Bride For A Year. Kathryn Ross

Behind every successful man there is a woman?’

      ‘A surprised mother-in-law, I believe, is the other ending to that particular line.’ Paige laughed.

      ‘As I never knew your mother I don’t know whether she would be surprised or not. But I know my mother would feel nothing but joy, especially if you were my partner.’

      ‘You’re not being fair, Brad. You shouldn’t bring Elizabeth into this. You know how much I thought of her.’

      His lips slanted in a half-smile. ‘Listen, I’m so desperate I’d bring a priest in at this moment if I thought it would make a difference to the way you think about me.’

      She half laughed at the humorous tone, the sparkle in his eyes. ‘This is crazy,’ she murmured. ‘A marriage of convenience...’ She shook her head.

      ‘I think it makes perfect sense.’

      ‘You would.’ She bit down on her lip.

      ‘People have been making marriages of convenience since the beginning of time. A lot have been tremendously successful.’

      to take your word for it. I can’t think of any myself.’

      ‘It’s a year out of your life.’ He shrugged. ‘Then you get your vineyard back... No need to run away—’

      ‘I’m not running away.’

      ‘Whatever.’ He waved a hand dismissively, then sat back. ‘So, what do you say?’

      She didn’t answer immediately and he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and brought out a small box. He opened it and a large solitaire diamond ring sparkled invitingly inside.

      ‘You’ve already bought the ring?’ Her eyes flew from the box to his face.

      ‘I feel very confident that this is the right thing to do.’

      ‘I’m sorry, Brad, but I can’t say I share that confidence.’

      He picked up the ring from the box, holding it between finger and thumb so that it caught the candlelight on the table and reflected a myriad of rainbow colours. ‘Tell you what: if it fits the third finger of your left hand perfectly, we’ll call it an omen and go ahead... And if it doesn’t we’ll forget the whole thing.’

      Paige frowned. ‘That’s a bit flip for such an important decision, don’t you think?’

      He smiled. ‘I’m a great believer in fate.’ He picked up her hand and slipped the ring in place.

      It fitted perfectly. ‘Just like Cinderella and the glass slipper,’ he said with a twinkle in his eyes as she looked up at him.

      ‘Brad, this is—’

      Whatever she had been going to say was cut off by the way he leaned across and kissed her on the lips.

      It was just a brief kiss, but it was warm and inviting and it made her forget exactly just what she had been going to say.

      She stared at him wordlessly as he sat back in his chair. ‘Shall I order some champagne?’