‘Here it is,’ he said as he picked up the card and handed it across to Mike. ‘The woman who runs the place is called Natalie Fairlane. Her name and number are on the back. She’ll want you to come in for an interview before she matches you up with anyone. She never takes on a client over the internet. I suggest you don’t tell her up front what your agenda is. Ms Fairlane takes her matchmaking services very seriously. One other little word of warning, too. The women on the Wives Wanted database whom I dated were all drop dead gorgeous. It might be wise if you didn’t pick one who’s too beautiful. Otherwise, it could be hard for a man like you to keep your hands off.’

Mike bristled. ‘What do you mean, a man like me?’

‘You like your sex, Mike. Don’t pretend you don’t. You’ve had more girlfriends in the few years I’ve known you than the stock market has ups and down. I think you’re very wise not consummating this marriage. But will you be able to resist temptation? The reality is that during the time that you’re going to be…“married”—’ Richard made quotation-like signs with his fingers ‘—you and your new bride will be together quite a bit. You’ll have to share a cabin on Helsinger’s yacht, for starters. If she’s too pretty, you might find it hard to keep your hands off the merchandise.’

‘You underestimate me, Rich. I can do celibate. No problem.’ He’d been doing it for a few weeks now. ‘For the amount of money at stake here, I’d become a monk for life.’

Richard didn’t look too convinced. ‘If you say so. Now don’t forget what I said about Natalie Fairlane,’ he added when Mike stood up. ‘Watch what you say to her.’

‘I think you’re being a bit naïve about the owner of Wives Wanted,’ Mike replied. ‘Ms Fairlane is in the marriage business strictly for the money, just like ninety-nine per cent of her female clients. Wave the right amount under her nose and the old bag’ll find me the right girl before you can say Jack Robinson.’

A wry smile pulled at Richard’s mouth as he watched Mike leave. He’d love to be a fly on the wall when his friend met the formidable Ms Fairlane.

Mike might be right about her being as mercenary as some of the women on the Wives Wanted database. He didn’t know her well enough to judge. But an old bag, she was not.

CHAPTER TWO

‘MUM, this is terrible,’ Natalie said. ‘How on earth did you and Dad let your finances get into such a mess?’