The Wedding Ultimatum. HELEN BIANCHIN

of my own to whom I can bequeath my fortune. A child born in wedlock. Who better to conceive and gift me that child than a descendent of the d’Alboa aristocracy?’ He watched her features, saw the comprehension, the doubt, then the anger.

      ‘Are you insane?’ she demanded in a voice she didn’t recognise as her own. ‘There are plenty of needy children in the world. Adopt one.’

      ‘No.’

      She cast him a look of total incredulity.

      ‘It’s a question of needs,’ Rafe offered with damnable imperturbability. ‘Yours and mine.’

      ‘The hell it is!’

      His gaze narrowed, and his expression assumed an implacability that was frightening. ‘That’s the deal. Take it, or leave it.’

      Dear heaven. It was unconscionable. Wasn’t it?

      ‘Let me get this straight,’ she said tightly. ‘You’re advocating I marry you, and act as a surrogate mother to your child…then walk away?’

      He didn’t pretend to misunderstand her. ‘Not until the child enters the scholastic system.’

      She wanted to hit him, and nearly did. ‘Are we talking kindergarten level, pre-school, or school?’

      His eyes narrowed fractionally. ‘School.’

      ‘Almost seven years, given I should be sufficiently fortunate to fall pregnant immediately?’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘For which I’ll be recompensed to the tune of approximately two hundred thousand dollars for each year?’ She paused to bank down the anger and take a fresh breath. ‘Paid up front in the manner that free-holds the apartment, clears all debts, restores all Ariane’s prized possessions, and resettles the boutique?’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘And what of the years I spend as your wife?’

      ‘You get to enjoy all the fringe benefits of living in my home, acting as my social hostess, a generous allowance.’ He waited a beat. ‘And sharing my bed.’

      She forced herself to conduct a raking appraisal of his features. ‘Forgive me, but I don’t see having sex with you as a bonus.’

      His expression didn’t change. ‘That’s a foolish statement,’ Rafe drawled with a tinge of humour. ‘For someone who has no experience of me as her lover.’

      She banked down wild images of that powerful body engaged in intimacy, and held his gaze. ‘Really? Is that knowledge gleaned from superb feminine acting and countless “you were wonderful, darling” compliments?’

      ‘Do you require recommendations as to my sexual prowess?’

      Why did she have the feeling she was fast moving out of her depth? ‘And when I’ve fulfilled my side of this diabolical scheme you’ve devised…what then?’

      ‘Elaborate.’

      ‘After the divorce,’ she said succinctly.

      ‘That is something for negotiation.’

      ‘I want all the facts now. Do I get to have visiting rights to my child? Or am I to be cast aside after my use-by date?’

      ‘A suitable arrangement will be made.’

      ‘How suitable?’ she persisted.

      ‘It is not my intention to banish you from the child’s life.’

      ‘But you’ll legally limit it to minimum time during the holidays and the occasional weekend.’ He’d employ the best legal brains in the country to ensure his influence over the child was total.

      ‘And naturally a pre-nuptial agreement will ensure I walk away after the divorce with nothing.’

      ‘You’ll be settled in a suitable residence and maintained with a generous allowance until the child comes of age.’

      ‘I imagine you’re prepared to put all this in writing?’

      ‘I already have.’ He slid a hand into his jacket pocket and withdrew a folded legal document. ‘It’s signed and notarised.’ He placed it on the table in front of her. ‘Take it with you, read it carefully, and give me your answer within twenty-four hours.’

      It was unbelievable she was still sitting here. Pride had caused her to attempt to walk out on him once. She knew with certainty the next time he would make no move to stop her.

      ‘What you ask is impossible.’

      ‘You’re in no position to bargain with me.’

      ‘Is that a veiled threat to withdraw your offer?’

      ‘Your words. Not mine.’ He regarded her steadily. ‘This is business. Nothing more, nothing less. I have spelt out the terms. It is for you to accept or decline.’

      He was that heartless? She felt sickened as she rose to her feet and collected her purse. If she remained much longer in his company she’d say or do something regrettable.

      ‘Thank you for dinner.’ Politely spoken words that lacked sincerity.

      Rafe lifted a hand and summoned the waiter. ‘I’ll see you to your car.’

      ‘That’s totally unnecessary,’ she responded stiffly, and began making her way towards the entrance.

      She acknowledged the maitre d’, then stepped out onto the pavement, and she had only managed a few steps when a tall male frame drew level.

      ‘In such a hurry to escape?’ Rafe drawled, watching the play of street-lighting on her expressive features.

      ‘You got it in one.’

      She reached the corner, turned, and walked as quickly as stiletto heels would allow.

      Another block and a half, then she’d be free of him, and she almost counted off the seconds until her car was in sight.

      ‘Goodnight.’

      He ignored the obvious dismissal and accompanied her to the small sedan, then stood waiting as she unlocked the door and slid in behind the wheel.

      The ignition fired and she attempted to pull the door closed, only to have him hold it open as he leaned towards her.

      ‘Twenty-four hours, Danielle,’ Rafe reminded silkily. ‘Think carefully. You have much to gain, and everything to lose.’

      Then he stood back, and she eased the car out of its parking space and into the flow of traffic.

      Damn him. Who did he think he was, for heaven’s sake?

      Don’t answer that, an inner voice prompted as she attempted to focus her attention on negotiating her way out of the inner city.

      A marriage arranged to the mutual benefit of both partners wasn’t unheard of in this day and age.

      The question was whether she could enter into such a business agreement with a man she professed to dislike.

      A child. Her stomach muscles twisted into a painful knot at the thought of surrogacy. Rafe Valdez had given his verbal assurance she’d retain an active part in the child’s life after the divorce.

      Was it too high a price to pay?

      First, Danielle determined, she’d have a lawyer peruse Rafe’s written agreement.

      Then she’d make a decision.

      CHAPTER TWO

      SEVERAL days later Danielle stood at Rafe Valdez’s side in an ornate gazebo situated in the gardens of his beautiful Toorak home and exchanged marriage vows directed by a celebrant in the presence of Ariane and Rafe’s lawyer, who acted as witnesses.

      The previous week had passed in a blur, each day seemingly