The Forced Marriage

The Forced Marriage
Sara Craven

Powerful Italian Marco Valante was used to taking what he wanted and he wouldn't let a little thing like Flora's engagement stand in the way! Flora had been trying to convince herself she was happy with her steady fiance, but her head hadn't stopped spinning since she'd literally bumped into Marco!The sexy tycoon wasted no time in whisking her away to his villa for privacy, passion and a surprise marriage proposal. Marco was determined to marry Flora before she could discover their accidental meeting hadn't been quite so innocent….

“I shall take you back to Italy with me.”

Flora’s lips parted in a soundless gasp. She stared up at Marco. “You—can’t be serious.”

“Why not?” He shrugged. “I have to return there, and you need to escape. It solves several problems.”

And creates a hundred others. She thought it, but did not say it. She said slowly, “Marco—why do you want me with you?”

He put his lips to the agitated pulse in her throat. “You have a short memory, mia cara. Do you really not know?”

Mamma Mia!

Harlequin Presents

They’re tall, dark—and ready to marry!

Don’t delay. Order the next story

in this great new miniseries…pronto!

Marriage in Peril

by

Miranda Lee

June, #2326

The Forced Marriage

Sara Craven

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Endpage (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE

‘TELL me something,’ said Hester. ‘Are you absolutely certain you want to get married?’

Flora Graham, whose thoughts had drifted to the ongoing knotty problem of informing those concerned that she didn’t want her spoiled and brattish nephew as a pageboy, hurriedly snapped back to the immediate present, the crowded and cheerful restaurant, and her best friend and bridesmaid eyeing her with concern across the table.

‘Of course I do.’ She frowned slightly. ‘Chris and I are perfect for each other; you know that. I couldn’t be happier.’

‘You don’t look particularly happy,’ Hester said judicially, refilling their coffee cups.

Flora rolled her eyes in mock despair. ‘You wait until it’s your turn, and you find yourself in the middle of a three-ring circus with no time off for good behaviour. My mother must have been having one of her deaf days when I said I wanted a small quiet wedding.’

‘Then why don’t you have one?’ Hester met her astonished look steadily. ‘Why don’t you ask Chris to get a special licence, and slope off somewhere and do the business? I’ll happily be one witness, and maybe Chris’s best man would be the other.’

Flora went on staring at her. ‘Because we can’t. We’re committed to all these arrangements—all that expense. We’d be letting so many people down. It’s too late.’

‘Honey, it’s never too late.’ Hester’s voice was persuasive. ‘And I’m sure most people would understand.’

Flora gave a wry shake of the head. ‘Not my mother,’ she said. And, my God, certainly not Chris’s. ‘Anyway, don’t you want to do your bridesmaid thing? I’ve arranged for you to catch my bouquet afterwards.’

‘Having observed you closely since the engagement party, I think I’ll pass,’ Hester said drily. ‘I’m not ready for a nervous breakdown.’ She paused. ‘Talking of engagements, I see you’re not wearing your ring. Would that be a Freudian slip?’

‘No, I damaged a claw in the setting last week, and it’s being repaired.’ Flora’s frown deepened. ‘What is this, Hes? You’re beginning to sound as if you don’t like Chris.’

‘That’s not true,’ her friend said slowly. ‘But, even if you hate me for ever, I have to tell you I think you could do better.’

Flora gasped. ‘You don’t mean that. I love Chris, in case you hadn’t noticed.’

Hester was silent for a moment. ‘Flo, in all the years we’ve known each other I’ve seen you with various men, but never in a serious relationship with any of them. Although that’s fine,’ she added hastily. ‘You’ve never slept around, and I admire you for sticking to your principles. But I always thought that when you fell, you’d fall hard. Passion to die for—heaven, hell and heartbreak—the works. And I don’t see much sign of that with you and Chris.’

‘I’m glad to hear it,’ Flora said calmly. ‘It sounds very uncomfortable.’

‘But it should be uncomfortable,’ Hester returned implacably. ‘Love isn’t some cosy old coat that you slip on because it’s less trouble than shopping for a new one.’

‘But that isn’t how I feel at all,’ Flora protested. ‘I— I’m crazy about him.’

‘Really?’ Hester was inexorable. ‘In that case, why aren’t you living together?’

‘The flat needs work—decoration. We want it to be perfect. After all, it’s going to be my showcase, and it’s taking longer than we thought.’ Flora realised with exasperation how feeble that sounded.