AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His eyes widened. A pang, a stab hit just under her rib cage. It mattered to him, not just his parents. She’d decided what she wanted weeks ago, but the idea he, her oldest friend, saw that part of her, who she was, really, as a flaw, something to get past, hurt.
Hugo cleared his throat and tugged on his collar. “No, no. Ursula, no. It doesn’t matter to me how you were born or who your parents were. It makes things more difficult, yes, but I’m not the one who cares. It’s my parents. You just need to find a way to get them to see that despite that, it would be best for the family for me to marry you, not Katherine.”
He was giving orders now? He demanded marriage after calling her an embarrassment? Her blood heated.
“I’ve never heard a more romantic proposal nor reason for a wedding.” Ursula folded her arms.
“We’ve been over this before, Ursula. That’s why we made the pact. You’re my best friend. We’re suited to each other. There are some quirks of birth, yes, but I can get over them.” The sweat was back.
“How big of you.” She boiled from the inside out.
Did he not know how offensive that sounded? Especially, as she’d spent quite a bit of time and expense for his benefit. He’d done nothing but given her a few candies, appeared jealous, and oh, there were the kisses, but couldn’t he see those were a hindrance?
“So.” Jay cleared his throat. He addressed Hugo but locked eyes with her. “It appears, Mr. Middleton, you don’t, per se, want Miss Nunes to marry you. You merely want her to save you from marrying someone you don’t like. Additionally, to accomplish your, not her, ends, you need her, not you, to create and execute a plan that involves no effort on your own. Further, you shall never be forced to declare a preference for her to your family, or really do any work whatsoever.”
Her lip twitched, but she forced it down. Her heart swelled.
He was adorable. He was so upset for her, for her sake.
“Jay.” She said his name and his eyes flashed. She’d made him angry. She shouldn’t be amused, but the giggles were so near the surface. “Mr. Truitt, I’m sure Mr. Middleton is willing to lend some sort of assistance. I mean
, I know neither of our ideas are to his liking, so he must have some of his own.”
Ursula bit the inside of her cheek to suppress the bubbling, but there were tells. She met Jay’s eye and yes, he’d seen them.
Sparkling. That was the only way to describe how his eyes transformed, like her mother’s opals, or stars, if either could wink.
He knew.
The information sent a shiver through her body, one that lingered in a certain area. Her face grew hot and Jay stopped pretending.
Her face was probably the color of a tomato, but he was so darned pleased with himself. She should sock him, but instead other images would not let her be, the sort that were probably turning her skin an even deeper shade.
“I have ideas.” Hugo interrupted the moment.
Too late, she attempted to retract the huff as she turned towards him. “What sort of ideas, Hugo?”
“Yes, pray tell us.” Jay knit his fingers and winked at her.
Ursula rolled her eyes. He was so delightfully naughty, but this was not the time. Later. Hopefully.
“None that will work now.” Hugo stood and glared at both. “You’ve done enough and haven’t brought us any closer to the goal. If I had been consulted earlier, things could have been easier, better.”
“Oh yes, because you’re so good at standing up to your family.” Jay reclined further.
He’d kicked his long legs to the side, so they hung over the arm of her aunt and uncle’s silk floral chair. At least they’d chosen a red. White would’ve never survived.
What’d be his next move with Hugo, lift his leg and mark his territory like her aunt and uncle’s Mastiffs? There was a reason why she usually stuck to female pets.
Jay threw Hugo a smile that probably deserved a good smack, while Hugo only blinked though his face colored. Scarlet was not an attractive color on him either.
Too much maleness, enjoyable in its own way, but poor Hugo. He had really no idea. It wouldn’t be fair to him. Though watching Jay fight over her—no, bad Ursula, mustn’t do that. Besides, Jay’d need his energy later. Hopefully.
Ursula moved so she was in front of Hugo. “You’re my oldest, really first friend. You’re very dear to me and I’d do almost anything for you. I’d certainly give my life in battle. You helped me in so many ways over the years.”
She swallowed. Why did he need to look so earnest? “Hugo, you don’t want to marry me. Well, permit me to amend that. You don’t want to marry me except to prevent a worse option. That’s not an arrangement in which I’m willing to enter.”
Hugo gasped. “Ursula, I want you more than that. I enjoy you, enjoy your company—”
