Master of Fortune / Marrying the Lone Star Maverick: Master of Fortune / Marrying the Lone Star Maverick

Astrid seemed to sparkle with life as she moved on the dance floor, and Henry wanted to be the only one who basked in that glow.

He kept one hand on her hip as they danced. Her body brushed against his, teasing him with each rhythmic move she made. He wanted more than those fleeting touches. He wanted her breasts pressed solidly against his chest, his hands holding her hips and that tempting mouth of hers under his.

The music stopped, but he scarcely noticed. The crowd applauded, and in the back of his mind Henry realized that he’d found the first group he’d sign to the Everest Records label. But he’d also found something else, he thought.

Astrid watched him with those big brown eyes of hers, and he leaned in and kissed her. He didn’t think about consequences or warnings. Didn’t think about winning or business. Just thought that this woman was temptation incarnate and he was tired of denying himself.

MASTER

OF FORTUNE

KATHERINE GARBERA

About the Author

KATHERINE GARBERA is a strong believer in happily-ever-after. She’s written more than thirty-five books and has been nominated for Romantic Times Book Club’s career achievement awards in Series Fantasy and Series Adventure. Her books have appeared on bestseller list for series romance and on the USA Today extended bestsellers list. Visit Katherine on the web at www. katherinegarbera.com.

Dear Reader,

Astrid Taylor is a girl who’s made some bad choices when it comes to love. She lost her last job after a disastrous office romance, and the last thing she wants is to find her new boss attractive. But Henry Devonshire is the kind of man who can shake even the strongest resolve, and he does for Astrid.

Henry Devonshire was born into scandal. One of three illegitimate heirs born to Malcolm Devonshire in the same year, he’s always been hounded by the media. His mother is Seventies pop sensation Tiffany Malone. So Henry’s not a man who has a conventional set of morals. So the fact that Astrid is technically off limits makes her all that more appealing to the former rugby star.

Their romance is really, at the heart, about two people who have been searching for acceptance in who they are. They fall in love not because of their differences but in spite of them.

I hope you enjoy the first book in the DEVONSHIRE HEIRS mini-series. I had a lot of fun researching and writing these stories.

Happy reading!

Katherine

This book is dedicated to Rob, Courtney, Lucas, Josh and Tabby for making our summer in England so much fun and for putting up with me saying, “Just one more photo!!”

Acknowledgements:

I’d like to thank my good friend Kenny Howes for answering my questions about the music industry; Kenny has been rocking out for as long as I’ve known him. Any mistakes in this book are my own.

I’d also like to thank Krista Stroever for all of her hard work on editing this manuscript.

Also a quick shout out to my friends who always have my back: Nancy and Mary Louise—you guys rock!

Prologue

“Why are we here?” Henry Devonshire asked. He sat in the boardroom of the Everest Group in downtown London. A nice view of the Thames was visible though the plate-glass windows.

“Malcolm has prepared a message for you.”

“Why should we listen to this?” Henry faced the lawyer across the polished boardroom table.

“I think you’ll find your father’s—”

“Malcolm. Don’t call him my father.”

The Everest Group had always been Malcolm Devonshire’s life. Of course, now that he’d turned seventy, it was no surprise that the old man had gotten in touch with him and his half brothers. He probably wanted to make sure that his life’s work didn’t end with his own death.

Geoff was the eldest of the three of them. Henry couldn’t really say much about the other men. He didn’t know either of his half brothers any better than he did their biological father. Geoff’s very aristocratic English-looking nose betrayed his place in the current royal family.

“Mr. Devonshire is dying,” Edmond Strom said. “He wants the legacy he worked so hard to create to live on in each of you.”

Edmond was Malcolm’s … butler, Henry thought. Or maybe man of affairs would be more apt.

“He didn’t create the legacy for us,” Steven said. He was the youngest.

“Well, he has an offer for the three of you now,” Edmond said.

Henry had actually met his father’s lawyer and personal assistant more times than he had his father. Edmond had been the one to deliver Christmas and birthday presents when he’d been younger.

“If you would all please sit down and allow me explain,” Edmond said.

Henry took a seat at the end of the conference table. He had been a rugby player and a pretty good one to boot, but that had never gotten him the one thing he’d really craved—Malcolm’s acknowledgment of him. He couldn’t explain it any better than that. His own father had never recognized any of Henry’s accomplishments. So he had stopped looking for it and gone his own way.

Which didn’t explain why he was here now. Maybe it was simple curiosity about the old man.

Edmond passed three file folders across the table, one to each of them. Henry flipped his open and saw the letter his father had written to the three of them.

Geoff, Henry and Steven;

I have been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. I’ve exhausted every avenue to try to prolong my life and have now come to believe I only have six months left.

None of you owe me allegiance, but I hope that the company that brought me into contact with your mothers will continue to prosper and grow under your leadership.

Each of you will control one of the divisions. You will be judged on the profit you make in your segment. Whoever shows the best acumen for running their segment will be appointed CEO and Chairman of The Everest Group.

Geoff—Everest Airlines. His time as an RAF pilot and traveling the globe will serve him well.

Henry—Everest Records. I expect him to sign the music groups he’s already helped make their way up the charts.

Steven—Everest Mega Stores. Hopefully his genius for knowing what the retail public wants will not fail him.

Edmond will monitor your progress and make reports to me. I would have come to speak with you today, but my doctors have confined me to my bed.

I have one caveat. You must all avoid scandal and focus on running your segment or the deal is off, regardless of profit. The one mistake I made in my life was letting my personal life distract me from my business. I hope the three of you can benefit from my mistakes and I trust you will accept this challenge.

Yours,

Malcolm Devonshire

Henry shook his head. The old man had just said he considered their births a mistake. Henry had no idea how Geoff and Steven would feel about that, but it ticked him off. “I’m not interested.”

“Before you turn down Malcolm’s offer, you should know that if any of you opt out, the money that was put in trust for your mothers and for each of you will be forfeit upon his death. The company would retain it all.”

“I don’t need his money,” Geoff said.

Henry didn’t either, but his mother might. She and her second husband had two sons they were raising. Though Gordon made a decent wage as head coach for the London Irish, they could always use a little extra, especially since they’d have to pay for university for those boys.

“May we have a moment to discuss this alone?” Steven asked.

Edmond nodded and left the room. As soon as the door closed behind Edmond, Steven stood up.

“I think we should do it,” Steven said.

“I’m not so sure,” Geoff said. “He shouldn’t put any stipulations on his will. If he wants to leave us something, so be it.”

“But this affects our mums,” Henry said, siding with Steven as he gave this more thought. Malcolm had broken off all contact with his mum once she was pregnant. That had always bothered him. He’d like to give her something of Malcolm’s … the thing that Malcolm had prized more than any of the actual living people who’d been in his life.

“It does affect them,” Geoff said, leaning back in his chair as he thought it over. “I see your point. If you two are in then I’ll do it, as well. I don’t need his approval or his money.”

“Me, either.”

“So we’re all in?” Henry asked.

“I am,” Geoff said.

“I think he owes our mothers something on top of child support. And the chance to turn a bigger profit than he did? Now that’s something I can’t resist.”

One

Astrid Taylor had started working for the Everest Group exactly one week ago, and her job as it had been described to her had sounded … like a glorified nanny but it paid well and that was all that mattered right now. She was to be an assistant to one of Malcolm Devonshire’s sons.

Her experience as an executive assistant for legendary record producer Mo Rollins had ensured she’d get the job with Everest Records. She was glad they hadn’t asked too many questions about her dismissal from her last job.

“Hello, Ms. Taylor, I’m Henry Devonshire.”

“Hello, Mr. Devonshire. I’m happy to make your acquaintance.”

Henry held his hand out to her and she shook it. He had big blunt hands with neatly trimmed square nails. His square-jawed face sported a nose that looked as though it may have been broken more than once. Only fitting since he’d been a first-class rugby player until an injury sidelined him. He was still lean and athletic looking.

“I need you in my office in five minutes,” he told her. “Bring everything you have on Everest Group Records. Financials, groups we have signed, groups we should drop.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Devonshire,” she said.

He paused on the threshold before entering his inner office and smiled at her. “Call me Henry.”

She nodded. Dang it, he had a perfect smile. The kind that left her feeling utterly gob smacked. Which was ridiculous. She’d read the reports in the tabloids and gossip magazines—he was a player. One with a different girl every night, she reminded herself.

“Please, call me Astrid,” she said.

He nodded. “Have you been working here long?”

“Only a week. I was hired to work specifically with you.”

“Good, then you won’t be torn about who is in charge,” he said.

“No, sir, you’re the boss,” she quipped.

“Indeed I am.”

She started pulling together the reports he’d asked for. Since her career-ending affair at her last place of employment, she’d made a promise to herself to be utterly professional this time. She had always liked men and, to be honest, knew she flirted more than she should, but it was her way.

She watched him walk away. Flirting in the office was a bad idea, but he was charming. It wasn’t as if Henry Devonshire was going to make a real pass at her. His social circles contained supermodels. But she’d always had a weakness for blue eyes and a charming smile. It didn’t hurt matters that she’d had a little crush on Henry Devonshire when he’d been introduced as the starting flanker for the London Irish ten years ago.

So she was ready for Henry’s requests. She had everything in a folder on her desktop and printed off the information for him. She also copied the file onto their shared server.

Her phone rang. Glancing down at the multiline unit, she saw that Henry was still on his extension.

“Everest Records, Henry Devonshire’s office,” Astrid said.

“We need to talk.”

It was her old boss and former lover, Daniel Martin. Daniel was a bit like Simon Cowell, a record executive who turned everything he touched to gold. But when the gold lost its luster, Daniel moved on. Something Astrid had experienced firsthand.

“I don’t think we have anything left to say.” The last thing she wanted was to talk to Daniel.

“Henry Devonshire might feel differently. Meet me downstairs in that park area between City Hall and Tower Bridge in ten minutes.”

“I can’t. My boss needs me.”

“He won’t be your boss for long if you don’t speak to me. I think we both know that. I’m not asking for too much of your time, just a few minutes.”

“Fine,” Astrid said, aware that Daniel could ruin her chances at Everest records with just a vaguely worded comment about her past job performance.

She wasn’t sure exactly what Daniel wanted—their relationship had ended so badly. Maybe he wanted to make amends now that she was back in the music industry. At least she could hope.

She sent Henry an instant message telling him she’d be right back and set her phones to go to voice mail. Five minutes later she was walking through the green area on the banks of the Thames. Lots of office workers were sitting outside on the smoke breaks.

Astrid hurried past them looking for Daniel. She saw his honey-blond hair first. The weather was cloudy and wet today and a little chilly, and Daniel was wearing his favorite Ralph Lauren trench coat with the collar turned up.

Despite the fact that she was over him, she couldn’t help but notice that he looked good. Women were watching him, and Astrid saw the disappointment on more than one girl’s face when he turned toward her. In the past she’d relished the envious stares of other women. Now she knew that they had nothing to be envious of. With Daniel Martin the charm was only surface deep.

“Astrid.”

“Hi, Daniel. I don’t have a lot of time. What did you want to see me about?”

“What do you think you are doing working for Everest Records?”

“They hired me. I needed a job since I’m not independently wealthy,” Astrid said.

“Don’t be glib.”

“I’m not trying to be. What are you really attempting to say?”

“That if you poach any of my clients … I will ruin you.”

She shook her head. How could not know her at all? “I’d never do that. I’m not trying to get ahead by using someone else.”

“Just be warned. If you come anywhere near my clients, I will call Henry Devonshire and tell him everything that the tabloids didn’t uncover about our affair.”

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away from her. She just watched him leave, wondering how in the world she was going to protect herself from Daniel.

Hurrying back to the Everest Group skyscraper, she took the elevator up to her floor, not talking to anyone along the way.

She stopped in the doorway leading to Henry’s office. “May I come in?”

He was on the phone, so gestured for her to enter. She came in and placed the files he’d asked for on the corner of his desk.

“That sounds good. I’ll be there tonight at nine,” Henry said. “Two. There will be two of us.”

He hung up the phone and looked up at her. “Have a seat, Astrid.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you for the material you prepared. Before we dive into work, tell me a little about yourself.”

“What do you want to know?” she asked. Somehow, blurting out her entire past history didn’t seem prudent. And she’d learned that if she didn’t ask for specifics on questions like that one she ended up revealing things she could have kept hidden.

She was hoping that working at Everest Records would be the buffer she needed between her past and her future. A job that would keep her so busy she’d stop worrying about would-haves and could-haves and learn to live again.

“For starters, why are you working at the Everest Group?” he asked, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. The tight black sweater he wore pulled against the bulging muscles in his biceps. Clearly the man worked out, she thought.

“They hired me,” she said. After her talk with Daniel, she was afraid to say too much.

He laughed. “So it’s just a wage to you?”

She shrugged. “It’s a bit more. I really like music and being part of your team sounded like a lot of fun. A chance to see if we can find the next big thing …” She shrugged. “I’ve always thought of myself as a trendsetter, so now I have a chance to see if I am.”

At one time she’d thought she might become a record producer. She understood the job and the hard work that went into it, but she’d figured out that she didn’t have the attitude needed to make it there. She couldn’t be passionate about the artists she promoted and then walk away from them when their sales started to tank. She liked to think she had integrity.

“That makes working for me easier, I think. I’m going to need you to be more my personal assistant than my secretary. You will be available 24/7. We won’t be keeping regular office hours, because I mean to make this division of Everest Group into the most profitable. Do you have any objections?”

“None, sir. I was told that this job would be demanding,” she said. She looked forward to it. She needed a demanding job to sink her teeth into. She needed the work to keep her so busy she never had time to think about her failed personal life.

He nodded and gave her that little half smile of his. “Normally we won’t be in this office. I’d like to work out of my home in Bromley or my apartment here in London. We will mainly be listening to music acts at night.”

“That’s fine, sir.” To be honest, she didn’t need a lot of sleep.

“Good, now down to business. I need you to set up a file to keep information from several talent scouts. I am also sending you an e-mail with the people who work for me,” he said.

She nodded and made notes as he continued to set out the terms of the job. Despite the fact that the papers made him out as a playboy, it seemed Henry had cultivated a network he could use for business.

“Is there anything else?”

“Yes. I’ve been pretty good at picking acts when I hear them at clubs, but I like a second opinion.”

She nodded. “Why do you think that is?”

“Probably since I’m the typical person that most of these labels are targeting. I am young, social and know the scene.” He nodded. “I think that has given me a good ear for trends. What about you, Astrid?”

“I love music.” When she’d first moved to London she had been in the thick of the nightlife. Her sister Bethann and she had shared a flat and worked menial jobs and went clubbing with friends most nights. But then Bethann had become a legal assistant and gotten engaged and her social life had changed. “Part of the reason I was hired was because I’d been a personal assistant to Daniel Martin.”

“What are you into?” he asked. “What kind of music do you like?”

“Something with soul,” she said.

“Sounds …”

“Retro?”

“No, interesting.”

She left his office and tried to concentrate on the job ahead but she had enjoyed Henry—way too much for a boss. And he was her boss, something that she had to remember because she wasn’t interested in starting over again with a broken heart and an empty bank account.

Henry watched Astrid leave. His new PA was cute and funny and a bit cheeky. Having her in his office and on his team was going to make this job much more enjoyable.

Despite the fact that many people believed him to be nothing more than a celebrity sportscaster and philanthropist, Henry did have a serious side. He certainly played hard, but few people knew he worked even harder.

It was a lesson he’d learned from his stepfather, Gordon Ferguson. He’d first met Gordon when he was eight years old. Two years before his mum and Gordon married. Gordon was the head coach for the London Irish now but back then he had been one of the assistants. He’d helped Henry hone his rugby skills and made him into one of the best team captains of his generation.

Henry’s office was on the top floor of the Everest Group building. It was situated in a corner with a nice view of the London Eye across the Thames. He glanced around the nicely appointed office, feeling a bit uncomfortable. He knew he couldn’t work in a place as boxed in and sterile as this one.

He needed to get out of here. But first he wanted to know a little more about his assistant and about the task he’d taken on.

At first, when he’d heard Malcolm’s offer, he didn’t care if he won the challenge or not, but now that he was here, his competitive instincts were rising to the fore. He liked to win. There was a reason he’d been named as RFU Player of the Year. He liked being the best. He hungered for it.

He skimmed the reports that Astrid had prepared, making notes and trying not to remember how long Astrid’s legs had appeared under that short skirt she’d had on. And her smile … her mouth was full and tempting, and more than once when she’d been sitting there he’d wondered what her lips would taste like under his. Her mouth was wide, her lips plump, everything about her was irresistible.

Office romances weren’t a good idea, but he knew himself and he was attracted to his assistant. He decided he wouldn’t act on that attraction unless she showed some sign of interest in him. He needed her to win this challenge and to be honest, winning was more important than starting an affair.

“Henry?”

Astrid was standing in the doorway; her short curly hair brushed her cheeks. He really did like the slim-fitting skirt she wore—it was plaid and her black knee-high boots made her look tall. The plain black sweater clung to her breasts, and he realized he was staring when she cleared her throat.

“Yes, Astrid?”

“I need to pop down to legal to get Steph’s offer details in to legal. You mind if I let my phone go unanswered?”

“No, not at all. That was quick.” He was definitely going to like the perks that came with working in a large company. Being able to delegate tasks and have them done quickly—that was something he’d needed for a while.

Henry had been producing on his own in between handling his own endorsement deals for athletic shoes and soft drinks. He’d also hosted a kids’ sports TV show that had run for two seasons. He liked the perks that went along with being a celebrity, but hadn’t relished having to do so much of the legwork himself.

She smiled at him. “I aim to please.”

“You’ve accomplished that,” he said.

She left and he turned his chair so that he was facing the windows instead of watching the empty doorway. He’d always been a bit of a loner and that had suited him but having someone work for him … she was like his butler, he thought.

Yeah, right. He’d never ogled Hammond’s legs. Yet he had to remember that Astrid did work for him. His own mother’s affair with her record producer had led to the end of her singing career and his birth. He wondered sometimes if she ever resented that, but she’d never said.

He brushed that thought away. This was a new century. Attitudes were different than they had been in the ‘70s. But he still didn’t want to make Astrid feel uncomfortable in the office with him.

At the same time he knew that he wasn’t going to be able to resist pulling Astrid into his arms before too long and finding out how good that sassy mouth of hers tasted under his.

His phone rang and he reached for it. “Devonshire here.”