‘That’s a relief.’

Natalie bristled. ‘There’s no need to insult me.’

‘I wasn’t insulting you. I was being truthful again. That pant suit you’re wearing is simply dreadful. The colour does nothing for you and the cut is far too masculine.’

‘I thought you were a computer genius,’ she snapped. ‘Not the fashion police.’

‘I’m a man. And I know what looks good on a woman. The fact that you would even consider buying that outfit in the first place speaks for itself. I’m taking you clothes shopping before December, whether you like it or not.’

‘Whatever,’ she said, privately conceding that her wardrobe possibly didn’t have the clothes necessary for a weekend cruise with the jet set. ‘You’re paying for it.’

‘Good. That’s one thing I like about you, Natalie. You know what side your bread is buttered on.’

Natalie tried not to take offence. But it was a bit much, having him criticise her clothes, then tell her that the only thing he liked about her was her mercenary side.

She was tempted to throw at him that the only reason she’d made this appalling deal with him was because of her parents’ dire financial position.

Which reminded her.

‘I have to make a quick phone call before I leave,’ she told him.

‘Fine. I’ll wait for you out in my car. It’s parked just down the street. It’s a four-wheel drive. Black, with the number plate STONE. You can’t miss it.’

He was gone before she could think of a suitably caustic comment.

Natalie rolled her eyes, then snatched up the phone on the desk. But as she punched in her mother’s number she wondered what on earth she was going to tell her.

Nothing, Natalie decided, till the first million was in the bank.

In that case, you’d better stop being so darned prickly, came a sharp warning from her head. Or your would-be benefactor might back out of the deal.

If he wanted to buy her an engagement ring, then fine. If he wanted to buy her a whole wardrobe, that was fine, too. She was not in a position to look this particular gift horse in the mouth.

‘It’s me again, Mum,’ she said when her mother answered. ‘Some good news. I’ve got another client at last.’

‘That’s good news. Is he rich?’

‘Rich enough.’

‘Good-looking?’

‘Sort of.’

‘Do you think you’ll be able to find him a wife, more to the point?’

‘Yes. No trouble. Which means I’ll be flush soon, so don’t you go doing anything foolish like pawning things, or borrowing more money from some loan shark. Meanwhile, give me the name of the bank which holds your mortgage.’ Her mother always took care of the banking.