Read Online His Diamond Bride by Lucy Gordon - Free Book Online Page B

it can be put right,’ Joe told her.
    â€˜Then I’ll replace it,’ she said stubbornly.
    â€˜Dee,’ Mark said, ‘sweet, innocent Dee, it would take you a year’s salary to buy another. Forget it.’
    â€˜But that bike was your pride and joy and I’ve ruined it,’ she protested.
    â€˜So, it’s ruined. That’s life. Easy come, easy go. I only acquired it in the first place through being thoroughly devious. Something else will come along and I’ll be devious again. Don’t worry. It comes naturally to me.’
    There was a growl of rage and a middle-aged man thrust his way into the room. With a groan Dee recognised Jack Hammond, the neighbour whose fence Mark had smashed, and who was bad-tempered even at the best of times.
    â€˜Do you know what you’ve done to my fence?’ he shouted.
    â€˜Sorry about that,’ Mark said. ‘I’ll mend it.’
    â€˜I should think you will. Why the devil did you have to swerve?’
    Mark sighed. ‘Because otherwise I’d have killed the dog,’ he said, like a man explaining to an idiot.
    â€˜So what? It would have been his own fault.’
    â€˜Sure. I wonder why I didn’t think of that,’ Mark said ironically. ‘It would have made everything all right, wouldn’t it? I’ve told you I’ll mend the fence.’
    â€˜You’d better.’
    From the corner came a whimper. Billy was sitting there, looking apprehensive, as though he understood.
    â€˜You should put that creature down,’ Hammond snapped. ‘I’ve a good mind to—’
    He didn’t finish the sentence. Mark had struggled to his feet, wincing but determined, and confronted Hammond fiercely.
    â€˜Leave Billy alone,’ he grated. ‘I don’t even want to see you looking at him. Now get out of here before I make you sorry.’
    â€˜Oh, so now you’re—’
    â€˜Get out!’
    Hammond didn’t argue further. He knew murder in a man’s eyes when he saw it. He fled.
    Mark collapsed back onto the sofa and held out his hand to Billy. ‘Come here.’
    Apprehensively, the dog came to him. Dee held her breath.
    â€˜You daft mutt,’ Mark said in a mixture of exasperation and affection. ‘You crazy, stupid animal; have you got a death wish? You could have been killed back there, do you realise that? Of all the—’ Words seemed to fail him. ‘Will you be sensible next time? Do you know how?’
    Billy whined softly.
    â€˜No, you don’t,’ Mark said. ‘Nor do I, according to some people.’ He put an arm around the dog. ‘Don’t worry; it’s all over now. But don’t take any more silly risks because she —’ indicating Dee ‘—can’t do without you.’
    â€˜Considering he nearly killed you —’ Helen said, amazed.
    â€˜That’s all right. I can take care of myself. He can’t. He’s an idiot.’ But, as he said it, he enveloped Billy in a bear hug. Dee barely saw it through her tears.
    It was settled that he would stay the night. Dee’s room was cleared for him and she moved in with Sylvia, as she’d done last time. She produced some liniment to rub into the bruises, but Sylvia snatched it out of her hand and insisted on doing it herself.
    She spent some time comforting Billy, reflecting on Mark’s comment that she couldn’t do without him. He was right, of course. She wondered how many men would have swerved and accepted injury to themselves rather than hurt an elderly mongrel. He might play the giddy charmer, but this was the real man, she was sure of it.
    In her mind she saw him again, bare-chested, lean, strong, powerful. Her hands seemed to tingle with the memory oftouching him and an equation began to hammer on her brain, demanding entrance.
    Medical condition: satisfactory.
    Personal condition: a million times more than satisfactory.
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