Page 22 of Harvey

“I know, my dear, and I want to personally thank you for saving my younger son’s skin.” They both turned to look at Silas, whom his congregants surrounded. He was smiling, a very relaxed look on his face. “I know he regrets what he did and that he also entertained the notion that you would end up together.”

Kendra looked at the woman, startled. “I am close to my two boys, my dear. Harvey is tough to get to know, but he is infinitely loyal and all about family. Well, now,” she added briskly. Do you need any help getting your things from your apartment?”

“No.” She shook her head, feeling the apprehension and dread settling in the pit of her stomach.

“I already packed two cases, and they are in the car. I just have to return to the store and deal with something.”

“Well, my dear, I will see you at the manor.” Kendra started in surprise when Julia leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “It’s going to be fine.”

*****

He couldn’t concentrate on the bloody game. He had taken the jeep out for a spin to try and gather his thoughts and had returned to try and get his mind off things by turning on the television.

A six-pack of beer was on the side table, but his mind was not on the basketball. He kept thinking about this morning, the pleased look on his brother’s face, and the joyful sermon, after which the announcement had been made.

He had sat in the front pew with his ‘wife’ – he supposed she was his wife, and there was no doubt about it. He could still smell her perfume, an exotic blend that was not too potent but seemed to suit her. He had just turned the TV off when he heard a knock on the door.

Swearing beneath his breath and hoping it wasn’t his brother, he surged off the sofa and went to get the door.

“Mother.” Stepping back in surprise, he stared past her, expecting to see the entire family behind her.

“It’s chilly, darling. Are you going to invite me in?”

Shaking his head, he realized that he had her standing on the steps. “Of course,” Moving aside, he allowed her entry and closed the door.

“You never usually knock.” He gestured towards the living area and noticed in exasperation that she was looking around for dirty laundry.

“I didn’t want to intrude. Silas said you came home to watch the game.” Picking up a discarded shirt from the chair in front of the sofa, she sat daintily and waited until he had taken the opposite chair.

“Yeah, well, my team was losing anyway. Why are you here?” He shook his head and held up a hand. “Let me guess – you are here to ensure I keep my end of the deal. I packed a few things and fully intend to present myself at the manor in time for dinner.”

“Thank you, darling.”

“I am not going to pretend this is not distasteful to me.” He said bluntly.

“But you love your brother and are doing this for him.”

“I want to put my hands around his damn neck and squeeze the life out of him,” Harvey growled. “I am in a situation I don’t want to be in because of him.”

“She is a lovely young woman.”

Harvey eyed her briefly, a sudden suspicion washing through him. “You did not, by any chance, plan this?”

Julia met his gaze squarely without flinching. “Surely you are not suggesting that I caused the strike at the post office for the letter not to reach Silas in time. You give me too much credit.”

“I am thinking I am giving you too little. Mother- “Plunging his fingers through his long dark hair, he met her gaze. “Whatever you are hoping for with this unholy matrimony, get it out of your head. I am willing to stick to this fiasco for the year, but I have no intention of touching her. She is not my type.”

“She is every man’s type.”

Harvey bit off an impatient sigh. “I will stay part of the time at the manor, but I fully intend to come here where it is my home and crash several nights of the week.

I will not pretend in private that she is my wife. In public, when we go out, I will be all smiles and all that, but that’s it. I have decided to help Silas with this crisis, but there are rules, and there will be boundaries. Am I clear? There is so much I will do and nothing more.”

Julia nodded, her expression serene. “I understand perfectly, darling.”

“I mean it, mother.” He warned. “I know you probably think this is a way in – a chance to get the grandchildren you have longed for, but it will not happen with this woman. I will treat her with the utmost courtesy, but that’s as far as I am willing to go. Speaking of which, we are sleeping in separate bedrooms.”

“I anticipated as much and asked one of the maids to see the gold and rose bedroom in your suite.”

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