A Seven Year Hitch by Mary Beeken

you are prepared to disclose the details?” Gerald continued.
    “No.”
    “Because it could give an unfair advantage to one or other of you if these details were disclosed?”
    “Yes,” confirmed Trevellyn.
    “And if you win, you retain your wife?”
    “That’s right.”
    “But if you lose, you will sign the annulment papers and Erica regains her freedom?”
    “I will not lose!” Trevellyn said with confidence.
    “As I say it all sounds a bit rum, but Erica seems happy with it so I shall accept it as it stands ,” he shrugged his shoulders in resignation.
    “I trust that should you win this wager, you will treat Erica with the respect due to her as your wife?” Sir Richard broke his silence.
    “You have my word,” Trevellyn, recognizing that Sir Richard was anxious for the happiness of a young woman he viewed in the light of a daughter, was keen to allay his concerns.
    After looking long and hard at the young Marquis, Sir Richard appeared satisfied.
    “Let us hope then that in four weeks we will be officially welcoming you to the family. I know your parents will be delighted.”
    “They have been dropping very unsubtle h ints for the last two days, Sir,” Trevellyn informed him with a laugh. “Now if you will excuse me gentlemen, I feel it is time I devise a strategy for winning this wager.”
    Gerald turned to Sir Richard when they were alone and asked, “Do you know what is going on Uncle? I thought Erica determined to be quit of her husband and yet she has embarked on a rather precarious wager that might leave her leg-shackled to him for life.”
    “I don’t believe she had any other option. You yourself witnessed his inflexibility last night. He refused to consider releasing her and no amount of argument or inducement would have made a difference. At least with the wager Eri ca has a slim chance of winning; although the odds I fear will be stacked against her. Besides, I think she will be a winner only if she loses!”
    “You think to remain married to Treve llyn would be for the best then?” Gerald asked.
    I rather trust my dear boy, that there is an attraction between them and I am extremely hopeful that this may turn into a love match despite its rather bizarre beginning.”
    “I hope you are right for two reasons. One; it is my dearest wish to see Erica happily married to a man who dotes on her and she him, and two; it would salve my conscience to know that the marriage I forced her into had turned out, against all probability, for the best. But I have to say they are at odds every time they come within a few feet of each other. I would even dare to suggest that Trevellyn goes out of his way to provoke Erica at every opportunity.”
    “You are still a novice in the field of true love. Take it from me; love manifests itself in a variety of different ways. Look at Fiona and Stephen; they are happy in each other’s company but not outwardly affectionate. Your aunt Hebe and Uncle William are forever bickering but would be amazed if anyone thought they were not deeply in love. And then take Sarah and Freddie; they were always affectionate and entwined around each other, until that is she became an expectant mother!”
    Gerald shuddered. “Say no more! I only hope she doesn’t end up killing him before the end of the four weeks!”
    He poured himself another coffee before asking. “Do you have any idea what the terms of the wager might be?”
    Sir Richard grinned. “I believe I do. Especially as I took the precaution of having my suspicions confirmed by Boodle when he br ought in the coffee.” To Gerald’s look of enquiry he added. “He was eavesdropping last night! He said he could not help it as he had been set to guard the door and besides he saw it as his duty to protect Miss Erica.”
    “Well?” Gerald was all impatience.
    “Trevellyn intends to consummate the marriage. He has four weeks to seduce his wife.”
    “It would certainly void any thought of annulment!” Gerald was