Page 2 of Marcel

“Whatmarriage?” Marcel snapped. “He is fifteen years hersenior-”

“And no oneheld a gun to her head! She saw a good deal, and she jumped at it.Peter had money, and she wanted a man with money. You are the foolwho believes that she needs rescuing. She has set her eyes on abigger fish - a Hadley, and you are too blind to see that she isusing you.”

“She loves me.”His eyes flashed. “Look, we did not mean for this to happen. Ilike Peter, and he is an excellent lawyer and an asset to thefirm-”

“Do you think Igive a damn about that?” James had risen from his chair, hishands pressed against the desk's edges. “Do you know what kindof scandal this will be? Of all the women-” Taking a deepbreath, he sat back down. “But fortunately for us, there is asolution.”

“What are youtalking about?” Marcel stared at his father warily beforelooking at his mother and brother.

“It means thatyou are getting married.”

“What?”He was so shocked that he almost spilled his drink. “What thehell are you talking about?”

“Darling, whatyour father means is that you must get married to squash the rumorsand prevent a disaster.”

“I see. Andwho am I supposed to be marrying?”

“NikkiJohnston.” Matthew supplied.

Marcel simply staredat his brother and then his father. “That’s nothappening,” he said coldly.

“I am afraid itis.”

“How are yougoing to force me to do that?”

“You aregetting married in two months. You will start going out on dates witheach other; I believe they still call it courting. The press, as wellas everyone in this firm, will see a couple who are in love with eachother. After three weeks, the engagement will be announced, and thewedding will occur.”

“Once again,the question.” Marcel’s jaw was clenched so tight that hehad no idea how he got the words out. “How are you going toaccomplish that?”

“If you refuseand if you do anything to jeopardize it, you are out on your ass. Youare twenty-eight and will not enter your trust until you turn thirty.The townhouse you live in belongs to the company, and everything youenjoy belongs to the firm.

Even the bloodyPorsche you drive and the clothes you wear.” James gave him aweary smile. “You are accustomed to the privileges the nameHadley affords and will not want to be deprived of it.”

“You arebluffing.”

“Am I?”James lifted his brows. “I have watched my father andgrandfather work their asses off to build this firm, makinginvestments, and I have done the same. I respect marriage and thesanctity of it. I have been propositioned by more women than you canthink of, but yet I have stayed faithful to your mother.

Simone is a marriedwoman who knew she was marrying a man much older than she was. I willnot have that tramp destroying what I and my ancestors have worked sohard to achieve.”

“I am notmarrying her.” Marcel felt his head spinning, his stomachchurning. “You cannot make me.”

“Oh yes, I can.Today is Friday and the Governor’s ball. Nikki will be there,and you will start showing great interest in keeping the gossip milloccupied. Peter and his wife” The emphasis on the word did notgo unnoticed. “They will also be there, and people will bewatching to see what you do and how you behave.”

Tossing back thedrink, Marcel slammed the glass down. “This woman has agreed tothis farce?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“The properincentive.”

Marcel’s lipscurled. “I take it you mean money?”

“Yes, but notthe way you mean. Her mother has a debilitating illness that requiresround-the-clock care and a private nursing home. She has agreed to dothis because the firm will be footing the bill, which is natural forsomeone who will be a family member.”

“So she iswilling to sell her soul, marry a man she does not know or love -”

“To care forher mother, and I think that is commendable.”

---