AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. You would have called an ambulance.”
“Believe me, I wanted to,” Laura admitted without apology. “But she wouldn’t hear of it. And once she managed to convince Sebastian her injuries weren’t serious, there wasn’t much I could do.”
“And there was the business with the groceries. You went and got them yourself instead of simply handing her some money.”
“She was in no condition to go,” Laura remi
nded him. “And the children were starving. I’m not heartless.”
“Sometimes I think you like to pretend that you are.”
“Don’t be silly.” She dismissed his claim.
“No, you’re guilty of letting your head make most of your decisions instead of following your instincts.”
“If I had followed my instincts today, the police would have been called and an arrest warrant issued for Mitchell,” Laura informed him.
“Not if the wife refused to file charges against him, it wouldn’t have,” Chase countered. “I think that young English fella knew it.”
“He should. He’s a lawyer, or a solicitor, or whatever they call attorneys over there,” Laura replied with a careless shrug and idly tapped the reins against her boot.
“He seems to be a good influence on you.”
Once more Chase had her full attention as a suspicion formed. “Don’t tell me you’re trying your hand at some matchmaking, Gramps.”
“Good God, no.” He was emphatic in his denial. “I think you’ve made the right choice. This Crockett will make you a much more satisfactory husband.”
“Really?” Laura was surprised and a little pleased by his unexpected endorsement of Boone. But there was a part of her that wasn’t sure she believed him.
“In your own way, you’re an ambitious woman. . . .” He paused to study her for a moment. “Perhaps in the mold of Lady Elaine. If the stories that have been handed down about her are true, she thrived on business and politics. Considering the way Tara has filled your head with stories about her, I wouldn’t be surprised if you toyed with the idea of marrying a titled Englishman, especially after meeting Sebastian. But it would never have worked.”
“How could it, when he was after my money?” Her voice had a little edge to it.
“That’s your pride talking, not your head.” His accusation stung. “The money part of it wouldn’t have mattered.”
“Really?” Laura challenged coolly.
“Yes, really. From what I’ve always heard, those English bluebloods are pretty much a closed society. They might have tolerated you, but I doubt you would have ever been accepted into the ranks. It’s for sure they would have made it tough on you. I suppose in time you might have been able to talk Sebastian into trying his hand at politics. He has the looks and charm for it—maybe even the intelligence. It’s the sort of challenge that would definitely suit you. But all the odds are against you,” he declared, then nodded. “Like I said, you’re better off with Crockett. His father has all the money and power you could ever want. And you’ve got Tara to pave your way into Texas society. You’re walking into a ready-made situation that isn’t going to require much from you at all.”
A knowing smile curved her mouth. “Honestly, Gramps, you are about as subtle as a bullfighter with a cape.” She unhooked her leg from around the saddle horn and slipped the toe of her boot back in the stirrup.
“What?” He gave her a suitable innocent look.
“Come on. That whole monologue was an attempt to convince me I should marry Sebastian, and you know it.”
“Why would I want my only granddaughter to marry some foreigner and move halfway across the world?” he argued, then snorted. “It’s bad enough that you’ll be living in Texas.”
His exaggerated denial was almost laughable. Yet it filled Laura with an almost overwhelming sadness. This old stoop-shouldered man idling away the hours in a rocker was a far cry from the big, robust grandfather of her youth.
The front door opened, and Sebastian stepped onto the veranda, eliminating the need for Laura to respond to her grandfather’s last remark. “It’s about time you showed up,” Laura declared and gave a tug on the reins of the second horse, pulling it around to the front of her saddle.
“Chase did explain that Helen phoned, I hope.” Sebastian crossed to the top of the steps and started down.
“He did,” she confirmed.
“By the way, Helen asked me to give you her regards.” He took the reins from her outstretched hand and moved to the near side of the saddle.
“That was thoughtful of her.” Laura waited until he had mounted, then threw a wave to her grandfather and reined her horse away from the veranda. “No problems at home, I hope.” She slid him a questioning look when he swung his horse alongside of hers.
