Her Highness, My Wife by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

Curiosity, I suppose, prime among them. I want to know what she’s hiding and the real reason why she has again entered my life.”
    “Ah-ha, you do still care for her.”
    “Not at all.”
    “Prove it.” Challenge sounded in Ephraim’s voice. He pulled open a drawer and tossed a small leather-bound book on the desk. “Keep a journal of your time with her, your travels and adventures.”
    “I don’t write.”
    “You can write letters. Write them to me. And when it’s over, I’ll publish them. And,” Ephraim added,
    “pay you handsomely.”
    Matt shook his head. “I see no difference between this and publishing what passed between us once before.”
    “The difference, my friend, is that this time”—Ephraim drew the words out in a deliberate manner—“there is no question of affection. It is a business arrangement between the two of you. A contract of sorts. Nothing more. If you will not accept payment from her, should you not get something of value from the arrangement?”
    “Oh, I intend to get something. Satisfaction, if nothing else. However, you have convinced me to accept her money, for the time being. Regardless of pride, I certainly need it, and it will indeed put our arrangement on a solid financial footing. Besides, I can always refuse it later.”
    Why not agree to Ephraim’s request as well? After all, didn’t he owe this old friend far more in terms of loyalty and allegiance than he ever had to Tatiana? And hadn’t Ephraim repaid him in kind through the years, whereas Tatiana had left him without a second thought?
    “I shall make a bargain with you. I will keep your journal, but I will make no guarantee as to its ultimate use. Agreed?”
    “I can ask for nothing more.” Ephraim grinned. “Unless you’d care to share more of those reasons of yours for going along with this royal farce.”
    “I suppose you could call the entire incident unfinished and unresolved.” Matt puffed on the cigar and considered his words. “Our parting was not entirely mutual. I woke up one morning and she was gone, leaving behind nothing more than a note about responsibility and a promise to free us both from any legal entanglement.”
    “Legal entanglement?” Ephraim’s brows drew together.
    “You see, my friend, in France, a legal marriage is not necessarily sanctioned by the church. It can also be nothing more than a civil arrangement performed by a local official.” Matt studied the glowing end of the cigar. “A moderate bribe in the right hands can circumvent any requirements for public notice or eliminate the wait for performance of a ceremony.”
    “And you know all of this because…” Ephraim said slowly.
    “When Tatiana asked me today to play the role of her husband, it was not simply due to my handsome face, witty manner and devilish charm.” Matt grinned wickedly. “Although admittedly I am amply endowed with all that and more.”
    “And humble as well.” Ephraim’s murmur belied the growing realization in his eyes.
    “Indeed. No, she asked me to pose as her husband because I have experience in the part.” Matt savored the look on Ephraim’s face. “I see you have ascertained just how foolish I was. Her promise to free me from legal entanglement referred to procuring an annulment in her own country. No doubt an easy act for a misguided princess.”
    “Then you’re saying…” Ephraim’s voice had an odd strangled quality about it, as if he couldn’t believe or accept his own words.
    “I’m saying exactly what you think I’m saying. It lasted less than a full day, but for that handful of hours”—Matt chuckled wryly—“I was indeed her husband.”
    Chapter 4
    Tatiana straightened her shoulders and raised her chin in the royal manner she had been taught from birth. A manner that trained her to ignore the fluttering sensation lodged somewhere between her heart and her stomach. She drew a steady breath and stepped purposefully toward the parlor where Matthew waited.
    The