and not because of you.”
“I would never... Oh, Gabi. I would never seduce you for business. It’s just not in me. Every feeling, every kiss, every touch...it was all you. None of it was part of my plan. I only offered what I did to help. Not because of what Stephen said. He lied to you. He said so in front of the entire family.”
“In front of everyone?”
“When you left, I called a family meeting.”
Her gaze widened. “Your sisters never told me that.”
“I should have done it earlier. I should have spoken up the night before when everyone was being so awful. I didn’t stand up for you, Gabi, so I can hardly blame you for doubting me.”
She touched his hand and her fingers shook against his. “I was so afraid. That evening was so hard. And then Stephen... It hit on a weakness and I was already vulnerable. I should have been stronger for you, like you were for me. I’m so sorry, Will. Sorry I ran instead of staying for us to work it out like I said I would.”
“If Stephen hadn’t—”
“No,” she interrupted. “That’s my fault, not your brother’s. The truth is, I’m stronger than I realized and a good deal of that is due to you. I hope you...” She cleared her throat. “I hope you forgive me.”
“Of course I forgive you. I love you.”
“Oh, Will, I love you, too. I’m so sorry I was such a fool.”
Will no longer cared about scandals or paparazzi or public displays of affection. Right now, the only thing that mattered was the woman in front of him, and he cupped his hands around her face and kissed her, the ache in his chest replaced by a sweetness he’d never known.
She was here. She still loved him. Charlotte and Bella had done their part, and now it was his turn. He looked over his shoulder at his mother, standing ten feet behind him and smiling. Another look around showed Christophe and Lizzy next to Bella and Charlotte. The only one missing was Stephen, and for that Will found he was a bit sad.
But the time was right. He felt it in his heart.
“Gabi?”
“What is it?”
He took her hand in his. “I love you, you know that, right?”
She nodded, her eyes warm and affectionate.
“And we’ve already shown we can make it through high-pressure situations.”
She laughed then. “Oh, one or two. Never mind the pictures that will probably be online in about five seconds because you kissed me in a public ballroom.”
He reached inside his pocket and took out a box. It was white satin with black trim around it, the classic Aurora packaging. It had taken him three hours to decide on the one he wanted, and his heart beat frantically in his chest at what he was about to do. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Because I don’t think I can do this alone anymore.”
He opened the box and inside was nestled a stunning oval engagement ring with channel-set diamonds on either side.
For three whole, torturous seconds, Gabi stood with her hand over her mouth in stunned surprise.
And then her arms were around his neck as she hugged him close. “Oh,” she cried softly. “Oh, William. I didn’t expect this.”
“Is that a yes?” His arms tightened around her.
“Yes.” She let him go and moved back enough that she could look up at him. Her eyes were wet with tears but her lips were smiling. “Yes. But please, can we not get married in the Chatsworth chapel?”
He laughed. “Deal.” And then he took the ring out of the box and slid it over her finger as a cheer went up from the crowd.
“This is so not going to be discreet,” she lamented.
“This time, I don’t give a damn.” He kissed her hand. “I love you and I don’t care who knows it.”
The
y spent a few minutes accepting congratulations from the family, and others who seemed more curious than anything. Finally Gabi pulled on his sleeve. “I should call Mama and Papa and tell them the news,” she said. “They both thought I was crazy for leaving you, anyway.”
“Of course.”
She was just about to head to a quieter spot when he tugged on her fingers. “Gabi? We won’t set a date until we’re sure your father can walk you down the aisle. In Italy. The wedding will be in your home.” Then he thought of the villa, and how they’d truly fallen in love in Italy, and he added, “In our home.”
And when she walked away to share the good news, he knew all the missing pieces suddenly fit together.
* * *
Look out for the next story in the Heirs to an Empire trilogy
Coming soon!
And if you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Donna Alward
The Billionaire’s Island Bride
Beauty and the Brooding Billionaire
Christmas Baby for the Billionaire
Summer Escape with the Tycoon
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Christmas Encounter with a Prince by Katrina Cudmore.
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Christmas Encounter with a Prince
by Katrina Cudmore
CHAPTER ONE
ALICE O’CONNOR SHOT out of her chair as another thud sounded downstairs. Could it be burglars? Had some opportunist, on seeing the entire staff leave for their Christmas holidays earlier, decided now was the time to break into the London residence of the Monrosian Royal family?
