Millionaire's Society Mistress (3 page)

She had tried to console him, to tell him that finally he would be free of his expected role in life, free to do other things, but he had been inconsolable his soft voice saying only “But I was doing what I most wanted too”.

Fiona had not known what to say. Not prepared to tell her brother that she had thought that he had played the whole situation wrong. When Craig Thompson had first approached the Company to purchase it and bring it into his empire, he had made promises to Scott that he did not intend to change the Company but to leave it as it was. He however, knowing the reputation of the billionaire had not trusted him, immediately cutting off all conversation and choosing instead to fight the American. She had felt that this was not wise as the Company had been affected badly by the recession as all businesses had, however her brother had been determined that the Company, one of the largest producers of tartan cloth in the world would remain in private hands.

“This Company has been in the hands of the Campbells’ since its creation” he had cried angrily at her “and I’m damn sure that no American asset stripper is going to get his dirty hands on it”.

While Fiona too had distrusted him, she had tried to get Scott to open up talks and to ensure that what he said was written down legally, but she had only been met with hostility from her brother who was as stubborn as Craig Thompson.

Unfortunately for the siblings, he had proven a formidable rival and now he had taken over not only the Company but also the country estate which Scott against Fiona’s advice had put up as collateral to try to fight the billionaire businessman.

As though sensing the thoughts running through her head he had spoken more gently.

“It did not have to come to this Fiona. I really meant what I said to your brother when all this started”

Dropping her eyes from him she had moved to sit on one of the large leather seats her eyes scanning the all too familiar room as she had considered his words.

“So…if I pretend to be your mistress…then you will allow Scott to remain in charge of running the Company?” This time her voice holding no animosity towards the man across from her.

Craig Thompson had been surprised at the change in the woman. He had always thought that Fiona Campbell would have been a better person to deal with when he had initially approached them to buy out the Company. Whereas her brother had refused to speak, she had seemed more willing only silenced he knew by her older brother.

When he had tried to meet with her however, her attitude had become more hostile remembering the night they had first met at a charity dinner. He had not known what to expect from the stuffy Campbell family, but Fiona Campbell was not it. From the moment he had first seen her he had been intrigued by the woman. Not only incredibly beautiful, she was smart and funny, although the moment she had realised who he was her attitude had changed, becoming cold and hostile towards him.

He did however remember the first and only time that he had pulled her onto the dance floor before she had found out the truth. Her warm smile and brightly shining green eyes sending strange signals through him as she had joked about the Scottish weather, recommending places to visit as the tourist she believed him to be.

When they had returned she had looked at him apologetically extending her hand

“I’m Fiona Campbell…we really should have been introduced”

As he had taken it and given his name the difference in her had been instant as she had stood in shock, her beautiful face growing colder as those same warm eyes had become glacial, her hand pulled quickly from his

“Craig Thompson? THE Craig Thompson right now trying to steal my family’s business?” her tone disbelieving as he had nodded softly giving her one of his most charming smiles

“One and the same”

He had remembered how she had moved stiffly away from him as with a sigh he had watched her go. From that day on she had remained aloof whenever they had found themselves at the same functions, and he had never managed to get her to talk with him again despite many offers of meals and requests to talk.

Now she was sat silently, her eyes staring blankly out of the large window showing the luscious green rolling Scottish countryside, a thoughtful frown on her lovely face.

“For how long would we need to maintain this pretense?”

She had finally spoken her eyes travelling back to him. With a small shrug he had replied

“Till the end of the month…then I have to return to the US”

His eyes becoming very serious

“But there are two conditions Fiona. One you bring your brother into line and two you spend that time introducing me to your friends. Like I said your value to me is in your contacts”

Giving a small scowl she had nodded slowly

“I will talk to Scott. But I want it in writing that you will allow him to continue running the Company his way with no interference?”

Craig had felt his lips twitch. He knew that his gut instinct about Fiona had been right. Demanding the agreement to be in writing was something he too would have insisted on in her place, and standing he had moved back around to stand before her, Fiona rising also as he had extended his hand.

“I think that we have a deal Miss Campbell” Fiona hesitantly taking his hand as the two had firmly shaken hands.

With no more hint of the arrogance previously on his handsome features, he had given her a dazzling smile, the same he had given her once before when they had first met as he had fished into his pocket for a card handing it to her.

“Phone me later and lets the three of us have breakfast together and discuss plans in more detail”

Wordlessly taking the card he held out she had watched as he had turned leaving the office, Fiona dropping back down into the chair stunned as to what had just happened. She had believed all to be over for her and her brother and now somehow she had managed to ensure that Scott remained at the head of the Company. A small disquieting voice filling her head “Yes but only by promising to have all of your friends and family believe you to be the man’s mistress” Fiona sighing with pain, knowing how old fashioned the establishment could be. Raising her head defiantly she had grimaced. If it meant saving her and her brother’s business then she would be nice to Old Nick himself.

Two hours later a stunned Scott had sat behind the self same desk listening to the story of what had happened earlier, his eyes narrowing hearing the demands of the American who had stolen his Company.

“I don’t trust him Fiona. How can you believe a man like that?”

Giving a long weary sigh she had stared back

“What other choice do we have? He has promised to put the agreement in writing. Scott he isn’t interested in our Company. The only thing he is interested in is using us to make the right connections”

Scowling once more he had sat thoughtfully, watching his young sister. Many suitors had tried to catch her eye, but none had succeeded in interesting her, not since…, Scott worried that his 24 year old sister would never meet the right man.

“He is a lot older than you too” he had finally bitten out “He is 33 Fiona”

She had given a laugh, her eyes dancing

“This is pretense Scott. We are just pretending…besides nine years is not that much!!”

Still he had regarded her uncertainly, as she had moved to softly cover his hand.

“Scott, if we don’t agree then he WILL put somebody else in charge and he WILL find somebody else to make those introductions for him. This way we keep the Company and as an added bonus have access to a backer to tide the business over. You know things have been hard”

Looking away his expression had been one of self recrimination.

“I just feel that you are the one being asked to make the sacrifice here Fiona”

Squeezing his hand she had given a small chuckle.

“What is the worst that can happen Scott? I have to attend some more boring parties…for us I am prepared to make the sacrifice”

Scott for the first time laughing back pulling his sister in for a hug

“OK…make the call. I promise to play good” Fiona smiling lovingly at him

“You will see it will be fine…and in less than a month’s time he will be back in the States and will have forgotten all about us” Scott nodding softly “Amen to that”.

That night she had called Craig, the sound of his voice sending a strange tremor through her, as inexplicably the memory of his kiss had filled her mind.

“Craig?” she had murmured softly, hearing an almost warmth fill his voice.

“Greetings Fiona Campbell” Fiona feeling her mouth curve at his playful tone

“I spoke to Scott and he is in agreement with the plan…and we would like for you to come over to our home tomorrow morning for breakfast …if that suits you?”

She had felt the surprise from the other side as he had finally replied

“I think that would be very nice…thank you Miss Campbell. Would eight O’clock be OK?”

She had agreed, glad that he had not pushed the point that it was not actually their estate anymore, this filling her with hope that they could reach an amicable solution.

As he had hung up the phone, Craig had stared at it, his handsome features frowning. He had not intended making the offer he had. Scott Campbell had put him to a lot of expense and trouble and the plan had been to remove him from his way as soon as possible. Fiona Campbell’s entrance however had changed all that. Groaning softly at the memory of the incendiary kiss. He had felt the way she had begun to stop fighting him, knowing how close to falling against him she was. He had ended it with difficulty knowing that he wanted so much more from her, wanted her to smile at him the way she had on the one time they had danced together.

The offer of her being his mistress had been one to keep her close, a means to an end. Being young powerful and excessively rich he did not often come across many things that he could not have with just a request that including women. However, she was different and Craig had known that he would not be happy until he had her in his bed, willingly.

Sighing he had sat back. He could control Scott Campbell, and if he persisted in being difficult then he would find a way of removing him even if that meant selling on the Company. He had no real interest in it. What he had told Fiona had been the truth. He needed to make connections with the real power of the British establishment, one person in particular, and while in time he would no doubt break into their very cliquish groups, it would be quicker and easier with her at his side. The memory of her standing with the sun silhouetting her perfect figure once more causing his eyes to close with the tremor of awareness that had coursed through him.

Well now he had the chance to satisfy both his need to meet the rich and powerful and to bed the woman who had been driving him crazy for months, with a small smile playing on his lips he had thought to himself that all in all the day had been a good one…a very good one.

At five to eight the following morning the doorbell had rung Fiona running quickly to answer it, holding down her nervous excitement, not entirely sure why her heart had jumped hearing the noise which heralded Craig Thompson’s arrival.

Looking over at her brother with a “play nice” look she had pulled the door open, smiling warmly at the man who stood before her.

Craig had swallowed down the small lump in his throat as her whole features had shone with the genuine smile, finding himself staring at her as her brother had moved to join her at the door.

“Let the man in Fiona” he had spoke as Craig had pulled his eyes from her to the tall good looking man beside her. Scott Campbell stood stiffly, ill at ease he could tell, understandable given the circumstances. With a small nervous laugh she had stepped allowing him to enter.

“Welcome to our home” she had smiled, ignoring the fact that he had already been there the day before when the atmosphere between the two had been very different. With a small smile he had held out the large bunch of flowers he had brought with him

“Not entirely sure what you bring to breakfasts here” he had grinned, as Fiona’s eyes had laughed back

“I’m pretty sure that flowers are never a bad start” she had chuckled, moving to lead them into the large dining room.

Scott had motioned for Craig to sit on the one side of him as he had taken his seat at the head of the table, Craig hoping that this was not how he intended to set the tone of the rest of the meal. He could smell the delicious aroma of bacon and eggs and all manner of other breakfast items coming from the hostess trolley at the side of the room, wondering who had made the spread having seen nobody else since he had arrived.

Fiona had smiled as she had excused herself to find a vase for the flowers, leaving the two men alone.

“You have a lovely home” Craig had began seeing as Scott had given a small half laugh, his features uncomfortable

“Well I very much appreciate that you said that. It takes a big man not to kick someone when they are down”

An uncomfortable pause coming between the two before Scott had coughed softly.

“I’m sorry, that was uncalled for” Craig giving a small smile back.

“Well as remarks go I have heard worse” Scott laughing in spite of the situation

“I bet you have” Craig joining him.

“I understand that you were reluctant to sell to me Scott, I really do. But to be honest, I have no interest in running your Company. From the very beginning my sole interest in you was as a means to an end”

Scott had considered him carefully

“I hope you understand that given your history and reputation….” his voice trailing off not wanting to insult the man who held his family’s future in his hands.

“I understand….and perhaps we can put it all behind us. I would rather you continued to run the Company…but given the rivalry that existed between us…I hope that you can understand the deal your sister and I have made”.

Scott Campbell had fixed the other man with eyes suddenly so serious.

“If I said that I was happy about it Craig then I would be lying” flicking a look to make sure that Fiona was not entering