The Token Wife

The Token Wife
Sara Craven

Alex Fabian is a successful city banker who lives life on his own terms. But when his family gives him an ultimatum to marry within three months or lose his inheritance, he's forced to find a bride….Louise Trentham is instantly wary when Alex Fabian proposes: he's formidably dynamic, gorgeous and way out of her league! But the chemistry between them is irresistible. Can Louise take the plunge and say, "I do," knowing that, for Alex, she'll always be only his token wife?

Her voice shook. “Alex—please. Don’t do this….”

“Do what?” he questioned. “This?” He stroked her hair aside and kissed her nape. “Or this?” He bent his head and pressed his lips to Louise’s bare shoulder, forcing a shiver of response from her.

“Because I hear what you’re saying, my reluctant wife,” he told her softly. “But all evening I’ve seen your eyes. Felt the way you’ve touched me—how you went into my arms. And you know it’s true…”

Legally wed,

But he’s never said…

“I love you.”

They’re…

The series where marriages are made in haste…and love comes later….

Look out for the next book in the Wedlocked! miniseries

Coming soon:

The Constantin Marriage by Lindsay Armstrong Harlequin Presents #2384

Alex Constantin had agreed to a marriage of convenience with Tatiana Beaufort—but she surprised him on their wedding night by asking for a year’s grace before making theirs a “real” marriage. A year later Tattie is both alarmed and tempted when her enigmatic husband suggests they become lovers at last….

The Token Wife

Sara Craven

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Endpage (#litres_trial_promo)

PROLOGUE

WHEN Alex Fabian was displeased, his annoyance invariably radiated from him like static electricity, alerting the wary to keep their distance.

Tonight, entering his grandmother’s Holland Park house, he was crackling like an approaching storm, although he managed a brief smile for the elderly manservant who admitted him, and who’d known him since childhood.

‘Barney—you’re well? And Mrs Barnes?’

‘Both fighting fit, thank you, Mr Alex.’ Barnes paused. ‘Her ladyship hasn’t come downstairs yet, but you’ll find Mr Fabian in the drawing room.’

‘My father?’ Alex’s brows snapped together. ‘I thought they weren’t speaking to each other.’

‘There has been a rapprochement, sir.’ Barnes’ tone was sedate. ‘Last week.’

‘I see.’ Alex shrugged off his overcoat, and cast a fleeting but critical glance at his reflection in the big gilt-framed mirror before crossing the wide hall to the double doors which led into the drawing room.

He supposed he should have fitted in a visit to the barber, he thought, raking an irritable hand through the tawny hair which brushed his collar.

But the charcoal suit he was wearing, set off by a silk waistcoat in a paler shade of grey, the pristine white shirt, and discreetly striped tie acknowledged that this was a formal visit.

That he’d been sent for.

And his tight-lipped expression and smouldering green eyes indicated that he suspected what was behind the summons.

He found George Fabian seated on one of the sofas that flanked the fireplace, glancing through a newspaper.

He said, without looking up, ‘Good evening, Alex. We have been instructed to help ourselves to a drink.’

‘Thank you, sir, but it’s a little early for me.’ Alex glanced pointedly at his watch. ‘I wasn’t sure whether I was being invited for dinner, or nursery tea.’

‘I suggest you ask your grandmother that,’ his father advised curtly. ‘This little family gathering was her idea, not mine.’

‘And its purpose?’ Alex walked to the hearth and gave the logs that burned there an impatient kick with a well-shod foot.

‘I understand to discuss the arrangements for her birthday party.’ George Fabian paused. ‘Among other things.’

‘Indeed?’ Alex’s brows rose sardonically. ‘And am I permitted to speculate what those “other things” might be?’

His father gave him a dry look. ‘I imagine your position as chairman in waiting at Perrins Bank might come up for discussion.’