Free Vegas Vacation by Clare Revell

”
    It will be once Martin’s here. God, I know I’ve kind of been ignoring You of late. Perhaps Martin was right about not living my faith, and I’m sorry, but I could really do with some help about now .
    Her father patted her shoulders. “Good. Come on then. You know how I hate being late. “
    Taking a deep breath, Tamlyn left her bedroom and went into the lounge. Shock and numbness flooded her as she caught sight of the blue-suited man standing with his back to her.
    Lord Bradshaw took her arm, almost propelling her across the waiting black hole. “Tammy, I’d like you to meet Daniel Haynes. Daniel, this is Tamlyn, my daughter.”
    He turned and smiled. “We’ve met. Several times.” He reached out and grabbed Tamlyn’s hand, kissing her fingers. “It seems fate keeps pushing us together.”
    Tamlyn pulled her hand away. “Unfortunately.”
    “Tammy…” Her father’s tone contained an all-too familiar warning.
    She forced a smile, and mentally steeled herself for the inevitable fight later.
    Daniel took her arm and led her to the door, as he struck up an animated conversation with her father.
    Tamlyn tuned him out. More than ever she wished Martin were here. Lost in her thoughts, she found herself sat at a table in the restaurant with Daniel’s hand on her knee before she realized. Glaring at him, she pulled her leg away from him and crossed it over the other. “Do you mind?”
    He smiled at her. “Not at all.”
    “Well I do. Do that again and I’ll scream and have you arrested.” She scowled at him and grabbed the menu, hiding behind it.
    “Tammy, what can I get you to drink?” Daniel’s fingers slid down her arm.
    She cringed at the use of the nickname. “Water, please. And it’s Lady Bradshaw to you.” Letting out a deep breath of anger, she moved her chair a couple of inches to the left. She lowered her voice so only Daniel could hear her. “I wasn’t kidding about screaming.”
    Tuning out the conversation between the men, she turned back to the menu, rubbing her temple. Her head throbbed. Martin would stop this bloke in his tracks .
    She raised her eyes to find her father glaring at her. Now what? Is standing up for and defending myself wrong now? “Sorry. Did you say something?”
    “I asked if you’d decided yet, but then Daniel chose for you.” He took the menu out of her hands and handed it to the waiter. “I also ordered champagne.”
    “I can’t drink champagne with the meds the hospital gave me. And what are we celebrating, anyway?” She picked up her glass of water, taking a long drink.
    Lord Bradshaw smiled. “My new business arrangement. Daniel has agreed to make a large investment in the estate. He now owns half of it. And when you marry him…”
    Tamlyn sprayed her mouthful of water across the table in a most unladylike fashion. Her suspicious mind suddenly ran rampant. Had the crash been an accident? Why had Martin passed out like that?
    It wasn’t anything he ate or drank because I had the same. Besides, I bought all the food. Or was it a reason to get him out of the way? First Raleigh, then Martin and now this?
    “I don’t think arranged marriages are legal,” she said dryly. “Besides, I have other plans.”
    Daniel touched her hand. “This is Vegas. Of course it’s legal.”
    She swallowed hard. She needed to get out of there fast and find Martin. He’d know what to do. She turned to her father. “I appreciate you looking out for me, Dad, but I can’t marry Daniel.”
    Lord Bradshaw’s face darkened. “Why not? Daniel’s a nice man. We can go and pick up a license and—”
    She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The words Daniel and nice didn’t go together in her mind. “For one thing I’m in love with someone else. For another, I’m doped up on the meds and any legal documents I sign tonight won’t be valid.”
    She pushed the chair back and stood. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this tonight. It’s been a rotten day, I’m banged up