The Marriage Deal

‘My congratulations on your perspicacity,’ he said ironically. ‘But if you expect me to bow my head and creep away in shame, you can think again. It alters nothing as far as I’m concerned. In fact, it almost makes things easier. You came to terms once with being married for Landons. Why not again? After all, you said only five minutes ago you’d give all you had to save Landons. Well, all I’m asking is our joint names on a marriage certificate—nothing more.’

Ashley laughed. ‘You expect me to believe that?’

‘Believe what you please,’ he said curtly. ‘But my little experiment at the Country Club last night told me loud and clear that nothing’s changed between us, that you wouldn’t countenance me as a lover at any price. Well, I can accept that. Three years ago I tried to woo you into becoming my wife in the fullest sense of the word, and failed. So at least now we know where we stand. And didn’t Silas always say his motto was “The end justifies the means”?’

‘Yes,’ she said huskily. ‘He always used to say that. But I don’t believe that any result could justify what you’re proposing. Why are you doing this?’

‘I’ve told you—I liked Silas, and I respected him and everything he was trying to do. If you hadn’t turned up at the flat that night, we’d have got married and struggled along somehow for the sake of Landons. In fact, if I’d been around to take some of the pressure off him, Silas would probably still be here now, and don’t think I haven’t blamed myself for that. Perhaps this is my way of trying to make reparation.’

‘But everyone will know why we’re getting married …’ Even in her own ears, the protest sounded stock and feeble.

‘What will they know?’ he asked. ‘They’ll know that we had some kind of rift three years ago, and parted. And now, older and wiser, we’re together again.’ He gave her a wintry smile. ‘Our tender embrace at the Country Club won’t have gone unremarked, you can bet. Anyone remotely interested in our private affairs will take it for granted that our reconciliation began there and then.’ He paused. ‘When’s the next board meeting?’