Read Online Sudden Pleasures by Bertrice Small - Free Book Online Page B

between us seemed normal. We’re going to have a whirlwind courtship,” she said with a smile. “We will tell everyone that we were introduced by our lawyers, who are cousins—which is, of course, the truth, isn’t it? And I think sticking to the truth is best. We will date for a few weeks, then surprise everyone by getting married. Ryan has agreed to make his legal residence here in Egret Pointe. We’ll be married at St. Anne’s, because it will please his mother.”
    “No,” Ray said. “No church wedding.”
    “Why not?” Ryan wanted to know.
    “Because this marriage isn’t going to be a long-term thing. It’s just to save your asses,” Ray said. “One day you could find the love of your life, and you’ll want to be married in the church. You can’t if you’ve already been married in the church and then divorced. For this marriage we’ll want a local judge. I want it to be legal in this state, especially because otherwise your sisters are going to raise hell when they see all that money Jerry Klein has promised them going bye-bye. They may even threaten legal action, although they won’t have a leg to stand on. All your dad said was, married by forty. He didn’t specify how or to whom or even how long. Now, how long is this union going to last for you two? I’d suggest a two-year minimum.”
    “That sounds fine to me,” Ryan said. He looked to Ashley. “You?”
    She nodded. “Yes, that seems right.”
    “Okay,” Joe said. “We don’t need you two now. We’ll work out all the details. When we’ve got a working draft of the prenup we’ll have you each look at a copy, make corrections, do a final draft, and you’ll sign it. So when’s the wedding?”
    “August twenty-fifth,” Ashley said. “And it will be extremely low-key.”
    “What?” Joe teased. “No twelve-piece orchestra? No thousands of dollars’ worth of flowers? No catered feast? The hospital thrift shop is going to be very disappointed.”
    “None of the above,” Ashley said. “If we can’t do it in church then we’ll do it up at the hall. You, Rick, Ray, and your wives. Nina. The Byrneses. Joe’s mom and favorite sister. A nice sit-down dinner in the dining room afterward. The flowers will come from the gardens, and if you want to dance afterward we’ll put a CD on. After all, it’s a sudden wedding after a whirlwind courtship, gentlemen.”
    “Sounds good to me,” Ray said. He turned to his client. “The limo will take you back into the city, Ryan. It was a good meeting, yes?”
    Ryan nodded. “Thanks for solving the problem,” he said.
    “Would you have time to see Kimbrough Hall?” Ashley asked him.
    “Why not? It’s Friday, and I don’t have to do the driving. Yes, I would very much like to see Kimbrough Hall. I never knew anyone who lived in a hall.”
    “We’ll call it our first date then,” Ashley said with a small smile. She turned to the partners. “Thanks, guys. And Joe, call Tiff. If you wait until you get home there will be no living with her.” She turned to Ryan. “We’ll tell the driver to follow me,” she said. “That way you won’t have to drop me back in town later.” She led him from the boardroom and from the law offices of Johnson and Pietro d’Angelo.
    Ryan went over to the limo and gave the driver his instructions. Ashley waved him over to her Solstice. He eyed the hot little car and climbed in on the passenger side. Ashley gunned the vehicle and they were off, heading back the way he had come, except when they came to a turn in the road she swung the car onto a narrow paved road. She moved so fast that he almost missed the stone pillars, and just barely caught a glimpse of two brass-and-bronze markers affixed to them. The trees thinned as they reached the top of the hill where the house sat. The view of the bay was spectacular.
    The house was beautiful: brick with white trim, gracious and welcoming, with a portico of elegant white pillars in front. He could see the