The Marriage Secret Read Free Page B

drastic?” an amused Maeve had asked. “Perhaps a date…?”
    Finn had shaken his head decisively, his expression quite ruthless as he’d observed, “No, she’s not the sort who would get involved with a married man.” And he didn’t want an affair, which was strange because Finn Lynch, despite his wedded state, had never thought of himself as the marrying kind.
    â€œYou could tell that just by looking?” Maeve asked wonderingly.
    â€œMost definitely.”
    He’d been right. It had been an uphill battle to get Emily to date him after the divorce came through. Unfortunately, she’d got it into her head that he was acting on the rebound, and he was in no position to put her straight.
    Finn drew up outside the 16th-century, half-timbered cottage he and Emily shared. A taxi was still parked on the forecourt. This was going to be tough.

Chapter Eight
    â€œI’ve got money inside,” Emily assured the cynical-looking taxi driver.
    â€œBut you don’t have a key?”
    Emily’s embarrassed blush deepened. “They were both in my coat.”
    â€œWhich you forgot, right?” He’d heard it all before. In his experience the ones with the posh accents, in the fancy clothes, were often the worst culprits.
    â€œIt’s the truth!”
    â€œMaybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” came the laconic response. “But either way it doesn’t pay my bill, lady.”
    â€œThe little window in the utility room is open,” Emily exclaimed excitedly. “If you gave me a leg up I could get through, I’m sure I could!”
    â€œThe man looks far too sensible to be party to a breaking and entering.”
    Emily recoiled, not only from the blast of cold air that entered the cab as the passenger door was flung open, but also from the grim-faced owner of the deep voice.
    â€œDon’t listen to him!” Emily instructed the driver rigidly. “Go away, Finn! she hissed, throwing the tall figure a look of loathing.
    â€œI’m not going anywhere. I live here, remember?” Finn drawled.
    Emily was the first to look away, unable to withstand further contact with the scornful blaze in his spectacular eyes. What a cheek! From the way he was looking at her anyone would think he was the injured party!
    Not that she could blame Finn entirely. It had been obvious right from the outset that he hadn’t been telling her everything about his divorce. Why hadn’t she listened to her instincts? Because you were too damned eager to jump into Finn’s bed is why, came the humiliating reply.
    The driver rubbed his chin. “Seems to me as though he’s got a point, love.”
    â€œIt’s got nothing to do with him!” Emily responded shrilly.
    â€œListen, I don’t want to get mixed up in a domestic dispute—I just want my money.” He looked hopefully at Finn, who nodded and reached into his trouser pocket.
    His hand came out empty.
    â€œI must have left my wallet in my other trousers.”
    The driver sighed. “That figures. You know, you two are well suited. Between you, you might even have a full set of clothes.” His disparaging gaze shifted from Emily’s dress to Finn’s bare feet.
    â€œI think,” Emily commented in her best schoolteacher voice, “that you’re a very rude man! I shall climb in the window myself,” she announced.
    â€œDo you really think you’re dressed for it, Emily?”
    Emily felt her nipples pinch hard and tight as Finn’s insolent blue glance dropped deliberately to the bare upper slopes of her breasts. To think I bought this dress with the purpose of seducing him!
    It was comforting to know that, if he dared comment on the appearance of her breasts—and Finn was crude enough to do so, thought Emily, choosing to overlook the fact she’d often enjoyed Finn’s crudeness —she could blame these physical developments on the