Read Online The Demetrios Bridal Bargain by Kim Lawrence - Free Book Online

amused undertone as the other man began to walk towards the Land Rover.
    â€˜I think the man,’ Mathieu said scornfully, ‘is an idiot.’
    â€˜Yes, that came across,’ Jamie said drily. ‘Rich, though—made a bomb in the City and retired young. I thought I might sell off a few old books, seems he’s mad about them. So the girl…do I get an introduction?’ He glanced curiously towards the Land Rover. ‘Why don’t I ever get the opportunity to play the white knight to damsels in distress?’ he complained.
    Mathieu’s glance followed the direction of Jamie’s stare. Rose, presumably at the suggestion of Smith, was getting out of the Land Rover. His brow furrowed as she nodded at the other man and began to walk towards them. ‘She’s changed a lot…since Monaco.’
    Mathieu wasn’t even aware he had verbalised his thoughts until Jamie spoke.
    â€˜You know her! My God, what are the odds on that?’ Jamie, his eyes widening in appreciation, gave a low whistle under his breath as Rose got closer. ‘Any chance of an intro, Matt?’
    Mathieu flashed Jamie an irritated look. ‘I hardly know her…we met—’ he began, then stopped as Rose came within hearing distance. She stood there looking, despite her outlandish outfit and gloriously tousled hair, dignified and beautiful enough to offer some excuse for Jamie’s childish outburst.
    â€˜Hello.’ Rose nodded towards Jamie, her smile dimming perceptively as her eyes reached Mathieu. ‘Mr Smith is giving me a lift back. I just wanted to thank you…again…for, well, saving my life,’ she said awkwardly. ‘And I’m sorry for putting you to so much trouble.’
    â€˜Saving your life?’ Jamie interrupted, stepping forward, hand outstretched, to introduce himself. ‘Played that part down, Matt.’ He flashed his friend an amused sideways glance. ‘But then that’s our Matt all over, the modest hero.’
    The modest hero in question looked uncomfortable and irritated and his grin broadened. ‘We’ve not met, though in a place this size it was only a matter of time. I’m Jamie.’
    â€˜I know—the laird.’
    â€˜For the present, but I’m hoping Matt here will do something brilliant and keep the bailiffs from the door.’
    Rose found it hard to tell from his tone if he was joking or not, but what did come across was his confidence in Mathieu’s ability to pull off the odd miracle in his spare time. She found herself hoping that on this occasion Mathieu did so because it was hard not to warm to the young laird.
    â€˜I’m Rose. If you’ll excuse me—’ she glanced expressively down at her clothes before extricating her hand and wrapping her arms around herself ‘—I’ll just go wait in the car. It’s warmer.’ Rose smiled once more before turning away.
    â€˜I think she likes me,’ Jamie said under his breath as she walked back to the parked vehicle. ‘No so sure about you, though.’
    â€˜So what books are you selling?’
    It seemed for a moment that his change of subject might work, but, mid-description of a book, Jamie stopped and angled a sharp look at his friend. ‘Monaco…’
    Mathieu shrugged and pretended ignorance.
    â€˜You said you knew her in Monaco.’
    â€˜It might have been.’
    â€˜My God, it’s her, isn’t it? The blonde that got into your room the night of the embassy party.’
    Mathieu, his expression schooled to neutrality, held his tongue, though he suspected rather too late in the day.
    â€˜I take it that silence means yes.’ Jamie let out a long silent whistle followed by a cackle of laughter. ‘Someone who works for Smith doesn’t seem the type…she didn’t seem the type. Though, to be honest,’ he admitted rather regretfully, ‘I’ve not had a whole lot of