Contract marriage

rs Sain

as somewhat anxious. She had never visited Julian

hand with his. "Don't worry, Anne," he told her.

n. "Thank you, Julian," she a

nitude. The house itself was vast, sitting amidst extensive g

Clair, greeted them cheerfully. Mr. and Mrs. Saint Clair were polit

xious that Julian's parents would be formal and s

. She was surprised by how comfortable it was to chat with

ombshell. "So, Anne, tell me all about your wedding," she said wi

xpected Julian's mother to ask her that qu

, Mother, Anne and I made the decision that we were going to have the

tion it seemed. "That sounds lovely, dear," s

ing her from humiliation. She knew she must be careful, ho

ng. She had been faking being Julian's wife for

n turned and grinned. "You were wonderful to

e of gratitude towards Julian. "Thanks," she

g the same bed together,Julian grinned at her. "You ta

to Julian. "No, Julian, you don't

" he replied. "You must rest. And besides, I'm used t

an. "Thanks, Julian," she repl

ecognized that she would have to maintain the cover for the duration of the remainder of the

everything so much more straightforward than she had expect

es in store for her, though. For now, she just slept and luxuriated in the feel of the

woke up, got out of bed, and started preparing for the day, loo

the living room, dashing and wide awake

he said with a smile

I did," she answered. "Thank

uth. "It was nothing," he said. "

was met by Julian's family, They we

rtable around Julian's family. They were so friendl

t her. "Anne, dear, we're so glad that you were able to spend this we

f the older woman. She had never been wel

replied, smiling. "I'm glad I cou

hen Julian's sister Emma, walk

favorite food?" Emma asked

rise in his eyes. "Uh. um. I think it'

row. "Really? I'm c

alked over her. "No, no, I know it's su

t was said. "What's this I hear?" she asked,

hem with a sly glint in her eye. "Julian, sweetie, why is it that you and Anne continue to use yo

hard at keeping up appearances for their fictional marriag

prefer things formal, Mo

nd. She stared at them with a burning l

re," she said, a touch of laughter behind he