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‘When I leave for Buenos Aires in two days’ time you and my son are coming with me for an extended holiday…a holiday during which time a marriage between us will take place—the marriage that should have taken place five years ago!’
‘What?’
‘You heard me. And when you return to the UK it will only be for the purposes of winding up your business and closing it down.’
‘Closing it down?’
‘Sí. It is in trouble anyway, is it not? It can only be a relief to put it behind you. Once you are back in Buenos Aires, instead of running a business you will have to get used to fulfilling the role of my wife instead. Do not worry, Briana…’ Pascual’s dark-eyed gleam was deliberately provocative ‘…there will be plenty to keep you occupied as far as that position is concerned…’
The day Maggie Cox saw the film version of Wuthering Heights, with a beautiful Merle Oberon and a very handsome Laurence Olivier, was the day she became hooked on romance. From that day onwards she spent a lot of time dreaming up her own romances, secretly hoping that one day she might become published and get paid for doing what she loved most! Now that her dream is being realised, she wakes up every morning and counts her blessings. She is married to a gorgeous man and is the mother of two wonderful sons. Her two other great passions in life—besides her family and reading/writing—are music and films.
Recent titles by this author:
BOUGHT: FOR HIS CONVENIENCE OR PLEASURE?
PREGNANT WITH THE DE ROSSI HEIR
THE SPANISH BILLIONAIRE’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE
THE RICH MAN’S LOVE-CHILD
THE
BUENOS AIRES MARRIAGE DEAL
BY
MAGGIE COX
To Trish May your love and appreciation of beauty continue to lift your spirits and give you wings to fly!
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
RETURNING from his morning hack beneath the dazzling Palermo sunshine, Pascual Dominguez cantered into the relative cool and shade of the stables and dismounted. Patting his steed on the rump as a groom promptly materialised, he ordered the young man to turn the pony out into the field after he had seen to him.
He was in good spirits. After a family party last night in honour of his forthcoming marriage he was looking forward to having his fiancée Briana to himself again in a couple of hours, after she had finished work.
There had been far too many people there last evening for them to grab even one moment together, but tonight they would be having dinner at his favourite restaurant, and afterwards he fully intended that she would be spending the night with him, prior to enjoying a few days together before the wedding. Time alone away from no doubt well-meaning family and friends…just the two of them.
Briana had turned Pascual’s well-ordered world upside down and that was a fact! Never having dreamed that such a powerful instant connection with a woman would ever come his way, every day he woke and counted his blessings.
From practically the moment he had set eyes on the young English nanny his friends Marisa and Diego de la Cruz had hired to take care of their baby girl, Briana Douglas had become the sole focus of all his hopes and dreams. She had consented to become his wife, and now he found himself counting the days to their wedding.
Whistling softly beneath his breath, he found his housekeeper waiting for him as he strode through the opened double doors of the main house. A frown puckered the friendly, still smooth olive-skinned features that belied her years.
‘What is it, Sofia?’ Pascual arched a dark brow, an inexplicable dart of apprehension shooting through him and making him feel suddenly cold.
‘Señorita Douglas came by while you were out riding…’ the older woman began.
‘Where is she?’ he interrupted, gazing impatiently round the stunning marble vestibule.
‘She did not stay, señor.’
The housekeeper was delving inside the pocket of her long black skirt for something. In the next instant she handed Pascual a slim white envelope. The cold feeling inside him deepened to ice.
‘She told me to give you this letter.’
‘Gracias.’ He all but snatched it from her hand and headed towards the grand winding staircase, taking the steps two at a time before she’d barely finished speaking.
In his personal suite of rooms, he started to rip open the envelope, now frankly hating the presentiment of doom that seemed to be clutching his vitals in a vice. What was wrong with him? Was he coming down with something? With his wedding only days away, he sincerely hoped not. Standing by the opened balcony doors of his sitting room, he felt a gentle welcome breeze that carried the enticing scents of jasmine and honeysuckle