eyes flew back to his. 'The church? You mean we're getting married in a church?'
'Do you have a problem with that?'
She sank her teeth into her lower lip for a moment. 'No...it's just I thought a register office would be more appropriate under the circumstances.'
'I do not think our marriage would be considered authentic if we did not have it consecrated by the church,' he said. 'I will also arrange for a dress and veil for you.'
'You don't have to do that.'
'It is no bother,' he said. 'My mother's wedding dress and veil have been well preserved and you are much the same size as she was.'
Her eyes were wide grey-blue pools. 'I can't wear your mother's dress!'
'Why not? People will think it a loving gesture on your part,' he said. 'Besides, this is probably going to be the only time I marry anyone so I might as well do it properly.'
Emma chewed at her bottom lip in agitation. This was going to be much harder than she had expected. Somehow she had thought a quick civil service would make her feel less married. That was vitally important to her. She didn't want to feel married to him.
'I will get my mother's rings out of the safe for you,' he said. 'But of course they must be returned to me once our marriage ends.'
'Yes, of course...' she said. 'I wouldn't dream of keeping them.'
'The wedding will take place tomorrow.'
Emma's heart gave a sickening lurch. 'T-tomorrow?'
'Yes,' he said. 'The legalities will be seen to this afternoon. The ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Basilica of Saint Abbondio, the ancient cathedral in the town. Have you by any chance been there?'
'I haven't done a lot of sightseeing yet,' she said. 'I was too busy looking after your father.'
He paused for a moment, his eyes still holding hers before he continued. 'We will have a small reception at a function centre afterwards, but there will of course be no honeymoon.'
'I wasn't expecting one, I can assure you,' she said. 'Besides, I need to contact the agency in regards to finding a local placement.'
'You will not be returning to the agency while you are married to me,' he said.
Emma blinked once or twice. 'What did you say?'
His dark eyes challenged hers. 'I said you will not be returning to work. I have already contacted the agency and terminated your contract.'
Emma gaped at him. 'You did what?'
'You are now employed by me to act as my wife. I do not want people speculating on whether this marriage is the real deal or not. What if a client needed you to live in for weeks on end? No one would expect any wife of mine to be employed and certainly not as a carer.'
'Well, no husband of mine would ever expect me to give up the job I love to pander to his needs,' Emma tossed back.
'I am not asking you to pander to my needs, but if you feel the need to do so I will not stop you.'
She gave him a blistering glare. 'What am I supposed to do all day? Laze about the pool and paint my nails? I'll go stark staring mad.'
'Think of it as a holiday, Emma,' he said. 'You can explore a hobby or two. Most of the women I know would give anything for a year to indulge themselves at a rich man's expense.'
'You really need to widen your circle of women friends,' Emma said in a crisp tone. 'Most of the women I know value their self-respect and independence too much to be indulged like a spoilt child.'
'I am sure you will adapt very quickly,' he said. 'After all, you have had plenty of practice while living with my father as your sugar daddy. Money is your motive and always has been, has it not? Why else would you be marrying me if it was not for the money?'
Emma ground her teeth. 'I don't want the money for myself,' she said. 'Otherwise I wouldn't dream of agreeing to any of this. Do you think I want to be married to someone as loathsome as you?'
A muscle leapt in his jaw. 'Careful, Emma,' he warned. 'I will not tolerate insults from you once we are married.'
Her chin came up at a defiant angle. 'If you insult me I will insult you straight back.'
His eyes glinted. 'I will enjoy taming you, Emma March,' he said. 'You are a little wildcat under that demure façade, are you not? I can