âI need to return to Zeena Sahra. The cancellation of my engagement will have long-reaching consequences for our country.â
Feeling unaccountably bereft at the thought of his abandonment, Liyah nevertheless nodded. âI under-stand.â
âGood. It is unfortunate you will not be able to work out your notice, but it is fortuitous that you already made your plans to leave.â
âWhat? Why wonât I work out my notice?â
âIâve told you, we must leave for Zeena Sahra immediately.â
âYou said you had to leave.â
He gave her a look that said she wasnât following him. âNaturally you must come with me.â
âWhy?â
âYou may carry my child.â
âBut we donât know that.â
âAnd until we do, you stay with me.â
Step into the opulent glory of the worldâs most elite hotel, where clients are the impossibly rich and exceptionally famous.
Whether youâre in America, Australia, Europe or Dubai, our doors will always be open â¦
Welcome to
Synonymous with style, sensation ⦠and scandal!
For years, the children of Gene Chatsfieldâglobal hotel entrepreneurâhave shocked the worldâs media with their exploits. But no longer! When Gene appoints a new CEO, Christos Giatrakos, to bring his children into line, little did he know what he was starting.
Christosâ first command scatters the Chatsfields to the furthest reaches of their international holdingsâfrom Las Vegas to Monte Carlo, Sydney to San Francisco ⦠but will they rise to the challenge set by a man who hides dark secrets in his past?
Let the games begin!
Your room has been reserved, so check in to enjoy all the passion and scandal we have to offer.
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www.thechatsfield.com
Award-winning and bestselling author LUCY MONROE sold her first book in September 2002 to Mills & Boon. That book represented a dream that had been burning in her heart for yearsâthe dream to share her stories with readers who love romance as much as she does. Since then she has sold more than thirty books to three publishers and hit national bestseller lists in the US and England, but what has touched her most deeply since selling that first book are the reader letters she receives. Her most important goal with every book is to touch a reader's heart and, when she hears she's done that, it makes every night spent writing into the wee hours of the morning worth it.
She started reading Mills & Boon>® books when she was very young and discovered a heroic type of man between the covers of those books ⦠an honourable man, capable of faithfulness and sacrifice for the people he loves. Now married to what she terms her âalpha male at the end of a book,â Lucy believes there is a lot more reality to the fantasy stories she writes than most people give credit for. She believes in happy endings that are really marvellous beginnings and that's why she writes them. She hopes her books help readers to believe a little, too ⦠just as romance did for her so many years ago.
She really does love to hear from readers and responds to every e-mail. You can reach her by e-mailing [email protected].
For my editor, Suzanne Clarke. It's always a little bit terrifying, changing editors, but you've made it a really lovely experience and I'm thrilled how well our creative visions mesh. I'm also delighted to find we are kindred spirits in other areas. I feel as if we're a destined team. Thank you!
CHAPTER ONE
NOT EASILY IMPRESSED, Liyah Amari very nearly stopped to gawp upon entering the Chatsfield London for the first time.
Flagship of the Chatsfield familyâs hotel empire, the lodging preferred by Europeâs elite was magnificent.
San Franciscoâs property where her mother had worked since before Liyahâs birth was beautiful, but nothing compared to the opulence of this hotel. From the liveried doormen to the grandeur of the ballroom-size lobby, she felt as if sheâd stepped into a bygone era of luxury.
A decidedly frenetic air of anticipation and preparation was at odds with the elegant surroundings, though. One maid rushed through the lobbyâwhich Liyah was certain was anything but a normal occurrenceâwhile another polished the walnut banisters of the grand staircase.
It looked like an impromptu but serious meeting was happening near the concierge desk. The desk reception staff were busy with the phone and computer, respectively, checking in an attractive elderly couple.
âWelcome to the Chatsfield London, Mr. and Mrs. Michaels. Here is your room key,â the young man said, âand here is your complimentary hospitality pack. We very much hope that you enjoy your stay.â
Both staff were too busy to pay attention to who might be entering the hotel. Behind reception, Liyah saw a row of photographs depicting the Chatsfield Londonâs staff. Something in her chest tightened as she caught the image of Lucilla Chatsfield staring back at her from within a frame.