The Forbidden Billionaire (The Ashford Legacy #3)

Chapter One

Aurelia

“Are you sure this isn’t too much for you?”

I try not to show how anxious I am as I take my mother’s hand in mine. Although she’s had to keep her gorgeous red hair cropped short to make sure it grows back evenly, I’m sure most people at the ball think she looks stunning tonight in her sapphire-blue gown and Venetian-style mask.

I know her better, though. The mask covers dark shadows under her eyes. The dress hangs loosely on her slender frame. And earlier, I watched her slip a couple of painkillers into her mouth when she thought nobody was looking.

“If you feel tired at any point,” I add, “just send me a signal and I’ll come and get you.”

“Of course,” Mum says. “Shall I let off a flare, or can I use semaphore?”

My father, standing next to us, snorts, and I give them both a wry look. “All right, I know I’m overdoing it. I’m worried about you, that’s all.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Mum puts her arms around me and gives me a big hug. “And I really appreciate it. But I’m fine, honestly. I’ve been looking forward to tonight. I haven’t been to a ball in ages.”

“Okay, well, I’ll be keeping an eye on you,” I warn, “and if I see you flagging, I’ll come and rescue you.”

She laughs. “I know you will, baby.” She kisses my cheek. “I’ve just spotted Emmy from Rotary. I haven’t seen her in ages. I’d like her to meet Caesar. Do you know where he is?”

“I have no idea,” I say, somewhat icily. “I think he’s avoiding me.” My brother is the patron of the Ashford Foundation. I need him to mingle with the important guests, but he’s been missing for the past forty minutes or so.

“Oh well, never mind. I’ll speak to you later.” Mum walks away, leaving behind the faint aroma of her jasmine perfume. When she was sick and I thought she might not make it, I knew I’d always be able to tell if her spirit was with me after she’d gone because I’d smell that scent.

I look at my father, not surprised to find him watching her, probably thinking something similar.

There’s a sad but tender expression on his face, and it makes my throat tighten.

He completely went to pieces when he found out Mum was ill.

The doctors say she’s recovering well, but even though he’s only fifty-nine, Dad’s planning to retire from the company as quickly as possible so he can spend more time with her.

“Look at you,” I tease, rubbing his arm and bringing his gaze back to me. “You still look at each other as if you’re both teenagers.”

He smiles, as he was supposed to, then glances around the ballroom. “Seems to be going well so far.”

I follow his gaze. It’s the evening of the Ashford Foundation’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Charity Ball.

We’re raising money for the children’s hospital.

It’s the biggest, must-attend event of the festive season.

Everyone who’s anyone is here, and ticket sales have already raised a significant amount.

There’ll be a silent auction soon, too, with lots of amazing items, including a selection of paintings done by children from local primary schools.

“You’ve worked very hard,” Dad says. “You should be proud of yourself.”

“Oh, I just bossed the team around,” I reply breezily, but his compliment makes me glow. He’s right; I have worked hard. As the public face of Ashford AgriTech, I feel responsible for ensuring we present a positive front to the world, and this has helped big time.

It’s been a super tough six months, but Mum’s on the mend now, and things are going well. It’ll be nice if tonight heralds a more positive and pleasant New Year.

Beside me, a man clears his throat, then says, “Ms. Ashford?”

I turn my head, and my gaze meets a black bow tie.

I tilt my head back to look up at its owner.

Wow, he must be a foot taller than I am, even though I’m wearing heels.

As it’s a black tie event, he’s dressed practically the same as every other guy at the ball, in a black tuxedo with satin lapels, a black waistcoat, and a white shirt.

Like everyone else, he’s also wearing a mask that covers the top half of his face.

But he seems vaguely familiar… Do I know him?

“Yes?” I query.

“I’m Luke Grayson.” He has a soft, low voice, a little husky. “I’m your new close protection officer.”

I stare at him, and it’s only now that I spot the earpiece in his left ear.

“Oh no,” I say firmly. “Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope.”

When I was younger, security was never an issue.

I don’t remember us having any on the family farm in Cambridge, and it wasn’t a problem while I was at university.

After I graduated and started work at the Ashford building, I got used to seeing the occasional security guard, but none of them ever followed me around outside of the office.

About two months ago, though, Marcus—my other brother—announced they were upping everyone’s security.

He didn’t explain why, despite me repeatedly asking him, but I’ve gradually become used to a greater security presence both at the Ashford building and at my apartment.

Occasionally, I’ve spotted an agent shadowing me while I’ve been around the city, which has annoyed me, and I’ve enjoyed giving them the slip.

I’ve put up with it to keep him quiet, but this is getting ridiculous.

He wants me to have a personal bodyguard?

“Sorry,” I tell Luke firmly, “there’s been a mistake.”

“I don’t think so, ma’am.” He manages to sound polite and resolute at the same time. Jesus, the guy’s huge. I feel as if I’m standing in the shadow of a stone monolith.

“Yes, there has,” I insist. “I don’t want or need someone with me all the time!”

His eyes gleam in the lights from the Christmas tree behind me. “Ma’am, I appreciate your frustration, but I don’t answer to you, I answer to Marcus. He made that very clear to me.”

Incensed, I turn my glare on my father. “Dad!”

Dad holds up his hands, palms facing me. “Steady, tiger.”

“You can’t do this to me,” I snap. “You don’t make the boys have CPOs.”

He exchanges glances with Luke, and then his gaze comes back to me. “I know…”

“You keep treating me like I’m some fragile little flower that needs protecting all the time.”

“You’re my only daughter,” he replies firmly. Then his expression softens. “You’re precious, sweetheart. We’re only trying to look after you.”

“I don’t need looking after!” I’m tempted to stamp my feet. “I hate this. It’s complete overkill.”

Dad just shrugs as if to say, Great, but you’re stuck with him.

Furious now, I spin around to march off, but Luke has moved out of the way of a couple dancing nearby, and I walk right into him. Ouch, it’s like walking into a tree trunk.

“Get out of my way,” I snap.

He takes a step to the side, and I stride past him.

Lifting the skirt of my ballgown a little, I stride across the dance floor, heading for the bar, where I saw Marcus disappearing ten minutes ago.

I stop for a moment and scan the crowded room.

A presence beside me tells me that Luke has chosen to come with me.

I turn and glare at him again. “Go away.”

“I will leave shortly,” he says. “Technically I don’t start until after Christmas.”

“Then bugger off.”

“It might be best if I come with you, if you’re going to talk to Marcus.”

I huff through my nose. “Okay. Then you’ll hear first-hand that your presence is no longer required.”

“If you say so, ma’am.”

“And stop calling me ma’am. It’s really annoying.”

“Yes, ma’am, whatever you say.” His eyes gleam. He’s enjoying this.

I grit my teeth and scan the room again, and finally spot Marcus out on the terrace, sitting talking to someone. Ignoring Luke, I march toward my brother, threading my way through the tables.

As I approach, Marcus spots me, and his eyes widen in alarm. He stands, holding up his hands the same way my father did. “Let me explain,” he says.

“I told you I didn’t want more protection!

” I put my hands on my hips. A few people glance over at us, but I’m so angry I’m struggling to contain it.

“This should be my decision, not yours.” I swallow hard, telling myself to calm down.

Remember the North Wind and the Sun, Aurelia.

Persuasion and warmth are better than force.

I swallow and give him a pleading smile. “Please, Marcus.”

He hesitates, and for a second I think I’ve got through to him. But then his expression hardens. “No,” he states. “He stays.”

“Marcus!” I drop the smile, my chest heaving. “You don’t have a bodyguard full-time. Why should I have one?”

“Because I’m six-three and nowhere near as pretty as you. He stays. Luke answers to me, not you. Right?” He looks at Luke.

“Yes, sir,” Luke replies.

“I’ve given him instructions to be very firm with you,” Marcus informs me. “I’ve told him exactly how you like to twist your security detail around your little finger. I’ve made sure he’s wise to all your little tricks.”

I inhale and open my mouth to object, but he continues, “I’m in the middle of something, and you’re being very rude.”

I glance at the woman sitting next to him then. I recognize her… oh! “Wren? Wren Carter?”

“Hey, Aurelia!” Wren rises, and we have a big hug. She’s an old friend of Caesar’s, and I saw her a lot back when they were both at university together, especially the hot summer when we spent nearly every day on the beach. I thought she’d moved to Australia. What’s she doing here?

“How are you?” I pull out a chair, but Marcus clears his throat. I glance at him and he gives me a look that says Don’t you dare sit down. “Ohhh… sorry. Did I interrupt a tryst?”

“Yes,” Marcus says, glowering.

But Wren giggles. “No, not at all. I’m waiting for Caesar.”

“And here he is,” my oldest brother announces, appearing beside me.

“Where have you been?” I snap. “The mayor wants a photo with you.”

He runs his hand through his hair. “I… uh… had a meeting.”

I blow out a breath. “I’m off to sort out the press packets. Promise me you’ll come and see the mayor when you’re done here?”

“Will do.”