Page 31 of London Dynasty

“She was a better swimmer than her mother. The Coastguard found her clinging to some of the wreckage. She was in the hospital for weeks with hypothermia, and after that…” He trailed away, shaking his head. “I’m sorry this is too depressing a story for a Sunday afternoon. I came to talk with you about Spencer.”

“I’m having dinner with him tonight.” I was actually relieved to shift the conversation to one of a business nature. Some gut instinct told me to keep Tod at a distance. It was best if there were clear boundaries between myself and Kerrigan’s father, even if I didn’t understand why.

“I heard. Good job. I was concerned after he delayed the engagement yesterday evening,” he admitted. “I apologize if I was harsh on you.”

“You were quite clear on the expectations,” I said coolly. “I’ll do my best to see that his interest remains piqued.”

“Not just his interest.” Tod leveled a hard look at me. “The sooner he puts a ring on your finger, the better.”

“I’m sure it’s just a matter of time,” I said with a shrug. I didn’t need to tell Tod about Spencer’s desire to get to know one another or that I’d managed to capture his full attention by admitting to him that I was a virgin. Tod didn’t need to know that. It was the part of our indecent arrangement that I felt we both preferred to keep him in the dark regarding. I might not be his daughter, but I looked enough like her to pass as her. I couldn’t imagine he wanted to think about me in bed with Spencer anymore than he wanted to imagine Kerrigan there.

“We’ll see,” he said, his eyes unreadable. “Let me know how dinner goes.” Then, he turned and left me to plan my attack.

I wasn’t exactly Sun Tzu, but when Giles called up that evening to tell me Spencer had arrived, I felt like I’d spent the day preparing to go into battle. Tonight my armor consisted of a fitted red dress with a caged bodice that functioned a bit like a bustier. Two cups barely contained my breasts, and the neckline—if it could be called that—plunged between them. My hips looked especially curvy in the tight skirt. It might have been too sexy if it weren’t for its length, the skirt extended to my knees, and the accessories that Giles had chosen. A simple choker of diamonds circled my neck complemented by diamond teardrop earrings. I carried a classic Chanel clutch that matched my black heels, which featured a classic, but exaggerated silhouette that made my legs look especially long.

I left my hair down after it was curled and opted for little more than a few coats of mascara and red lipstick. The effect was simple but sexy.

I’d been a little concerned about the message that wearing red sent, particularly after my intimate discussions with Spencer yesterday, but as soon as I started down the staircase I knew I’d made the right choice.

Spencer stood in the entry, discussing something quietly with Tod, but he turned when he heard me. Whatever he was saying died on his lips as he drank me in. He met me at the foot of the stairs, completely abandoning Tod, who looked pleased by the snub rather than offended.

“You are a goddess,” Spencer murmured in a low voice meant only for me.

“Which one?” I teased.

“I’m still trying to decide.” He grinned. “I’ll tell you when I figure it out.” He looked over his shoulder. “I will take good care of your daughter, sir.”

Tod tipped his head. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Kerrigan.”

“Dad,” I forced the term of endearment out, earning me a flash of shock from Tod who quickly covered it. He left us then and I felt a flutter of excitement to find myself alone with Spencer.

Would tonight be the night? I’d done my best to avoid worrying about whether I would go to bed with Spencer this evening. Now that he was standing before me, I could think of nothing else.

“I have something for you.” Spencer reached into his pocket and blood pounded in my ears as I waited. But the box he retrieved was too long to be a ring box. Apparently, he’d meant it when he said he wanted to get to know each other before we got engaged. He flipped open the lid to reveal a dazzling bracelet made up of two strands of diamonds and an intricate clasp like none I’d ever seen before. “May I?”

I didn’t trust myself to speak so I merely held out my hand.

“There’s a little trick to this,” he said. “I’ll show you later.” He wrapped it around my wrist and fastened it.

I admired it for a moment. “Thank you.”

“I know you’re expecting a ring, but—”

“I don’t expect anything, Spencer.” The truth slipped out of me. My words. Not the ones I should use as Kerrigan. I’d never expected anything in my life. It made things easier.

“That changes now,” he said darkly and I looked up, startled, by the bleak current in his voice. “If you’re to be my wife, you should expect to be treated well, to have expensive things, to have strangers admire you.”

“And what should I expect from you?” I asked, trying to puzzle out his suddenly stormy mood.

But his answer was as cryptic as the clouds in his eyes. “Nothing and everything.”

Spencer extended an arm and I took it, unable to tear my eyes from how the diamonds glittered with every movement. Outside, I discovered just how important appearances were to him. A cherry red McLaren sports car was parked in front of the house. Before I could stop myself, I giggled.

“Is something funny?” he asked as he led me toward it.

I pointed to the car and back to my dress. “We match.”

“So you do,” he said slowly. He studied me for a second before catching his lower lip in his teeth and looking away.