Which proves you know the character of the women you are dealing with! Including Interested.
Laina He put a wealth of warning in the growled name.
Im sorry, Justin. I dont want to quarrel with you. But this plan of yours is ludicrous. I know youve been hurt. Terribly hurt. And I dont blame you for feeling bitter. But please dont do this to yourself. One rotten apple
His disgusted snort cut her off. One?
All right, two. But Rebecca and Margaret were selfish, schem
Laina, thats all past. Pleasedont speak their names ever again! The muscle at his jaw twitched again. Justin rubbed the spot, trying to ease the tightness away.
Very well. Ill not mention them againexcept to say they are not worth what you are doing to yourself.
He shouldnt have told her. Maybe if he didnt answer shed give up. Justin shook his head and moved away to stare down into the fire. It didnt work. She followed him. His back muscles tensed at the light touch of her hand on his jacket.
Justin, forget this plan. Give yourself another chance. Give those chil
She stopped as he pivoted about to face her. No more arguments, Laina. Granted, Rebecca and Margaret were less than admirable women. Is that not all the more reason to do what I am doing? He lifted his lips in a cynical smile. You cant deny Ive not done well choosing with my heart. It seems to have an abominable lack of good taste.
Tears welled into her eyes at his words. She glared up at him. I hate this change in you, Justin. Youve turned into this cold, remote, untouchable stranger. I want
you to stop this foolishness! I want my warm, gentle, loving brother back. Youre going to destroy your life.
Dont cry, Lainy. The old childhood name slipped softly from Justins lips. He drew his older sister into his arms and held her close. I know a marriage of convenience is not ideal. But at least it will be an honest relationship.
He held up a hand to forestall her comment as she jerked backward out of his arms and drew breath to speak. Yes, an honest relationship, even if it will be based purely on greed. At least this time the avarice will be out in the open.
Justin frowned, and turned away to put on his coat. Laina was right, he had changedhis voice sounded as cold and hard as his heart felt. He lifted her wool, fur-trimmed coat off the chair and held it for her. Weve talked enough. Its time to go.
He straightened the coats overcape about her shoulders, handed her the matching coal-scuttle bonnet and opened the drawing room door, stepping back to let her precede him into the entrance hall. The Haversham Coach House is some distance from here. Surely youd not have me keep my bride waiting? His attempt to ease the tension between them with the light remark failed. He winced inwardly as Lainas eyes flashed with anger. There was an audible snap from the bonnets satin chin ribbons as she yanked them into place and tied them.
She can wait till the stars fall from the sky for all I care! And dont call her your bride in my presence. Ill never accept her as such.
Justins heart gave a painful wrench as Laina snatched her fur muff from the seat of the chair and swept past him. He didnt want to hurt her, but he couldnt let her dissuade him from the path he had chosen. He had been made a fool of twice. He didnt intend that it should ever happen again. But he needed a suitable wifea mother for the children.
Justin set his jaw in grim determination, grabbed his felt top hat from the chair and followed Laina out her front door and down the brick steps to the waiting cabriolet he had hired.
Ora Scraggs gripped the sideboard of the wagon as it made its lumbering, lurching progress down the road toward New York. March 28, 1820her wedding day. At least it would have been if it werent for that addlebrained, dim-witted coach driver. The grip of her hand on the edge of the board seat tightened as she glared down at the long, jagged tear in the skirt of the red wool traveling outfit she had stolen from her mistress. A pox on him! A pox on the driver and his whole family! If he hadnt been going so fast he might have missed that deep hole, the wheel wouldnt have broken and
Oh, what was the use? Why mull it over? The accident had happened. She was beaten. And she had planned so carefully! From the moment shed overheard her mistress and her friends reading and laughing about that Article of Intent, shed been figuring her every move. Now, the splendid, genteel entrance she had planned for her arrival at the Haversham Coach House in the hired coach and fancy stolen clothes was ruined. The time of her marriage appointment with Widower long past. Now she had to think up a new scheme, find another rich man to diddle. And she would! Her plan to have Widowers money might be denied her by todays accident, but she was clever. She would think of something. There were a lot of rich gentlemen in New York. And meanwhile
Ora cast a speculative glance at the farmer driving the wagon and her lips curved upward in a self-satisfied smirk. It was a bit of luck he had happened by and offered her a ride after the accident. She could cozy up to him until after he sold his grain in New York tonightuntil he had all that lovely money she could steal. But shed best get at itit was already twilight. She smiled and slid closer to him.