Page 3 of Fairy Tale Husband

“I know his exact—” Jake ground to a halt, slamming his empty glass onto the oak table top. “You can’t be serious! Tell me you don’t mean what I think you do.”

“’Fraid so. Igather your grandfather must have anticipated our creating a loophole with a temporary arrangement. He hoped for a real marriage with a real wife and real kids.”

Jake waved an impatient hand. “I don’t give a damn what he hoped. Just explain the specifics. How the hell are they going to prove the marriage is consummated? Don’t tell me they’re going to have a doctor—”

“No, no,” Peter hastened to assure. “Though if your cousin had his way it might have come to that. The lady’s word will be sufficient.”

Jake balled his hands into fists, wishing he were still young and impetuous enough to give physical expression to his fury. “Any other details I should know about?”

“Not as far as the will is concerned, no. But I did suspect Randolph might try something devious, underhanded, and unfortunately legal. So I devised a counter measure.” Peter smiled expansively and centered an ornate box in the middle of his desk. Opening the lid, he removed a thick, gold-embossed envelope. “I believe this will help you find a temporary bride.”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “What is it? Alist of candidates?”

“Close.” Peter patted the envelope. “I took the liberty of arranging for this the minute Randolph fired off his first salvo.”

“Get to the point, Bryant.”

“Sit down and I’ll explain.” He waited until Jake had complied before continuing. “Have you ever heard of the Cinderella Ball?”

“No. Nor am I in the mood for fairy tales.”

“This isn’t a fairy tale. Not exactly.” Peter grinned. “Though it is sort of sweet.”

“Please. Spare me.”

“You’re such a cynic,” the attorney observed, then held up his hands as though hoping to calm a threatening storm. “Relax. Since you’re not in the mood for a lengthy explanation, I’ll give you the short version.”

“Smart move.”

“I heard about this ball back in my college days. It would seem a couple by the name of Montague throws one of these affairs every five years because that’s how they first met—at a ball. One look and they fell madly in love. They were married by dawn the next day and have, according to them, lived in wedded bliss ever since. By holding this Cinderella Ball, they’re hoping to give other couples a similar opportunity.”

“Sounds like a bunch of bull,” Jake stated bluntly. “I find it hard to believe anyone would be interested in attending something so ridiculous.”

“You’d be surprised,” Peter replied. “There are a lot of lonely people in the world. They want marriage and they want a partner who shares the same mindset. All the guests who request a ticket are investigated by a security company to weed out the psychos and weirdos. Those that pass scrutiny pay a hefty fee to attend. That alone culls the mix even further.”

“So you sent in my name?”

Peter nodded. “If we hit a snag with the will, Ithought this might be a viable alternative.”

“Well, you’re wrong.” Jake stood and crossed to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself another drink. “There has to be some other way. Find it.”

“As your lawyer, I’m telling you this is the only alternative. As your friend, Isuggest you walk away. Forget the inheritance. Let Randolph have it.”

Jake’s expression hardened. “Not a chance.”

“Then you must marry.” He leaned hard on the wordmust.

His statement hung between them for a long moment. With a sigh, Jake nodded and sat down again. “Give me the details.”

“By attending this ball, you’re able to cut through all the usual first meeting nonsense and get right to the basics. Everyone who attends wants to marry, so it’s just a matter of finding a compatible spouse, one who shares your interests. In just a few minutes, you can discuss and settle all sorts of issues, from finances to children. And no one is offended by such frankness.”

“They don’t have time to be,” Jake inserted.

Peter nodded. “Exactly.”

“So I wander around this place canvasing women to see who’d be willing to marry me, sleep with me, and then walk away. Is that it?”

“That’s it, though fair warning. The odds of finding someone who’s agreeable are next to nil.”

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