Rebel's Bargain Read Online Free Page A

you?’ Indignation warred with guilt, just as it had all those years ago.
    Her cheeks flamed at the memory of what she’d done to deserve his disgust. But at the same time anger surged. He’d never admitted his role in what had happened, never once tried to understand. If it hadn’t been for his arrogance and selfish pride—
    ‘I don’t owe you a thing, Orsino.’
    ‘So you say, but would those millions of fans agree if they knew the details of why we split?’
    Poppy felt her eyes bulge.
    ‘You’re trying to
blackmail
me?’ She groped for words, her brain spinning. ‘Why now? Why after all this time?’ It didn’t make sense.
    ‘Blackmail? To expect a wife to take care of her husband when he needs her?’
    His arch tone set her teeth on edge.
    ‘I haven’t the time or inclination to continuethis discussion.’ She rose and picked up her bag. ‘Spread what stories you like, Orsino. It makes no difference to me.’
    It was a lie. Damaging rumours would make her life hell again. With photos of Orsino as a wounded hero she’d be cast as a villainess, her reputation in tatters as well as her peace. It was bound to impact on her career.
    But she couldn’t let it matter. Losing her self-respect was too high a price.
    ‘Wait!’
    His peremptory tone stopped her as she turned away.
    ‘I have a proposition.’
    Reluctantly she turned. What she could see of his face looked paler than before. His mouth was set in a thin line of pain. She eyed his tense jaw and wondered if she could call the nurse.
    How could she feel concern for a blackmailer? It didn’t make sense. But then nothing about her reactions to this man was logical.
    ‘Poppy?’
    ‘I’m listening.’
    ‘I refuse to stay in a convalescent home. I want privacy while I recuperate.’
    ‘So?’ She refrained from pointing out that with his money he could buy the best medical care in his own home. ‘Why not ask one of your women to look after you?’
    Orsino was regularly seen with a gorgeous woman at his side, a different one every week.
    ‘Why not this Amindra you were expecting? I’m sure she’d jump at the chance to be alone with you.’
    His chuckle rippled, warm and rich, across her skin and Poppy was appalled to feel herself melt a little at the knees. Till he spoke again and her hackles rose. ‘Ah, that explains your bad mood. Are you jealous?’
    She stood straighter, a shaft of fury stiffening her backbone. ‘Absolutely not. Now, I have a return flight to organise.’
    She’d taken just one step when he spoke again. ‘Amindra is a nurse. I’m sure she’d jump at the chance for extra money but not if it means leaving her children and grandchildren behind for several weeks.’
    ‘She’s a nurse?’
    ‘Who else would I meet in this condition?’ For the first time Orsino’s voice betrayed bitterness as he waved his hand in a slashing gesture across his bandaged torso. It spoke of barely leashed frustration and all at once it hit her how difficult an active man like Orsino must find his forced confinement. She’d been so caught up in relief at seeing him alive, then irritation at his high-handed attitude, that hadn’t sunk in.
    Even badly wounded Orsino had more presence than most men she knew. If only he didn’t get under her skin so!
    ‘Look after me for a couple of weeks and I’ll set you free.’
    Poppy stared intently but couldn’t make out his expression. Those bandages hid so much. Was he blind behind them? She wanted to ask but knew he wouldn’t answer.
    ‘What do you mean, set me free?’
    His mouth curled up at one side. ‘That should be obvious. I’ll give you a divorce.’
    Poppy’s fingers tightened on the strap of her bag.
    ‘Why now? After all this time?’
    He shrugged again and fleetingly she thought of how his occasional Mediterranean gestures, the use of his hands as he spoke, the lifting of those broad shoulders, used to fascinate her. As had the intriguing combination of stunning Italian good looks and