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  ‘I’m sure his money doesn’t matter to you but every little bit helps,’ Gina responded pragmatically. ‘So when are you seeing him again?’

  Mia glanced at her watch and felt her stomach clench in panic at how she was going to be ready in time. ‘In about two hours.’

  ‘Two hours?’ Gina looked aghast. ‘But you haven’t even done your hair!’

  ‘Can I borrow that black evening dress of yours?’ Mia asked as she kicked off her shoes and released her pony-tail.

  ‘Which one? The one with the diamanté halter-neck or the one with the split up the thigh?’

  ‘Which do you think is sexier?’

  Gina scrunched her face up as she thought about it. ‘Definitely the split—besides, you’ve got the legs for it.’

  Mia stared at her reflection an hour and forty-five minutes later. There was no trace of the struggling and out-of-work actor now. In her place was a sophisticated vision in close-fitting black satin, her blonde hair scooped up in a casual but still elegant twist on top of her head, the glittering drop earrings she’d borrowed off Gina giving the final touch of glamour.

  ‘Wow…you look fabulous. Bryn is going to fall in love with you all over again when he sees you,’ Gina said.

  Mia stifled a cynical little laugh. Bryn Dwyer didn’t seem to be the type to fall in love with anybody but himself. The Press had been full of his numerous relationships, none of them lasting more than a week or two. And no wonder, she thought uncharitably. With his ego the size it was, there wouldn’t be room for anyone else’s in any of his relationships.

  ‘That’s him!’ Gina whispered as the doorbell sounded. She scooped up the evening bag she’d lent Mia and ushered her towards the door.

  Mia flicked a loose tendril out of her eye and opened the door to find a man dressed in a chauffeur’s uniform standing there.

  ‘Good evening, Miss Forrester. My name is Henry. I’m Mr Dwyer’s driver. I have been instructed to take you to him for this evening’s event. He had another commitment but told me to tell you he will meet you there.’

  Mia saw Gina’s eyes go out on stalks but she herself was not so impressed by such opulent wealth. She hated unnecessary displays of prosperity and couldn’t help feeling Bryn had done it deliberately to remind her of his power over her. She inwardly fumed as she wondered what his other commitment had been—no doubt a quick dalliance with one of his numerous lovers.

  She gave the driver a pleasant smile and followed him out to the stretch limousine and turned around in her seat to give the awestruck Gina a little fingertip wave once Henry had settled her inside.

  A few minutes later they were travelling across the Harbour Bridge into the city, the summer sun still high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the high-rise buildings. There were numerous yachts out, their white sails in perfect accord with the sail-like structure of the Sydney Opera House, which sparkled in the bright sunshine.

  Within a short time Henry drove into the sweeping driveway of one of the premier hotels, where a host of paparazzi were already gathered in anticipation as one of the hotel staff stepped forward to open her door.

  Mia had to rely on what she’d learnt in a role play workshop she’d done a few months back. She stepped out of the vehicle as if she were royalty, smiling graciously for the flashing cameras as she made her way across the red carpet to the ostentatious foyer.

  The ceiling was dripping with crystal chandeliers, the marbled floor beneath her high-heeled feet was polished to perfection and huge, fragrant floral arrangements dominated the centre table in front of the grand, sweeping staircase.

  A journalist thrust a microphone in her face. ‘Miss Forrester, tell us how it feels to have won the heart of Sydney’s most confirmed bachelor.’

  She smiled sweetly and answered in a breathy tone. ‘It feels absolutely wonderful.’

  ‘You are the envy of the young and single female population of Sydney,’ another one said. ‘No one ever thought he would commit. Can you tell us your secret?’

  ‘There is no secret about love,’ she said. ‘It takes you by surprise when you’re least expecting it.’

  ‘Is it true you met by accident?’ a female reporter asked.

  ‘Yes…’ Mia gave a coy smile. ‘I accidentally spilt a cup of coffee in his lap.’

  ‘Is there any truth in the rumour that Mr Dwyer’s comments in this morning’s paper in regard to your performance in Theodore Frankston’s latest production precipitated your—er—little accident?’

  ‘No, of course not…as I said, it was an accident. It just slipped out of my hand,’ Mia lied with increasing confidence. ‘It was only when he stood up that I realised who he was and…well…I was overwhelmed by my feelings, as indeed he was too.’

  ‘There has been some suggestion that this is all a publicity stunt,’ another journalist said. ‘Do you have any comment to make?’

  ‘Yes.’ She looked towards the television camera, giving her lashes a little flutter before she continued in the same breathy tone. ‘I would like to say to all those sceptics out there that there is such a thing as love at first sight. Bryn and I are living proof of it. As soon as we met it was like…kismet.’ She was on a roll and continued with a hand pressed to her bosom. ‘I could almost hear the angels singing.’ She gave a dreamy sigh. ‘I can’t wait until we’re married. It’s like a dream come true.’

  ‘Er—thank you, Miss Forrester.’ The journalist turned to the camera. ‘Well, you’ve heard it straight from the filly’s mouth, so to speak. To those who’ve just tuned in, Sydney’s twice-in-a-row Bachelor of the Year has finally met his match. The official engagement of Miss Mia Forrester and Mr Bryn Dwyer has made headlines around the country.’

  Mia turned as a hand touched her on the elbow.

  ‘This way, Miss Forrester,’ a hotel staff member said as he directed her towards the staircase. ‘Mr Dwyer will be here shortly. The ballroom is on the first floor.’

  Mia picked up the tiny train on her dress and glided up the stairs as the cameras flashed behind her. It occurred to her then that she was quite enjoying herself. She hadn’t expected to but somehow she was relishing the role of Bryn’s fiancée. She was particularly pleased with her portrayal of a star-struck ingénue. Who said she couldn’t act?

  The ballroom was decked out with pink and blue balloons and streamers, the arc of tables beautifully and elegantly set for dinner around a small dance floor.

  The other guests had already assembled and were enjoying their pre-dinner drinks as the waiters began to lead them to their tables.

  ‘You’re on table one,’ the same staff member informed her. ‘Come this way.’

  Mia followed him to the table where some of the guests were already seated. They sprang to their feet as she approached and congratulated her effusively.

  ‘Such wonderful news!’

  ‘I always knew he’d do it some day.’

  ‘But you’re gorgeous! No wonder he was instantly smitten.’

  Mia lapped it up. She felt like a Hollywood movie star. She smiled and took each hand in turn, doing her best to memorise names and faces as each person introduced themselves.

  ‘Here, sit next to me.’ An older woman called Jocey Myers patted the seat beside her. ‘Bryn will be here soon.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Mia sat down and settled her gown around her.

  ‘He’s probably visiting his great-aunt,’ Jocey said in an undertone. ‘Has he told you about her?’

  Mia wasn’t sure how to answer. She was supposed to be his fiancée. Surely a fiancée would know just about everything about the man she was about to marry. ‘Um…yes…’

  ‘She’s not expected to live much longer, poor dear,’ Jocey went on. ‘He doesn’t know I know. I only found out by accident, as my mother-in-law is in the same palliative-care unit.’ She leaned towards Mia conspiratorially. ‘No one at the station knows, of course; it just wouldn’t go with the image, now, would it?’

  ‘Er—no…’

&n
bsp; Mia frowned as she took in the information about Bryn’s relative. She felt as if she’d done him a disservice, assuming he’d been off with one of his lovers when instead he had been sitting by the bedside of a terminally ill relative.

  She thought of her own elderly relatives, the extended family that she so adored, uncles and aunts, great-uncles and great-aunts and her three remaining grandparents. They had filled her life with such amazing love and security and given true meaning to the word family.

  Jocey tapped her on the shoulder. ‘Ah. here he is now.’

  Mia turned to see Bryn approach the table, his tall, commanding stance turning every head in the room. He bent down and, before she could do anything to counteract it, pressed a lingering kiss to her mouth.

  ‘How’s my beautiful fiancée this evening?’

  She gave him a tight smile without answering, but she sent him a message with her eyes which she hoped no one else could see.

  His mouth tilted as he tapped her gently on the tip of her nose with the end of one long finger. ‘I can see you’re speechless with love for me. How adorably sweet.’

  ‘You lucky dog.’ One of the older men thumped Bryn on the shoulder on his way past to the drinks waiter.

  ‘I told you it would happen eventually,’ another guest said.

  ‘I thoroughly approve,’ one of the other women said. ‘You should have seen how she handled the media. A natural, if you ask me.’

  ‘How did you handle the media?’ Bryn asked softly as he sat down beside her.

  Mia couldn’t help feeling a little ashamed of her earlier behaviour with the Press. She’d come across as an empty-headed, star-struck bimbo. If only she’d known he was visiting his dying relative. Now she just felt silly and childish.

  ‘It was a piece of cake,’ she whispered back.

  ‘Good girl,’ he said and reached for his glass. ‘I’d hate for this children’s charity to be spoilt by a bad Press release.’

  Mia stiffened in her seat. Children’s charity? She glanced towards the podium, where a brightly festooned sign portrayed the emblem of the charity for kids with cancer. Bryn’s name was printed there as principle sponsor and another wave of shame passed through her from head to toe.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked. ‘You look a little flustered.’

  Mia bent her head and stared at her cutlery. ‘I’m not the least bit flustered.’

  ‘Why are you blushing?’

  ‘I’m not blushing,’ she denied even as her face felt as if it was going to explode with heat. ‘It’s hot in here.’

  ‘Let’s go get some air,’ he said and drew her to her feet.

  She had no choice but to go with him. The other guests looked on indulgently as he escorted her from the ballroom, a couple of cameras flashing at them as they went past.

  He waited until he’d led her into a quiet alcove out of the way of the Press. ‘I’m sorry I was late. I had something to see to.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were visiting your great-aunt?’

  He frowned down at her, his dark eyes narrowing into slits. ‘Who told you about my great-aunt?’

  ‘Jocey Myers.’

  His features darkened and Mia noticed his hands begin to clench by his sides. ‘She had no right to do that.’

  ‘I think she had the right to tell me the important details of your life and background,’ she said. ‘I can’t act this role if I don’t know who the other principle character is.’

  ‘You don’t need to know me. This is all an act. Just run with the script I gave you.’

  ‘The script you gave me has some very big gaps in it,’ she said. ‘I can’t do this convincingly if I don’t know who you are as a person. No one will believe I have fallen in love with you unless I can prove I know who you really are.’

  Bryn thought about it for a moment. ‘All right, I’ll fill you in on some details but they are to go no further. Understood?’

  She nodded.

  ‘Right, then.’ He took a breath and wondered where to start. ‘My parents were killed when I was seven. I hardly remember what they looked like now. My great-aunt Agnes stepped in and brought me up. End of story.’

  Mia frowned. ‘But surely—’

  ‘I don’t remember, OK?’ His eyes hardened as they lasered hers. ‘Now let’s go back and do what we’re here to do.’

  ‘What exactly are we here to do?’ she asked as she trotted to keep up with his long strides.

  ‘We’re here to raise a hundred thousand dollars for the Children’s Cancer Ward at St Patrick’s.’

  She stared at his back as he started back towards the ballroom. ‘Wait!’ She tugged on his arm and he turned to face her. ‘What do you want me to do?’

  He looked down at her mouth for a moment before he tore his gaze away. ‘I told you this afternoon. I want you to act the role of the devoted fiancée. Did you happen to cover that at stage school?’

  She lifted her chin. ‘That was in Tricky Relationships 101.’

  He threw back his head and laughed.

  ‘What’s so funny?’ she asked. ‘You don’t think I can do tricky relationships?’

  He placed a casual arm around her shoulders as he led her back into the ballroom. ‘I’m beginning to think I’ve seriously underestimated your acting ability.’

  ‘I told you I can act,’ she said through a forced smile as someone stopped to take their photo.

  ‘So you did but up until today I hadn’t seen you do it very convincingly.’

  ‘I was going on instinct rather than experience in Theo’s play. I just needed more time to get my head around the role. I was the understudy, remember,’ she said.

  He stopped in his tracks to look down at her, a small frown beetling his brows. ‘So what you’re saying is you’ve never actually been in love?’

  ‘Um…no…’ She shifted her gaze. ‘I’ve had a few close calls but nothing very serious.’

  ‘Have you lived with anyone before?’

  ‘No…’

  ‘Been engaged before?’

  She rolled her eyes at him. ‘No, of course not. In case it has escaped your notice, most women these days prefer to be in love with the man they’ve agreed to marry.’

  He gave her a thoughtful look that seemed to go on and on for endless seconds, his dark blue eyes steady on hers.

  Mia began to brace herself for his next question. Here it comes, she thought.

  The big one.

  Have You Slept With Anyone Before?

  ‘I think you’ll enjoy the rest of the evening,’ he finally said. ‘Do you like dancing?’

  It wasn’t the question she’d been expecting and it took her a moment to register what he’d asked. ‘Oh, yes…I love dancing…’

  Bryn glanced down at her when she wasn’t looking his way. She had dressed beautifully for the evening, the clinging black satin showing off every toned curve of her slight frame. Her bright and intelligent grey eyes were highlighted by a smoky eye-shadow and eyeliner and her soft mouth glistened with a camellia-pink lip-gloss.

  There was an ingenuous air about her he found incredibly alluring. So many women he’d been involved with in the past had been so street-smart and worldly he’d found it grating after a while. He knew his money and status had been the draw card in such relationships, but Mia had no interest in him either as a person or for what he could give her in terms of money or prestige. She was with him under sufferance and he knew as soon as they were alone again she would take the very first opportunity to remind him of it.

  His gut gave a tiny twinge of guilt as he thought of the conversation he’d had with his great-aunt earlier that evening. He’d hated lying to the one person who had stood by him all of his life, but it had been worth it to see the sheer joy on her pain-ravaged face as he’d confirmed his engagement. He wasn’t sure if she would believe him at first but somehow she had. He’d told her as soon as he’d met Mia he’d found the woman of his dreams. It was after all more or less the truth. Mia Forre
ster was exactly the stuff male dreams were made of.

  ‘Oh, my darling boy!’ Agnes had clutched his hand in both of her frail ones in delight. ‘I’m so pleased. At first I thought it must have been a publicity stunt or a way to get me to change my will. I know you weren’t happy about my conditions but I couldn’t risk you throwing yourself away on someone who was only after you for your money. And, besides, your parents wouldn’t have wanted you to be this bitter for so long.’

  Bryn inwardly grimaced at the thought of how his great-aunt’s will was written. It was a lot of money, not that he needed it personally, of course, but he wasn’t going to stand by and see the person responsible for his parents’ death inherit the lot. That was taking forgiveness way too far.

  ‘You’re exactly like your father,’ his great-aunt continued. ‘He fell in love with your mother the very first time he met her. It was so romantic.’ She gave a heartfelt sigh and added, ‘I have dreamed of this moment. I have wanted this for you for so long, for you to settle down with a nice girl instead of those money-hungry ones you usually date. I heard her on the radio with you this afternoon—she sounds so sweet. When can I meet her?’

  ‘I’ll bring her to see you tomorrow,’ he found himself promising, hoping his acting fiancée would agree to it.

  ‘That would be wonderful; I can hardly wait to see her. I’m sure she’s absolutely perfect for you.’

  Bryn bent down and kissed her papery cheek as he made to leave. ‘Yes,’ he said, a funny flutter coming and going in his chest as he brought Mia Forrester’s feisty little heart-shaped face to mind. ‘She is perfect. Absolutely perfect.’

  The first course was being served as they came back into the ballroom. Mia sat down with considerable relief when Bryn’s arm slipped from around her shoulders as he turned to speak to the person on his right. Having him so physically close was deeply unsettling, for ever since he’d kissed her that afternoon her awareness of him had lifted to an almost intolerable level. All her senses were finely tuned to pick up on his every movement or gesture. When she turned her head towards her left shoulder she could even smell his cologne on her skin where his arm had lain. She knew she’d have to get used to having him touch her in public but each time he did so she felt as if another part of her was being made more vulnerable to him.