Vacancy: Wife of Convenience

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‘Well, it would seem I soon won’t have anywhere to live.’

‘That “lady” wants you out?’

Colly coughed slightly. ‘By the weekend,’ she agreed, not missing that he did not seem to have much time for her ‘lady’ stepmother. ‘I said this was embarrassing,’ she mumbled. ‘Anyhow, my trawl of just a few rental agencies has shown that I’m going to be hard put to it to find the rent.’

‘So on that basis you decided, yes, you’d change your mind and agree to marry me?’

‘No,’ Colly denied. ‘I’m being as honest with you as I know how,’ she added quickly. ‘My answer first thing this morning was still no,’ she went on openly, explaining, ‘When you and I are virtually strangers to each other, it goes against everything in me to allow you to, in effect, keep me while I undertake whatever training I need to make a career for myself.’

She paused for breath and looked at him. But he said nothing, just sat quietly listening—and assessing.

‘Anyhow,’ she continued, ‘in the light of this morning’s happenings—my imminent homelessness and inability to afford anywhere to live—I found I was weakening in my decision to—er—not take you up on your offer.’ She took a shaky breath. ‘So I thought I shouldn’t wait until tomorrow to tell you, but tell you today. But I couldn’t get you when I phoned earlier. Then I was close by, so I thought I’d better come and tell you in person.’

‘Before you weakened further?’ he suggested.

‘Yes,’ she replied. And hesitated again. Never had she felt so totally all over the place as she did then. ‘But…’

‘But?’ Silas prompted when she seemed momentarily stuck to know how to go on.

‘But—I’ve just met your cousin.’

Silas moved his head fractionally to one side, alert, interested. ‘And?’ he enquired.

‘Oh, Silas,’ she said in a rush, ‘you can’t possibly allow him to take over the company!’

Silas looked at her levelly for ageless seconds. Then, quietly, he let fall, ‘You, Colly, have the power to stop him.’

She stared at him, her heart thundering. She felt she was teetering on the biggest decision of her life.

‘Forget your pride at taking assistance from me,’ he urged after some moments, ‘and think of what you will be doing for me, and this company. I, in turn, will benefit far more than you,’ he reminded her.

That made her feel a whole deal better. But it still did not make it right. ‘Why me?’ she asked as the question suddenly came to her. And, looking at him, seeing everything about him shrieking sex appeal, ‘You must know any number of women who would agree to this?’

He did not deny it but gave her question a few seconds’ thought before replying. ‘You because you, like me, have a need, and we would be helping each other. And you, if I’m to be as honest as you, mainly because you don’t want to marry me and would prefer any other way if you could find one.’