Page 29 of Cinderella's Christmas Secret 1
‘Then I shall have to make sure you get used to them. Like a beautiful woman at her peak, is that better? My only complaint is that there isn’t time for me to prove just how much you have excited my senses, because we need to buy you a ring before the shop closes.’
‘We don’t really have to do that today, do we, Maximo? Haven’t we shopped enough?’
‘I’m afraid we do. I was given to understand that women can never have too much shopping, although maybe you’re the exception to the rule,’ he added drily. ‘But tomorrow, we fly to Madrid and I intend that you should arrive there wearing the biggest diamond in the world.’
Hollie supposed it would be churlish to object to having ‘the biggest diamond in the world’ on the grounds that she was feeling increasingly detached from reality with all this high-end purchasing power. Yet wasn’t this just another example of making sure she was ‘good enough’ to meet his wealthy friends?
She tried to shake off her insecurity as he took her to a darkened store somewhere near Hatton Garden, which didn’t really look like a jeweller’s from the outside, and he and the owner began speaking in a language she barely recognised as English. They spoke ofcushionandmarquiseandprincess, which she gathered were cuts of diamonds, though when she emerged from the store an hour later, it was with an enormous rock called around brilliantdripping from her finger.
As they were leaving, she saw a woman in the street do a double take when she spotted the size of the jewel. But all Hollie could focus on was the sobering thought that the entire purchase had been conducted with zero emotion. There had been no joy on the face of her husband-to-be as he slipped the priceless ring on her finger—just a glimmer of quiet satisfaction in his eyes as the shop’s owner informed him that he had just purchased the finest gem in his collection.
Because therewasno emotion involved, Hollie reminded herself fiercely as they got into the waiting car. There might be mutual attraction and a determination to do the right thing by their baby, but this marriage was nothing but a solution to theirdilemma, and she should forget that at her peril.
‘So where are we going now?’ she asked, slightly dazzled by the rainbow rays which sparkled on her left hand and wondering if she would have to remove it when she was cooking.
He glanced up from his phone, momentarily distracted. ‘We’ll spend tonight at the Granchester Hotel, for you must be tired after so much travelling?’
‘A little,’ she admitted.
‘And tomorrow we head for the airfield where my jet is ready to fly us to Spain, because it’s New Year’s Eve and we have a big party to attend.’
‘How big a party?’ she said, suddenly nervous.
‘Very big. The Spanish love to celebrate the start of the new year and since many of my friends will be gathered together in the same place, it means I can introduce you as my bride.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘We should arrive in Madrid in time for lunch.’
‘And that’s where you live? In Madrid?’ It seemed crazy that soon she would marry him and she didn’t actuallyknow. There were so many things about him she didn’t know.
‘Yes, I have an apartment there, very close to the Retiro Park. I think you’ll like it.’
Hollie felt dizzy. London for shopping. Madrid for lunch. And a massive New Year’s Eve party with, no doubt, all the world’s glitterati there. Was this going to be her life from now on? She supposed it was. Would she fit in? Or, even with all her fancy new clothes and hairstyle, would she still look like ordinary Hollie Walker who worked in an office and baked cakes on the side?
But Maximo had put his phone away and was circling his fingertip over the palm of her hand and making her tremble, and her eyelids were fluttering to a close as he leaned over to kiss her. And really, what more could she possibly want?
CHAPTER TEN
‘ANDTHISISmy housekeeper, Carmen. Anything you want—Carmen will be able to get for you.’ Maximo’s eyes glinted as he ushered Hollie inside. ‘Within reason, of course.’
‘Encantada de conocerte,’said Hollie, using one of the phrases her fiancé had taught her during the flight over from London that morning.
‘I’m very pleased to meet you, too. I speak fluent English, by the way,’ added Carmen, with a smile.
Hollie beamed. ‘Thank goodness for that.’
‘And congratulations on your engagement.’ Carmen shot a brief smile in the direction of the knuckleduster diamond. ‘The staff are all delighted for you and Señor Diaz.’
‘I appreciate that, Carmen. And it’s wonderful to be here.’
Carmen inclined her head. ‘Welcome to your new home.’
‘Thank you.’ Hollie slid her tongue over her lips. Her new home—a huge and contemporary penthouse apartment overlooking Madrid’s beautiful Retiro Park. It was terrifyingly immaculate, with not a single thing out of place, and as she shook the middle-aged housekeeper’s hand she wondered if it would ever actually feel like home for her. But at least she was feeling calmer than she had done on the journey here. Their one-night stay at the Granchester Hotel had been unforgettable. Hollie had never stayed anywhere quite so luxurious and they’d been given an incredible suite with reputedly the best view over the London skyline, because Maximo was friends with the owner.
But butterfly nerves had been fluttering in her stomach as her fiancé’s jet had touched down in Spain and they had been driven straight from the airfield to his apartment. It had been daunting at first, meeting his staff—Carmen, and a permanent cook as well as a daily cleaner. But they’d seemed very open and friendly, and genuinely pleased to meet her, and that gave Hollie a flare of hope.
I can do this, she thought.
I will do this.
‘Would you like to see the rest of the apartment?’ asked Maximo softly, once they were out of Carmen’s earshot.
