by Clare Revell
Shocked wasn’t the word to describe Chloe. Color drained from her face and her hand rose to her mouth. “A hundred grand?” she whispered.
“Yes. This is purely a business arrangement. An iron clad contract drawn up by your own lawyer and kept by him. I appreciate you need to think about this, but time is of the essence. There is a four week wait on the certificates and I have to do this by Easter.”
She looked at her watch. “I have to go, I’m afraid. I have another class in ten minutes. I’ll give this some serious consideration and let you have your answer on the twentieth.” She slid into her coat and held out a hand. “Good day, Dr. Turner.”
Nigel stood. “Miss Wilkes.”
He sat as she left. His mind whirled.
She was pretty and forthright. She wasn’t put off by his job and Archie would hate her because of all those things. Would she say yes? Because Chloe Wilkes was a woman he could definitely live with.
****
Chloe snuggled into her coat as she took rapid steps back to the ballet school. Nigel was everything she’d imagined he would be. With one exception—his harebrained scheme to marry someone in six weeks. Who would be crazy enough to do that? To pick some random stranger and propose marriage the first time they met?
He would, and she just happened to be the random stranger he picked. Why was she even considering the idea? The money? Admittedly that had to be a good reason. But she wasn’t that materialistic, was she?
The ballet school loomed before her. With that much money she could sell up. Open a new school somewhere else. Somewhere her family wasn’t hovering over her shoulder and, however misguided it may be, interfering with her life. She needed a fresh start. And Nigel could just be her ticket out of here.
She paused. Did that make her decision as bad as his? Yes, he wanted to get married for totally the wrong reasons, and maybe she was playing with fire for even considering this. Was this the way out she’d been praying for? Why didn’t he drive? Was it the money or was there a more sinister reason behind him wanting to be in the back of the limo with someone?
Whatever the reasons, she didn’t have time to think about it now. Ten more children waited inside for a ballet lesson. Then, she had the end of term performance to plan and schedule into the diary.
Nigel and his offer of an arranged marriage would have to wait a few hours.
She allowed herself a small smile as she entered the building. At least she’d get to see him again. At least once more time and her heart leapt at the thought. She could easily look at him every day for the next year and not regret a single second of it.
5
Day 12
Saturday Feb 24
Snow whirled around Nigel as he left home. He’d originally planned to drive himself, but the weather had put him off the idea. The closer he got to Headley Cross, the heavier the snow became, and he was grateful James was driving.
Nigel had checked out the website for Chloe’s ballet school and knew she had one class this morning. He was planning on meeting her there, even though she wasn’t expecting him until three that afternoon. He liked catching people off guard. Especially when things were as important as this.
He’d even sent her flowers to the ballet school last weekend for her birthday. He knew he didn’t have to, or need to, and he wasn’t trying to butter her up. But what girl didn’t like flowers?
The more he thought and prayed, the more he liked the idea of marrying her, if she’d have him. He had no doubt this was the way the Lord wanted him to go. It wasn’t as if he wanted any of the inheritance for himself. He could do so much good with the money. He could fund that water project they’d mentioned in church a month or so back. He could put money into a research grant.
He could even give the house to the Heritage Organization anyway. Dad would never have mentioned that in the will if he’d been opposed to the idea. Archie didn’t live there and it seemed pointless having the whole place to himself. He could find a smaller house above the beach somewhere. Assuming that’s what Chloe wanted. He had no idea where they’d live once they were married. He lived and worked on the coast while she lived and worked eighty miles inland.
He arrived at the ballet school and dismissed James, telling him he’d let him know where and when to collect him. He headed inside the building and up to where Chloe’s office was. Irate voices rang out down the corridor until a door slammed shut. Even then the voices were only muted partly. Glancing through the office door he noticed the man in the room bore a striking resemblance to her.
He tapped on the door.
The room fell silent. Then Chloe came out, shutting the door behind her. “You’re early. Again.”
“Sorry, it’s a bad habit. In my defense, I didn’t want to be delayed by the weather and figured better early than never.”
Chloe glanced behind her. “That’s my brother. I told him I had a date from this website he set me up on and to say he isn’t happy is the understatement of the year.”
Nigel frowned, not understanding. “But he signed you up for it. I’d have thought he’d be pleased, if not ecstatic you’d got a date.”
“He didn’t expect me to go through with it. Apparently, it was a joke. Although much worse than his usual stupid standard.” She took a deep breath. “He’s watching us like a hawk, because he’s afraid you’ll turn out to be a creep.”
Nigel stifled a smile. “Have you decided yet that I’m not?”
She shook her head a fraction. “I’m still thinking on it. Maybe you’d better come through and meet him.”
“Sure, if it’ll help assure him you’ll be perfectly safe. I am a doctor, after all.”
Chloe opened the door and led him into her office. Her desk was dominated by a huge vase of flowers. Were those the ones he’d sent?
She held up her hand. “Caleb, I’d like you to meet my date, Dr. Nigel Turner. Nigel, this is Caleb. He’s two years older than me, even though he acts about ten years younger most of the time.”
“Hello.” Nigel held out a hand.
“A doctor?” Caleb asked, ignoring the hand.
“He’s a Home Office pathologist,” Chloe said quickly. “Now if you don’t mind leaving, I have a class to teach.”
“Maybe Dr. Turner and I could go for coffee and get to know each other a little better?”
“No, Caleb, you won’t,” Chloe said firmly.
Nigel watched in awe as the little mouse turned into a lioness in front of him.
“There is no way you are going to interrogate him,” Chloe continued before anyone could say a word. “I’m quite capable of vetting my dates myself. Nigel, if you want to come this way, you can sit with the parents this morning and see what class involves.”
He nodded. “Sure.”
“And thank you for the lovely flowers you sent for my birthday. As you can see they’ve lasted well and still have life in them.”
Nigel tried not to grin at the glower on her brother’s face as he left the room. “You’re welcome.”
“But you knowing my birthday…creepy.” She whispered with a little grin.
****
Chloe had prayed long and hard over the past week and a half about this fake marriage for money. It was wrong on so many levels, but with the amount of money Dr. Turner was offering, she could buy a school anywhere. Her reputation would bring in the students as it had here.
And he was cute. She could easily take meals with him every day. Engage in polite conversation. Play the devoted wife at official functions. Even if he didn’t love her. At least he was promising a hands-off relationship. And after all…Rachel hadn’t known Jacob and they got married.
And he’d even sent her flowers for her birthday. OK, she’d mentioned it as the reason they couldn’t meet when he wanted to, but she hadn’t been dropping hints or anything. She wasn’t that kind of a woman.
Arranged marriages were nothing new. The only difference was it was the prospective bride and groom doing the arranging and no
t the parents. What was a year of her life in return for a lifetime of freedom and security? And what if it lasted longer?
Chloe pointed to one side of the room. “Have a seat over there with the parents, Dr. Turner.”
He caught her hand and leaned into her. “Please, call me Nigel.”
Ignoring the river of fire that swept over her, she tilted her head in agreement. “Nigel, it is.” She went to the corner where a group of small children were standing by the bar. They all curtsied as she stood in front of them. “Everybody ready?”
She pulled off her tracksuit and began teaching. As she taught her mind ran rampant. She’d use a lawyer she knew from church for this pre pre-nup agreement Dr. Turner—Nigel—had mentioned. No one else in the family used him, and she could trust him. He probably wouldn’t approve either, but it was her life, and she’d never have this chance or this much money again.
And never in several lifetimes would she earn that amount.
She caught sight of Nigel as she taught. He seemed unable to take his eyes off her.
Dismissing the class at the end of the lesson, she waited until the room was clear before crossing to where Nigel still sat.
His smile lit his face, and she wondered if the emotion was genuine or if he was simply being polite. “Nice lesson.”
“Thank you. They are a good bunch of kids and learn well. The end of term performance should be good. I’ve made a decision about your offer.”
He straightened in his chair. Was that doubt in his eyes as they clouded over? “And?”
“We need to go and see a lawyer.”
“It’s a yes?” He stood.
Chloe inclined her head. “It’s a yes. Give me a few minutes to shower and change, and I’ll give Adam a ring. See if he can fit us in today. He specializes in family law, so this should be right up his street. As far as lawyers go, he’s one of the few honest ones around.” She noticed the look he shot her and figured she ought to explain. “Ballet contracts tend to be slanted towards the company rather than the individual dancer. Try and break one and you’ll see what I mean.”
Ten minutes later she returned to her office to find Nigel studying the pictures on the wall. “Yes, they are all me.”
“So many performances.”
She shrugged. “I was famous back in the day.” Grabbing the phone she dialed quickly. “Could I speak to Adam West, please? Yes, it’s Chloe Wilkes.” She put the phone on speaker, not wanting to hide anything from Nigel. In this complicated relationship she was beginning, honesty would play a big part. She choked off the laugh. Was honesty in a fake marriage even possible?
“Adam West.”
“Hi, Adam, it’s Chloe. I was wondering if you’re free at any point today. I know it’s the weekend, but I have an urgent contract that needs drawing up.”
“I’m free now. I was about to head off, but I can hang on a little longer.”
“Great, we’ll be there directly. Thank you.” She hung up and grabbed her coat. “Let’s go. Adam’s office is a five minute walk from here.”
He nodded, putting his thick coat back on. “Did you want a church or civil service?”
“To be honest, I hadn’t really thought that far ahead, even though we’re short on time so we probably should. Under normal circumstances, I’d prefer a church wedding, but this isn’t exactly normal. Whatever is easiest, I guess, but let’s see what Adam says first.”
6
Nigel walked with Chloe the short distance to the lawyer’s office. He couldn’t believe she’d agreed to this crazy plan of his. This amazing, beautiful woman would be part of his life every day for the next year. The snow had covered the pavement, and his breath hung on the air. Her hand was tantalizingly close to his, but he made no effort to take it. No touching was part of the arrangement. This was business, pure and simple. He opened the door for Chloe and followed her inside.
She crossed to the desk. “Hi, we’re here to see Adam West. He’s expecting us.”
“And your name?”
“Chloe Wilkes.”
“Take a seat.”
“OK.” She headed to the chairs against the far wall.
Nigel leaned into her. “I hate these places. They’re like dentist waiting rooms. Full of dread and no one speaks above a whisper.”
“Adam’s all right. He’s a Christian so he isn’t going to do us wrong. He probably won’t approve, but we’re both adults, right?”
“Yes. This is business, pure and simple.”
A tall blonde man came into reception. “Chloe.”
She stood and shook his hand. “Hi, Adam. This is Dr. Nigel Turner. Nigel, this is Adam West.”
Nigel took the offered hand. “Hello.”
“Come on through to my office and we can talk.”
Nigel followed the others and sat down nervousness turning his stomach. He waited for the hammer to fall. This bloke would never agree to this arranged marriage.
“So, how can I help you?” Mr. West asked.
Chloe looked at Nigel. “You’d probably explain better than me.”
“Thanks. I have inherited a large estate. Because of this there is a pre-nup, which states that should our marriage breakdown, Chloe will receive nothing but−”
“Marriage?” Mr. West looked concerned and surprised.
Chloe smiled. “Nigel proposed last week and I said yes.” She looked at her left hand. “We haven’t bought a ring yet. It’s on the to-do list.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Anyway,” Nigel continued. “What we need from you is a legally binding contract saying something else. I don’t want her left penniless should something happen. I would provide alimony not from the estate but from myself.”
Mr. West pulled across a pad of yellow lined paper and started jotting notes. “OK, let’s start with your full names.”
“Chloe Rosamund Wilkes.”
“Nigel Darcy Turner.”
“What kind of money are we talking about?”
“I just inherited Thornhill Abbey. The estate is worth several million, plus other assets I try not to think about.”
“Hence the pre-nup. I assume your family lawyer will be drawing up that one?”
Nigel did his best to ignore the shock on Chloe’s face. “Yeah. Anyway, I’d like to arrange for a hundred grand to go into Chloe’s bank account after or on our first wedding anniversary; with the same amount every year thereafter until my death or hers, depending which happens first. Regardless of what happens to our marriage in the meantime, the yearly payment will stand.”
This time there was an audible gasp. “Nigel. You didn’t mention…you don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
Mr. West put his pen down. “OK. Before we go any further I want the truth.” He paused. “I can have this done and ready for signing by Monday, but I won’t be doing my job properly unless I know why a pre-marriage contract is needed to cancel out another pre-marriage contract.”
Nigel sighed. “OK. My father’s will states I won’t receive a penny, or inherit as eldest son, unless I marry by Easter.”
“It’s a legal agreement between two consenting adults,” Chloe added.
“Chloe,” Mr. West sighed. “Marriage is a God given gift. It’s for love and procreation of children, not to be used and abused like this.”
“I don’t intend to use or abuse anyone, Mr. West. More than that, I promise I won’t hurt her,” Nigel added. “We’ll get an annulment once I inherit.”
“I know what I’m doing, Adam,” Chloe said. “Besides, arranged marriages have been happening since Old Testament times. The only difference is I’m doing the arranging and not my family.”
Mr. West frowned. “Why such a rush?”
“Like I said, the will states I have to marry before Easter. Dad died on the third of Feb. I only found out on the ninth, when the will was read. Obviously if I’d known earlier, like before he died, then things would be different. We
haven’t set a date yet, but it’s a four-week wait for the certificates. We have to find somewhere first, as all the churches will be booked solid this time of year, which is another problem.”
“There’s always Gretna Green.” Mr. West smiled. “From what I remember, the Blacksmith there does a basic wedding that includes pretty much all you need—including the license itself. You download the forms from the website.” He paused. “My wife and I did that over ten years ago now.”
Chloe jerked her head upright. “You eloped?”
Amusement lit Mr. West’s gaze. “We did. Retook the vows in church last year.”
Nigel looked at Chloe. “Might be something worth checking.”
“It would.”
Mr. West picked up his pen and went through the details again with them both. “Right, I’ll have this drawn up. It’ll be ready to sign on Monday afternoon.” He checked his diary. “I can fit you both in at four.”
“Nigel works in Bournemouth.”
“I can come up Tuesday. I have no lectures after midday and barring any murders…”
“I’m sorry?” Mr. West said.
“I’m a Home Office pathologist.”
Mr. West looked back at his diary. “In that case, I can see you both on Tuesday at three.”
They exited into the cold air. Snow whirled around them once more.
Chloe looked at him. “Now what?”
Nigel took a deep breath. “Now we exchange phone numbers and take photos of each other. Then, I will buy you lunch and we’ll go find a nice warm cinema and watch a film. We ought to have at least one proper date. How does that sound?”
“Sounds perfect.”
7
Day 15
Tuesday Feb 27
Just before three Nigel arrived outside Mr. West’s office. He’d come straight from work and parked in the town center. He’d stopped in the café for a late lunch, before making a pit stop in the jewelers shop. The thought of seeing Chloe again left his heart racing. He still hadn’t touched a drop of wine, which was most unlike him. But he didn’t need it. All he had to do was think of her and nothing else mattered. He wasn’t sure why. She wasn’t the first pretty girl he’d met. Even if she was the first one to reply to his texts. Since getting her number on Saturday, they’d texted each other several times a day.