Momentary Marriage(35)

“Yes, in Madrid,” Kelsey responded, trying to ignore Jared’s hand tracing delicate patterns across her shoulders. “Her husband is a Spaniard. I—I’m not sure if she’ll be able to get away.”

“You must give us her number,” Mary Barrett said with a smile. “We’d like to call and introduce ourselves.”

Jared stroked his fingers up the nape of Kelsey’s neck.

“Of course,” she said, praying she’d be able to reach her mother before the Barretts did. Chloe wasn’t big on maternal instincts, but she’d be a little upset to hear the news of one of her daughters’ impending nuptials from the prospective in-laws.

“Still, Jared,” his mother protested. “What about caterers, flowers, the reception hall?”

“I'm in the hotel business, mother,” Jared reminded her lazily. “I’ll have my own staff do the catering. One of the local hotels will probably be willing to work with us on a place for the reception. We'll work it all out.”

“I suppose so,” his mother said, her face still faintly troubled. “You will let me help, won’t you? With both of you working full time, there’ll be so many things to do.”

“We’re depending on you,” Jared assured her.

For the rest of the afternoon, conversation shifted between family discussions, Carla’s due date and wedding plans. Kelsey couldn’t help but feel guilty that Jared’s family was welcoming her so completely when the whole thing was a lie.

But what really nagged her were questions about the man she’d agreed to marry. He’d told her one set of reasons for his proposal, but given his manner and her heirloom ring, she was beginning to think she didn’t have the whole picture.

****

Jared walked across the lawn, Kelsey’s hand in his. A deep contentment filled him as he opened the car door for her. His family loved her, as he’d known they would. Kelsey had joined in the laughter and teasing, seeming as comfortable with them as they’d obviously been with her.

She was quiet now as he got into the car and started the engine.

“Your father’s not in the hotel business?” Kelsey asked, a pensive expression on her face.

“No, he was an accountant before he retired.”

“You said something once about inheriting a hotel,” she said, staring ahead at the road.

“Yes, from my maternal grandfather.” He wasn’t sure what was going on in her head, but she was clearly pondering something.

“Oh.”

“Why do you ask?”

She moved restlessly in her seat. “It’s the kind of thing most fiancées would know.”

“Did you enjoy yourself today?” he couldn’t resist asking.

Kelsey glanced over at him. “Yes, very much. You have a wonderful family. I hated lying to them.”

“I know,” he said, appreciative of her feelings. “But I’m sure they’d understand if they knew the whole story.”

He’d had no qualms about the deception because he hadn’t needed to fake anything. Kelsey was the only one with whom he’d been less than honest and that had clearly been a necessary evil.

“About a prenuptial agreement,” she said abruptly. “I don’t want any kind of settlement when we divorce.”

“Nothing?” he said, sending her a searching glance after a moment.

“Of course not,” she said, indignation in her voice. “Our arrangement is mutually beneficial. I’ll live at your place and pay my own bills. When we split, there’ll be no reason for you to give me any financial assistance.”

“Why don’t we let that be a private understanding just between the two of us?” Jared said, intending to dodge the issue. He was a rich man, but he hadn’t gotten where he was by hedging his bets. He was fully intending to keep Kelsey as his wife. No divorce, no need for a prenup.

“Keep it private?”

“Try to imagine the gossip that could leak out if I gave my lawyers instructions to write up a prenuptial like you’re suggesting,” Jared said dryly. “I doubt we would escape question if that got around.”

“Oh.” Kelsey sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Then we could do whatever is…standard and then I’ll just give you the money back when we divorce.”

“Whatever,” he said, suppressing the grim note in his voice. A more optimistic man might revel in hearing the woman he pursued showing signs of concern for his future financial well-being. At least, he’d be reassured that she wasn’t just after his money.

Jared, however, hadn’t built his success by being blind. He knew his sweet Kelsey wanted to keep everything between them on a business-like level. For some reason, she seemed to be more distant now. He didn’t know what had triggered it, but he hadn’t lied when he’d told her he didn’t give up easily.