vague idea of the man with whom I am about to come face-to-face. My go-to reaction when faced with something, or someone,

nally tracked down the website for Davenport Wines, I was able to confirm that the

nough, there is very little about his personal life documented online, which I found a little odd. He is clearly wealthy and from a prestigious family, so I would have thought he would

h coat my black wrap dress has seen better days, and my heels are scuffed. Thank heavens I managed to find a pair of stockings with no h

y arrival, I can’t help but be impressed by my surroundings. Before I can take in much of anything, though, I see Alexander standing expectantly, apparently waiting for me to make my way across to the table. I reach the

el instantly at ease in his company. I have no idea how he knows my name, but I guess he is th

I begin before h

one say 'Mr Davenport'.”Alex smiles at me, and immediately his fac

eing informal, then please call me Olivia.

or you," Alex says, his voice returning to the carefully controlled tone he used when I first wa

ely trying to appear calm. A proposition, he said. Well, at this point I am plain out of options so have no choice

nt your assurance that the details will not leave this room." I nod and wait for him to continue. "I have s

y position to argue. "I understand that." My voice is almost a whisper and I

stralia, as well as various investments throughout Australasia. Basically, we are very wealthy." Okay, nothing I didn't know, or gu

I have managed to avoid it. But now there is real pressure with regards to one particular girl, as both families seem to have gone all

he marriage is not a possibility. Where I come from, well, let's just say this is not something I could keep under wraps, which in turn could cause problems for the family busines

sly, my mind already latching on to this mysterious '

is. At the moment, it is innuendo and whispers, but I am due to go to Perth in a c

ready married', you mean me?" I can hear the tremble in

es, the smirk that he seems to have

ry you?" I say, and I can't help the disbelief that has seeped into my voic

nd you have a total of a hundred pounds in your account. Your rent is due next week, and without this manuscript, your boss, Charl

do you know my business?" I exclaim, my voice rising as th

ing completely calm. Touché. Okay, so I did my homework too, but I certainly did not go into thi

ntrol because I am too chickenshit to do what needs to be done. "Okay, so you know why I need the manuscrip

m proposing that we get married, which will solve a major headache for me, and in return,

r's care? And my debts are nothing to do with you," I say quietly, my m

it would need to be that long to make sure that my parents believe that we married for love…" A

his statement. Clearly what we are talking about is nothing to

ogether ever since, sickeningly in love. And all they want for me and my siblings is to find what they have. They may try and match-make the hell out of me, but they m

lifestyle' can't be that bad, can it?" I say, doing my best to keep the bitterness out of my mouth. Suddenly something strik

his features. "And it is nothing illegal. It…it's just not something that they would understand. Look, I don

a house in London, so you can stay there and still be able to visit your mother and carry on your job. I travel a lot for business, so I wouldn't be around that much, meaning

o dress and act the part. It is only fair that you are compensated for it. If you are to agree to our arrangement, I will get a prenuptial agreement drawn up and we can go from there," Alex finishes, a

let me buy the manuscript and you will pay my expenses during the course of the year?" In my mind's

stare at the tablecloth, my mind whirr

ood, so let's just forget about everything for the moment and enjoy our meal, and then perhaps you can go away and have a th

of us, I can see a fillet of beef Wellington, green beans, sautéed potato and creamy mushrooms. My stomach suddenly rumbles and I realise that

on't mind," I say, not sure that I want to start going into the reas

nversation that we have just been having. I go through everything Alex has told me and I know realistically that I don't have any other choice; I cannot risk my mother becoming homeless. I would love to scream and wail

tter than Robert Redford and I am certainly no Demi Moore. "Do you expect me to have sex with you?" I suddenly blurt

tatement confuses the hell out of me. Innocent? At thirty-three, I would hardly think that I am some innocent virgin. I have had two long-term relationships, a couple of short, torrid affa

ever through this strange meeting, he seems to have remained completely calm—impassive almost. I study him under my lashes and while I certainly am attracted to him—well, what normal girl wouldn't be attracted to a gorgeous hunk with a dreamy accent?—what strik

, surprise written across his expression. I don't

rs drawn up and sent across to you first thing." Alex looks me in the eye, almost

ss his expression, but thankfully he doesn't call me on it. Ever the gentleman, he insists on collecting my coat, helping me into it with practised ease, walking me out and putting me in his car, with strict instructions to the driver to deliver me

f my building, I scramble for the door handle. When I try to pay for my ride, the driver insists that it is on Mr Davenport's account. I