Tasha said with a shrug, “It won’t do Maurice much good to threaten to disinherit you for marrying me.”
Andre chuckled. “I have a feeling my father’s going to be very happy about this marriage.”
He could’ve told her the rest, that he had to marry, but why invite trouble? Besides, this was no longer a temporary proposition. He intended to stay married to Tasha. For good. There was no need to make her feel as if he was only marrying her for the money. She was already worried that the baby was the reason they were getting married. He didn’t need to add to her anxiety. Too much might scare her away, or worse yet, harm the baby. Now there was much more at stake than money. Andre couldn’t bear the thought of losing Tasha and their child because of some stupid will. No, it was better for all concerned that he kept that part of the stipulation to himself.
Andre was determined not to do anything else that might upset Tasha in her delicate state.
The jet was small enough to land at the airport in Tahoe, which saved them a long limo ride from Reno.
Tasha had to hand it to Andre, the man knew how to get things done, and in style. When they landed at the small airport on the California side, a car was waiting to take them across the state line into Nevada—where their American wedding would take place.
Andre had reserved a suite at the Shoreline Hotel and Casino. The rooms were small—by Andre’s standards—and rustic, but they were clean and comfortable, which was all Tasha cared about.
Ever since they’d left L.A., Andre and Simon had been huddled together closer than a pack of thieves. First on the airplane and now in the hotel’s lobby, whispering and carrying on about something. If Tasha was the embarrassing kind, she’d be worried. Instead, she was merely curious, and wondering what grand surprise Andre had in store for her.
He turned away from Simon and stepped toward her. “They’ll take our luggage to our suite. Are you hungry? We can dine in the suite or the restaurant. Whatever you prefer.”
“I suppose I should eat something.” Tasha shrugged. “Maybe in our room, though.”
A smile relaxed Andre’s face, like he was happy about that. It was probably the papers. If the local press got wind that he and Tasha were in Tahoe, they’d be all over them.
A bellboy escorted them to their suite via a private elevator. Even though Tasha had been seeing Andre for nearly a year, she still marveled at the attention thrown their way just because Andre had a ton of money.
As usual, Simon tipped the bellboy. Tasha had no idea how much money Andre had instructed Simon to tip people on his behalf, but based on the wide-ass grin on the attendant’s face as he backed out of the room, she’d guess it was pretty good.
“Simon, have some chicken soup and crackers brought up.” Andre glanced at Tasha. “And perhaps a fruit platter?”
“Sounds perfect.” Tasha nodded. “And some water, and plenty of ice.” Her mouth was always dry. Tasha couldn’t get enough ice. “Chips, if they have it.”
“I’ll see to it right away,” Simon said.
“Would you like to go into the bedroom and rest for a bit?” Andre asked Tasha. “I’m going to make a few calls. I’ll let you know when brunch is here. We can eat on the terrace off our bedroom if you’d like.”
“Sure.” Tasha looked around, wondering which room was theirs. “I am kind of tired.” She could always call her parents after her catnap. Tasha was sure there’d be plenty of time to touch base with them before the ceremony Andre was arranging for later in the day.
Andre offered his arm and she took it. “Then go rest, mon trésor,” he whispered, and led her toward their bedroom. “You take care of our little bundle—” Andre opened the door. “—And I’ll take care of everything else.”
After finishing his calls, Andre was satisfied that he had everything in order. Davis—the same attorney who’d handled Julian and Camille’s prenup down in Vegas—was scheduled to arrive within the hour. A minister from Tahoe Dream Weddings, an hour after that. Andre’s favorite jeweler in London had assured him the rings would arrive by courier before the minister.
Now, if only the food he’d ordered would arrive. Since it hadn’t, it might be a great time to call Claudette. He’d call her, rather than Papa. Talking to her was always a much more pleasant experience.
Andre called her cell phone instead of the house phone, to be sure he’d get her and not Papa. The family didn’t always answer the house phone, they usually left that for the servants. But when the family did answer the phone, it was always at the most inopportune time—especially Papa.
Waiting for Claudette to answer his call, Andre stepped out onto the terrace for maximum privacy. The late summer air was cool, but not enough to raise the chills that prickled his skin. He ignored them. They’d go away soon enough, just as soon as he alerted the family to keep quiet about the stipulations of Edouard’s will.
“Andre…” Claudette’s chipper voice greeted him. “Do you have good news for me. Shall I start planning the wedding?”
Andre chuckled. “Yes. Yes, you can.” He sucked in a breath as the chills threatened to consume him. “There is one thing though, the wedding is real.”
“Of course, it is,” she said, as if she were privy to some state secret.
“No, really. I’ve asked Tasha to be my wife.” Andre shook his head. “Not to just help me fulfill a will’s stipulations for a man I hardly knew.”
“You mean it’s not temporary?” Her tone quivered with hope.
“Precisely.” Andre nodded. “And in light of that, you can understand why I don’t want anyone to mention the will’s stipulations to Tasha.”
“You haven’t told her about the will?” Claudette’s tone rose with alarm.
“No, she knows about the will. She just doesn’t know I need to marry to inherit.”
“I can understand why you’d want to keep that quiet,” she said. “But you know, these things have a way of blowing up in our faces.”
“Yes, and the way it’s going to blow up is if she knows about it. She’ll think I’m marrying her to inherit, but that’s just a perk. It’s not why I’m doing it.”
Claudette was silent for a moment, and Andre thought she was building another objection. A strong one. But, to his surprise, she said, “In light of the will, I suppose you want the wedding to take place quickly?”