The Mask of Deception

, "what are you doing in the office? My mother told you t

ce. You instructed me this morning to do that," she stam

way to fleeting confusion. "Oh, damn," she muttered,

ritation radiating off h

g Margaret off with a wave of her hand. Her tone left no room

ened momentarily before she released her. "Stay out of trouble," she snapped, turning on her heel and st

ne giving way to Jonathan Lancaster's private estate. The towering walls and sprawling gardens seemed designed to

ted against the warm light streaming in from the bay window.

ithout turning around, h

he finally turned to face her. He approached her with

nt smile tugging at his

nveloped hers. His intensity unsettled her, yet she refused to let i

ning for her to sit. His gaze never left hers, and Margaret

eather chair, doing her best t

are of your company's financial troubles, Margaret. Donovan E

ntained her composure. "What kin

ice steady and his expression unreadable.

ed with unease. "And wha

led into a calculat

avy and foreboding. Margaret

simple business deal. "A marriage of convenience. It will secure you

roposition-a merger, an investment, even a buyout. B

. "And what exactly do you

ession unyielding. "My reasons are my own. The

ressing down on her. Her throat was dry

it," she managed to s

as imposing as the estate itself. "Take all the time you need," he said

the door, his hand brushing lightly against her back. The

ne carrying both promise and warning. "

nd, a woman's voice cu

an, who

ark hair and piercing eyes. Her tone was light

round the woman's waist. A teasing smile curved his

she realized her hands were trembling. Jonathan Lancaster was not a man to be taken lightly, and the t

the Pent

of the decision loomed over her. Marriage to a man she barely knew? It was unthinkable. Yet the fate o

ling thoughts. "Come in!" she snapp

er plain uniform. Her gaze was downcast a

lled, her voice cutt

snapping up to meet Marga

he resemblance struck her anew. The same auburn hair, the

aret's mind-dangerous, reckle

e," Margaret said slowly, her voi

ease flickering across

er gaze locked onto Emily's. "

d panic flashing in her eye

whisper. "You're going to marry Jo

an't. You're asking me to im

r tone cold. "It's the only

ounding. "Please, Miss Donovan

hard as stone. "You'll do as you're tol

ing. She felt trapped, the walls of