The Hired Husband by Judith Stacy

Author:Judith Stacy [Stacy, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Fiction, General, Historical
ISBN: 9780263851816
Google: 4_eEJMd3WnIC
Amazon: 0263851818
Barnesnoble: 0263851818
Goodreads: 1430080
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

Last night in the study when Mitch had made his marriage proposal, Rachel had felt vulnerable, exposed, discussing the matter while wearing only her nightgown and robe. Now, fortified by her undergarments, she was ready to tackle the situation in earnest.

She closed her bedchamber door and headed down the hallway. It was early still, the house quiet. As she often did, Rachel glanced at the door to Mitch’s room. Open. He was up and about already and the servants were inside, going about their chores.

Her footsteps slowed as a shiver ran though her. The gall of that man. The arrogance. Demanding her hand in marriage in exchange for her family’s future.

Perhaps she was no better for agreeing to it.

And there was always the possibility that their union might turn out just fine, Rachel thought as she descended the staircase. That notion had come to her last night along with so many others.

Maybe she and Mitch could have a marriage—a real marriage. He had so many of the qualities she admired in a man. His hard work would insure the security of her family. She wouldn’t have to worry anymore, at least about money.

And she was fond of him.

Rachel froze at the foot of the staircase. Fond of him? Was that it?

She wished she could talk to Claudia, see how she felt when Graham was near. Did her heart beat faster at the sight of him? Did he wander into her thoughts at all hours? Did he make her wonder what it would be like to—

With a startled gasp, Rachel stopped her runaway thoughts. Voices drifted down the hallway, coming from the study. She looked inside to find Mitch and Uncle Stuart working at the desk. Mitch seemed to sense her nearness. He cut off his conversation and pushed to his feet.

He looked neat, as always, combed, scrubbed, polished. But there was an uncharacteristic tightness around his eyes. He seemed tired. She wondered if he’d been up half the night thinking about their situation, as well.

“Good morning, Rachel.” Uncle Stuart gave her a hug.

“You’re here early,” she said, feeling the reserve in his embrace.

“I understand there’s a big decision to be made,” he said.

Her gaze flicked to Mitch. He’d told Uncle Stuart about the marriage proposal? Before she’d given him her answer?

“It’s a generous offer on Mitch’s part,” Uncle Stuart said. “Certainly it’s what the family needs right now. And, it’s only for a year.”

“A year?” Rachel looked at her uncle, then at Mitch. He remained beside the desk, silent.

“That will allow for plenty of time to find someone to take over permanently. We’re working out the details of the agreement now,” Uncle Stuart said, gesturing toward the desk.

Rachel’s heart rose in her throat. “You’re writing a…a contract?”

“It’s prudent,” Uncle Stuart said. “There’s a financial consideration for Mitch, plus—”

“He’s being paid to marry me?”

“We can’t expect him to give a year of his life to the business with no monetary compensation,” Uncle Stuart said, somehow making the notion sound reasonable. “Plus,

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