Page 35 of Husband for the Holidays

Her heart started to thud even before she got a proper look at it. So many long-suppressed notions were raging back to life, all as vivid and insubstantial as the flash of rainbows from the marquis-shaped stone. It had to be five carats and was surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds. More were set down the sides of the platinum band.

Konstantin left her hand draped over his, lightly grasping her curled fingertips as he tilted their grip, allowing the ring to shoot out its sparks from all angles. It was unique and extravagant and yes, a little loose, but so beautiful, Eloise could hardly speak.

“No? Something else?” Konstantin started to release her.

Her fingers instinctually tightened to keep hold of his hand.

His dark gaze lifted to crash into hers, reaching deep into her soul and wrapping around all those deeply embedded dreams of hers.

If she went through with marrying him, she would give up every vestige of herself to him. She knew she would. She would offer her heart and he would take it and could very easily break it. So very easily.

But there was another hidden, hopeful part of her that wanted to think maybe, just maybe, this was the chance she’d always yearned for. That this could be a real marriage to the only man she’d ever wanted.

“You’ll wear this one?” Konstantin prodded gently.

She knew what he was really asking.Will you marry me?

She nodded before she realized she was doing it, then her husky voice caught up. “I will.”

Her fingers trembled as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

As he sent Girard away to size the ring, Konstantin experienced a conflicting tide of reactions. Intense satisfaction was the primary one. He had always seen marriage as an encumbrance, but the rationale for this one kept growing. Along with balancing the karmic scales, he would gain a partner who would suit him in many ways—including sexually.

Contrary to what Eloise seemed to think, he did want her. Very badly, in fact. His desire was like a panting beast inside him, ready to run her to ground if necessary.

Which gave him pause. These overly strong responses she provoked were the reason he’d avoided her. He had known since that long ago Christmas that she was far too capable of disarming him when he least expected it.

He would have to be careful, he cautioned himself, and keep a cool head. But even as he turned back to an empty sitting room, and heard a rustle from her bedroom, his libido leaped with intrigue, frying his brain cells.

No. When he arrived in the open door, he found her rifling through the bags that surrounded the bed.

“Call the maid to unpack everything,” he told her.

“I’m looking for the jeans I was wearing this morning. Ghaliya said they would be returned. Good grief, Konstantin.” She abandoned one bag and picked up another. “This is more damage than I ever did on a back-to-school shopping spree in Paris.”

“What of this soiree of your mother’s tomorrow? She said it wasn’t fancy. I’ll wear a suit?”

“She meant it’s not white tie. You’ll need a tuxedo. I’ll call Ghaliya and tell her I need a gown. Are we really doing this?” she asked with distress, looking up from the bag she was searching.

“The party?”

“Marriage.” She rubbed her eyebrow. “I mean, I guess the engagement will give us time to see if we actually work, but that comes with certain risks.”

“Such as?”

“The ones my mother warned me about. If we...” She waved at the bed. “I don’t want to be in my father’s situation, where I have a baby with someone who has all the money so I get cut out.”

“That will never happen.” What kind of man did she think he was?

“You don’t want children?” She dropped her hand to her side, seeming shocked. Disappointed?

“I meant that I can’t see us being in such a bad place that I would refuse to let you see our child. I’ve never given much thought to having any, to be honest. Not beyond the fact I’ve been told that I should, as part of my succession plan.”

“Who stands to inherit now?” She picked up a different bag and set it on the bed.

“I have a foundation that administers to a number of charities.”

“You don’t have any other relatives?” She paused. “Who’s your emergency contact?”

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