An Heiress for His Empire

“That is none of your business.”

“Indulge me.”

Maddie didn’t answer, but concentrated on finishing her pancakes. Vik didn’t press.

His patient silence finally convinced her to tell him.

She said, “I want to start a charter school, this one with boarders from the foster-care system.”

“An orphanage.”

“No, a school for gifted children in difficult family circumstances.” A place the children could be safe and thrive.

Vik sipped at his coffee pensively for several moments.

“How will you fund it?”

“A large portion of my trust income will go to it annually, but I also plan to raise funds amidst the heavy coffers of this city. I’ve learned a lot about fund-raising since my first volunteer assignment on the mayoral campaign when I was a teenager.”

“Your father has no idea how full your life is.”

“No, he doesn’t.” And Vik had barely an inkling as well.

She’d stopped telling him about her plans and activities when he’d rejected her so summarily six years ago.

Vik relaxed back in his chair. “The Madison family estate is a large house, even by the elite of San Francisco standards, but hardly the ideal location for a school. Either in building architecture or location.”

“Oh, you don’t think poor children should live among the wealthy?” she challenged.

He didn’t appear offended at her accusation. “I think it will cost more than it’s worth to get zoning approval.”

“That section was zoned for the inclusion of a local school, but none was ever built.”

“And you think that zoning will remain once your neighbors learn of your plans?” he asked in a tone that said he didn’t.

“I don’t intend to advertise them.”

One corner of his lips tilted just the tiniest bit. “A fait accompli?”

“Yes.”

“You have to apply for permits, hire staff...it’s not going to stay a secret long.”

“And then the fight begins, you are saying?”

“Yes.”

“But why should the residents care if there’s a school in their neighborhood? The city planners clearly intended there to be one.”

“And the fact there isn’t should tell you something.”

“But—”

“I can find you a better building.”

She didn’t want to sell her grandparents’ home. Her memories there weren’t the greatest. Her Grandfather Madison had often made Jeremy Archer look warm and cuddly by comparison, but Maddie’s mother’s stories of her own childhood had been filled with delight.

Maddie always wished she’d had a chance to know her grandmother, Grace Madison.

“I’ll have to sell the mansion to finance another purchase.” No matter how much she might not want to do it.

The school was too important to give up and Vik was right, as he so often was—the opposition to a boarding school in that neighborhood for the underprivileged was bound to be stiff.

Vik shook his head decisively. “I’ll buy the other building.”

“In exchange for what?”

“Consider it my wedding gift to you.”

“Presumptuous.”

“I’m the only man I will allow you to consider.” Dark brown eyes fixed on her with unmistakable purpose.

She ignored the way his words sent shivers through her insides. “You’re assuming I’ll agree to marry.”

“Your father doesn’t realize it, but I know he didn’t need anything beyond his first threat to convince you to fall in with his plans.”

“You don’t think so?”

“Are you in another relationship?” Vik asked, the words clipped, something like anger smoldering in the depth of his gaze.

“No.” Maddie saw no reason to hedge.

“Dating anyone?” he pressed.

“No.” She frowned. “Why are you asking about this now?”

“Because if you were in a relationship with someone who mattered to you, no pressure your father brought to bear would sway you into marrying someone else.”

He was right, but it rankled. “You think you know me so well.”

“I know that your dad means more to you than you want him to believe.”

“It’s not a matter of what I want.” Her father didn’t think he mattered to Maddie because she wasn’t all that important to him. Not in a personal way.

“Jeremy isn’t going to back off on this.”

“Why now?”