Page 198 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘Such a pity, isn’t it?’ he muttered wickedly.

Elodie had seen a fair amount of costume jewellery because they used it in the escape rooms all the time and Bethan could turn pound shop items into trinkets that looked like they were worth millions. But thislookedan absolute treasure—full throttle dramatic. So she had the feeling this ruby wasn’t lab grown and nor were the diamonds surrounding it. She lifted her gaze, all faux insouciance. ‘Yes. It’s disappointing that it won’t be worth much when I sell it in a few months.’

‘You won’t sell it,’ Ramon purred. ‘You’re a magpie. You like collecting shiny, worthless things—’

‘To feed my shiny worthless soul?’ She managed to slide the ring onto her finger despite her cold sweat, and lifted her hand to see the stones catch the light. ‘Careful, you’ll increase my appetite for more trinkets. I might demand actuallyvaluableones, then you’ll be in trouble.’

He just laughed.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the ring. It was a statement piece. Definitely unusual and one of a kind. Panic subsumed her. ‘It’s not a family heirloom, is it?’ She looked up at him. ‘Not your mother’s or anything inappropriate like that?’

He actually recoiled. ‘Why on earth would you think it was mymother’s?’

‘Well, when did you have the chance to buy it? When did?Oh!’ She broke off, suddenly feeling a fool. ‘Piotr has exquisite taste. Please thank him for choosing so well.’

The strangest expression crossed Ramon’s face—a quixotic blend of admiration and indignation. ‘You vexatious wretch.’

‘Forgive me if I don’t believe for a second that you took time out of your precious work schedule to choose something so unimportant.’ Elodie smiled.

He drank almost the entire glass of ice-cold water in one go before sucking in a breath. ‘I’m going to make you pay for that.’

‘I can hardly wait.’ She faked cool but her breathlessness betrayed her.

Hadhe chosen it? She looked at it again, still doubting his word on its artificial origins. But her clueless question made her realise she didn’t know anywhere near enough about him. She had no idea where his parents were, let alone what they would think of their son marrying a complete stranger. He hadn’t mentioned them at all. ‘What will she think of this?’

‘Who?’ he frowned.

‘Your mother. What’s she going to think of your sudden marriage?’

He froze. Then rallied. ‘Both my parents are dead. They won’t think anything.’

‘Sorry.’ She felt terrible but at the same time it was hardly her fault—the man had more walls than a Renaissance hedge maze. ‘I didn’t know—’

‘And you don’t really need to.’

‘I disagree,’ she said flatly. She’d never been as argumentative with anyone in her life. ‘But if we’re to have everyone believe this marriage is real—for the duration—then I am going to need to, aren’t I? I don’t even know how old you are, let alone when your birthday is. I’ll put my foot in it from the start.’

‘Did you not read the marriage forms?’ he replied coolly. ‘I’m twenty-nine. Scorpio. My father died when I was eighteen. My mother when I was twenty-five. I’m their only child. I took over the family business when my father died and have done very little else. I live for my work.’

And he didn’t want to share anything more. Okay, she got it—even if it sounded somewhat sad. ‘I’m twenty-four. Also a Scorpio. That’s all we need to know, right?’

To her relief his smile returned.

Elodie barely slept. Ramon had kept his distance completely after dinner. He’d quietly accompanied her back to the suite and immediately disappeared into his own room. Probably to do more work. She’d been absurdly disappointed. She’d thought she’d read hunger forherin his eyes before dinner but he’d backed off completely. Was this not going to be an affair—if he was that hot for her, why the delay?

Early the next morning she got out of bed and drew back the curtains. It was a stunning day and there were too many hours to fill before the ceremony. She had to move. In the lounge Ramon was nowhere to be seen. He was probably unnecessarily observing those wedding traditions—ridiculous given this wasn’t arealwedding.

She went back to her bedroom and dressed in jeans and tee. When she went back out into the lounge she found Piotr waiting. His prescience was uncanny.

‘I’d like to go for a walk, is that allowed?’

‘I will accompany you discreetly.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘You don’t need to walk three feet behind.’

But Piotr obviously had his orders as she ambled through the town. Around her people were going about their business, tourists were taking photos, students in groups, office workers hurried to grab coffees—it was all so normal. What she and Ramon were doing really was ridiculous—who got married mid-afternoon on aThursday?

She wandered along the shady side of a street she’d not ventured down yesterday in the great dress hunt, and paused by a jewellery store. She couldn’t resist entering—drawn to a large glass case on the rear wall. Just the one piece was displayed. She put her hand to her chest as she stared at it. Four strands of what looked like diamonds sat flat on the back of the neck, while at the front they were woven into an intricate diamond knot—further embellished with yet more gleaming stones. If they actuallywerediamonds this one necklace would probably cost about the same as a large-sized house. Sure enough, there was no obvious price tag—which meant it would be astronomical and there was no way she could ever wear anything like it.

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