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Count Valieri's Prisoner (Harlequin Presents, Band 3135) - Softcover

Craven, Sara

 
9780373131419: Count Valieri's Prisoner (Harlequin Presents, Band 3135)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0373131410 ISBN 13: 9780373131419
Verlag: Harlequin Presents, 2013

Inhaltsangabe

Kidnapped and held for ransom

Things like this just don't happen to Maddie Lang! She grew up in a sleepy little English village, so never expected a research trip to Italy would end in her being held captive by the infamous Count Valieri.

His price? Her innocence!

Holding her under lock and key in his luxurious casa, the count is ready to strike a deal—one with an unconventional method of payment! As much as Maddie wills her traitorous body not to respond, his practiced touch sparks the first flickers of what could become dangerously addictive flames….

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

One of Harlequin/ Mills & Boon’s most long-standing authors, Sara Craven has sold over 30 million books around the world. She published her first novel, Garden of Dreams, in 1975 and wrote for Mills & Boon/ Harlequin for over 40 years. Former journalist Sara also balanced her impressing writing career with winning the 1997 series of the UK TV show Mastermind, and standing as Chairman of the Romance Novelists’ Association from 2011 to 2013. Sara passed away in November 2017.

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

It was quiet in the lamplit room, the only sound the occasional rustle of paper as the man seated on one side of the vast antique desk went through the contents of the file in front of him. He was unhurried, his black brows drawn together in a faint frown as he closely scanned each printed sheet in turn, then laid it aside.

The grey-haired man sitting opposite watched him, under the guise of studying his fingernails. It was over two years since they'd had cause to meet face to face, and there was no longer even a trace of the boy he had once known in the dark, incisive face bent over the documents he had brought for him only a few hours ago.

He had been welcomed with the usual courtesy, conducted by the maggiodomo to the room where he would spend the night, after which he had dined alone with his host. The food had been delicious, and on the surface, it was all charm and relaxation, but he was under no illusions.

The real business of his visit was being conducted right here and now.

Eventually, his reading concluded, the younger man looked up and gave a brief nod of approbation.

'You have been more than thorough, Signor Massimo. I commend you. An entire life laid out for my inspection in every detail. Invaluable.'

His swift smile momentarily softened the hard lines of his mouth and brought an added glint to eyes that were almost the colour of amber, flecked with gold.

It was a proud face with a high-bridged nose, classically moulded cheekbones and an uncompromising chin.

But now too austere to be truly handsome, thought Guido Massimo as he inclined his head in polite acknowledgement. And too coldly purposeful. The face of a stranger.

He waited as the other took the photograph which was the last object remaining in the file and studied it. The girl looking back at him was blonde, her pale hair hanging in a sleek silken curtain almost to her shoulders. Her face was oval with creamy skin, her eyes a clear grey. Her nose was short and straight, her chin firm and the delicately curved lips were parted in a slight but confident smile.

'When was this taken?'

'A few months ago on the occasion of her engagement,' Signor Massimo returned. 'It appeared in a magazine published in the county where she was brought up.' He allowed himself a discreet twinkle. 'Che bella ragazza.'

His comment received only an indifferent shrug.

'This cool Anglo-Saxon type has no appeal for me.' The other's mouth twisted. 'Which, under the circumstances, must be deemed fortunate.' He paused. 'But no doubt her fi-danzato will have a very different view and will pay the required price for her safe return. Or we must hope so.'

Signor Massimo murmured politely, keeping his expression impassive. He was well aware that his host's tastes in women favoured the elegantly voluptuous, but it would have been unwise even to hint that he possessed such knowledge.

The younger man returned the photograph to the file with an air of finality and leaned back in his chair, frowning again. 'The wedding is scheduled to take place in two months, which means there is no time to be lost. However it will make the resolution of the matter increasingly urgent, which is all to the good.'

Almost absently he began to play with the heavy gold signet ring he wore on his right hand. 'Tell me more about this television company she works for. You say it makes programmes for various arts channels?'

'And with some success. She is currently a researcher with a desire to move into production, but it seems marriage will end such hopes. As I have mentioned in the report, her fi-danzato has already made it clear that he does not want his wife to work.'

The other nodded. 'And this has a caused—a certain amount of friction?'

'It seems so. As yet unresolved.'

'Ambition versus love.' The cool, deep voice spoke more softly. Became almost meditative. 'Which will she choose, I wonder, when serious temptation is offered.' He paused. 'Are you a betting man, Signor Massimo?'

'On rare occasions only.'

'And where would you place your money in such a situation.'

Guido Massimo gave a faint shrug. 'A girl soon to be a bride. She will wish to please her groom, I think.'

'You are unexpectedly romantic, signore. But I feel you are mistaken.' His smile was a curl of the lips. 'Because I know the bait that will bring her to me.'

'If I can be of further assistance…' the older man began, but was stopped by a raised hand.

'I am grateful but I believe that from here it is better for your involvement to cease. What happens should be my responsibility, and I would not wish you to have to answer any awkward questions, so the less you know the better.'

His tone became brisker. 'Leaving just the matter of your fee to be dealt with.' He opened a drawer in the desk, extracted a bulky envelope and handed it over. 'For the same reasons, we agreed this transaction should be on a cash basis. You may of course count it.'

'I would not dream of such a thing.'

'As you please.' The other paused. 'Which means I have only to thank you once more and wish you a peaceful night. We shall meet tomorrow at breakfast.'

Guido Massimo rose, made a slight bow and walked to the door where he hesitated. 'I must ask this. You are—determined? Quite sure there is no other course? The girl, after all, is an innocent party in all this. Does she deserve to be treated in such a way? I only enquire, you understand.'

'I comprehend perfectly. But you must not distress yourself, my friend. Once I have what I want, your bella ragazza will be returned as good as new to her future husband.' He added unsmilingly, 'That is, of course, if she still wants him.' He rose too, tall and lithe, his hands resting on his lean hips. 'There is no necessity to pity her, I assure you.'

But I shall do so, just the same, Guido Massimo thought as he left the room. And I shall also pity the boy I once knew, and remember him in my prayers.

'Darling,' said Jeremy. 'Please tell me this is some sort of joke.'

Madeleine Lang put down her glass and stared at him across the table in the wine bar in genuine perplexity. 'A joke?' she repeated. 'I'm talking about work here and perfectly serious. Why on earth would I be joking?'

Jeremy gave a hollow laugh. 'Oh, just a small matter of a wedding for over two hundred guests to arrange. Or will that be put on hold while you roam round Italy on some wild goose chase?'

Madeleine bit her lip. 'Hardly on hold, with your stepmother so firmly in control. I doubt if my absence will even be noticed.'

There was an edgy pause, then Jeremy reached across and took her hand, his expression rueful. 'Sweetheart, I know Esme can be rather managing.'

Madeleine sighed. 'Jeremy, that's putting it mildly, and you know it. Everything I want and suggest is just—brushed aside. I don't even feel that it is our wedding any more.'

'I'm sorry, Maddie.' Jeremy's tone was coaxing. 'But—it's a really big deal for the family, and Dad wants everything to be perfect. Times may be hard but Sylvester and Co is still riding high. That kind of thing.'

'If it only was a family affair,' Madeleine muttered. She sat back, reaching for her glass. 'For one thing, where have all those guests come from? I've never even heard of two thirds of them.'

'Clients of the bank, business...

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Verlag
Harlequin Presents
Erscheinungsdatum
2013
Sprache
Englisch
ISBN 10 
0373131410
ISBN 13 
9780373131419
Einband
Taschenbuch
Anzahl der Seiten
192
Kontakt zum Hersteller
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Verantwortliche Person
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