Page 18 of Gilded Saint

“But we’ll make it look real, so people believe you’re, well…” I let him fill in the blanks, but I need to remind him this isn’t just about me. He benefits, too. I learned that from Father. Both sides benefit in a prosperous arrangement.

“I’m not really gay, you know.” I side-eye him, and he’s grinning.

“But if you’re not… Why would you agree?”

“I’m a sucker for a damsel in distress.” He’s still grinning, but my stomach sinks. If Orlando’s theory is wrong, what is he getting out of this?

“You know, I’m not a virgin.” It’s customary in our world to expect a bride to be one, and if that’s what he thinks he’s getting…

He smiles so wide the moonlight glimmers across his teeth.

“I’m serious. If that’s?—”

“I’m not a virgin, either. At twenty-two, I didn’t expect you would be. And it doesn’t matter. What’s between us…” He gestures back and forth over the space between us. “It’s for show. I’d never—” He smooths his fingers over his lips, and the effect is of wiping his smile away. “No woman should be forced to marry a man like Leandro De Luca. You’ll come back with me to London, and we’ll get you set up. What do you do?”

I blink, unsure I understand the question.

“You went to university. A man I was speaking to earlier today mentioned it. What’d you go for?”

“Art. I’m a painter.”

“Ah. Well, good. We’ll find a studio for you to work in. I have a friend with connections in the art world. You’ll pursue your art. That’s what you’ll do.”

My heart vibrates in my chest, flittering like a bird about to be released from a cage. Naive. Scarlet’s word haunts me. “And what do you get out of it?”

“Oh, I get to feel good about myself.” He shoves one hand in his pocket and kicks a foot through the water, sending rivulets splashing.

It’s hard to trust him because that doesn’t mesh with what I know of men. It doesn’t matter what they do. The crueler they are, the better they feel about themselves.

“And a stronger allegiance with your father’s business is helpful.”

Ah, there it is. He’s looking to either get into the shipping business or inherit my father’s business. “Orlando will inherit Titan Shipping.”

“I’ve no interest in shipping.”

Again, amusement. “This isn’t funny.”

His pace slows. “It’s the strangest situation I’ve ever been in. Sometimes you’ve just gotta laugh. Anyway, I think you’ll like London.”

“I’m confused. Do you want me to act like your wife or not?”

“I suppose you’ll need to act like you’re my wife. But not because of your father, but because of Massimo. Your father and I spoke earlier today. His one fear is that Massimo will see through this as a manipulation to avoid giving you to his brother. It’s a lovely family you have.”

The dig is deserved. “What’s your family like?”

The question sparks something I can’t put my finger on—sadness, I think. His smile disappears. “They’re good people.”

“Will I meet them tomorrow?”

“No, they couldn’t make it in time. And, as you know, this is an arrangement. I wouldn’t ask them to drop everything for this.”

“Right. Of course.” That was a stupid question. Even from my side, only immediate family will be present. Rumors will probably fly that he took my virginity and father forced him to marry me.

“But you’ll tell me if there’s anything I can do for you, right?” My words feel suggestive, and that’s not what I intended. “You’re doing so much for me. I want to return the favor, if I can.”

“I’ll need for you to be smart, stay safe, and build a life that makes you happy. You do that, and it’s favor enough for me.”

Chapter8

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