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Gabriel’s expression hardened. ‘My parents are not remotely involved in the running of my life and haven’t been since before I came of age. If anything, I run their lives. My father spends most of his time in his city townhouse and at this point in time I’m not even sure where my mother is—she usually has the decency to conduct her illicit liaisons in discreet locations. They have no jurisdiction over me.’
Leonora shivered slightly, recalling how serious he’d been at twenty-one. No wonder, if he’d been running a massive business on his own.
‘Don’t you have a sister? Younger than you?’
His expression immediately softened. The cold weight in Leonora’s chest warmed slightly.
‘Yes. Estella. The bane of my existence.’
And yet clearly she wasn’t, if that softened look was anything to go by.
Intrigued, Leonora asked, ‘Where is she?’
‘She’s in New York, working as a model. She went through a rough patch a few years ago. Fell in with the wrong people. But she’s doing really well now.’
The pride in his voice was evident. Then his focus came back to Leonora.
He said, ‘Your family might have fallen from grace due to your father’s actions, but whose grace? And who else hasn’t? I despise that hypocrisy.’
At that moment there was a discreet knock on the door and Leonora looked around to see Ernesto enter. ‘Dinner is ready, Señor Torres.’
‘Thank you, we’ll be right there.’
Leonora turned back to Gabriel, still feeling slightly winded, absorbing his words. She would never have expected him not to care about his family’s reputation, but conceded cynically that he had that luxury because they were so powerful.
He said, ‘I know you weren’t expecting this when I brought you here, but I don’t believe in playing games, Leonora. Life is too short. You’re the first woman I’ve ever brought to the castillo. And you’re the first woman I’ve ever proposed to.’
* * *
Gabriel was not used to being unable to read a woman easily. Usually they were so unsubtle. But Leonora was like the Sphinx. All cool and serene. He’d put a marriage proposal to her and she’d recovered quickly after her initial shock.
Their dinner plates had just been cleared away by his housekeeper and he asked, ‘Did you go to university?’
A faint wash of colour came into her cheeks. She avoided looking at him and he had to curb the urge to tip her chin up so she had no choice. Once again, not usually an issue for him with women.
She shook her head. ‘No. I wanted to do a business degree, but by the time I left school...things had changed. Matías was in school, but he came home every weekend and he needed me. And I had to work at the castillo—try to get it to make us some money.’
‘I can imagine that experience probably taught you as much as a business degree.’
Leonora smiled ruefully. ‘Perhaps, although it hasn’t exactly been a resounding success. The castillo needs serious investment—like what you’re doing here.’
Gabriel seized the opportunity she’d presented him with. ‘I can help you with that kind of investment, Leonora.’
Now she looked at him, eyes wide, the flush in her face deepening. She stuttered, ‘That isn’t... I didn’t mean to make it sound like—’
‘I know you didn’t. I’m merely stating a fact. If you become my wife, naturally your security and your family’s, and the restoration of your castillo, become my responsibility.’
* * *
His cool, emotionless logic and the word responsibility made something snap inside Leonora. She blurted out, ‘Why do you want to marry now?’
He sat back and looked at her. ‘To be perfectly honest, because you’re the first woman I’ve met who has inspired me to consider it.’
Leonora felt light-headed. ‘Me? I inspired you?’
She really wasn’t that special.
‘I always knew I’d have to marry. I’m the last in my line. Not marrying and not having a family isn’t an option for me. But it’s something I’ve preferred not to think about. Until now.’
