A Precious Inheritance. Paula Roe

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      He won the auction…

      Vanessa Partridge has a good reason for wanting the priceless manuscript being offered at auction—it is her twin babies’ legacy. But she doesn’t count on the winning bidder, financial guru Chase Harrington, showing up on her doorstep.

      Now he wants the woman…

      Chase has a new obsession—Vanessa. There’s more to the former-socialite-turned-working-single-mom than meets the eye…and he’s going to find it. He’s got secrets of his own—secrets threatened by the sexy Vanessa. More than anything, Chase wants to give in to their sizzling attraction…but can he afford to play with fire?

       “Why did you really agree to come out with me?”

      Chase leaned in, and his lips hovered close to her ear as he added, “If this is you trying to persuade me to sell you the manuscript, it’s going to take more than just one date.”

      Vanessa jerked back, a frown marring her forehead, cheeks coloring as she glared at him. “Two dates, then?”

      His deep chuckle aroused her as his warm breath fanned over her cheek. She bit her lip to stop a groan escaping.

      “You are something, Vanessa Partridge. But you’re definitely not the type to offer yourself up Indecent Proposal-style—am I correct?”

      “You …” She had to close her eyes to gather her wits as her heartbeat quickened. “You don’t know that.”

      He eased back to study her. “So what are you offering?”

      Her eyebrows went up. “What do you want?”

       THE HIGHEST BIDDER

       At this high-stakes auction house where everything is for sale, true love is priceless.

      Don’t miss a single story in this new continuity!

      GILDED SECRETS by Maureen Child

       EXQUISITE ACQUISITIONS by Charlene Sands

       A SILKEN SEDUCTION by Yvonne Lindsay

       A PRECIOUS INHERITANCE by Paula Roe

       THE ROGUE’S FORTUNE by Cat Schield

       GOLDEN BETRAYALS by Barbara Dunlop

      Dear Reader,

      When I was at school, we didn’t have a “popular” group—it was more like a “loud and obnoxious” group. :-) Now I’m in Romance Writing World, and rubbing shoulders with writers I read, admire and generally want to be when I grow up. So when I was asked to join this particular group—which includes some of my favorite Mills & Boon Desire authors—I couldn’t say no!

      So I started Chase and Vanessa’s story with my most favorite part of writing—delving deep into their pasts to discover what makes them tick. Vanessa’s baggage seemed to fall into place a lot easier than Chase’s.… That man just wouldn’t give up his secrets easily! But when I finally pieced together his childhood, everything else started to flow. And as always, I did a lot of surfing (read: research) and discovered some fascinating websites on New York, Washington, hedge funds, the Library of Congress… Now I desperately want to see it in real life and not just via Google Earth!

      I hope this story comes alive for you, this fourth book in The Highest Bidder continuity. I had such a great time writing it. I’d love to hear from you at www.paularoe.com!

      Paula

      A Precious Inheritance

      Paula Roe

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Despite wanting to be a vet, choreographer, cardsharp, hairdresser and an interior designer (although not simultaneously!), British-born, Aussie-bred PAULA ROE ended up as a personal assistant, office manager, software trainer and aerobics instructor for thirteen interesting years.

      Paula lives in western New South Wales, Australia, with her family, two opinionated cats and a garden full of dependent native birds. She still retains a deep love of filing systems, stationery and travelling, even though the latter doesn’t happen nearly as often as she’d like. She loves to hear from her readers—you can visit her at her website: www.paularoe.com

       Recent titles by the same author:

      A PRECIOUS INHERITANCE

       BED OF LIES

       PROMOTED TO WIFE?

       THE BILLIONAIRE BABY BOMBSHELL

       Did you know these are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

      This book would never have come about without two groups of people: first, the fabulous Mills & Boon Desire editorial team (Jessica and Liba, for their awesome editing, and Charles, who has the delightful task of answering all my questions and queries and fielding my out-there ideas with tact and patience). And my writing group, The Coven, who hold my hand (both metaphorically and literally), talk me down off the ledge when things get crazy and generally keep me sane. I love you, girls!

      Also, a separate special thanks goes to Kitty and her friend Betsy, for answering my questions on what it takes to be a teacher in the States.

      Special thanks and acknowledgment to Paula Roe for her contribution to The Highest Bidder miniseries

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Bonus Story

       Excerpt

      One

      “Five hundred thousand. I have half a million dollars, ladies and gentlemen. Any more bids?”

      The auctioneer’s French-accented baritone rose above the electric whispers spreading through the eager crowd at Waverly’s. The atmosphere was a living, breathing thing, undulating in intense waves of excitement and curiosity, and Chase Harrington could practically feel the energy bouncing off each and every bidder in the room, the familiar subdued rumble of gossip reverberating off the velvet-papered walls.

      The chandeliered auction