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Chapter 12
It did not take Brian long to hear the whispers at the party. That was one thing people loved to do—gossip. Brian had always thought that gossip should have just been currency, that way everyone would have been rich.
It had come from one of the women in his circle that had been gushing over him. She had said it in such a way where it was like she had been bragging about knowing what had happened.
“The Harper girl, they say she was doing improper things with Michael out on the balcony. A few of the women saw it with their own eyes.”
“Really?” another woman asked. “They saw it happen.”
“Yes.”
The women giggled. “That is so bad. I knew that Harper was a bit loose, but not that loose. I presume she will be marrying Michael then.”
“I sure hope so because what man will want her now. What do you think about it, Brian? You have such important opinions on matters.”
Brian almost had to close his mouth, he was in such shock. But then again, he wasn’t all that surprised, given the way he had treated her on the dance floor. “Are you sure they saw it happen?”
The women looked uncertain. “Well, not entirely sure. But their word is strong and look around, everyone is talking about it. Even the musicians stopped for a moment.”
Brian felt bad for Harper. Based on the woman’s answer, he was certain that nothing happened between Harper and Michael.
“If you’ll excuse me…” Brian said. “I need more wine.”
Instead of going to get the wine, he left the party altogether.
***
It was not long, before Brian could see Harper’s house in the distance. He was certain that she had gone home after such a night. He needed to see her. He knew that she was probably a wreck. But more importantly, she needed to do the right thing and marry. People would never get it out of their heads that she had a moment with Michael. She did not deserve to have her image run through the mud forever because she was someone, unlike Brian, who was of good character. She deserved better, the happy marriage, the kids, the perfect life. She did not deserve the gossip of people who had nothing better to do with their time.
When Brian arrived at Harper’s home, he pounded on the door. At first, he received nothing but silence. So, he pounded harder and faster until her pretty face was at the door.
He entered her home, and she shook her head. “What are you doing here? You have no business being here after what you said to me.”
“I am here because you should have announced your engagement at the party. You’re making a huge mistake. That story is going to ruin you.”
Harper looked rather fatigued, like a dog with no fight left in it. “I am not marrying Michael just because a few people made up a story. That is not how life should work. That is entirely unfair to me.”
“Life is unfair Harper. That’s just the way it is. You need to marry quickly or you’ll—”
“This coming from a man who hates the concept of marriage.” There was an energy that returned to Harper when she said that.
“I do not hate marriage. I hate marriage for me. Marriage needs passion. It needs love. Something I don’t have in life. You do. You are a very affectionate and loving person.”
“What is a loving person if they don’t have anyone to love in return? I do not love Michael. I cherish him as a friend. I get along quite well with him. But I do not love him in that manner. And so, I am to allow a bunch of people who made something up to dictate how I live my life?”
“So…what happened on the balcony then….”
“Nothing happened, Brian. We hugged because I told him that Leah loved him and that I didn’t. And those women caught us hugging. That was all. You and I have done more than Michael and I.”
Brian chose to ignore that. “Well, you have to marry him, or else your image will be tarnished forever.”
Harper shrugged.
That made him so angry that he clenched his fist. She was the one that had been on him about being rakish, yet she was being rakish herself. Her entire future depended on marrying to fix her image, yet she didn’t care. Brian could not just stand there and watch her throw her life away.
“I wish you would take this more seriously. You’re dooming yourself and it’s a waste. You’re not thinking properly.”
Harper let out a sarcastic laugh. “I am thinking well, thank you. I am standing my ground. Just as you stand your ground on marriage.”
