GRAEME UNCAGED: Part One (Taming the Billionaire Book 2) (3 page)

No wonder she expected him to instantly produce a stellar second husband for her.

He sighed. Well, he’d do his best, but he would either have to find a very strong man to take over the care and guidance of Louisa, or teach her how to stand on her own feet.

On reflection, finding a very strong man to take care of his headstrong youngest daughter would be easier.

And he was relieved that William would no longer be his son-in-law. William wasn’t
bad
, just weak and stupid. Well, who could really blame William for what he was when he was John Spenser’s son and had that example to follow?

“So you want to divorce him and save face at the same time, Louisa. Aren’t any of your horse crowd suitable second husbands?” asked Olivia.                   

“Not really, ’Livi. I’m not attracted to any of the available English ones. They aren’t impressive enough to live up to me. I think Daddy knows so many businessmen, there have to be one or two handsome, rich hunks who will tolerate my ambition to ride for England in the next Olympics. Who like horses, who can look after my best interests.

“You know, ‘Livi, at your wedding I watched William drink far too much, and listened, really
listened
for the first time to the nonsense he was spouting.

“He’s not capable of managing Twenty Pounds, let alone the Twenty Million in my trust fund. And when I realized at that dinner where Julia and I met ‘Livi that William was even
thinking
of selling our present house, well!

“I mean, we’ve been married nearly two years, he signed the pre-nup, he surely realized that house is in my name only, but here he was thinking he could sell it and put the money in the stock market! The investments he’s made for us so far have all taken a nose dive, Daddy. I’m sure if he wasn’t working for his father, William would be unemployed. I married in haste, and now I’m repenting at leisure. God I’m glad you insisted on the pre-nup.”

  The waiter brought their food. As soon as the plates were on the table, Louisa continued her monologue.

  “So, do you have anyone in mind for me, Daddy? Too bad your friend Michael isn’t interested in riding, isn’t it? I know he’s a bit older than me, but he is rich and handsome.”

Olivia smiled. “And he’s engaged, Louisa, don’t forget that.”

Louisa sighed. “Too bad. He’s so masterful. Maybe I need an older husband, Daddy? Somebody strong…”

Graeme frowned. “Michael would not be a suitable husband for you even if he liked riding, Louisa. He has a lifestyle quite different to yours.”

Louisa nodded. “I know, I just think he looks wonderful. Don’t you know anybody in his league that I might fancy?”

Olivia smiled to herself. Graeme’s daughters were charming, beautiful and great fun, but oh, how different to Graeme himself!

She wondered, not for the first time, what Carrie, their mother had been like.

Graeme ran through all the single men he knew, frowning.

Didn’t he know
anybody
he could trust with Louisa’s heart and fortune? 

Hold on, what about Rod? His marriage had been annulled about January or February, hadn’t it? He might do...at least they’d have horses and sex in common…and his old University friend came from a fortune almost as large as the Browning family holdings.

“Hmm, perhaps you’d like a friend of mine, princess. We were at University together. He’s Espagnolian, wealthy, handsome, and he’s a accomplished equestrian. Rod is a cousin of the Espagnolian royal family, I believe.”

“How old is he, Daddy?” asked Louisa, tears forgotten.

“He’s a couple of years younger than me, princess. Thirty six. Same age as Michael actually, now that I think of it. Very intelligent man, never misses an opportunity.

“So, you’d be thirteen years younger than him, but there’s more of an age gap between ‘Livi and I, and it doesn’t bother us at all, does it, sweetheart?”

“Not at all,” smiled Olivia.

“I always forget you were nearly ten years younger than Mother,” said Louisa. “I forget I was five when we met you, Daddy. I can’t remember our life before you.” Louisa smiled lovingly at Graeme.

“But back to your friend Rod...What does he do?”

“He has a rather large estate and stud farm and looks after his family’s investments as well,” answered Graeme. “I’d have no hesitation turning your trust fund over to him. He’d manage it very adroitly.

“He rides competitively on the Continent, plays polo, and his marriage was annulled early this year. No children. He’s Catholic of course, so you would probably have to convert.”

“You don’t mean Rodríguez de Velaquado you, Daddy?”

“Yes, do you know him?”

“Yes, slightly. He’s at all the Grand Prix events. If you mentioned my name, he might look blank or he might vaguely remember me. He’s a fantastic rider, he’ll be representing Espagnolia in the next Olympics, I’m sure. He’s ridden for them in the last two and medalled both time!

“Oh, Daddy, if you could set me up with him, I’d just about die of happiness! I’ve had a crush on him for years and years! He’s so fabulous, sexy, rich, brilliant...but maybe I won’t appeal to him. After all, his ex-wife is gorgeous, and very clever, I believe.”

“Clever enough to find a way to have their marriage annulled so she could marry Rod’s cousin, who is closer to the throne than he is. I believe her new husband is fourth in line to succeed King Philippe Miguel, where Rod is about sixth or seventh.”

“Oh, Daddy, I don’t think he’d be interested in me at all...every woman on the World Riding Circuit throws herself at him, especially now he’s single again.” Louisa was definitely regretful.

“
Why wouldn’t he be interested? You are beautiful, horse mad and most importantly, pregnant. Maria Isabella never got pregnan
t
.

“Rod wants, no…
needs
an heir or two, and he likes blondes. I suspect he’d love a blonde on his arm now, Maria Isabella is very beautiful, but has black hair and an olive complexion. At University, he always went for the blondes. ” Graeme smiled.

“Oh, Daddy, he’s a superstar in the equestrian firmament in Europe, in the World in fact. Every woman on the circuit would drop her drawers at the hint of glance from him, me included!”

Olivia giggled. “So my husband has a good idea then, Louisa?”

“If he were to fall in love with me, I’d be the envy of all my friends! Instead of pitying looks about William, I’d be getting daggers of envy and smiles of admiration!”

Graeme grimaced. He really had made a lot of mistakes raising Louisa…been far too indulgent.

“I’m not a miracle worker, Louisa. I can’t make him fall in love with you and marry you, but I can introduce you properly. I will give him a call and see if he’s planning to come to England anytime soon.”

“Please call this afternoon, Daddy. Please….”

“In the meantime, I’ll have the name of a solicitor for you this afternoon. I anticipated the problem was William from your tears on the telephone this morning, and I asked Gideon to have a quick sort round. We have proof of his ongoing adultery, so you should be free in about six or eight weeks...depends how long it takes to get a court date for your divorce hearing.”

TWO

An hour later, Graeme asked Rose to place a call to Espagnolia for him.

“Rodriguez, Graeme here, how are you?”

“Graeme, I was just thinking about you! Telepathy.”

“Really?  What can I do for you?”

“I wondered if you’d like to buy a bank from me?  I recently inherited one from my uncle, and I have no expertise or interest in running it, so it’s floundering now under mediocre managers. It is a very small bank by your standards, based in Madriata, and has only twelve branches here and two in Spain. I’ve been racking my brains for the last week what to do with it, and you came to mind. Honestly, I believe it needs much modernization, so I will understand if you don’t want to take it on.”

Graeme chuckled. “It can’t be worse than the Irish bank I just acquired. I’d be most interested, Rodriguez. Browning’s doesn’t have a foothold in the Iberian Peninsula yet.”

“Fantastic news! How about I email all the details and we can go from there?”

“Excellent, Rod. If the price is reasonable, it certainly fits in with Browning Group’s expansion plans.”

“What can I do for you in return, Graeme?” asked Rodriguez, well pleased he was going to sell his bank.

“Eh...I was calling you on a more personal basis, actually. My older daughter is getting married next weekend and I wondered if you could fly over and accompany my younger daughter to the wedding?

“Her husband’s had an extremely indiscreet affair with his secretary, and she’s filing for divorce, tomorrow I imagine. Her pride is bruised beyond recognition, and I thought if a charming, handsome man appeared in the blasted tabloids on her arm, it might help her self esteem. The papers will have a field day with the divorce once they get hold of the details. You know, wealthy, beautiful heiress dumped for the Cinderella secretary.”

“I sympathize, Graeme, and I’d be delighted to help you. But why me? Why not Michael or one of your English bachelor friends?”

“Louisa’s horse mad, and hopes to ride for England in the next Olympics, so there would be some common ground between the two of you. I don’t think you’d be too bored.”

“I’d be delighted. It wouldn’t hurt me in the press either. Maria Isabella has been doing a very good hatchet job on my male ego and my public image, Graeme. It won’t do me any harm to be photographed with a beautiful woman on
my
arm. My viper-tongued ex-wife has been working hard to convince the world that our childless state was my entire fault, and she’s even implied that I prefer men... and ouch, that hurt!”

Graeme roared with laughter.

“Nobody who was at University with us will believe that for a minute, Rod! I’m sure that you’d just have to call a few of those girls and have them sell their stories to the press.”

“I know, Graeme, but none of them knew of my real identity, they all thought I was the son of a merchant. Besides, I don’t think my uncle, the King, would appreciate the publicity. He’s had enough bad press lately with his son-in-law’s shenanigans.”

“What you need to dispel those rumours is a beautiful young lady beside you, Rodriguez. Perhaps you and my daughter could help each other out?  Louisa is very beautiful, even if I say so myself. She’s very entertaining, even though she is a little spoiled, and that is my fault. I’ve been a very over-indulgent father.”

“Her name is Louisa? How charming.”

“Her married name is Spenser, but she rides under Browning, as she’d begun to establish her riding career before she was married. I don’t supposed you’ve met? She seemed to think you had but you might not remember her.”

“Ah,
Louisa Browning
! I’ve seen her ride of course, Graeme. She’s very talented. We know each other a little, from the Grand Prix Circuit, but it never occurred to me she is related to you. How do you have a daughter in her twenties when you are much less than forty yourself?”

“Carrie, Louisa’s mother, was nine years older than me. I married her when the girls were young and adopted them immediately. Louisa is twenty three, and Julia is twenty four.”

“Hmm, this is beginning to sound very interesting, Graeme. Maria Isabella has remarried, as you know, to a cousin of mine, and he was pleased to tell me they are expecting a child in April.”

Graeme smiled to himself. This was the ideal opportunity to drop the bait…Rod’s potential heir.

“Oh, I forgot to mention, Louisa is six months pregnant.”

“The poor girl! To find out your husband is an adulterer at this stage is devastating!”

“Yes, she actually saw them in a hotel Friday evening. My Legal Department has lined up a solicitor for her to see tomorrow afternoon.”

The Espagnolian paused for a moment, considering the situation. His eyes narrowed as he realized the possibilities.

“Listen, Graeme, I think I’ll fly over tomorrow with all the information about this bank of mine instead of just emailing it to you. Perhaps your daughter and I could meet then?

Graeme smiled to himself. He knew Rodriguez well, and realized the man had the beginning of some scheme brewing.

He
hoped
the Espagnolian had the beginning of some scheme brewing.

Perhaps Louisa and the Espagnolian Grandee would be able to help each other save face.

Graeme firmly believed that once Louisa had saved face, she wouldn’t be in such a hurry to remarry.

Rod was probably in the same predicament.

He was a proud man, and saving face was paramount, especially in his culture. Appearing with each other at Julia’s wedding would certainly cause a stir, and stick it to William…and to Maria Isabella.

“Email the details today, Rod, and we can discuss them seriously when you arrive tomorrow. I’ll have my Mergers and Acquisition Department go over them this afternoon and tomorrow morning.