‘But of course.’
A knock at the door heralded the appearance of the rest of the dealership staff, and Seth brought his attention back to the business in hand. But almost unconsciously he regularly consulted the time on his Rolex. He expressly didn’t want to be late for his appointment at the fashion house, and nor did he want to get back too late to collect his agreement to marry Imogen from his solicitor...
CHAPTER SIX
‘THIS IS FOR YOU. I hope you approve. There are also some shoes that complement the dress. Why don’t you go and try them on?’
Effortlessly handsome and imposing, dressed in yet another flawless bespoke suit, Seth stood at her front door. He handed Imogen a chic shiny carrier bag with the name of a famous French designer emblazoned on it.
Accepting it made her nervous. She knew she was acting as though a live grenade was inside that might go off at any second... Even if she worked from dawn until dusk, seven days a week, she wouldn’t be able to afford even the simplest outfit from such an exclusive designer.
‘Thanks. I’ll check it out in a minute,’ she said quietly. ‘Why don’t you come in?’
Once back in her living room, she felt a bit more as if she was on firmer ground.
As Seth shut the door behind him, his glance was quizzical. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I know you said that you’d get me something to wear, but I didn’t expect you to spend this sort of money on it.’ Holding the bag aloft, as if to remind him who the designer was, Imogen wasn’t surprised when he responded with the most casual of shrugs.
‘Don’t you like her work?’
She almost spluttered. ‘Don’t I like her work? I know who she is—of course I do. But her designs are well out of my league, Seth. You shouldn’t have spent so much. If you have the receipt I’m sure they’ll take it back. Just give me a few minutes longer and I can find something else to wear.’
‘I don’t doubt that you could find something passable and make it look like a million dollars, sweetheart, but the fact is I want you to wear this outfit. We’re going to be seen out in public together for the first time and, like it or not, people will note exactly what you’re wearing and where it came from.’
She lowered the bag down by her side as she was reminded that the man she’d agreed to marry was not just wealthy, but famous for his achievements, as well. In a classy hotel like the Dorchester word would quickly get round that Seth Broden had returned to the UK.
She’d seen the most incredible photograph of him on his website. In it he looked so gorgeous that she would defy any woman not to want him. He was leaning against the bonnet of a shiny red Lamborghini and the tag line underneath read, ‘The car maketh the man...’ It didn’t even mention his name. Clearly everyone in the exclusive world he moved in knew only too well who he was.
Her teeth worried anxiously at her lip. What was she letting herself in for, and could she handle it?
But she didn’t have time to fret about that now. ‘Okay. I’ll go and try these on. But if they don’t fit, or they’re uncomfortable, you’re going to have to let me wear something of my own.’
Seth smilingly acquiesced. ‘Agreed... But I’ll bet my bottom dollar that everything will fit perfectly.’
Imogen didn’t reply. She got the feeling he was supremely confident that he was right.
She opened the door and went down the hallway to her bedroom. After putting the glossy bag down on the bed, she unpacked the fragrant pink tissue paper that enfolded the garment and murmured softly, ‘Oh, my Lord...’
Gently lifting the lawn-green dress that was inside, she silently acknowledged that the flawless silk was to die for. Holding the material against her, she saw that the design was sleeveless and that it fell gracefully to just below the knee. It had a contemporary wrapped waist. She wasn’t nearly so confident as Seth was that it would fit her, but she couldn’t help praying that it would.
A few minutes later, as she stood in front of the wardrobe mirror, she could hardly believe that the woman she was looking at was her. The dress was a perfect fit. More than that, wearing it couldn’t help but boost the self-esteem that had been flagging for months now. She had finally discovered what women meant when they said a new outfit made them feel like a million dollars.
Seth had found the perfect colour for her in choosing the lawn green. Not only did the shade complement her natural colouring, the design of the dress indisputably highlighted her femininity. Imogen rarely bought clothing that would do that. Her clothes were usually practical, or quirky in some way, and that was what she stuck to.