Marry Christmas (Zebra Historical Romance) by Jane Goodger Read Free Book Online

flushed with anger, before bowing toward the acknowledged leader of the New York Four Hundred. But from the corner of his eye, he saw Elizabeth clutch her reticule containing the precious note even harder.

Chapter 6
     
    “I cannot marry the girl,” Rand announced to Edward when they were finally back to their rented cottage.
    “The note, you mean?” his friend asked.
    “You saw it, too, then. Good God, the girl could not be more indiscreet if she tried.”
    “I’m afraid I would lay blame on the gentleman,” Edward said blandly. “He does seem a good deal older than Miss Cummings. In fact, he looks a good deal older than you.”
    “His name is Henry Ellsworth,” Rand said, conveying without saying aloud that he wanted Edward to make some inquiries about the man. Finding out information without letting people realize he was looking for information was one of Edward’s greatest skills. “It’s clear to me that she’s in love with him.”
    “It is unfortunate,” Edward said, walking over to the sideboard and pouring himself a brandy. He lifted the decanter, asking if Rand wanted a bit.
    “I suppose I could use a drink, but no. I have a blasted ball tonight and I think it’s best that I be completely alert.”
    Edward smiled a bit too broadly for Rand’s liking. “You think they plan an assignation? Ah, how I love drama.”
    “As long as it doesn’t involve you, you mean.”
    Edward shrugged. “If she’s planning to meet him, it will be far easier for me to trail behind her than you. And I’ve a feeling you wouldn’t handle it very well if you did stumble upon the young lovers.”
    “I thought we agreed he was not so young,” Rand said, feeling slightly put out by the entire thing. “Honestly, I refuse to force the girl to marry me.”
    “You’re not forcing her to marry you. Her mother is,” Edward pointed out. “And based on what I saw at the Casino this morning, if this heiress doesn’t work out, there are more. And more. And more.”
    “You are drooling,” Rand said dryly. “And you don’t have nearly the debt I do.”
    “Still, it would be rather nice to live the life of leisure our forebearers did. Though I daresay I’m more than glad I’m not in your position.”
    “I honestly don’t want a life of leisure,” Rand said. “I don’t mind work, as long as it’s meaningful. But I could work for the next hundred years and not pay off even the interest of the debt my brother accumulated. How he did so while so sick, I’ll never know.”
    “Perhaps that’s why he did it. He knew he would die and so decided to squander it.”
    “I’ve thought of that,” Rand said quietly. “Many times.”
    Edward took a small sip. “We’ve gotten off the subject of your jilting the poor girl.”
    “I think the ‘poor girl’ would do a jig if I announced to her mother that I could not marry her.” Rand threw himself down onto a large leather chair and stared at the empty fireplace, feeling out of sorts. It wasn’t as if he didn’t fully realize why he was here. It shouldn’t bother him that he had an unwilling bride. She’d get over it or not and he would be able to save Bellewood and finally help his tenants.
    “This truly troubles you, doesn’t it,” Edward said, his tone slightly amazed.
    “Of course it does.”
    “Surely you didn’t think to have a love match.”
    Rand raise one eyebrow. “Hardly. But I didn’t expect my bride to hate me.”
    “Hate is a bit strong, don’t you think?”
    “Fine then,” Rand said, standing and walking over to a bank of windows that overlooked a small rose garden. “Not hate. Resent. And I don’t want my bride looking at me and—” He stopped and let out a soft swear.
    “And wishing you were someone else,” Edward finished for him. It was one of the curses of knowing someone for so long; they almost always knew what the other was thinking.
    “I suppose that’s it. If she disliked me for me, then I think I could take that. I