AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“How is it your business, Mr. Truitt?” Judah managed to make the question sound like a threat.
“It’s my business because I intend to marry your daughter, if she’ll have me.”
“Do you now?” Judah sniffed again. “First, I thought we dealt with that? You’re released from that promise and she’s of no use to you anyway. Your parents are resigned to permit you to leave, your way. Why are you still bothering us? You fled. You chose, when matters became difficult for her, when she, not you, was the one with the reputation to mend, to abandon her.”
Jay’s knees buckled.
Bloody Hell.
People were probably saying—no, no, no, why hadn’t his parents—he was a dullard. He never even thought—that was the problem, wasn’t it? He’d been so wrapped in his own head, his own world, his own problems—he should’ve purchased two rings—and a tiara.
“Sir, you have to know, I left because of what I did, not anything about her. If I could go back, I’d not only do it differently, but I’d grovel and beg at Urs’ feet to permit me to stay.”
He didn’t hesitate, he could no longer think, no longer plot, no longer charm, no longer pl
an. He clutched the wood and spoke words he never expected or knew he had inside.
“I love her. I know I don’t deserve her and lord knows she’d probably be better off without me. I can’t offer her anything, but an undying need to make her smile and when I succeed, that’s everything to me. If I can do that every day for the rest of my life that will be enough success for me.”
Judah’s eyes widened. He stared at Jay for a long moment before throwing back his head and laughing, wild, full whoops. He raced up the additional stairs and slapped Jay on the back.
“You’re really going to have to start pretending you like cats.” He pushed on Jay’s arm. “I’ll take you to her, but you should know, if you ever, ever, ever do anything to her, and I don’t mean making a mistake with business or yourself, but if you ever make her feel unworthy, or like she’s not enough—”
“I’ll give you the pistol myself.” That was it, wasn’t it? The promise he could keep, would keep.
Jay raced backwards and permitted Judah to pass. He followed the man down to his own father’s office, his heart pounding. What in the world was she doing? She should be by a buffet table stuffing herself with chocolate and fruit. The only thing that happened in his father’s office during parties was...
Tarnation. That was her plan? She couldn’t, she wouldn’t, would she? Judah threw open the door and the two stepped inside. Jay scanned the room and closed his eyes. She could and she would.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ursula fingered the edge of her cards, across the table from Middleton, Reed and Morris. Hugo leaned against the wall between Jay’s father and Uncle Bernard, his face alternating between pale and green. He’d need to stop that and keep his nails out of his mouth if he was going to be permitted to stay.
Her hand was decent, but not good enough. Still, she’d gained quite a bit of information that round and had lost enough money for the next phase of her plan to be reasonable. Time to put on a show.
She threw her head back and laughed as she folded once more. “I suppose you gentlemen won that hand as well.”
“Yes, I think you might be out of coins, Miss Nunes. Now, we appreciate lining our pockets, but as I told you at the outset, this game is not for ladies, of any stripe.” Morris was a great deal more of a leader than his daughter.
Ursula waved a hand and bent forward to give the table a view of everything bouncing below her neckline. Let them compare her to her mother. She’d take it as a compliment. Combined, the three men didn’t possess half the courage her mother had in her smallest toe. They were all dolts and she’d take every advantage she could. “Oh, Mr. Morris, you and your sophisticated Philadelphia ways, you do know best. I should retire. However, one more hand won’t hurt, especially if we make it interesting.”
“How do you propose making it interesting without any funds? I don’t suppose you’re going to offer to show us any more family secrets?” For a political Kingmaker he wasn’t particularly astute or creative with his insults.
“I’ll not pretend to comprehend you, sir. I suppose though, I’m just a silly woman. I was referring to other items. I possess two fine breeding stallions and am prepared to offer them up for the right bet.” Ursula flapped her fan over her bosom. Time to sweeten the pot.
“And what’s the right bet?” Reed had leaned forward.
“It’s not from you, Mr. Reed, though you’re welcome to continue.” She twisted her cameo. “What I want in the pot is Hugo Middleton’s hand in marriage.”
A stunned silence lingered for a moment in the room. Score one for her. The fish were sniffing the bait. Wait for it...
“What?” Hugo’s father squawked.
Here we go. She resisted rubbing her hands together. Who knew danger was so thrilling?
“It’s worth the horses, especially, if Mr. Morris places the judgeship you covet in the pot as well.” Ursula tilted her chin in Morris’ direction.
“And why would I do that?” Morris’ sneer was audible.
