Harlequin Premiere Editions

“So you married me to punish me, Yves?” With great effort, Marianne kept the shock from her voice and hoped her face showed nothing of her inner turmoil. “I don’t have to stay here, you know.” “Oh, no, Marianne.” Yves’s gray eyes glittered at her. “You won’t leave. You like some parts of being married—very much.” His gaze swept boldly over her, and her swift rise of colour told him he was indeed right. “You like being married sometimes, too!” Marianne flung back. “As for punishing me...you don’t seem to be having much success. Perhaps you’d better try harder—” “You tempt me, dear wife,” he whispered seductively. As he reached for her Marianne trembled, knowing he touched her with desire, never love, the worst hurt of all.

Marisa and her young brother Tony were alone in the world, and life was not being too easy. It seemed the last straw when Tony got into serious trouble, and when Cesare Gianelli suddenly came on the scene and offered his help, Marisa was only too thankful to accept it. There was one condition, however - Cesare wanted her to marry him. Where did she go from there, though? For although she very rapidly fell in love with her new husband, he made it clear that all he wanted was a competent housekeeper. Could she ever expect to find happiness with him?

The man she loved, Philip, only thought of her as a good helper to his young son while Jonathan, the man who proposed to her in his sincere way, seemed to be a genuinely caring person to everyone. There were mysteries surrounding Jonathan and his proposal to practical Emma, of why he didn't marry the pretty Melissa who kept chasing after him. Would Emma figure out everything in the end if she was patient enough?

Tory's foot slipped and she fell back. For one frightening moment she swayed, held only from falling into the deep, dark waters below by Julian's viselike grip. "Hold on, Tory," he said, stretching his other hand toward her. She managed to clutch it and slowly, achingly, he pulled her to safety. His arms closed tightly around her. Tory leaned against him; struggling to get her breath. "That was a near thing. I'm sorry," he said. I didn't expect you to react quite so violently." She said shakily, "I ... it was my fault, too. I'm sorry." "Shall we seal a pact of mutual forgiveness?" he asked, and slowly bent his head and put his mouth against hers. There was thunder in her ears, her lips opened beneath his, and she was transported. Her arms went around his neck and everything and everyone was forgotten....