Forbidden Fire by Heather Graham Page B

Francisco.”
    â€œExcuse me. And dance-hall girls. They can be very amusing, I’m certain—”
    â€œOh, much more than amusing.”
    â€œBut what of the nights when you might wish to entertain at home? When you need someone to welcome important associates? When you wish to play the gentleman, Mr. Tremayne, which I do assume you do upon occasion!”
    â€œAnd you are the epitome of graciousness!” he snapped suddenly.
    She was silent for a moment, then murmured, “And you, Mr. Tremayne, seem capable of being a master of cruelty.”
    He sighed softly. “Marissa!” Curiously, her name sounded almost like a caress. “I am sorry, truly. I never meant to be cruel. I wanted this all to be as easy as it could be.”
    Marissa lowered her lashes, unnerved by his sudden gentleness. “There is no way to make this easy!” she whispered vehemently.
    â€œDo you know what you’re asking me?” he demanded.
    â€œYes!”
    â€œI don’t want a wife,” he said harshly.
    â€œYou don’t wish a wife to whom you would be obliged to offer affection!” she corrected him.
    His startled look gave her a sudden advantage, and she determined to pursue it. “That is why it is all so perfect!” she exclaimed passionately. And once again, she stood before him. Too closely before him. Her hands rested upon the desk and she stared into his eyes, nearly pleading. He was still smiling. “Oh, don’t you see!” she moaned.
    â€œI do apologize, but your logic simply eludes me.”
    â€œI wouldn’t expect you to—I wouldn’t expect you to behave as a husband.”
    â€œAh. And how does a husband behave?” he queried her.
    She pushed away from the desk and strode with agitation across the room. Then she realized that she was facing his bed and she swung around, her cheeks flaming. He was taunting her. He knew darned well what she was saying.
    â€œMr. Tremayne, we could form a marriage in name only. I could receive my inheritance, and in turn—” She paused.
    â€œYes, well, it’s that part I am interested in hearing about,” he said dryly.
    â€œI could protect you.”
    â€œYou could protect me?”
    â€œFrom unwanted advances.”
    He burst into laughter. All the grimness left his mouth, and a sizzling sparkle touched his eyes. If nothing else, she had amused him.
    â€œYou’re being very rude,” she informed him coolly.
    â€œOh! Do forgive me, Miss Ahearn. It’s just that, though I do not wish to marry again, there are certain, er, advances that I rather welcome, if you know what I mean.”
    Her cheeks flamed and she willed herself to betray no emotion, no anger, no embarrassment. She tried her very best to stare at him with nothing more than scorn and to speak as softly as she could. “You would be more than welcome to your diversions, Mr. Tremayne. That is my whole point. You could wander at will, and be plagued by no woman, for you would already have a wife. A wife to whom you owed nothing at all, a wife who would stay out of your way, I might add, and in her gratitude, make your life as comfortable as possible.”
    â€œComfortable?”
    She gritted her teeth. “I make a very good hostess for business dinners and all social occasions,” she assured him primly.
    â€œOh, I’m sure that you do!” he said.
    She had no further arguments for the moment, and he was still staring at her without replying.
    â€œWell?” she prompted him irritably.
    â€œWell?”
    â€œHave you an answer?”
    â€œI’m thinking,” he told her.
    â€œYou at least knew something of this arrangement!” she reminded him with a flare of anger.
    â€œBut I knew nothing about acquiring a wife,” he murmured. “And if I am about to find myself with this wonderful hostess and entertainer who will boldly stand guard against all mamas who wish their