Free Borrowed Wife by Patrícia Wilson

breathe, the whole situation terrifying because she
knew that Logan had not just stopped his vendetta. There was something else and
it could only be something worse.
    ‘Perhaps
you had better sit down,’ Logan suggested, sitting himself and indicating a
chair opposite, and she obeyed because by the look on his face she knew she was
going to need some support.
    ‘What
offer?’ she repeated, staring at him with wide green eyes that showed every one
of her tumbling emotions.  
    I’m
prepared to stop this whole thing.’ Logan stated coolly. ‘I’m prepared to make
an offer for the Madden Corporation and ease it into my own firm or, if he prefers
it. I’m willing to help put the Madden Corporation back on its feet.’
    It was
impossible! He didn’t mean it. Abigail watched him intently, her mind searching
for snags, traps, but his face was impassive and she finally drew in a long,
shuddering breath.
    ‘Why?’
she asked. It was certainly not because she had been to see him, certainly not
pity for her father, but unless he was willing to tell her his reasons she had
no chance of finding out. Logan was cold and ruthless now. He probably had
always been like that but she had been too young and too entranced to notice it
before.
    ‘Not
generosity and not from the kindness of my heart.’ He leaned back, crossing one
elegantly clad leg over the other, his lips turned down in a smile of sceptical
amusement. ‘There is one proviso.’
    There
would be and it would be horrifying. Abigail stared at him without speaking,
afraid to ask.
    ‘I would
be very grateful if you would stop looking at me like a scared rabbit,’ he
remarked, the sceptical amusement touching his eyes too. ‘The proviso is not
too worrying, all things being considered.’
    ‘What
things?’ Abigail asked breathlessly.
    ‘I’m
prepared to admit that my relentless pursuit of the firm has at least something
to do with your father’s present condition,’ Logan conceded. ‘I never wanted to
see him dead. I told you that before. However, even without my malevolent
interest, the Madden Corporation is finished, unless I help openly, unless I am
seen to be in some sort of charge for a while. Therefore, you need me and I’m
willing to help.’  
         ‘But?’ Abigail
whispered, voicing the unspoken implication.
    ‘I wish
to barrow my wile for a few weeks. Nothing too arduous, no marital duties,
merely a front for a necessary trip I’m obliged to make.’
    ‘What?’
Abigail stood slowly, holding onto the of arm of the chair, and Logan looked up
at her, his dark brows raised in query, the light of real mischief now
sparkling in those astonishing eyes
    ‘You’re
not stupid, Abigail,’ he commented quietly. ‘You heard and you understood. I’m
making a trip. For a few weeks I need a wife, in name only. I already have one,
so what could be more simple?’
    ‘What are
you up to?’ she stormed, her breath back now and her temper rising. ‘Even
seeing you would probably finish my father off. Any suggestion like this would
do it for sure. If you need somebody with you, take Fenella Mitchell!’
    ‘She’s
not my wife,’ Logan pointed out smoothly, his amused eyes still on her furious
face. ‘I have a big business deal—a very big deal—and it’s with an American
company of considerable size. It’s still family owned and the man who owns it
has family values. He does not like the idea of divorce, mistresses or anything
leas wholesome than home-baked apple pie. My wife has been invited along. He
knows I’m married and he expects to meet you. I’m buying him out and then I’ll
have another foothold in the States.’
    ‘Then go
and buy him out!’ Abigail snapped. ‘Just leave the Madden Corporation to sink
without trace. We’ve been doing that very well for months.’
    ‘He does
not need the money and other people are interested,’ Logan said steadily. ‘I
want that firm. Given my offer, however large, and an offer from a solid