Wildest Hearts

is a family-held corporation. My brother and I control all of the stock. When Joanna marries Daniel, she'll receive shares in the company, too, but not before that time.”

    “I understand. But since she hasn't yet married your brother and Daniel is presumed dead, you now control all of the stock. You're the only member of the Lyncroft family around at the moment.”

    “That's right.” Annie gathered herself for the plunge. “But if I were to marry, my husband would become a member of the family. I could give him an interest in the company.”

    Tea splashed on the surface of the ebony desk. Oliver abruptly set down the teapot. For an instant he stared at the small puddle of spilled tea as if amazed that his powerful hands had failed him. When he looked up again, his eyes were filled with frozen ice. “I didn't know you were planning to marry anyone.”

    Annie waved that aside. “I'm not. Not exactly, that is. Mr. Rain, I mean, Oliver, have you ever heard of a marriage of convenience?”

2

    Astunned silence descended. Oliver's eyes narrowed, effectively masking his reaction. “Marriage of convenience?”

    Annie leaned farther forward, intent on making him understand the brilliance of her plan. “By definition it's a marriage designed to benefit both parties in some manner but one that has nothing to do with love and affection. A marriage of convenience is essentially a business relationship.”

    “A business relationship.” Oliver folded his big hands on the desk and regarded her with his chilling gaze. “You're contemplating such a marriage?”

    “Yes.”

    “You intend to marry someone who is capable of managing Lyncroft Unlimited for you? Someone who will placate the investors and reassure Daniel's creditors?”

    Annie was pleased that he was getting the picture so quickly. “You've got it. It would be strictly a business relationship, as I said. My husband will become a controlling partner in Lyncroft Unlimited on the day of our marriage. He'll take charge immediately. The man I have in mind has a legendary reputation in the business world so the other investors will be bound to accept him. They'll stop panicking.”

    “I see.” Oliver's eyes did not waver.

    “Do you understand how it would work?” she asked a little anxiously.

    “I understand how you think it will work.” Oliver fell silent for a moment. “What happens if Daniel does return?”

    “Simple.” Annie smiled triumphantly. “I file for divorce. Once it's final, my ex-husband will no longer own any part of Lyncroft Unlimited. The way Daniel set up his corporation, all shares in the company revert to the family in the event of a divorce.”

    “And if your husband takes you to court?”

    “That's not likely, but I'll cover that possibility with a prenuptial agreement.”

    “You seem to have given this a great deal of thought.”

    “I have. I've discussed it with Joanna, and we both agree that it's the safest way to try to hold onto Daniel's company.” She hadn't exactly discussed it with Joanna, Annie admitted to herself. She had more or less badgered her future sister-in-law into going along with the idea.

    “It's a novel approach to the problem, I'll grant you that.”

    Annie felt a small flare of pride. “Thanks. I thought it was a pretty good idea myself.”

    “What's in this for your, ah, husband?”

    Annie cleared her throat. “Well, obviously, the opportunity to protect his investment and his future profits in Lyncroft Unlimited.”

    “The man you have in mind is one of Daniel's creditors?”

    “Yes. He's also someone who claims to be a friend of Daniel's. Someone who has offered to help me. Mr. Rain…”

    “Oliver.”

    “Oliver, this is suddenly turning out to be a lot more awkward than I thought it would be.” Annie's fingers tightened around each other. She realized her palms had grown damp. “It seemed like such a good idea at the time.”

    “Annie, are you by any chance proposing to me?” Oliver asked very softly.

    She flushed, leaned back in her chair, and shoved her hands into the pockets of her emerald jumpsuit. “Yes.”

    “Ah.”

    Annie was tense enough as it was. She didn't need another dose of Oliver Rain's notorious inscrutability. “What does that mean?”

    “It means I accept.”

    Annie stared at him. “You do? Just like that?”

    Oliver's expression was as unchanging as ever, but there was an intensity in his gaze that had not been there earlier. “It