The Tycoon's Bought Fiancée Read Free Page A

widened. “Oh, Mrs….oh, Stephanie. Gosh, I’m so sorry. That was such a dumb thing to ask you.”
    â€œNo. Not at all. I’m just trying to think of…” Of what lie will sound best. “Of what to tell you.”
    She hadn’t been nervous the day she’d married Avery, or even scared. Terrified was more accurate, terrified and desperate and almost frantic with fear…but, of course, she could never tell that to this innocent child, never tell it to anyone, and the fact she was even thinking about the possibility only proved how frazzled her nerves really were.
    Stephanie smiled brightly. “Because, you understand, it was such a long time ago. Seven years, you know? Seven—”
    Dawn grasped Stephanie’s hands. “Forgive me, please. I’m so wrapped up in myself today that I forgot that Mr. Willingham‘s—that he’s—that you’re a widow. I didn’t mean to remind you of your loss.”
    â€œNo. No, really, that’s all right. I’m not—”
    â€œI am such an idiot! Talking without thinking, I mean. It’s my absolutely worst trait. Even Nicky says so. Sometimes, I just babble something before I’ve thought it through and I get myself, everybody , in all kinds of trouble! Oh, I am so sorry, Stephanie! Can you forgive me?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to forgive,” Stephanie said gently, smiling at the girl.
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    â€œNo wonder you looked so sad when I came into the room. It must be so awful, losing the man you love.”
    Stephanie hesitated. “I suppose it is,” she said after a minute.
    â€œI can just imagine. Why, if anything ever happened to Nicky…if anything were to separate us…” Dawn’s eyes grew suspiciously bright. She laughed, swung toward the mirror, yanked a tissue from the container on top of the vanity table and dabbed at her lashes. “Just listen to me! I am turning into the most maudlin creature in the whole wide world!”
    â€œIt’s understandable,” Stephanie said. “Today’s a very special one for you.”
    â€œYes.” Dawn blew her nose. “I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. Up one minute, down the next.” She smiled. “Thanks, Stephanie.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œFor putting up with me. I suppose all brides are basket cases on their wedding days.”
    â€œIndeed,” Stephanie said with another bright, artificial smile. “Well, if you’re sure you’re okay…”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    â€œWould you like me to look for your mother and send her in?”
    â€œNo, don’t do that. Mom’s got enough to deal with today. You go on and have fun. Did you pick up your table card yet?”
    Stephanie paused at the door and shook her head. “No. No, I didn’t.”
    â€œAh.” Dawn grinned. “Well, if I remember right, Mom and I put you at a terrific table.”
    â€œDid you?” Stephanie said with what she hoped sounded like interest.
    â€œUh-huh. You’re sitting with a couple from New York, old friends of Mom’s and Dad’s. You know, from when they were still married.”
    â€œThat sounds nice.”
    â€œAnd my cousin and her husband. Nice guys, both of them. He’s an engineer, she’s a teacher.”
    â€œWell,” Stephanie said, still smiling, “they all sound—”
    â€œAnd with my uncle David. Well, he’s not really my uncle. I mean, he’s Mr. Chambers, but I’ve known him forever. He’s a friend of my parents’. He’s this really cool guy. Really cool. And handsome.” Dawn giggled. “He’s a bachelor, and very sexy for an older man, you know?”
    â€œYes. Well, he sounds—”
    The door swung open and two of Dawn’s bridesmaids sailed into the room on a strain of music and a gust of laughter.