Gates of Steel — Anne Hampson

Helen Stewart was disenchanted with the whole idea of love and romance, while Leon Petrou, it was said, had no time for women -- so when he suggested that she should marry him, to provide a background for his small niece and nephew, she agreed, feeling that emotion would not enter into the situation at all. And that could prove to be a dangerous assumption.

Turning to her, Leon said softly, "Don't you think we might try to - to - ?"

"Are you expecting love from me?" A hint of bitterness had crept into Helen's voice now.

"No, I shall never expect love from you. You're not willing to give it -- you told me that at the beginning, told me you'd never again allow your emotions to become involved -- because of what some other man had done to you. That's right, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes, that's right. I said I'd never risk that sort of heartache again."

"And you believe that's reasonable."

She glanced at him sharply, "I shall never give another man an opportunity to hurt me. I don't intend to fall in love again."

Hero: Leon Petrou
Heroine: Helen Stewart