Barrie nced at Lorna. "Besides that plot in the Northern Suburbs, does Stewart have any other ns?"


    Lorna swirled her wine ss, considering. "Well, he bought himself a prime burial plot. Does that count?"


    Barrie raised an eyebrow. "He''s not even aiming for the Wentworth family mausoleum?"


    "Oh, please!" Lorna rolled her eyes. "Fred''s ready to strike Fiona rke from the family record and do whatever it takes to pull Stewart down for some illegitimate child. You really think, after Stewart''s gone, Fred would ever let him be buried with the Wentworths? Even if Fred did, do you think proud Stewart would want that for himself?"


    Barrie chuckled, clearly brightening. "Who''d have thought Stewart would end up like this?"


    "Alright, enough about him." Lorna set her ss aside, perched herself beside Barrie, and hooked a finger around his tie. "Mr. Lockwood, I''ve told you everything you wanted to know. Now, shouldn''t we discuss our own arrangement?"


    Barrie''s hand slid around her waist, pulling her down onto the couch. "How would Ms. Riley like to negotiate?"


    She leaned in, lips brushing his ear. "I''ll help you snag thatnd in the Northern Suburbs. In return, once Stewart''s gone, you marry me. I''ll be Mrs. Lockwood. Don''t worry, I''m not asking you to y the faithful husband for my sake. As long as the money keepsing, I won''t care what or who-you do on the side. Hell, I''d even look after one of your mistresses if you wanted. Sound fair?"


    A sly glint flickered behind Barrie''s sses. "Ms. Riley, you''re quite the pragmatist."


    "I just know how this world works. Show me a rich couple who doesn''t have their own arrangement." Lorna grinned, shameless. "I''m an orphan with no family. I don''t need emotional fairytales. I want a title and more money than I can spend. Stewart can''t give me that anymore. So, what do you say, Mr. Lockwood? Ready to take me on?"


    Barrie looked her over. "Ms. Riley, when I choose a wife, I expect her toe from aparable background. You think just a few words are enough to make you Mrs. Lockwood?"


    She looped her arms around his neck, her lips brushing his ear as her voice dropped to a sultry whisper. "What if Ie with a dowry? When Stewart and I got engaged, he transferred five percent of The Wentworth Group''s shares to me. If you marry me, I''ll consider signing them over. Of course, you''ll still need topensate me."


    Everyone in the business world knew just how valuable five percent of The Wentworth Group was.


    Barrie''s lips curled. "Deal."


    No sooner had he spoken than he caught her chin, crushing his mouth to her red lips-


    Suddenly, a ringtone split the air: "Ten men, seven are dull, eight are fools, nine are cads..."


    Barrie froze, an irritated scowl settling on his face at the interruption.


    Lorna patted his shoulder. "Sorry, duty calls. Let me take this."


    Barrie eased away, adjusting his sses as she sat up and answered the phone right in front of him. "Dr. rke."


    A man''s angry voice came through, loud enough for the entire private room to hear. "Where are you? Do you know Stewart''s coughing up blood again?!"


    Lorna stood, unfazed. "I''m at a friend''s birthday party. Stewart was fine when I left -what happened all of a sudden?"


    The man snapped, clearly annoyed, "Get back here now. He might need to go to the hospital!"


    "Alright, I''m on my way."


    She hung up, her worried expression instantly dissolving into annoyance and disdain.


    "I''m not a doctor. What''s the point of me rushing back? The man falls apart if I''m gone for a day!"


    Muttering, she nced at Barrie. "Mr. Lockwood, I have to run. Rain check?"


    Barrie''s smile was sly. "Looking forward to our next meeting, Ms. Riley."


    She winked, all charm. "Next time, let''s just meet at the hotel. These nightclubs are a bit too shy."


    Barrieughed low in his throat. "Anything you say, Ms. Riley."


    Truth be told, Barrie was finding himself drawn to Lorna''s bold, decisive style. If she could really deliver thatnd and five percent of The Wentworth Group, making her Mrs. Lockwood might be a very smart move indeed.


    Leaving THE WORLD, Lorna made a quick calf to her assistant. "Nice job with the act tonight. Also, about that psychologist Briony found-set up a discreet meeting for Stewart. Make sure it''s handled quietly."


    "Of course, I''ll get right on it," came the reply.


    She hung up and headed toward her car. Just as she unlocked the door, she


    noticed James half-carrying a man across the parking lot.


    Lorna paused, watching them approach.