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‘I have thought of it for some time.’
‘Your father must be pleased.’
‘I think he will be,’ he said. ‘Eventually.’
She reached for her cup, needing to dispel the feeling of sick emptiness inside her, caused, she told herself, by the loss of Adam and, with him, Mannion.
Zac broke the silence. ‘So,’ he said, ‘how would you save poor Mannion from being a mere convenience?’
‘That’s something you should discuss with your future wife.’
‘Then be my wife,’ he said lightly. ‘And save Mannion from its fate.’
Her hand jerked, spilling coffee onto the coral dress. She said breathlessly, ‘If that’s a joke, I don’t find it amusing.’
‘I am perfectly serious,’ he said. ‘I am asking you to marry me, Dana mia.’
‘In which case you must be mad.’ She swallowed convulsively. ‘And the answer is no.’
He sighed elaborately. ‘And only moments ago you were declaring that no sacrifice was too great for the house you love.’
Oh, God, she thought. Why did I let my mouth run away with me?
She took a deep breath. ‘Marriage is totally different. I am not for sale.’
Zac shrugged. ‘Yet, to possess this house, you were ready to sell yourself to Adam.’
She stiffened. ‘You have no right to suggest that. I’m involved in a relationship with him, as you know perfectly well.’
‘So closely involved that you knew nothing of the Australian scheme.’ It was a statement not a question.
She bit her lip. ‘Perhaps he needed to be sure of the money before he told me.’
‘Ah, yes,’ Zac drawled. ‘The money. He wishes, as always, to start at the top, with the expensive house and the lifestyle to match it.’ He paused. ‘So will he ask you to go with him to Australia and share his good fortune?’ His dark gaze was quietly implacable. ‘And, if so, will you agree—become his and leave everything else behind?’
There seemed little point in lying. Nor was there anywhere left for her to hide. She did not look at him, just shook her head, mutely, defeatedly.
‘Then we understand each other. You want Mannion and I, carissima mia, want you.’ He shrugged again, almost casually. ‘In the end, it is very simple.’
‘Simple,’ Dana echoed incredulously. ‘In what alternate universe is that?’
Her breathing had quickened and she saw that he was aware of it too, his eyes studying the rise and fall of her breasts. Her inner disturbance was turning to tumult. She touched the tip of her tongue to her dry lips, only to realise that was not lost on him either.
And knew that for her own safety, she should get out while she still could.
He said, ‘It seems your desire for this house is not as strong as you implied.’
‘There are ways of fulfilling it that don’t involve marriage,’ she said quickly. ‘For instance, I’d be willing to work here as the housekeeper, as my aunt once did.’
‘And put Signora Harris out of her job.’ He tutted. ‘That is hardly fair. And you know my terms. They will not change.’ His smile was cynical. ‘You were prepared to accept such an arrangement with Adam. At least you do not have to pretend to be in love with me.’
‘Have you considered your father?’ she asked almost desperately. ‘He must expect you to marry someone more important than a housekeeper’s illegitimate niece.’
‘Perhaps, but he has always known that my wife would be my choice alone.’
‘You seem to have an answer to everything,’ Dana said bitterly.
‘It is your answer that most concerns me. If I am so little to your taste, tell yourself you are really marrying Mannion, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish.’ He paused. ‘All you have to do is choose.’
The mockery in his voice was not lost on her.
He couldn’t really mean to marry her—for the reasons she’d stated and more. Principally, because he was not the marrying kind.
It seemed far more likely that he was baiting her. Tempting her for his own amusement.
She knew, of course, what she wanted to say—needed to say. That she’d rather die than live with him. Allow him the intimacies he had a right to expect as her husband.
And he was waiting for her to say it. The slight derisive curl of his mouth as he watched her struggle told her so quite plainly.
And if—when—she damned him to hell and walked, she’d be once again leaving as a loser, this time with no way back.
