Read Online The Marriage Bargain by Sandra Edwards - Free Book Online Page B

pocket. Camille was looking a bit disenchanted, but this might raise her spirits.
    “Speaking of believability.” He paused and pulled out the trinket box. “I thought you should have these,” he added, offering her the gift.
    Her eyes radiated joy. She accepted Julian’s present and opened it as if it was made of fragile glass. She gasped and one hand flew to her chest. Her jaw dropped as she stared at the diamond-studded rings inside.
    Julian slipped the box away from her and put the marriage symbol onto her ring finger. “Every beautiful bride deserves beautiful rings.” He backed up his statement with a wink and a smile. “No matter the circumstances.”
    Her face softened into a desirous I-want-to-believe-you look.
    She was caving; he could see it happening. In no time, Julian would win her over with his charms.
    “Why me?” she finally said. “I know you said ‘I’m perfect for the part’. But why?” she asked, as if she thought she was a speck of nothing. “What makes me perfect? And say, not my friend Tasha?”
    “I’m sure your friend Tasha is a nice girl.” He paused to stifle the derisive laughter charging up his throat.
    A glint of understanding sparked in her eyes. He could see, deep down inside, she knew why even if she wasn’t ready to admit it. Tasha was, in a word, unrefined .
    “But...”
    “She is, how do you say...?” He hesitated, searching tactfully for the right words. “A trophy wife.”
    Camille’s entire body seemed to relax, as if she got it. “And Julian de Laurent wouldn’t be caught dead with a trophy wife .”
    She did get it.
    “If it’s to be believable, my wife has to be a woman of substance and eloquent beauty.” He waved his hands before him in a grand gesture. “She is the bride. Not the young lady who jumps out of the cake at the bachelor party.”
    The makings of a serpent’s stare quickly gave way to a stony gaze before her eyes settled with approval.
    “Underneath all that fluff Tasha has her moments.” Camille’s tone, hesitant and weak, suggested she was digging for something good to say. “She’s been a good friend.”
    Julian sensed there was a ‘but’ lost in her thoughts and struggling to get out. It was up to him to help her forget about it. “Yes, and just the kind of girl my brother Andre will fall madly in love with.” Julian laughed in a deep, jovial way. “Tell her to go easy on him.”
    “You keep your brother in check, and I’ll do the same with my friend.”
    Always the diplomat. Julian liked that about Camille. He also liked that she was able to remain composed while under pressure. She’d need it, especially when it came to Papa and Madeleine. Julian would love to shield her from both. But for six months? It didn’t seem possible.
    “I doubt they will be half the problem that Papa and Madeleine will turn out to be.” He eased it in there, half-hoping she wouldn’t notice.
    She did. Indicative of her head whipping in his direction.
    “Who’s Madeleine?” The inquiry clawed its way out, as if crawling over mountainous terrain.
    “Madeleine is my father’s choice,” he said with a trivial, dismissive tone.
    “That doesn’t sound good.” She stiffened and pulled away.
    “But she is not my choice.” He leaned closer to Camille. “All you have to remember, Chéri, is, you are my choice.”
    “Oh, I get that,” she said with a touch of irritation. “But, just how far are your father and Madeleine willing to go?” Her eyes narrowed as she peered at him. “Will they be out for revenge?”
    Denial shook Julian’s head. “My father...no. But he will have a sharp eye out though, which is why we must appear real.”
    “And what about Madeleine?”
    “Well, she’s not going to be happy.”
    “Will she get violent?”
    Madeleine? Violent? The notion was laughable. She wasn’t the physical type, but that wouldn’t stop her from trying to cause trouble. “She’s not going to take this well. But you aren’t in