The Millionaire Tycoon's English Rose
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They had laughed, and loved again, laughed again and loved again. That was how it had been in the beginning.
And even then the first danger signs had been there, but they’d both been too much in love to heed them. If only…
‘Time to come in,’ came the voice over the radio.
‘Just a few more minutes,’ Celia begged.
‘Your air will be running out soon. Did you find any pirate treasure?’
‘Not this time, but I always live in hope,’ she said, determinedly cheerful.
It was time to go back and face the world. Fiona was close by, calling her, and together they made their way to the boat, where hands came down to welcome them aboard.
‘How was it?’ Ken asked.
‘Wonderful!’ Celia exclaimed. ‘The most glorious feeling—being weightless, and so free—such freedom—as though the rest of the world didn’t exist.’
‘Is that your idea of freedom?’ Fiona asked. ‘Escaping the rest of the world?’
‘Escaping the world’s prejudices, yes,’ Celia murmured thoughtfully.
‘Ah,’ Ken said in a significant voice. ‘I’m afraid that the world has followed you here. I’ve just heard on the radio that when we get back to land you’ll find Francesco waiting for you.’
‘How did he find me here? I just said I was going. I didn’t say where.’
‘I guess he’s got a very good surveillance team working on it,’ Ken suggested lightly.
He meant it as a joke, but Celia’s face tightened and her voice was hard as she said, ‘Evidently.’
‘What do you want to do?’ Ken asked. ‘You’ve paid for the whole day, and there’s two hours left, so we don’t have to go back before then.’
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to head out to sea for a long as possible. But she mastered the impulse and said in a resigned voice, ‘No, let’s go back now. I’ve got to face him sooner or later.’
‘Why have you got to face him?’ Fiona asked indignantly. ‘This is the twenty-first century. A woman doesn’t have to put up with an abusive man.’
‘But he isn’t abusive.’ Celia sighed. ‘He’s gentle and loving and protective. He wants to shield me from every wind that blows.’
‘Oh, Lord!’ Fiona said in sympathy. As they neared land she said, ‘I can see his face now. He doesn’t look loving and protective. He looks mad as hell.’
‘Good!’ Celia said. ‘Then can I be as mad as hell and throw something at him?’
‘What would you do about aiming?’ Fiona wanted to know.
‘I wouldn’t need to,’ Celia said despairingly. ‘If he saw me lifting a heavy vase he’d get in front of me and let it hit him. Ooooh, what am I going to do with a man like that?’
‘Leave him,’ Fiona said at once. ‘Or you won’t survive.’
‘I know, I know, but it’s so drastic.’
‘Yes, but I know what it’s like. I broke my leg once, and my boyfriend drove me crazy fussing round me—do this, don’t do that, let me get this for you, don’t strain yourself. In the end I thumped him with my crutch. It was the only way.’
‘What happened to him?’ Celia asked, fascinated.
‘Don’t know. I never saw him again.’
Celia laughed, but the laughter soon faded and she leaned on the rail, her head bent down in the direction of the water that she could hear foaming beneath.
When they reached their destination Francesco was the first on board, coming straight to her and taking her hand.
‘I’ll take you ashore,’ he said. ‘And we’ll go home.’
‘No, thank you,’ she replied firmly. ‘As part of my day out I get a meal with the crew. And I’m hungry.’
‘I’ll get you a meal on the way home,’ he persisted.
His hands were on her arms, urging her so firmly that her anger began to grow.
‘Let go of me, Francesco,’ she said in a low voice.
‘I only want to guide you—’
‘So you say. But you’re that close to dragging me. Please let go, because I’m going to eat here.’
‘If it makes it any easier we’ll give you a refund for that part of the fee,’ Ken offered.
It actually made things harder for her, by cutting the ground out from under her feet, making her sound childishly stubborn for the sake of it. But he meant well, so she smiled and yielded.
She was forced to let Francesco help her off the boat and escort her towards the changing rooms. But she knew he was waiting for her outside. She must face him. And then what?
She knew him so well. She could feel his moods tearing apart the darkness around her, and could sense that behind his courteous charm he was in a furious temper that he was determined to conceal. She, too, was in a temper, but less sure about the virtue of concealing it.
Celia said her goodbyes and thanked Ken for a wonderful day.
‘And I don’t want a refund,’ she said. ‘I had a great time.’
‘Er—actually, I’ve already given the refund to your friend.’
‘What? I never said I was going to agree.’
‘He thought he was doing what would please you,’ Ken said placatingly.
‘You mean, he took it for granted that he knew best,’ Celia snapped. ‘How much did you give him?’
He told her, and she immediately plunged into her bag and produced the amount.
‘I do not want a refund,’ she said.
‘Celia, c’mon—’
‘Take it!’
One look at her set face was enough to make him accept the notes.
‘Good,’ she said. ‘Now, where’s the driver I hired for the day? He should be here to take me home.’