Semiautomatic Marriage by Leona Karr Read Free Book Online

lowered her eyes as she imagined him in a tuxedo, perfectly groomed at a country club party, or lounging beside a fashionable swimming pool, a martini in his hand. The vision of him in only swimming trunks stirred an unbidden warmth—one that caused an instant denial to shoot through her. She couldn’t be attracted to him on that level. There absolutely couldn’t be anything sexual between them. He’d made it clear that he was only interested in her as a means to conduct his investigation. She’d be a fool if she allowed herself to make anything more of it than that.
    “I’m not sure I’m up to playing out this charade,” she said defensively. Not only were her ownemotions getting in the way, but the likelihood of her causing him embarrassment seemed too great. She had an unpleasant childhood memory of the time some rich woman had invited a bunch of orphans to her house for a party. Carolyn had been so nervous she’d turned the whole plate of ice cream and cake over in her lap. Even now, she shuddered at the recollection. Just making the lifestyle transition she faced would be difficult enough, but having him privy to every word and mishap made it even worse.
    “I want to make this as easy on you as possible, Carolyn. I’ll do my best to arrange things so you don’t feel threatened in any way. I promise to make no demands that aren’t vital to the success of my investigation.” He paused. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
    She knew then that he was aware of the attraction that had flared between them. She nodded. “All of this is just part of a business arrangement. Nothing more.” She realized she was addressing herself as much as him.
    “Right. As for getting married, there’s no need for anything but a civil service, one we’ll have as quickly and quietly as possible. We can dispense with everything else.”
    Everything else? All the dreams? All expectations of someday being a bride in white lace and satin? To love and to cherish? She had always thought that someday she’d hear those poignant words, and she’d never feel lonely again. Getting married would be a beginning of a new life and the ending of an old one.
    “All we need are the official credentials of Mr.and Mrs. Adam Lawrence,” he assured her. “And you’ll need to go by Carolyn Lawrence until this is over. For your protection, Mr. Bancroft will go over any legal matters that might come up while the investigation is going on.”
    Investigation, he had said, not marriage. Just a business arrangement. Of course, that was all it was. No reason for her to get sentimental about taking vows that meant nothing. In a way that was what her life had been up till now. Pragmatic. Realistic. No reason for her to view a wedding ring on her finger as anything but a cold circle of metal.
    “How soon should we do this?” she asked, putting her hands in her lap and clasping them tightly.
    “Bancroft will make arrangements for you to move into the house and will finalize all the business arrangements. Just a matter of a few days, I think.”
    “So soon?” She forced a light laugh. “You really know how to rush a girl off her feet.”
    “The sooner we get into position, the better.”
    Get into position. That’s the way he was viewing this whole marriage arrangement. Professional. Unemotional. Nonpersonal. The moment had come when she was either going to believe him or walk away.
    “I’ll check my wardrobe and see if I have something decent to wear to a pretend wedding.”
    They went back to making idle conversation, and as soon as they’d finished their coffee and apple cobbler, they left the restaurant.
    The silence between them on the ride back to her apartment was like a thick curtain as Carolyn’s sensible nature began to question everything Adam Lawrence had said. Was this so-called investigationof Horizon just an elaborate scheme to swindle a naive heiress? Bancroft was the only one vouching for Adam Lawrence, and what did she