Page 9 of Fairy Tale Husband

“Yes.”

She looked at him and he read the truth in her eyes. Three men had had her within their grasp and not held on. Were they blind, stupid, or just crazy? He took her plate out of her hands and jerked his head toward an open doorway.

“Come on. Let’s find somewhere private to talk. Iwant to get this settled.”

She cast a wistful glance toward the desserts they’d missed and then accompanied him out a set of French doors and into the garden. The November desert was unseasonably warm, the evening chill barely penetrating. Shrubbery glittered with fairy lights, afull moon splashing the pathways with interesting patterns of illumination and shadow. Tables and benches peeked out of dark little nooks. And incongruous for a desert setting, imported trees strung with more fairy lights towered over some of the benches. Wandering deeper into the garden, Jake found an emptyone.

“Tell me why you want to marry,” he began peremptorily, setting their plates on the table.

She sat, her gown shimmering softly in the subdued starlight, her hair and eyes burnished with silver. “I was afraid you were going to ask that.” She shot him a hopeful glance, nibbling at a morsel of rum cake. “I don’t suppose you’d care to go first?”

“Okay,” he consented, shoving his plate to one side. “It’s quite simple. Ihave an inheritance at stake. Ieither marry or I lose it.” His voice deepened, grew cool and stark. “And just so you know, Idon’t intend to lose it.”

She lowered her fork and stared at him in astonished delight. “That’s wonderful.”

He leaned across the table, pinning her with a look of cold displeasure. “I’m about to lose my inheritance and you think it’s wonderful?”

“No, no. You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it so I will.”

“I have an inheritance, too. And the only way I can keep it, is if I marry.” She peeked up at him. “Quite a coincidence, don’t you think?”

He lifted an eyebrow, thinking it a little too convenient a coincidence. “Then why do you need a permanent marriage?” he asked skeptically.

“I told you. It doesn’t have to be permanent. It’s just...” She hesitated, as though choosing her words carefully, something he suspected she didn’t bother with very often. “You see, there’s this woman. Mrs. Marsh. She wants my inheritance and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it away from me.” She frowned, her expression turning fierce. “She’s already scared off three fiancés. That’s why I need someone strong, someone who’ll help me fight her.”

That explained a lot. Her previous fiancés sounded like total bastards, making promises they had no intention of keeping. All so they could entice her into their beds, he didn’t doubt. “I don’t scare easy,” Jake commented. “And I’ve never yet failed to keep my word.”

She grinned. “I hoped you’d say that. Which leaves only one problem.”

Of course. While he’d been distracted by the more pleasurable aspects of having her as his wife, she’d been baiting her trap. Atrap he’d almost fallen into. When would he learn? Nothing ever came without a price.

“What’s your problem?” he asked grimly.

“You want a brief marriage. But I don’t know how long it will take to get rid of Mrs. Marsh, to convince her that she can’t take my inheritance away from me.”

“I don’t understand. Once you’re married—”

“The inheritance is mine. Legally. But if she finds out it’s only a temporary marriage, she’ll never give up. She’ll try to get her hands on it after we divorce. She’ll argue that the marriage was just a ruse.”

He shrugged. “Then we’ll have to make sure she doesn’t learn about the divorce.”

Wynne nibbled on her lower lip. “If she does, Iguess I could find myself another husband.”

Jake stilled, fighting the surge of displeasure her comment stirred. He had no right to feel that way. Once she’d fulfilled her marital duty, it wasn’t any of his business what Wynne chose to do. He’d help her get rid of this Marsh woman for now. Later could take care of itself. He hesitated, aware their deal wasn’t the least equitable. He hadn’t even warned her about having to stand up in court and confirm that they’d consummated the marriage. She still had the chance to find someone else, someone who’d stick around longer, who could guarantee Mrs. Marsh would never be a problem.

“I’m not right for you,” he said in a low voice. He stood, pulling her to her feet. “Go back to the ballroom and take another look around. Maybe you’ll find the perfect man, apermanent sort of man.”

She shook her head and smiled. “I’ve already found the perfect man.”

He’d give her one final chance to escape. If she stayed, she’d seal her own fate. It would be out of his hands and he could take her with a clear conscience. “Run away, little elf,” he insisted curtly. “Go now, while you still can. You don’t want me for your husband. I’ll only hurt you.”

“You could never hurt me,” she said, lifting her face tohis.

“You don’t think so?” His hands closed on the narrow bones of her shoulders and he tugged her into his arms. “Why don’t we find out?”

And unable to resist any longer, he took her mouth withhis.

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