Page 12

“Civilization does not operate on ‘farmer time’,” Eleanor said.

“You could have got the drinks in,” said Danni, ignoring her.

“I would have, had I known what you would like, and had a waitress come to ask.”

Danni rolled her eyes and got up. “It’s a pub. You order at the bar. What do you want?”

“A pint,” Eleanor said, having never said the word before without the addendum ‘of milk’ and rather enjoying the sound of it.

Danni’s eyebrows raised, but she said nothing and went off to the bar. She came back a few minutes later carrying two large glasses. “So, do I get a ring, or are we just skipping straight to the prenup?”

Eleanor eyed the glass in front of her. It was rather larger than she’d imagined it would be. Then she exhaled sharply through her nose and pulled out her notebook, flipping to a neatly written list that she’d prepared in advance. “This is a business arrangement. Nothing more. If we are to do this, we need clear boundaries.”

Danni smirked and took a mouthful of beer that left her with a foamy mustache. “Oh, goody. Boundaries.”

“It’s for both of our benefits,” Eleanor continued. “We get legally married. I gain my inheritance. You gain financial stability. We keep our personal lives separate.”

“So, no cuddling?” Danni said, raising an eyebrow.

Eleanor pursed her lips. “No.”

“Are you going to drink that beer or just look at it?” Danni asked.

Hesitantly, Eleanor picked up the glass and took a small, polite sip. It tasted of sourness and countryside and elements that she couldn’t name. She swallowed quickly to avoid choking on it.

Danni looked amused. “What about holding hands at village fêtes then?” she asked.

“Certainly not,” said Eleanor, still trying to dispel the taste of beer from her mouth and wishing that she’d asked for a glass of water as well.

Danni looked over her shoulder and made a gesture to the woman working behind the bar and then turned back to Eleanor. “You sure about that?” she asked. “I mean, we wouldn’t want anyone asking questions, would we?”

Eleanor took a second to consider this. As far as she knew, there’d be no one asking questions. But then, could she be sure? She gave a sharp nod. “Very well. We’ll be seen in public together. Shall we say once a month?”

Danni snorted, which Eleanor took as assent. “What about passionate declarations of love in the rain?” she asked.

“No,” Eleanor said. “And if you’re not going to take this seriously, then we can end this conversation right now. It might be a marriage of convenience, but we both still stand to gain, and potentially lose, a fair amount. We both have an interest in making this work.”

Before Danni could reply, a shadow fell over the table and Eleanor looked up to see a young woman of about Danni’s age, a glass of wine in her hand, and a shocked look on her face. “Tell me I did not hear what I think I just heard,” she said.

With a groan, Danni looked at Eleanor. “El, meet Indi. We went to school together.”

“El?” Eleanor said.

“Just trying it out, Princess,” said Danni.

“I don’t like it.”

“Fine. Lena?”

“No.”

“Excuse me,” said Indi. “Are they two of you planning a fake marriage over steak and ale pie?”

“Not unless you’re offering,” said Danni. “I’m skint. Oh, but you’ve got the fake marriage bit right.”

“Fake is taking things a bit far,” Eleanor allowed.

“It’s all above board and legal,” said Danni. “Practical, as well.”