The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Romances Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons (8 page)

“Why?” She refilled his water glass from the pitcher on the table.

He needed to stop. He’d already revealed too much. Yet she looked at him with true interest, and like that long-ago day on the train, he found himself telling her everything. “Thinking back on it, I just wanted a friend. Someone to talk to who would actually listen. I would have friends over to play, but they seemed more interested in playing with all the toys I had than in interacting with me. My train set was a pretty good substitute, though. I used to name every single car and would talk to them for hours.”

“If I had known you then, I would’ve talked to you.” She handed him the glass.

He chuckled. “Too bad we didn’t meet before this, then. We could have been having madcap croquet matches years ago.”

She laughed. “You probably would have won, too. I have a feeling you would’ve been just a wee bit older and stronger than I.”

“Not that it gave me much of an advantage last time.”

Silence fell between them. A breeze blew in from the open window, fluttering the curtains, bringing with it the crisp mountain air. Catching the curls hanging at her neck and swirling them around her face.

She exhaled, closing her eyes. Somewhere in the house, people laughed and billiard balls clinked together. “You don’t have to sit with me any longer.” He was good and tired of people doing things for him simply because he paid them. It stung sometimes, a burr amid their fawning. If he and the hallboy switched places, the lad who had never before been noticed would all of a sudden become the most popular person in town. It made him wonder why he even bothered to have a personality.

“I want to be here. Unless, you wish me to go.”

The door opened. Travers entered.

“Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I thought you’d wish to know. Miss Tremaine just posted the letter.” The butler held out an envelope atop a silver salver.

Ignoring the pain rattling every bone in his body, Geoffrey sat up and reached for it. Sure enough, Violet’s finishing-school script flounced across the velum.
Mrs. Millicent Hayward.

“Thank you, Travers. Just what I needed to brighten my day.” He passed the letter to Ada. “Throw that in the fire, will you?”

With more eagerness than the occasion warranted, she stood and chucked the letter into the crackling fire. Hands on her hips, she turned back to Travers.

“Thanks, Trav.” She grinned. “You’re a real pal.” She looked ready to stick out her hand to the stoic gentleman but apparently thought better of it and resumed her seat.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.” Travers bowed stiffly and left the room.

“Well, I’m glad that’s settled.” Geoffrey glanced at Ada. She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. “You sure you want to stay?” He had to make certain she still wasn’t thinking of payday.

“Why would I want to talk to Violet Tremaine, when I could have the benefit of your fascinating conversation?” She gave him a playful look.

“Of course there could be no comparison between the two of us.” Keep it light. Keep it simple. They could have fun together, joke together. But no more of the heart-to-heart conversations they’d been having over the past few hours. The forest sprite had gotten under his skin.

And letting her get too close had become far too risky.

Chapter 9

D
id all his hired staff feel so… valued?

Sitting beside him that afternoon had done things to Ada that spun way out of control. Her heart twisted at the thought of the sad little boy with everything in his lap, yet truly nothing of worth.

She was not developing feelings for Geoffrey Buchanan. She couldn’t be. They had only known each other a fortnight, a reasonable amount of time to have become friends, but nothing more. Yet what lingered in the air between them
was
more. For her, at least.

She couldn’t make this mistake. Let him mean anything to her except a paycheck and a job. That was all she’d bargained for.

If she wasn’t careful, she’d be left with her money, a job, and a broken heart. The last free of charge.

She forced a cheerful smile as she sat across the table from Mrs. Buchanan and Mamie playing Hearts, the only game she’d confessed to knowing. They seemed to take it in stride, no doubt thinking her sheltered. Preserved from all polluting influences by a careful governess. One who apparently hadn’t included much about proper table etiquette and the various distinctions between imported wines.

“My dear, I’ve been thinking. Since you’ve never been abroad, you and Geoffrey might enjoy a trip to Europe for your honeymoon. There are so many places you would benefit from seeing. Paris. Rome. London. So many romantic destinations to visit and sights to see. I think it would be perfect.”

Oh yes. Totally perfect. But utterly impossible.

“We haven’t spent much time discussing a honeymoon. But I’ll be sure to mention it to him.” She smiled warmly at the woman. “I would dearly love to see Europe.”

“So you shall, I’m sure. From the way he looks at you, I doubt Geoffrey would deny anything you asked of him.” Penelope Buchanan smiled before returning to her cards.

Mamie stared at the wall as if it were the most intriguing thing in the world.

Ada bit her lip. Obviously, Mrs. Buchanan had fallen for her son’s little charade. Bravo to Geoffrey. He’d pulled it off. And hopefully enjoyed the reprieve from hounding females.

Yet what came after? When he broke off their engagement in a public scene and paid her off quietly later? Would he get the peace he so desperately wanted? Every time she thought of it, a hard lump settled in her throat. But it didn’t matter. All that mattered was Teddy’s health. Who cared if Mr. Millionaire was miserable or not.

It’s strange, doing something I love with someone else.

Well, in just a few days he’d have to find someone else. Because she wouldn’t be here.

A strange ache speared her heart.

“You know, dear, I congratulate you. I had my doubts at first, whether or not you’d be a suitable wife for Geoffrey.” Mrs. Buchanan won the game and laid down her cards. “But after seeing you together, I’m completely convinced you’re perfect together. Don’t you agree, Mamie?”

Mamie nodded, her dangly emerald earrings swaying. “Most completely. They’re a perfect match. Ada has all the qualities Geoffrey so desperately needs. Charm. A sense of fun. And she’s not afraid to speak her mind. While Geoffrey has…” She tapped her finger to her chin. “Well, he’s got the US Mint.” She grinned. “They’re totally perfect for each other.”

A lump engulfed Ada’s throat, even as she laughed with Mamie. Tears burned her eyes.

She stood so quickly she nearly knocked over her chair.

“Why, honey, what’s the matter?” Mamie gave her a curious look.

“I’m fine.” She put on her practiced smile. “Just a splitting headache.” And a breaking heart. “But I think I will retire, if you all don’t mind.”

“Of course not, dear. Would you like for me to send up a tonic? I have some wonderful headache powders in my room.” A worried frown knit Mrs. Buchanan’s brow.

“No, thank you. I’ll be all right, if only I can get some rest. Please… excuse me.” She hurried from the drawing room and out into the dark and silent hall.

Tears clogged her throat and she sank against the cool marble, pressing her cheek against the edge of a pillar. If she had to look into their eyes another minute… Mrs. Buchanan’s full of such hope and expectation. The woman actually believed Ada was marrying her son. Had even grown to like her. Though honestly, she wasn’t fit for anything other than cleaning the woman’s house. If Mrs. Buchanan knew the truth, she’d agree.

She would never know. In just a few days Ada would return to oblivion while Mrs. Buchanan resumed the hunt to find her son a suitable wife.

“Why did I ever agree to this, Geoffrey Buchanan?” She pressed her gloved hand to her mouth to quell her sobs. “Why? I thought this was just going to be a job. Only a job. I didn’t expect to…”

Fall in love with you.

But blast him, she had.

Tonight was it. The charade ended. Hopefully no one would take a second look at him after what he was about to do to Ada.

He adjusted his tie with shaking fingers. She sat across the table from him, looking so heartbreakingly beautiful in an emerald-colored dress edged in black lace, the candlelight capturing the diamonds at her throat.

Thank goodness, none of this was real. He would never dream of humiliating her this way if she were truly his.

She’d played her part well. Too well sometimes. Sitting by him while his ankle healed, reading
War and Peace.
The motorcar rides. The croquet matches. She’d been an adept performer. Earned her paycheck and more.

Geoffrey drew in a sharp breath. Glanced across the table at Ada and nodded briefly. They’d played it cool all day, so the evening’s events wouldn’t come as a great surprise. Still, she smiled at him, that reckless grin that told him she didn’t take any nonsense.

He smiled back. He’d let himself enjoy these last few moments. Drink in her smile like water before a trek through the desert.

The man who someday gained her heart, and someone eventually would, could never deserve her.

She cleared her throat softly. “Might I speak with you a moment?”

He played his part and looked surprised. “Of course, darling.”

She stood, a helpful footman pulling back her chair, and led the way out of the room. They walked in silence through the house and to the double doors. Outside, a chill wind bit the air, heavy clouds hovering overhead. Neither spoke until they reached the back lawn, directly in front of the dining room window. A perfect stage for the terrible drama that would unfold.

He let himself gaze at her a moment more, his hand aching to grab hers. The breeze tugged at her hair. She kept her eyes downcast, refusing to look at him.

“You’ve done well,” he said in an undertone. “The money will be waiting at your apartment as soon as you arrive home. I’ve left an envelope under your door with a first-class ticket for the ten o’clock train tonight.”

She nodded. He took a step closer, a sudden longing for her rising up in him so fiercely it made him ache. She’d become so much more than an employee. Yet it couldn’t continue. He couldn’t care for her in that way. She wouldn’t reciprocate. Or if she did, how could he be sure it wasn’t love for his rank and station that drove her? He couldn’t be sure.

“Go ahead.” He waited for her words, the ones that would forever erase his status as an eligible bachelor.

She drew in a breath, finally meeting his gaze. “Are you sure you want me to do this?” Pain filled her eyes. “There are other options.”

No. He wanted, needed society’s glorification of him to stop. He nodded.

“How could you do this to me?” She raised her voice loud enough to be heard in the dining room. “How many women, exactly, do you keep, Mr. Buchanan? Five? Ten? And you expect me, an honest girl, to marry you?” Her eyes flashed. A Juliet berating her Romeo. Though he’d seen many performances, done by many famed actresses, none were as convincing as the one Ada enacted now.

“Calm down, darling.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, but she jerked away.

“Calm down? How can I? What lady would be calm when she finds another woman in her fiancé’s room this very evening? How did you get her to the house? Hmm? I suspect you had her sent over in your private railcar? And to think, just today you told me again you loved me.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, real tears.

He watched her. Silent. Though the story was untrue, remorse burned through him. For every laugh. Every moment of teasing banter. Every second he’d let himself look at her and dream of more.

“And then to find the note. ‘Caroline darling, I love you. You’re the only woman in the world for me. I cannot live without you.’ The very same words you said to me when you proposed. How many other women have you said them to, I wonder? It seems I cannot trust you.”

Overhead, stars winked in the sky. The ring on her finger flashed as she pulled it off and threw it at him. It landed on the grass at his feet. “You know what the worst part about it is? I actually believed for just a brief moment that you cared for me. Foolishly, I let myself care for you. No, not care. Love. I loved you.”

The last words weren’t in the script he’d given her. Nor was the long look of mingled sorrow and regret.

By now, everyone sitting at the table would have focused their complete attention on them. Good. It wouldn’t take long before all the Four Hundred would be gossiping about it over their tea tables.

“I hate you now. Far more than I ever loved you. It’s over. Consider our engagement at an end.” She flung the words over her shoulder as she ran across the lawn toward the house. Where she would pack her things, get on a train, and be out of his life for good.

He glanced at the window and the aghast expressions of those around the table. Violet smiled smugly. His mother’s face filled with despair. Only Mamie didn’t look surprised. She did look angry.

He bent down and picked up the ring, still warm from her hand. In the dimness, the expensive jewel gleamed. A mockery.