She glanced at Lucas . His lips thinned into a mutinous line. Lips that had touched hers and sent such a jolt through her still hadn’t recovered. ‘Don’t you think that.’ She murmured.

The anger in Lucas' eyes when he turned to her made her heart beat harder. This was a whole history of anger that existed between the two men.

It’s only a week,’ she whispered. ‘It doesn’t seem unreasonable. And Alice Will enjoy helping me with the preparations.

At the reminder of what they were really doing here, some of the tension bled from his shoulders. Resignation replaced the anger in his eyes. ‘Fine we will delay the wedding by one week but not a day more.’

She let out a pent up breath. So far so good.

‘My second condition is that your bride to be remains here to oversee the preparations.’

She swallowed. She had t foreseen that.

‘That’s out of the question! Will shot on his feet.‘I want Claire in London with me. Besides, she had her own life to lead and her own commitments to take care of, and doesn’t have the time to be subjected to your whims.

‘She doesn’t have the time to plan her own wedding?’

A million pounds…

She can organise it from London.’… in exchange for a month oh her life.

‘I believe Ms Williams can speak on her own behalf.’ Claire,’ she said automatically. ‘Please call me Claire.’ She turned to Lucas. I’d like to be personally involved in the preparation for the wedding, Lucas I know I could do it from London, but I will be able to troubleshoot more effectively on the spot m, make any split second decision that are needed.’ And she didn’t want Lord Arthur springing up any nasty surprises on that day.’But…’ she glanced at the older man i need to tell my father the news in person, not over the phone.’

He made a few faces but eventually nodded. ‘Yes, I can see how that is necessary.’

‘He’s out of the country at the moment. He returns on Friday, and we were planning on telling him then.’

She thought hard about the commitment she had for the next month. ‘I could fly to London on Friday and stay overnight…We can tell my father that evening. I will have a chance to then pack for a Longer stay here and take care of few bits and bobs at the end too. I’m also organising a charity ball my father is hosting two Saturdays from tomorrow. All the preparations are complete, except for a few finishing touches, which I can take care of from here, but i will need to return to London to host it. The older man looked as if he was going to argue. The sofa cushion rocked as Lucas lowered himself back down beside her. ‘You don’t have to do this.’

Oh, she had the distinct feeling that she did. ‘I want to. She glanced at Lord Arthur again. ‘It’s best I can manage, I’m afraid.’

He huffed out a breath.

‘Also, she added. ‘I have a couple of conditions of my own.’ A sly thought made her added . ‘Though I expect Lucas can take care of those for me.’

The older man stiffened. ‘I’m the master of this establishment,’ he thundered, ‘I’m fully able to provide my guest with whatever amenities are needed.’

Guest or hostage? But she left that unsaid.

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