THE TYCOON'S REBEL BRIDE(23)

a plan to end the evening with an after-party at his hotel.

So why wasn’t he more enthused?

Alannis was obviously excited. Theron was sure Sophia had hinted broadly of his

plan to ask Alannis to marry him, although he’d asked Sophia to keep the details secret.

It seemed everyone was thrilled except him.

“Have you found suitable candidates for Isabella?” Sophia asked.

“Pardon?” Theron asked as he shook himself from his thoughts.

“You mentioned that you were trying to find her a husband,” Sophia said

patiently. “I wondered if you’d found a suitable match yet.”

“Oh. Yes, of course. I plan to introduce her to a few carefully screened men at the

cocktail party Thursday night.”

Sophia nodded approvingly. “She’s a beautiful young girl. She seems lonely,

though. I doubt she’ll have any problem in finding a husband.”

Theron frowned. No, she wouldn’t have any trouble in that area. Men would line

up for a chance to be her husband.

Sophia leaned forward, excitement lighting her eyes. “You know, Theron, I’d

love to sponsor Isabella myself. She could return to Greece with me. Myron would be

more than happy to introduce her to any number of fine young men from good families.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Mama,” Alannis said.

“I’ll bring it up to her when I speak to her next,” Theron said. He wasn’t sure

why, but the idea of her leaving the country and marrying someone so far away left a

very bad taste in his mouth.

Not that her marrying closer made him feel any better.

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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE

32

MAYA BANKS

SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944

THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS

He listened as Alannis recounted the details of her trip and her excitement over

visiting New York for the first time. But his mind simply wasn’t on the present. His

thoughts were occupied by a vibrant, dark-haired temptress with a smile that would melt

a man at twenty feet.

As if he’d conjured her, he glanced up and saw her across the room. She was

walking beside the host as he directed her to a table by the window.

Remembering Sophia’s assertion that she seemed lonely, he took the opportunity

to study her. Sophia was right. Isabella did look lonely. Even a little sad.

She was dressed in jeans and a plain T-shirt. Her hair was drawn into a ponytail,

and the smile that he’d just pondered over was absent.

She was seated by herself, and then she smiled up at the waiter as he attended her.

But her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

For the first time he reflected on her circumstances. How difficult it must be for

her to be alone in an unfamiliar city. No family, and if she had friends, he hadn’t been

made aware of them. Guilt crept over him as he remembered his eagerness to rid himself

of her.

Now he was glad he’d planned the cocktail party for Thursday night. Maybe

instead of making it a bland gathering at his penthouse with polite conversation, he could

turn it into a party at the hotel welcoming Isabella to New York. He could still introduce

her to the men on Madeline’s list, but at least she would have some fun if he livened

things up a bit. A girl her age would be bored silly at the kind of gathering he’d first

envisioned.

Feeling marginally better, he refocused his attention on Alannis and reminded

himself that in a few days’ time, he’d be asking her to be his wife. She’d be his lover and

the mother of his children. She was the woman he’d spend the rest of his life with.

Cold panic swept over him until sweat beaded his forehead. Instead of infusing

comfort and contentment, the idea of making such a commitment filled him with dread.

Why was he reacting so badly now when a week ago he looked forward to a life

with Alannis? It didn’t make any sense.

Again his gaze wandered to where Isabella sat. She stared out the window, a

pensive expression on her face. Her fingers twined in a strand of her hair as she twirled it

absently. She sipped at a glass of water, her gaze never breaking.

Theron reached into his pocket and pulled out his BlackBerry. He thumbed a

quick message to Madeline asking her when his shopping trip was scheduled with

Isabella. After all, he didn’t want to commit to an appointment with Alannis at the same

time.

After a moment, Madeline returned his message. He frowned when he read it and

then glanced up at Isabella again. She was going alone? She didn’t want him to go with

her?

Still frowning, he keyed in his response to Madeline.



Find out when she’s going. Clear my schedule.