Read Online The Princess Bride by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online Page A

It’s a long way from Manhattan.”
    â€œYes, it is, and I can’t bear to go home alone.”
    â€œMay I ask why?”
    â€œOf course. My own heartbreaker lives there. I told you about him. I ran away from home so that I could stop eating my heart out over him. But memories and heartache seem to be portable,” she added heavily.
    â€œI could attest to that myself.” He looked up at her with wickedly twinkling black eyes. “And what am I going to be? The competition?”
    â€œWould you mind?” she asked. “I’ll gladly do the same for you anytime you like. I need your moral support.”
    He paused thoughtfully and then he smiled. “You know, this might be the perfect answer to both our headaches. All right. I’ll do it.” He finished his wine.
    â€œI’ve been asked to fill a lot of roles. That’s a new one.” He lifted his glass and took a sip. “What the hell. I’ll tangle with Kingman Marshall. I don’t want to live forever. I’m yours, darling. At least, for the duration of the party,” he added with a grin.
    She lifted her own glass. “Here’s to pride.”
    He answered the toast. As she drank it, she wondered how she was going to bear seeing King with Carla. At least she’d have company and camouflage. King would never know that her heart was breaking.

Chapter 5
    T iffany and Mark boarded the plane with Lettie the day before New Year’s Eve. Tiffany looked sleek and expensive in a black figure-hugging suit with silver accessories and a black-and-white striped scarf draped over one shoulder. Mark, in a dark suit, was the picture of male elegance. Women literally sighed when he walked past. It was odd to see a man that handsome in person, and Tiffany enjoyed watching people react to him.
    Lettie sat behind them and read magazines while Mark and Tiffany discussed their respective assignments and where they might go next.
    It wasn’t as long a flight as she’d expected it to be. They walked onto the concourse at the San Antonio airport just in time for lunch.
    Tiffany had expected her father to meet them, and sure enough, he was waiting near the gate. Tiffany ran to him to be hugged and kissed warmly before she introduced Mark.
    Harrison scowled as he shook hands with the young man, but he gathered his composure quickly and the worried look vanished from his features. He greeted Lettie warmly, too, and led the three of them to the limousine near the front entrance.
    â€œMark’s staying with us, Dad,” Tiffany said. “We’re both working for the same agency in Manhattan and our holidays coincided.”
    â€œWe’ll be glad to have you, Mark,” Harrison said with a forced warmth that only Tiffany seemed to notice.
    â€œHow is King?” Lettie asked.
    Harrison hesitated with a lightning glance at Tiffany. “He’s fine. Shall we go?”
    Tiffany wondered why her father was acting so peculiarly, but she pretended not to be interested in King or his feelings. Only with Mark.
    â€œDid you manage to get the arrangements finalized?” Harrison asked his daughter.
    She grinned. “Of course. Long distance isn’t so long anymore, and it wasn’t that hard. I’ve dealt with the same people for years arranging these ‘do’s’ for you. The caterer, the flowers, the band, even the invitations are all set.”
    â€œYou’re sure?” Harrison murmured.
    She nodded. “I’m sure.”
    â€œYou didn’t forget to send an invitation to King and Carla?” her father added.
    â€œOf course not! Theirs were the first to go out,” she said with magnificent carelessness. “I wouldn’t forget your business partner.”
    Harrison seemed to relax just a little.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she asked, sensing some problem.
    â€œHe’s out of town,” he said reluctantly. “Rather, they’re out of town,