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  But there was satisfaction on his face as his hand explored. Poppy bucked beneath his touch as he unerringly found her most sensitive spot.

  She grabbed his zipper. ‘But I intend for us to live together for a long, long time.’

  ‘Our very own happy-ever-after?’ The look in his eyes would have melted the frozen arctic. ‘I love you, Poppy, more than life itself. If that’s what you want, I’ll do my very best to deliver.’

  Then he sealed the promise with a kiss that obliterated all the pain of the past and foreshadowed everything she wanted for the future.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this book, look out for the next instalment of THE CHATSFIELD: HEIRESS’S DEFIANCE by Lynn Raye Harris, coming next month.

  UNCOVERED!

  Read on for an exclusive interview with Annie West

  Creating a world as large as The Chatsfield must be very exciting—did you discuss the hotels with the other authors?

  Absolutely! The Chatsfield authors formed a very warm and supportive group. There were lots of e-mails about the hotel in London and other settings, as well as plenty of little details between characters and stories that had to match up. It was wonderful to be part of the community creating the Chatsfield.

  What was the most fun bit about creating this luxurious, scandalous world?

  I loved immersing my characters in a world where luxury is taken for granted and where all that glitters is gold or, in Poppy’s case, a range of fabulous gems. Creating the stunning jewellery and costumes for the lavish photo shoot in a French chateau was a real delight. The time I spent plotting designer dresses and priceless jewellery to match was no chore at all! It also made Orsino’s charity work stand out even more as something remarkable and worthwhile.

  Did you do any extra-special research for writing this book? A sneaky cocktail at an exclusive hotel perhaps?

  Ah, the upside of research. I confess to a few visits to exclusive hotels in the past which have fed into this story. I particularly drew on time spent in some lovely French châteaux which came to life all over again in this book.

  What did you most love about writing your story?

  Falling for the dashing Orsino and barracking for my heroine, Poppy. I learned so much about them as I wrote and the more I found out about them and their past problems, the more I wanted them to find the happy ending they deserved.

  When writing your hero and heroine’s story, did they surprise you in any way?

  Definitely. That always happens as I write. I was intrigued to discover things in Poppy’s past that I hadn’t realised until I was a chapter or two into the book. Things that made it hard to trust the man she loved so deeply. I was also surprised to find that beneath Orsino’s harsh and unforgiving exterior was a man who felt so much. Orsino has worked all his life to keep his distance from emotional entanglements, yet he’s a man of strong passions. I loved that about him.

  To your mind, who is the most scandalous Chatsfield?

  Can there be any doubt? Orsino is charismatic and popular, but there’s part of him that’s untamed and wild. A part of him the world can’t even guess at. Poppy and Orsino always had a volatile relationship, running off to marry privately without any of the fanfare expected of the Chatsfields. Yet within months they were leading separate lives and Orsino had turned his back on his family, while rumours abounded about what exactly had caused the split. Years later, after risking his neck in one dangerous stunt too many, Orsino is living openly with his long-estranged wife. Anyone can see these two can’t keep their eyes, or their hands, off each other, but it’s a bumpy ride on the road to reconciliation.

  If you could have given your hero or heroine a piece of advice before they started on their journey in your story, what would it have been?

  Probably that they should listen to their hearts. Their pasts have skewed their logic and twisted them both in knots. It’s only when they listen to their hearts and truly trust their feelings that they begin to sort things out.

  Name five things on your desk when you write.

  A large spiral-bound notebook with my jottings about the story.

  Too many Post-it notes to be tidy.

  A school-made pen box which was a gift one

  Mother’s Day.

  A small, carved, jaunty-looking, bright pink hippopotamus that was another gift.

  My thesaurus.

  Do you listen to music when you write?

  Never. I find it too distracting. I can write in coffee shops and with other people in the house, but something about music draws me out of my creative world and into someone else’s.

  What is your worst habit when writing?

  Reaching for a hot drink or something to nibble as I concentrate. If only I were as eager to go out for a jog!

  Do you have a writing routine? If so, could you share a bit about it with us?

  I’m an early bird, so you won’t usually find me writing in the evening, though I’ll often spend some of that time doing other writing-related bits and pieces like blogs or e-mails. I tend to start early, sometimes while others in the house are asleep or as soon as they leave. If a scene is going particularly well, I’ve been known to be still writing in my pyjamas late in the morning. I try not to do that, as it can shock any unexpected visitors! Some mornings I start the day with exercise instead and then work. I look forward to a break around lunchtime and that’s when I’ll often head out on any errands or tackle a little gardening. Then it’s solid work through the afternoon until I catch up with family again in the evening. One of my special treats is the occasional late-afternoon catch-up with other writer friends at a local café, which always recharges the batteries. The staff there are used to us now and don’t turn a hair when we discuss killing off characters or heroines being forced into unwanted marriages, or some other plot twist.

  UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

  Read on for an exclusive interview with Orsino Chatsfield

  If you had to pick your most public scandalous moment, what would it be?

  Hmm. Maybe the evening I dragged Poppy away from a high-profile charity dinner under the noses of half London’s VIPs and all its press before she could touch her main course. She tells me I should have remembered I was supposed to give a speech later. I tell her she should have worn a dress made of more than black lace.

  Was there an even more scandalous event that didn’t make it into the press?

  My wife made me promise not to tell. She blushes whenever I mention it.

  What is your biggest secret?

  I don’t have any these days. Poppy knows them all. Well … except perhaps that I’m wondering how she’d feel about a baby some time soon.

  What do you love most about Poppy?

  The fact that she loves me for who I am and doesn’t try to change me. Well, she does make me turn up to the occasional family event these days, but I’m learning to enjoy those, with her at my side.

  What were your first thoughts when you saw Poppy?

  I knew she was going to be mine, no matter what it took.

  If your house were on fire and you could only save one thing, what would it be?

  My wife, Poppy, obviously.

  What is the naughtiest thing you did at school?

  Me? Naughty? I prefer to call myself adventurous. I did get into trouble once for climbing the clock tower to fly our house flag on sports day, then abseiling down. I think the Head was secretly on my side, although I was disciplined for it.

  What is your guiltiest pleasure?

  Sometimes even now my eyes get tired and I ask Poppy to help me by reading out reports on some of our charity enterprises. Perhaps sometimes I use it as an excuse to hear her voice and keep her close when I prefer to stay home, just the two of us.

  What is your worst habit?

  Shutting myself off. I’m learning now, with Poppy’s help, to open up to others and trust them a little more with the real me.

  What is your favourite film?

  My t
alented wife and some of her friends are currently making a documentary about a few of our charity ventures. I know the results will be remarkable. And maybe when it’s finished I’ll have her to myself a bit more!

  What present would you put beneath the Christmas tree for Poppy?

  I was thinking she might appreciate a hunky, if scarred, husband, gift-wrapped of course! But this year it’s going to be an invitation to a romantic week, just the two of us, staying in the very private château tower where we fell in love all over again. I’ve even got the crimson ball gown she wore last time, which I so enjoyed seeing her take off. I’m looking forward to reliving some of the highlights of our reunion!

  How will you spend your first anniversary as a couple?

  I promised to take Poppy ballooning again. This time, instead of a wintry expedition in France, I’m planning a hot-air balloon adventure in the tropics. I know she has a soft spot for turquoise waters and soft, white sand, while I have a weakness for Poppy in a bikini.

  POPPY AND ORSINO’S BRUNCH

  Setting: A private French château after an early morning hot-air balloon ride

  To drink

  Chocolat chaud or café crème on arrival to warm up

  Freshly squeezed juices

  Vintage champagne

  To eat

  Freshly baked croissants and brioches served with home-made apricot and peach jams

  Choice of

  Brouillade de Truffes (Eggs with black truffles)

  or

  Omelette with estate-cured ham and fresh herbs

  or

  Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon

  or

  Asparagus with hollandaise sauce

  Miniature chèvre and caramelised onion tartlets

  Selection of local cheeses with freshly baked bread, honey and walnuts

  Crêpes with raspberries and vanilla-scented crème fraîche

  Basket of fresh fruit

  ISBN: 978-1-472-09594-7

  REBEL’S BARGAIN

  © 2014 Annie West

  Published in Great Britain 2014

  by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited

  Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

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