Page 28 of Her Spanish Scandal

“How did Gui ask you to marry him?” Anika asked once they were seated and all had a glass of sangria.

Kara flushed. No one had asked these questions of her, because she’d neatly avoided being alone with her friends and her sister since the engagement had been announced. Now she was faced with either telling them the truth or making something up.

She took a sip of her fruity wine drink. “You know how Gui is. He didn’t really ask me so much as tell me.”

Arcelia started laughing. “Typical Gui. I hope you gave him a hard time for asking you like that.”

“I did.”

“Good for you. He always said he would never marry, and to be honest I was a bit surprised when I read about your engagement. Mother was furious that he didn’t call and let us know first.”

“I’m sorry you had to find out in the newspaper.”

“It’s okay. Gui isn’t really big on communicating. You will have to be the one to keep us in the loop.”

“So why do you think he asked you to marry him?” Anika asked.

“I have no idea,” Kara said. Truly, she suspected it had something to do with Tristan and Christos both settling down.

“You’re not his normal type of woman.”

“I know,” Kara said. She thought about that every day when she woke up in bed with Gui. Since they’d come to Madrid, he hadn’t made love to her. And a part of her wondered if he had regrets now that they were here. Now that the wedding was only a few short days away.

Anika reached across the table and took her hand. “I think that’s a good thing. He was dating these women who were…” She glanced at her sister, who shrugged.

“Shallow?”

“Yes, shallow. They were a bit trying at times. But you aren’t like that.”

“Well, thank you,” Kara said.

Anika laughed. “I sound like a flake, don’t I?”

“A little. What are you trying to say without saying it?” Kara was really starting to like Gui’s sisters. They had that genuine core of solidness that she sensed in Gui. Kara suspected it was because of the way they’d all been raised. There was no room for doubt or weakness in their family. Gui’s parents loved all of their children, and it was clear to see that that affection and support had helped those children to mature into adults with purpose.

“We’d like to help out with your foundation. As soon as Gui mentioned your name, we knew who you were. A&A Works has been looking for the right charity to partner with.”

Kara smiled at the women. They owned their own jewelry design house. “What did you have in mind? I’d have to talk to Malcolm, who heads up our joint promotions department, but I’d love to create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that we could sell and use the proceeds to fund a new housing development for women and children. Maybe here in Madrid.”

“Yes, we have considered that before. But we want to be involved globally.”

“Let me get you in touch with Malcolm and then you can figure something out. I’m thinking we could start with a series of exclusive bracelets each inspired by a different country, and then use the proceeds in that country.”

Anika nodded and grabbed a pen to start jotting down notes. And Kara felt more like herself than she had since she’d arrived in Spain.

Gui had been busy working at Seconds and taking care of his own obligations, and Kara had been at loose ends feeling very much the outsider in her own new life.

But this was exactly the type of thing that she could sink her teeth into. “When I get back I’ll e-mail Malcolm.” She paused. “Thanks for inviting me to come shopping with you this afternoon.”

“You’re welcome. We figured you needed an afternoon of relaxation before tonight.”

“Are royal functions that trying?” Kara asked. Gui had invited her to a dinner party at his brother’s house. Gui’s sister-in-law was the Enfanta…heir to the Spanish throne.

“They can be fun. But I suspected that Elvira will go out of her way to make you feel like an outsider.”

Kara’s skin suddenly felt too tight. Why hadn’t Gui mentioned that the other woman would be there? Not that he had to. “I…I didn’t realize she’d be there.”

“The dinner is for the entire family to meet you. And Juan is our cousin through marriage.”