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“Okay, what if you don’t get pregnant at all?”
“That’s why we’re getting the fertility test.”
“That doesn’t mean you’ll get pregnant.”
“No, but it does mean I’ll have fulfilled my end of the deal by being able to fall pregnant, and if I don’t after two years, then it’s done.”
“Evangeline, are you aware you are literally putting your womb up for rent?”
“Surrogates do it, and they don’t even get laid for it. I get to live in luxury in a small castle, get great sex, and get looked after for the rest of my life and save the hotel. Seems like a pretty good deal to me.”
Well, when she put it like that, it was hard to argue with.
“I don’t like this, Eva. I think that’s a very slippery slope you’re going down. It’s not a marriage, that’s a contract. It’s nothing more than a convenience for you both.”
“It happens all the time, Addy, especially in our circles. I don’t mind if I have kids or not, but I don’t want to get married. Matthew needs kids and doesn’t want to get married. This works for us both, plus I get a shiny little title that I can lord over Charlotte because the Anglesey earldom is older than the Coventry one.”
There it was.
There was always a side motive with Eva.
“What about your life?”
She shrugged. “I hate that damn art gallery. I can paint from wherever. I’m not too enthused about moving up there, but it’s not for that long, and his estate is beautiful. I could do worse things with my life.”
“No, I mean your life. Will you see other people?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s in the contract. We both must remain monogamous, or the contract is void.”
That was something, at least.
“You’re going to do it no matter what I say,” I said, swatting at Betsy to leave the rest of my sandwich alone. “I’m just going on the record and saying that I think it’s going to end badly.”
“Thank you for the advice, Professor Cupid.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Next month.”
“Next month?” I blinked at her. “Where?”
“Anglesey. Of course.” Eva stood and grabbed her bag. “I have to go. I need to hand in my notice at the gallery.”
I jumped up after her. “Have you thought this through?”
“No. Cheerio!” She waved and disappeared, and I chased her through to the front door, but she was already gone.
“Oh, balls,” I said, shutting the door again.
“Everything all right?” Alexander asked, walking out of the kitchen with a handful of bourbon biscuits. “Has Eva gone already?”
“Yes, and I’m not amused with her,” I replied, folding my arms across my chest. “She’s marrying Matthew.”
Alex choked on his biscuit. “She’s doing what?”
“She’s marrying Matthew.”
“You’re going to have to explain that to me, darling.”
“I’d suggest you sit down first. It’s quite a wild ride.”
THE END
