Kathryn Hart wasn’t beautiful in the traditional sense. But Nicole could see that lots of men would find her very sexy. She had an interesting face, a highly sensual mouth and a voluptuous figure which was at odds with her cool grey eyes and composed manner. Nicole could well understand Hugh being intrigued by her, especially if she’d shown not one whit of interest in him. He was used to women falling all over him.
If Hugh thought this marriage would get his PA into his bed, then he was mistaken. That girl didn’t give a damn about him, or this marriage. It was just a means to an end where she was concerned.
Nicole would have loved to know why this beach house meant so much to her. She’d asked Russell but he was none the wiser.
Maybe one day she’d ask Hugh herself. But not today, she thought as she glanced at Hugh’s far too serious face.
No, not today.
Not long to go now, Kathryn told herself as she signed the marriage certificate.
She gripped the pen tightly to prevent any telltale trembling, determined not to let anyone know that, inside, her heart was breaking. Kathryn had long perfected the art of presenting a coolly composed façade to the world. What you saw was not what she was. She’d managed well so far today, but it was beginning to be a struggle, especially with Nicole’s cold green eyes upon her.
Russell McClain’s wife was exactly what Kathryn would expect the wife of one of Hugh’s wealthy friend to look like: too stunningly beautiful for words, her supermodel looks reinforcing what Kathryn already knew—that Hugh’s sexual obsession for her had been some kind of temporary aberration, brought on by his being in constant contact with her, plus her not showing any visible interest in him.
Maybe, if she’d looked like Nicole McClain, she’d have stood a chance of ensnaring his love, as well as his lust.
But that was all water under the bridge now.
I should be grateful for small mercies, Kathryn thought as she handed the pen to the best man. I’ve at least had the experience of truly falling in love and being made love to by a man who, if not in love with me, wanted me so much he was prepared to marry me to have me.
The fact that his unlikely passion had waned before the actual wedding was irrelevant. He’d kept his word and still done the deed. Val’s house was hers now.
Perversely, having Val’s house didn’t seem quite so important any more.
Like some kind of automaton, Kathryn went through the process of shaking the minister’s hands and thanking him politely. Hugh did likewise before walking the man to the door, where he pressed an envelope into his hands, Kathryn wondering how much it had cost Hugh to buy the man’s silence.
‘As I told you last night, Russ,’ Hugh said after the minister was gone, ‘we’re not having any kind of celebration. I really appreciate your being here. Both of you,’ he added with a sweet smile Nicole’s way. ‘I don’t want to rush you out, but I have some important things I have to discuss with Kathryn which really shouldn’t wait.’
‘That’s perfectly all right,’ his friend replied. ‘Nickie and I understand. Good luck to you, Kathryn, with the house. And with the future.’
‘What important things?’ an instantly nervous Kathryn asked as soon as the front door closed and they were alone.
‘Would you like some coffee first?’
‘No,’ she replied shortly.
‘Very well,’ he said, and drew another envelope out of his suit jacket pocket. ‘This is not your official retrenchment package. That will be deposited in your bank account as soon as it can be properly organised by the human-resources department. This is from me. Personally.’ And he handed her the envelope.
She stared at it as if it were a cobra about to strike. ‘I don’t want it!’
‘You do want it,’ he insisted, ripping open the envelope and extracting what looked like a cheque. ‘This will set you up for life, if it’s carefully invested. I know you plan to get married and have children. But even the best plans in life can be scuttled. Your future husband might get sick, or die, or leave you. This way, you’ll always have your own money. You’ll always be secure.’
Kathryn knew he was making sense, and that if she refused she was acting like some proud fool.
‘Think of your children,’ he argued when she still hesitated. ‘You won’t want them to ever suffer what you suffered as a child. You’ll want them to always be safe and secure. Money can do that, Kathryn. Yes, I know money can’t buy happiness, or love. But it can make misery a lot more comfortable. I know that for a fact,’ he finished, and smiled a smile unlike any smile she’d ever seen Hugh smile. It was so sad, and bitter.