What was Harrison willing to do to have Julia?
Simple. Anything and everything.
Sipping a second cup of tea in the parlor, Brittany knew she should feel terrible. She should feel nervous and regretful, even fearful of her fathers reaction. But she couldnt help it, she felt happy, even light. She felt freer than she could ever remember. There wasnt an ounce of guilt in her at the moment.
Lady Brittany? came the butlers voice through the open double doors.
She glanced up.
A Mr. Lindley is-
Before the introduction was even complete, Alex was striding through the door.
Alex. She popped up from her seat, unable to keep a smile from bursting out. Alex was here. He was in London.
Sir, admonished the butler.
Its fine, Reginald, Brittany put in. Please close the door.
To his credit, Alex waited until the door was shut before speaking.
Hes the first thing to go, Alex growled.
What are you talking about? She was still grinning.
Alex advanced on her. Harrison just told me youre in love with an American.
I am, she admitted, a rush of excitement and anticipation hitting her system.
Alex halted directly in front of her. And he says youre not marrying him.
Im not, she agreed.
Then, Im here to ask if youre open to offers.
I am. Youve got an offer to make?
Marry me. Thumb your nose at your family. And youll spend every night of your life in ecstasy.
Her grin widened even farther. Thats a bold offer.
He grinned right back at her. Im a bold man.
My father may challenge you to a duel.
Tell him I used to kill people professionally and blow things up recreationally. Maybe hell change his mind.
I doubt it.
Then how do you feel about eloping?
Im afraid were going to have to stay here and face the music.
Well, Im not killing your father, and Im sure not letting him kill me.
Then we should probably talk to my mother. Shes more reasonable, and shes used to calming him down.
Alex was silent for a moment. Is that a yes, Brittany?
She slowly nodded.
Alex was the brass ring of happiness. She was marrying him, and nothing was going to stop her. Shed finally found something in her life worth defying her father for.
Alex sobered. He cupped her face and kissed her gently on the mouth. I dont even have a ring.
You dont need a ring.
Were buying one tomorrow. Something huge and ostentatious so your father doesnt think Im destitute. Im not destitute, Brittany. Im not Harrison, but Im quite wealthy.
It doesnt matter.
It does. A little. I want you to know youll have everything you need.
She kissed him again, wrapping her arms around him to hold him close. I already have everything I need.
Buying a Dalmatian puppy was just the shot in the arm Julia needed. As she watched Herman scamper across the floor of her condo, slipping to a stop, then valiantly trying to get his little puppy jaws around a blue-and-red-striped ball, she smiled for the first time in two days.
She was still feeling lonely and maudlin whenever she let herself think about Harrison, but Herman was showing her there was light at the end of the tunnel. The puppy books, the gear, the house training and the walks by the river gave her a focus for her life.
She wouldnt be able to travel as much now that she had him, but shed decided to scale back on her work for Equine Earth, and start working freelance on the kinds of investigative stories shed always wanted to undertake. Life was too short to stay in the lifestyle section.
A knock came on her door.
With a quick check to make sure Herman was occupied and wouldnt dart out, she pulled it open.
She gave her head a shake and blinked to clear her eyes, certain she must be hallucinating Harrison with a Dalmatian puppy in his arms.
Meet Herman, came the voice that had haunted her dreams.
Behind her, Herman barked and jumped at her calves.
Uh-oh, said Harrison.
Julia scooped up the puppy, and she couldnt help but smile. This is Herman.
The two puppies barked at one another, desperately trying to get down to play on the floor.
Come on in, Julia said to Harrison, standing aside, then closing the door behind him before they released the puppies.
They barked and wrestled and chased their way across the living-room floor. Julia kept her back to Harrison as she watched the puppies play, using the distraction to try to come to terms with his arrival. What was he doing here? What did he want?
After a couple of minutes, his big hands closed over her shoulders. Hello, Julia.
She struggled to keep the emotion out of her voice. Hello, Harrison.
How have you been?
She shrugged. Fine didnt quite describe it, but she was surviving. Did you have business in Lexington?
No business.
She turned then. Why are you here?
I came to see you.
She forced a light note into her voice, pretending they were mere acquaintances who might see each other from time to time. You came all the way to Kentucky to bring me a puppy?
He shook his head.
Then another thought occurred to her. Did you find out something about Millions to Spare?
He shook his head again. I realized, he began. Then his gaze softened, focusing on a spot behind her. You may have misunderstood. And I need to explain.
She waited for him to elaborate.
That last night at the Prestons, he said. When I told you that being my wife was a terrible jobI dont think I put it quite correctly. He took a breath and looked directly into her eyes. What I meant to say was, its a terrible job. But will you take it on anyway?
Julia struggled to make sense of his words. I dont understand.
Im asking you to stay married to me.
What about Brittany? What about the perfect children? Julias mind still couldnt wrap itself around his about-face.
Brittanys marrying Alex.
Shes what?
Harrison had been jilted? Wow. Shed bet he hadnt seen that one coming.
Apparently their police chase around UAE was more fun than they expected.
So Julia was second choice? Did Harrison want to marry her because Brittany was unavailable?
She loved him, but could she live with that?
The puppies barked and growled behind her, and she turned to see what theyd gotten into.
The puppies barked and growled behind her, and she turned to see what theyd gotten into.
Julia?
They were pouncing on the rubber ball, and she watched their carefree frolicking for a few minutes.
Julia? Harrison tried again.
She sighed and turned back to him. I cant take Brittanys place.
His brow creased. Is that what you-
Im sorry.
He raked his hand through his hair. Youre not taking Brittanys place, he boomed, and the puppies froze in their play. Brittany was taking yours. I realized that on my way back home. I went to her. I was going to tell her I couldnt marry her because I was in love with you.
If his indignation was anything to go by, he was completely serious.
Something broke loose inside Julia. He loved her. Harrison actually loved her. She suddenly felt as happy and carefree as the puppies. A smile grew on her face.
Harrison lowered his voice, sincerity rumbling through it. I love you, Julia. But Im not exaggerating, being my wife is a tough job. And I dont want you to-
Would people try to kill me very often? she asked.
He took in her expression and grinned. Well have to stay out of Dubai for a while. Id like to make it clear, though, that they werent trying to kill you because you were my wife.
Fair point.
And, no, I dont expect there will be many threats on your life. Not after the people Ive hired finish investigating Muwaffaq, Rafiq and all of their associates. But I have business all over the world.
I can write stories all over the world.
Ill change what I can, but I have responsibilities to my companies. The social obligations are huge. Theres hosting and entertaining-
Did I mention that I speak French?
He paused. I believe you did.
Spanish, too. And I usually know which fork to use.
He chuckled. Thats good. And Im planning to hire you some help.
Excuse me? What was it he thought she needed help with?
A secretary.
Julia wasnt sure how she felt about that.
I had Leila in mind, he elaborated.
Oh. Julia could definitely live with that.
One last question, she told him. Are we going to have to go through one of those cathedral weddings to satisfy your family? Because Im really not wild about-
How does this sound? He closed on her, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist. Baron Welsmeire is pleased to announce his marriage to American journalist Julia Nash in a private ceremony at his palace in Dubai. The two met at the Sandstone Derby at Nad Al Sheba racecourse earlier this year. The couple plans to honeymoon in the South Pacific prior to taking up residence at the Rochester Estate in Windsor.
She smiled, and he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss.
Where theyll raise Dalmatian puppies, she added, plant a cherry orchard and travel far and wide on their diplomatic passports.
He slipped his arms fully around her waist and drew her close. That sounds absolutely perfect. But theres one last thing.
Yes?
Do you love me, Julia?
She nodded, meaning the words with all her heart. Yes. I love you, Harrison. I love you very, very much.
BARBARA DUNLOP
is the bestselling, award-winning author of numerous novels for Harlequin and Silhouette Books. Her novels regularly hit bestseller lists for series romance, and she has twice been short-listed for the Romance Writers of Americas RITA® Award.
Barbara lives in a log house in the Yukon Territory, where the bears outnumber the people, and moose graze in the front yard. By day, she works as the Yukons Film Commissioner. By night, she pens romance novels in front of a roaring fire.