Jessica Steele is the much-loved author of over seventy novels.
Praise for some of Jessicas novels:
Jessica Steele pens an unforgettable tale filled with vivid, lively characters, fabulous dialogue and a touching conflict.
Romantic Times
A Professional Marriage is a book to sit back and enjoy on the days that you want to bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. It is a definite feel-good book.
www.writersunlimited.com
Jessica Steele pens a lovely romancewith brilliant characters, charming scenes and an endearing premise.
www.romantictimes.com
Jessica Steele llives in a friendly Worcestershire village with her super husband, Peter. They are owned by a gorgeous Staffordshire bull terrier called Florence, who is boisterous and manic, but also adorable. It was Peter who first prompted Jessica to try writing and, after her first rejection, encouraged her to keep on trying. Luckily, with the exception of Uruguay, she has so far managed to research inside all the countries in which she has set her bookstraveling to places as far apart as Siberia and Egypt. Her thanks go to Peter for his help and encouragement.
Books by Jessica Steele
HARLEQUIN ROMANCE®
3763A PAPER MARRIAGE
3787HER BOSSS MARRIAGE AGENDA
3824A PRETEND ENGAGEMENT
3839VACANCY: WIFE OF CONVENIENCE
A Most Suitable Wife
Jessica Steele
www.millsandboon.co.uk
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER ONE
TAYE let herself back into the apartment and wandered into the sitting room. Looking around at the smart furniture and fittings, she recalled the poky bed-sit she had lived in for most of the three years previously, and knew that she just could not bear to go back to that way of living.
Not only could she not, but, with the rent of this apartment being very much more than she could afford on her own now that Paula had left, Taye determined that she would not give up the apartment unless she absolutely had to.
To that end, and after a very great deal of thought, she had just taken the first steps in getting someone to pay half of the rent. She did so hope that someone would see the advert and apply soon.
Unfortunately, because Paula, while giving her the name and address of the letting agent, had taken the lease with her, Taye felt on very rocky ground with regard to her own tenancy agreement. The fact was, although Taye had looked high and low for the lease, she had been unable to find it, and so was unsure of her actual tenancy position.
The lease was in Paulas name and while Paula had said that provided the rent was paid on timequarterly in advanceshe was sure the agents would not care who was living there or who paid the rent, Taye was not so certain.
She would have liked a sight of the lease before Paula had left, if only to have some idea if there was any restriction on sub-letting. Because it seemed to Taye to be fairly obvious that a lease would not be worth as much as the paper it was written on if the tenant went ahead their own merry way.
But she had a feeling that any approach to the agent to check might see Wally, Warner and Quayle saying that there was a no flat-share sub-let clauseand that caused Taye to hesitate to approach them. Yes, she knew that she should approach them. That she ought to go and see them and explain that Paula Neale had left the area. Fear that they might say that she would have to leave too, caused Taye to hold back. Should they be even likely to enquire into her suitability to be a tenanther financial suitability that wasthey would know straight away that by no chance could she pay the high rent required on her own.
Burying her head in the sand it might be but, bearing in mind that she had been Paulas sub-tenant, Taye preferred to look on it from Paulas viewpoint: that as long as the rent was paid they would not care who lived there provided they were respectable and paid the rent when due.
All the same, when considering her optionspay up or leaveTaye knew she did not want to leave and go back to the way she had up until three months ago been living.
Which left the only answershe must get someone else to pay half the rent the way she had paid half the rent to Paula. And how to go about that? Advertise.
The only problem with that was that Taye felt she could hardly advertise in the paper. Without question she suspected that any agent worthy of the name would keep their eyes on the To Let column of the local paper. Which meantHer thoughts were interrupted when someone rapped smartly on the wood panelling of the door. Anticipating it would be one of her neighbouring apartment dwellers, Taye went to answer it.
But, although she thought she had met all of the other tenants in the building in the time she had been there, she would swear she had never caught so much as a glimpse of the tall dark-haired man who stood there before her.
How did you get in? she questioned abruptly when for what seemed like ageless seconds the man just stared arrogantly back at her.
She thought she was going to have to whistle for an answer. Then Rex Bagnall, who had a flat on the next floor, rushed by. Forget my head he said in passing, making it obvious he had just gone out but had dashed back for something he had forgottenand that answered her question. The man who had knocked at her door had slipped in as Rex had gone out.
Then suddenly it clicked. Youve come about the flat? she exclaimed.
For long silent minutes the stern-faced man studied her, and she began to think she was going to have to run for any answer to her questions. But then finally, his tones clipped, I have, he replied.
Oh, grief! She had been thinking in terms of a female to flat-share with! She could not say either that she was very taken with this grim-expressioned mid-thirties-looking man, but she supposed even if she had no intention of renting half the flat to him that there were certain courtesies to be observed.
That was quick, she remarked pleasantly. Ive only just returned from putting the ad in the newsagents window. She might have gone on to say that she had been looking for someone of the female gender but Rex Bagnall was back again, dashing along the communal hallway. Not wanting him to hear any of her business, Come in, she invited the unsuccessful candidate.
He followed her into her hall, but so seemed to dominate it that she quickly led the way to the sitting room. She turned, the light was better there, and she observed he was broad-shouldered and casually, if expensively, dressed. He could see her better too, his glance flicking momentarily to her white-blonde hair.
Ier she began, faltered and, began again. I know I didnt say so, but I was rather anticipating a female.
A female? he enquired loftilycausing her to wish she knew more about the Sex Discrimination Act and if it came into force in a situation like this.
Have you shared a flat with a female before? she asked, feeling a trifle hot under the collar. I mean, I dont mean to be personal or anything but She hesitated, hoping he would help her out, but clearly he was not going to and she found she was saying, Perhaps it wont be suitable for you.
He looked back at her, unspeaking for a second or two. Then deigned to reply, Perhaps Id better take a look around.
And such was his air of confidence that, albeit reluctantly, Taye, with the exception of her own bedroom, found she was showing him around the apartment. This, obviously, is the sitting room, she began, and went on to show him the dining room, followed by the bathroom and kitchen and utility room. Thats my bedroom, she said, indicating her bedroom door in passing. And this is the other bedroom.
The one for yourtenant?
Thats right, she replied, glad, when he had silently and without comment inspected everywhere else, to hear him say something at last.
He went into what had been Paulas bedroom and glanced around. Taye left him to it. She returned to the sitting room and was preparing to tell him that she would let him knowit seemed more polite than to straight away tell him, No chance. He was some minutes before he joined her in the sitting roomobviously he had been looking his fill and weighing everything up.
I see you have a garden, he remarked, going over to the sitting room window and looking out.
Its shared by all of us, she replied. The agents send someone to tidy up now and again but it doesnt require too much maintenance. Now, about
Your name? he cut in. I cant go around calling you Mrs de Winter the whole time.
Her lips twitched. Somehow, when she wasnt sure she even liked the man, his dry comment caught at her sense of humour. He all too plainly was referring to the Mrs de Winter in Daphne du Mauriers Rebecca. The Mrs de Winter who all through the book had never been given a first name.
Taye, she replied, in the face of his unsmiling look controlling her urge to smile. Tayce, actually, but Im called Taye. She felt a bit foolish all at once, it suddenly seeming stupid to go on to tell him that her younger brother had not been able to manage Tayce when he had been small, and how Taye had just kind of stuck. Taye Trafford, she completed briefly. Only then did it dawn on her that she should have asked his name the minute he had stepped over the threshold. And you are?
MagnusAshthorpe, he supplied.
Well, Mr Ashthorpe
Ill take it, he butted in decisively.
That took her aback somewhat. Oh, I dont think
Naturally there are matters to discuss. He took over the interview, if interview it be.
Well, it wouldnt hurt to discuss it a little, she supposed. At least she could be civilised. Would you like coffee? she offered.
Black, no sugar, he accepted, and she was glad to escape to the kitchen.