Bought For Marriage

But she did not question her stepmother; she saw no point in it. The deed was done. She was to become Theo’s wife and that was that. Personally she would have worn an oyster-coloured suit that was her favourite; now she was being forced to dress up as though it were a real wedding and she and Theo were very much in love.

Through the grapevine she’d heard that a whole host of guests had been invited. They were getting married in the hospital chapel so that Yannis could be present. No doubt, thought Dione bitterly, he wanted to make doubly sure that she wouldn’t run away at the last minute.

Which was extremely tempting.

It was all very emotional and when finally, at a few minutes past three, she became Theo’s wife, Dione burst into tears. Everyone cheered and clapped and no one knew, except for Phrosini and Yannis, that it was not a real wedding.

‘You’re very beautiful, Mrs Tsardikos,’ said Theo softly as they walked out of the chapel that had been decked with a myriad of flowers tied with soft satin ribbons and looked charming.

‘I don’t feel it,’ she said, so quietly that no one else heard. ‘I feel a fraud.’

‘I won’t allow you to say that,’ he announced curtly, taking her hand and squeezing it. ‘To the outside world you are the beautiful girl who has captured Theo Tsardikos’ heart. You will become quite famous, agapi mou.’

Dione groaned inwardly. She hadn’t realised how much of a stir Theo’s marriage would cause. She had hoped—she had prayed, in fact—that it would be a quiet affair, but the guests had poured into the hospital, overflowing into corridors, and congratulations had fallen thick and fast.

The reception was being held at Theo’s villa and they made their way now in streams of cars that ferried people across the city. The gardens and terraces were decked with flowers and garlands, a band played and exquisite food was served.

Theo made a speech saying what a lucky man he was and Dione blushed her way through it. Theo’s parents told her that she had made their son a very happy man, and his sister, Alexandra, couldn’t quite believe it either.

‘I never thought that Theo would marry again after what happened,’ she said to Dione. ‘In fact, he swore he wouldn’t. You must be someone very special to get him to change his mind.’

CHAPTER FOUR

THEO had been married before! Dione stared at Alexandra in disbelief.

‘He hasn’t told you, has he?’ enquired his sister. ‘I’m actually not too surprised because he never talks about it. Not ever. It’s as though he’s shut what happened completely out of his life.’

‘So—what did happen?’ questioned Dione. For some reason her heart was thumping wildly.

‘Maybe I ought to let Theo himself tell you,’ said Alexandra, looking suddenly uncomfortable.

She was almost as tall as Theo and willow-thin. Her dark hair was cut stylishly short and she looked striking in a pale green designer dress. But her appearance meant nothing; it was the information she had imparted. ‘You can’t stop now,’ protested Dione.

‘You two haven’t known each other very long, have you?’ enquired Theo’s sister cautiously.

Dione shook her head, unwilling to tell her exactly how quickly this marriage had been arranged. She had gone through the ceremony as if in a dream and if anyone had asked her about it she wouldn’t have been able to remember one thing. Not even declaring that she would be Theo’s wife. All she had been aware of was him standing tall and strong at her side, and once, when she had faltered, he had caught her hand and squeezed it encouragingly.

Alexandra grinned now. ‘Love at first sight? And they say it never happens. It’s easy to see that you two are made for each other. He’s been living in a world of his own since his divorce. It was never a happy marriage, kept together only for their son’s sake. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.’

Dione frowned and if possible her heartbeat quickened even more. ‘Theo has a son?’ she questioned breathlessly.

Alexandra shook her head. ‘He died when he was only eleven months old. I don’t think Theo’s ever got over it. And Katina walked out on him afterwards. A swift divorce followed.’

‘How awful for him,’ said Dione reverently, seeing Theo in a new light. ‘It’s no wonder he can’t bear to talk about it.’ And she made up her mind there and then that she would never let on that she knew. Not unless he brought the subject up himself. And that was extremely unlikely under their surreal circumstances.

The day seemed endless. Theo dutifully stood at her side as a constant stream of his friends and relatives came to congratulate them and no one would have guessed that theirs was a marriage in name only. The way he looked at her, the way he touched her elbow, the way he smiled, made it all look very real. And Dione, too, smiled until her face ached, pretending a happiness she was far from feeling.

‘You should have been an actor,’ said Theo softly at one point when she had just agreed that they were made for each other.

‘You too,’ she tossed back.

Phrosini dragged herself away from the hospital and came to add her further congratulations. ‘Your father is very grateful for what you’re doing,’ she reassured Dione.

As well he should be Dione almost said, but she did not want to upset her stepmother so she smiled instead.

‘Theo made a good choice with the dress.’ It was slender and elegant and made Dione look even taller than she was.

‘She is very beautiful,’ agreed Theo, looking for all the world as though he was the proud groom. ‘I think our marriage will be most agreeable. And definitely exciting.’

Dione wanted to ask him in what way, but not in front of Phrosini. All the arguments they would have perhaps? Definitely not exciting in a sexual sense. Of that she was very sure. And when Phrosini drifted away and for a few moments they were alone she asked him what he had meant.

‘How will our marriage be exciting?’

‘That’s easy,’ he said with a shrug of his wide shoulders. ‘There will never be a dull moment with you, my sweet Dione. Sparks will fly, I’m very much aware of that, as I am aware of the fact that all day long you’ve wished yourself anywhere but at my side. You’ve stood the test admirably. Maybe it’s time I added my congratulations?’ And with that he bowed his head to kiss her.

Dione stiffened and moved so that his lips brushed her cheek, and she would have pushed him away had he not gripped her arm in warning. ‘Careful, agapi mou, we’re being watched.’

So Dione fixed the smile back on her face, hiding gritted teeth and a dislike so intense that it burnt into her soul. Thank goodness, she thought, that she hadn’t agreed to his initial contract or she would have found herself in his bed tonight. In bed with a stranger! She shivered.

Immediately attentive, Theo asked, ‘Are you cold?’ And his liquid dark eyes were filled with concern.

Dione shook her head. ‘Someone walking over my grave.’ And, although it was a common expression, she felt that in this instance it was the truth. She might as well be dead as married to this obnoxious man.

No, that wasn’t true. He wasn’t obnoxious. He was virile and handsome and astonishingly wealthy, which made him attractive in most female eyes. It would have all been so much easier had she felt the same way. But being bought put a different perspective on things. She meant nothing more to Theo than a possession, nothing more than anything else he could have bought with his millions.

In fact she felt unclean and she would have liked nothing more than to run into the house and take a shower, and stay there for however long it took to make her feel whole and pure again. She had committed a sin in marrying Theo. She had made promises in the chapel that she knew she would not keep.

It was a relief when the day was over, when everyone had gone and she could relax her aching face.

‘Well, Mrs Tsardikos,’ said Theo with a satisfied smile, ‘I’ve made many purchases in my life, but none as satisfactory as this.’

Dione frowned and her heart stammered fearfully. ‘Satisfactory?’ She didn’t like the look on his face; it was as though he was contemplating pleasures to come. If he thought he could ignore their contract he was wrong, very wrong. She wouldn’t be averse to walking out of here right this very minute.

‘I mean that you’re the most beautiful wife any man could wish for. Congratulations have flown thick and fast.’

‘And exactly what do you mean by wife?’ asked Dione, appalled to hear how shrill her voice sounded.

‘Just that. A beautiful, gracious lady. Someone I shall be pleased to show off.’

‘And that’s all?’

‘What else could there be?’ A well-shaped brow lifted enquiringly. ‘Unless of course you’re having second thoughts and are willing to share my bed?’ Dark eyes captured hers so that it was difficult to look away.

Dione’s heart drummed even faster. ‘Not in a million years.’

Theo smiled in a way that told her he was confident that one day she would change her mind.

‘I mean it!’

‘Then why do you look so scared?’ he asked. ‘You can lock your door if you like. I’m a man of my word, Dione, in case you didn’t know. As I said once before, the first move will come from you.’

Dione felt her body relax and she managed her first genuine smile of the day. ‘You’re a very honourable man, Theo, and I thank you for helping my father.’

‘He doesn’t have the money yet,’ he pointed out.

Dione drew in a swift breath. ‘I hope you’re not going back on your word. I’ve completed my side of the bargain.’

‘And it will be in his bank account first thing tomorrow morning.’

His steady eyes met hers but a faint feeling of unease returned. What if he was lying? What if he wanted to take her into his bed before paying her father? The sooner she went to her room and locked the door the better. She faked a yawn. ‘I’m tired, Theo. I’d like to go to bed.’

‘Running away?’ he mocked.

Dione stood her ground, lifting her chin and looking right into those dark, dangerous eyes. ‘Not at all. It’s been a long day.’ And she cursed herself when she felt something approaching a flutter in the pit of her stomach. She put it down to nerves. It couldn’t possibly be anything else—could it?

‘I’ll walk you up. Maybe I’ll retire myself. As you say, it’s been a tiring day. But a satisfying one all the same, don’t you agree?’

‘Where my father’s concerned, yes,’ she snapped. ‘For myself, no. The next twelve months are going to be sheer hell.’

A harsh shadow darkened his face as they mounted the stairs together. ‘And you’d do that for your father—put yourself through hell?’

Dione nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Put like that, it seemed like an enormous unselfish gesture on her part. If Yannis hadn’t been at death’s door she wouldn’t have done it; that was a fact. If Phrosini hadn’t persuaded her…Tears began to sting the back of her eyes and she turned away. ‘Goodnight, Theo.’

‘Goodnight, my beautiful bride,’ he answered as they reached her door. ‘May I be permitted one kiss? To seal the deal perhaps?’

Dione wanted to say no, she wanted no contact between them, but she knew it would be churlish to refuse. It was going to be a brief kiss, though; nothing prolonged or sexual. Just a touching of lips.

She put her hand on his chest, prepared to push him away should he attempt to get too close, and felt passionate heat beneath her palm and the thud of his heart and knew immediately that she was in danger.

But it was too late to back away.

As his head swooped down narrowed lids hid the expression in his eyes, but his finger beneath her chin felt like a branding iron. This wasn’t going the way she wanted.

Surprisingly, though, the kiss itself was restrained. His lips touched hers and then pulled swiftly away.

He was a man of honour after all.

Swift relief flooded through Dione’s body and she felt herself go limp and would have fallen to the floor had Theo not caught her. His arms were strong and safe as he kicked open her door and carried her into the room, laying her gently on the bed.

‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’

‘The events of the day,’ he tossed curtly. ‘Will you be all right? Shall I send someone to help—’

‘No!’ cut in Dione swiftly. ‘I’m fine now. I’d really like to be left alone.’

He nodded, his lips grim, and spun on his heel. Dione’s relief knew no bounds when he finally shut the door behind him. She didn’t even stop to question his sudden abruptness. This had been the worst possible day of her life and all she wanted to do was go to sleep and forget it.

Theo stalked into his room and tore off his clothes, leaving them untidily on the floor, before climbing beneath a fierce cold shower. Damn Dione! Damn the whole Keristari family! They were putting him through hell.

The money didn’t count; it was a drop in the ocean to him, but Dione—she was a different proposition altogether. He had signed the wretched contract, he had promised to keep his hands off her. How the hell could he do that?

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.