A Lesson in Pride (22 page)

No, it couldn't have been. Maybe Ally had second thoughts over leaving her alone with an unmarried gentleman. Maybe Hope was making trouble. Whatever the reason, they were clearly heading to the greenhouse and would see her looking flushed. Oh, how embarrassing!

Braydon whispered, “You look like you have been thoroughly kissed.”

At his announcement, Charlotte blushed more. She must be as bright as a tomato. “What should I do?” she asked, thinking there must be some magic pill she could take to look calm and collected.

Braydon smiled. He looked so boyish and innocent. It wasn't fair that he showed no signs of their encounter. At least she thought so until he reached down and adjusted the front of his pants. There, for all the world to see, was a large bulge. After Ally's lecture, Charlotte knew exactly what that was and what it meant. She also knew that if Ally caught him looking so... aroused, she would be halfway down the aisle.

“You must stop that right now, Braydon. My stepmother cannot see that.”

It was the stern voice that had always kept her sisters in line, but on this man, it only made him laugh. “I can hardly will him gone, Charlotte. He will go away in his own good time.”

“But if Ally sees that, she will force you to marry me.” For most men, that threat would act like an ice bath. On Braydon, however, it only increased his smile.

“Would that be so bad?” he asked, too casual to be believed.

“Yes,” Charlotte shouted and walked to the door of the greenhouse.

“Charlotte, wait,” she heard him call, but she walked right out the door. She walked past Ally and Hope and ran into the house. She didn't stop until she was in her room with the door locked.

Falling on her bed, Charlotte cried. She wasn't even sure why she cried. Was it her failure to be attracted to the right sort of man? She had promised Ally to try to give Braydon a chance, but could she gamble her family's life on a man simply because she found him attractive? Of course she couldn't, nor would she. It was time to put away her silliness. She'd had a chance to be silly with Braydon, even a little daring. Now it was time to do her duty and marry someone wealthy. What was her happiness when she compared it to the happiness of her sisters?

********

Braydon stood shocked as he watched Charlotte leave. Once out the door, she practically ran to the house, as if the hounds of hell were at her heels. He finally moved forward to try and catch up when he was stopped short by a woman he should not trifle with.

“Hope, would you please go and check on your sister. I'll be in momentarily.”

Not that he was the least bit afraid of Lady Essex, still Braydon swallowed at her tone. She was angry, and instinct told him that no matter the situation, her anger would all be for him. In an attempt to show that he would not be kowtowed, he straightened and looked down at her.

“Mr. Pierce, would you come with me?”

Without seeing if he followed, Lady Essex made her way back to the house. Once inside, she led him to the small parlor. When inside, she closed the door and used her fingers to pinch her nose between her eyes.

“What happened?” she asked, now sounding exasperated.

“To be honest, I am not entirely certain.”

“Bull...” Braydon could tell she'd stopped short. If he'd any doubt, her taking a deep breath confirmed it.

“Why was Charlotte so upset?” Now she sounded as if she struggled to be reasonable.

“Can I be perfectly frank with you, Lady Essex?”

“Oh, that would be most welcome, Mr. Pierce.”

Braydon smiled at the obvious sarcasm in her voice. There would be no dissembling to this woman, so he might as well tell her the truth.

“I kissed your stepdaughter.”

“And?”

Of all the things Lady Essex could have said or done, her response came as a total surprise. What did she want to know beyond that? He hadn't pushed things to the point of no return, though many might have considered Charlotte ruined the moment she entered the greenhouse with an unmarried man who was not her family.

“And, what?” he asked, perplexed but somewhat worried about what she might say.

“Why did Charlotte run off like that? Are you a horrible kisser?”

A chuckle escaped his lips before he could school his features back to a semblance of gentlemanliness. Braydon's mind spun with decisions. Should he try to make this woman understand that he wanted to make Charlotte happy? Or would that only upset Charlotte more? When he mentioned marriage, she acted as if the very idea was the worst thing she could think of. God, he certainly hoped that wasn't true. If he was to get Charlotte to agree to be his wife, he might very well have to enlist the help of her stepmother.

“I have never been accused of such, so, no, I would not think that the kiss was the reason for her sudden departure.”

He watched as Lady Essex considered other options. “Was she embarrassed that she might be caught?”

Nodding his head, he responded, “Yes, I think that was part of it, but not the entirety. She seemed very worried about being forced to marry.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“You could be right, Mr. Pi... What is your first name?”

“Braydon,” he answered tentatively.

“Thank you. You could be right, Braydon. Charlotte has some silly notions about marriage.” Lady Essex finally took a seat and motioned for Braydon to join her.

When he was seated, she spoke again. “Forgive me for being so forward, but in your opinion... did she... well... did she enjoy your kiss?”

Braydon drew back as if slapped, but only for a moment. It was obvious this woman wanted to help him in his bid to win Charlotte. If he could convince her that Charlotte was not indifferent to him, it would definitely help his cause.

“I can assure you, Lady Essex, she did enjoy it. I am not saying that because I wish it to be true. We had been kissing for some time before I heard your voice.”

At the raising of her single eyebrow, Braydon wondered if he'd been too honest. “First, call me Ally. Second, that would have been in very poor form of you, Braydon. Charlotte, for all intents and purposes, is an innocent. I would not have her mistake passionate feelings for love.”

“Nor would I, Ally.” Braydon held her gaze to ensure her of his honesty. “I am very interested in marrying your stepdaughter. I have no ill intentions toward her.”

Ally watched him carefully for a few seconds before a smile graced her face. “I do believe you, Braydon. Now we only have Charlotte to convince.”

“I would welcome your advice. Charlotte and I would suit perfectly, I believe.”

“You've known each other for all of a week. Maybe what she needs is more time.”

Braydon considered her words carefully. It was not uncommon for couples to meet only a few times before a marriage was decided. However, if what she needed was to get to know him better, then that was fine with him. He would be in London for a few more weeks. That should be enough time to court her.

“Perhaps I should go for now. May I ask permission to take Charlotte to the theater?”

“It just so happens that we are attending with my friend's fiancée's family tomorrow night. They have a large box and I'm sure you'll fit. I'll send you a note to confirm by tomorrow.”

Rising, Braydon waited until Ally rose as well. He bowed over her hand and stated, “Until tomorrow.” With that, he quit the room and the house. He wouldn't consider that he might not win Charlotte after all. He would never consider that.

Chapter 29

Ginny stood in the parlor wondering what her role in this mess was to be. Her character was Charlotte's stepmother, so it stood to reason that she involve herself. But to what extent? Should she force the issue, since her stepdaughter probably would hold out for as long as she could. It wasn't Charlotte's fault. She was a character in this novel, just like Alysanne and Grant and Braydon. If there was no conflict, it would be the most uninteresting story ever.

Releasing a breath, Ginny walked to the front of the house, prepared to climb the steps and talk to Charlotte. Even if she decided to back off and let nature take its course, Ginny would have spoken to the girl about her behavior. Just as she turned to the main staircase, a knock sounded at the door.

Ginny turned and watched as Mr. Frommer opened the door to greet their guest. The butler's large frame blocked her from seeing who was there, but she could hear Grant's distinct voice from the other side of the door.

“Please excuse me, my lord, as I see if her ladyship is taking guests.” Mr. Frommer merely turned his head and gave her a questioning look.

Ginny nodded and walked to the door just as Mr. Frommer opened it all the way and allowed Grant access. When he saw her, his expression changed to that of relief. Without a word, Ginny walked back to the small parlor and had a seat.

Grant sat on the settee across from her after closing the doors. Watching his every move, Ginny wondered what this was to be about. He had looked put out when he found her with Lord Hood. However, that was not Ginny's problem, and she wasn't about to make it so.

“What can I do for you, Grant? I should tell you that now is not the best time. I need to speak with Charlotte.”

“You said I should stop by for tea any time this week. You said that we could speak in private.”

Ginny was offended by his tone. She didn't much like how he threw her words back in her face either. Didn't she have enough balls to juggle without worrying about him?

“I apologize, but something happened with Charlotte today and I was just on my way to speak to her when you came by. Perhaps you could come tomorrow.”

“No. We have the theater tomorrow night with the Hortons.”

“I know that,” she uttered back, not afraid to let him know that he had pushed her last button. Then, suddenly, she asked, “The Hortons reserved a large box, did they not? I need to ask them if there is room for one more.”

Grant jumped to his feet and came to stand in front of her. His eyes burned with a fire that Ginny had never seen in him before. He was angry, terribly so, and she was about to become the brunt of it. Before she could utter a word, Grant grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her from the chair. With only a chirp escaping her lips, Grant sneered, “If you think to invite Hood, think again, Alysanne. I could never believe that even you would be so cruel to me.”

“Wha...” was all that came from her before his mouth descended to hers, molding into an intoxicating kiss. It was both passionate and possessive. It was fire and ice, and Ginny didn't know which force was burning her more.

His hands were in her hair, causing pins to fly every which way. His tongue was in her mouth and Ginny tasted the brandy he'd drunk before his arrival. All she could do was hold his arms and ride out the storm that was overwhelming him. She could hardly complain that it was unpleasant, other than the fact that the man was engaged to another girl.

When Persephone Horton's image invaded her mind, Ginny took her hands and pushed against Grant's chest. At first he wouldn't move, but a swift stomp to his left instep helped him see reason. Grant moved back from her and still looked crazed.

Reaching up to feel her lips, Ginny walked around the chair and stood behind it. Holding onto the back, Ginny kept her head down until her breathing evened out. She was many things; angry, aroused, amused, and breathless. Never in a million years would she have thought that this would happen. The man had made his decision and she had made hers. This book was not to be about her. This book was to be about everyone else, because the last thing that Ginny needed was another damn romance.

Without meeting his eyes, she asked, “What the hell, Grant?”

Sounding just as breathless, he responded, “I want you.”

At that, Ginny did raise her eyes. Was that was this was? He was horny? No, it would never be that easy, because it never was that easy.

“So, what, if I sleep with you one more time you can go off and marry the rich girl?” Ginny was being purposefully obtuse - just to see what Grant would say.

His eyes narrowed, and she prepared herself for a new tirade, one that didn't involve kissing. “No, Alysanne. This has nothing to do with the bedroom and you damn well know it.”

“There can never be more between us, Grant. You have to marry for money and so do I.”

His mouth opened, but promptly closed again. What could he respond? But I want you? He was too aware of the situation and not naïve enough to even utter those words. Instead, he slumped back into his chair. It was rude to sit in her presence, but suddenly the weight of his life fell sharply on his shoulders.

“I know,” he answered, dejected and defeated.

Ginny came around her chair and sat next to him on the settee. Reaching for his hand, she held it tightly in her own. “It's not so bad, Grant. Persephone is a nice girl. You could do worse.”

“Worse than not marrying the girl I find myself in love with? I fail to see how.”

A few novels back, Ginny would have rolled her eyes to such sentiment. Now she couldn't. Not because she was turning into some sappy half-brain, but because what he was feeling was genuine. Alysanne was a constant in Grant's life. Though they might have gone long periods without seeing one another, the feelings were always there. He knew, as did she, that the other would do what they could to help. The only thing they couldn't have was a permanent relationship.