Wife for a Day by Patti Berg Read Free Book Online

Palm Beach parties lately? Do you play polo or go yachting?”
    She shrugged. “Not recently.”
    His brow rose. “Ever?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWell, Arabella certainly hasn’t either, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
    She sighed, not feeling the least bit comfortable with his proposition. She went to the window, looking at the big round moon shining on the dark gray water. This was her chance to act—really and truly to act. On top of that, this was her opportunity to see how the rich and famous lived. Plus, she could make some desperately needed money. But…She faced him. “I can’t do it.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’m not rich.”
    â€œI told you that doesn’t matter.”
    â€œYou don’t understand. I have nothing to wear.”
    His gaze trailed deliberately over her body. Heated eyes settled on her lips, then slowly moved to her eyes. “Is that all that’s bothering you?”
    â€œThat and the fact that I don’t feel comfortable deceiving your sister.”
    He smiled, a true, deep smile that eased her fear about the masquerade she was embarking on.
    â€œThank you,” he said.
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œFor caring about my sister’s feelings.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the stack of bills he’d offered her before. “I’ll explain everything to my sister in a few days. She won’t hold it against you. I promise.”
    She stared at the money in his hand. It seemed wrong to take it, wrong to lie to his sister. Still, a thousand dollars would help get Johnnie off her back. He might even extend the loan.
    â€œOkay, I’ll do it,” she said, plucking the bills from his palm. “But you’d better tell your sister the truth soon—tomorrow even. Playing your fiancée for a night is one thing, but I don’t want you calling me next week and asking me to be your wife for a day.”
    His laughter filled the room. “Trust me. That’s not about to happen.”
    She bit her lip, frowning at the grin on his face. “There’s still the problem of what to wear.”
    â€œThat’s the least of your problems.”
    He checked his watch, then lifted the phone. “In less than an hour you’ll look like a princess. Think you can act like a pampered socialite, too?”
    Doubt clenched at her stomach, but there was no reason to let Jack see her anxiety. “As you said, I’m an actress, Jack. Just give me a few directions, and I’ll do the rest.”

three
    â€œI can’t do that,” Sam said, sitting in the back of the limousine, staring at Jack Remington, who’d turned from something close to Prince Charming to a detestable frog in the space of five minutes.
    â€œIt’s a simple request.”
    â€œI’m not going to spy on your sister’s fiancé. Pretending I’m Arabella Fleming is bad enough, but trying to find out if Peter Leighton has some hidden agenda is out of the question.”
    â€œHe doesn’t deserve her.”
    â€œDo you have any concrete proof of that?”
    Jack smiled, leaned forward, and took hold of her fingers. “I have no proof at all. I even had the man investigated and came up with nothing. But I do have a gut feeling.”
    â€œYour sister’s in love with him, for heaven’ssake! If you don’t have any proof, leave it alone.”
    She pulled her fingers from his grasp. “You know what, Jack?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œMy mama wouldn’t have liked you.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYou’re rich, for one, and she didn’t like rich men. Neither do I, for that matter. Number two, you’re devious. She used to tell me that I should stay away from devious men because they have a tendency to lead good girls astray.”
    â€œI’ve been open and aboveboard in everything I’ve asked of you. There’s