Bride for Hire. Jessica Hart

Seth! Where did you find her?’ he joked. ‘I’d like one too!’

      To Daisy’s surprise, Seth was looking boot-faced. ‘I’m afraid I got the only one,’ he said curtly, ‘and I’m keeping her.’

      ‘I quite understand, dear fellow,’ said James with a wink. ‘I’d feel exactly the same.’

      Eva was beginning to look petulant. ‘Come on, James,’ she said, tugging at him, and after a last practised smile at Daisy he allowed himself to be dragged off.

      Seth sat down again, scowling. ‘That man’s the worst gossip in London!’

      ‘Isn’t that what you wanted?’ said Daisy, puzzled. ‘I thought people were supposed to start gossiping about us?’

      ‘Not the way James Gifford-Gould is going to gossip,’ said Seth obscurely. He glanced away to where James and Eva were being seated at a table. It was on the other side of the room, but had a clear view of where Seth and Daisy sat. ‘Now they’ll be watching us all evening,’ he grumbled. ‘I’ll have to act as if I was jealous of the way he looked at you.’

      ‘I thought you were already doing that,’ said Daisy with some tartness. She was completely confused about what Seth wanted now!

      Seth’s expression froze for a moment. ‘Why would I be jealous?’ he demanded in a glacial voice.

      ‘I can’t imagine,’ she said frankly, ‘but you were giving a pretty good impression of it just now!’

      ‘I was no—’ Seth shut his mouth firmly and controlled his temper with an effort. ‘Look, we’re supposed to be acting like lovers, not arguing. Gifford-Gould won’t miss anything!’ Reaching across the table, he put his hand over hers and forced a smile. ‘It’ll be easier if we talk like lovers too. What do lovers talk about?’

      ‘I’ve no idea,’ said Daisy stiffly. She was excruciatingly aware of his hand. It was warm and strong and she could almost swear that the lines in his palm were tingling into her skin.