Read Online The Bridal Contract (Darrington family Book 3) by Sandra Sookoo - Free Book Online

even by his brother.
    “Are you? Sure, I see longing and wanderlust in your eyes, but sooner or later a man needs to realize being alone isn’t that grand a thing.”
    “Just because you are happily married doesn’t mean I would be.” Oliver thought again of Maria, and he shuddered. “I refuse to be saddled with an impractical woman, for I won’t give up the sea.”
    “Oh, you are a stubborn one.” Felix leaned back. “You get that from Father. That man could hold out against a decision longer than anyone I knew. He vexed Mother to no end at times.”
    Oliver grinned. He’d never been told that before. “Good to hear.”
    “What we need is a plan that will mollify Mother temporarily. Once her attention wanes due to other… announcements let’s say, she’ll leave you alone and you can return to your life.” Felix stared at him, and Oliver could almost see the thoughts forming in his brain. “I’ve got it!” His brother leaped to his feet. “Why don’t you pick a woman, any bit of fluff from Brighton would do, then speedily woo her enough in order to strike a contract for a specified time period?”
    “What sort of contract?” He didn’t trust that twinkle in his brother’s eye by half.
    “A bridal contract, of course.”
    “For what purpose? Again, I told you I have no plans to be married at the present time.” Oliver shifted in his seat. This had disaster written all over it.
    “Of course you don’t, but Mother doesn’t know that.” Felix paced with his hands clasped behind his back. After a few moments, Daniela imitated his actions, and soon he had a tiny, dark-haired shadow following him back and forth across the floor.
    Oliver’s frown deepened. How was it that Felix had charmed the girl so quickly when he’d had to work for days to earn her trust?
    “Listen, there are plenty of desperate women out there who need funding for whatever reason. Perhaps a few of them are merely looking for a lark to pass the time. Why not offer one a lump sum? Pick a female who is so completely wrong for you that Mother will voice concerns and objections, which she’ll do anyway. At the end of a month, say, you’ll pay the woman off, fabricate an excuse to Mother why you and the woman didn’t suit then you’ll part ways with her and no one the wiser.”
    What the devil sort of plan was that? Oliver shook his head. “Desperate women are the most dangerous. What happens if she wants more out of this contract period than the farce?”
    “Then make certain you select a woman who doesn’t wish to be wed as well.”
    His frown grew into a scowl. Didn’t all women desire to marry? The plan sounded more like a trap. “What of Daniela? For the moment, until I decide what will happen to her permanently, what do you propose I do with her?”
    “Nothing.” Felix abruptly swiveled around, surprising the girl. He picked her up, threw her into the air, then catching her as deftly as if he had worlds of experience with young children. Daniela’s delighted giggles rang through the air. “She’s part of your life at the moment. Whomever you choose will have to accept that and her. But the addition of this little poppet can also be played into the plan. It’s all a part of annoying Mother enough that she’ll leave you be.”
    “Again!” Daniela demanded.
    Felix obliged the child. Oliver envied him the ability to interact as he did. “That’s enough, sweeting,” he said as he returned her to the floor. “If you want your freedom, this is the best way of any to achieve it. At the end of the month, Mother will be so out of sorts from the potential scandal you’re bringing upon the family name, she’ll be only too glad to let you back on your ship. She’ll practically beg you to leave the country for a while.” He regained his seat. “What do you say?”
    “Will you help perpetuate how bad the woman would be for me?” The last thing Oliver wanted was to remain stuck in a false engagement.
    “I