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Lucinda flinched. He was not the first person to question her intelligence. Ever since her father had died, her stepmother and stepsisters had peppered her with insults, constantly undermining and taunting her.
What this man didn’t understand was that Lucinda had learned to be strong in the face of put-downs, even when it took an immense effort.
‘I appreciate what you’re saying,’ she conceded after a slight pause. ‘But I don’t intend to go anywhere until we’ve spoken. If you truly want to be alone, I suggest you listen to me. The sooner you’ve heard me out, the sooner I can leave.’
She’d surprised him. ‘Who do you think you are to come into my home and start delivering ultimatums? I could have you arrested.’
‘You could,’ she confirmed with a slight nod, trembling inwardly. ‘But that would take longer and involve more people. Whereas I don’t intend to stay a moment longer than this conversation requires.’
It was very obvious that Thirio Skartos was not used to being challenged. If Lucinda’s whole future and livelihood weren’t hanging on his acceptance of her proposal, she’d have enjoyed the way his jaw was spasming with the effort of staying calm. It was fun to rile him, and she suspected he needed it. But this was too important—she couldn’t go too far.
‘I really won’t take up much of your time.’ She switched to a conciliatory tone of voice. ‘It’s getting dark and I don’t much like the idea of tackling that road in the evening.’
‘An excellent point,’ he murmured, casting an eye towards the windows. ‘And a storm is coming. If I were you, Miss—’
‘Lucinda Villeneuve.’
He nodded once. Despite having prompted her for her name, he looked impatient at the interruption. ‘I would leave while you still can. I’m going to take a shower.’
Lucinda’s jaw dropped. Well, that had backfired spectacularly. She had very little information on this man, but one thing had stood out to her when she’d been doing her research. His sister spoke glowingly of him. She guessed their relationship to be close-knit.
‘So you don’t care what I came here to say?’
‘Isn’t that obvious?’
‘Despite it involving your sister?’
Thirio paused. ‘What about her?’ Every word was sharpened like a bullet.
Lucinda took a step closer, then wished she hadn’t, when a hint of his masculine aroma reached her nostrils. He wore a cologne that was all citrus spice, but beneath it there was a muskiness that was all him. This time, her response was unmistakable. Desire snaked in the pit of her stomach. She stopped walking and planted her feet firmly on the parquet floor of the library.
‘Your sister is getting married and you’re responsible for organising the wedding.’
There was a slight pause, as though he was going to argue. ‘Did you come here to state the obvious?’
Again, a flicker of hurt lashed Lucinda. Not because of this man’s words but because of words she’d heard far too many times in her twenty-five years.
‘I believe I can give your sister her dream wedding.’
‘You and every events coordinator from here to Sydney,’ he responded with a curl of his lips that only made Lucinda more determined.
‘The difference is, I’m right.’
She turned and walked towards a stunning carved table beneath a large window that overlooked a densely wooded forest. ‘I know you’d agree if you’d take ten minutes to review my plans.’
‘Wedding planning submissions are to be sent over email.’
‘I know that.’
‘So why are you here?’
Because I desperately need this job.‘My proposal is too big for email.’
‘Then you should hone it further and submit it when you’re done. I don’t have time to read thirty pages of nonsense because you have difficulties being succinct.’
She gasped. ‘You really are—’
‘Yes?’ he demanded, holding her eyes. Her heart thumped, and her knees felt all tingly.
