Page 55 of Harvey

He almost created a scene. He is usually calm and in control and almost lost it when he saw the man with you. That’s not something he is accustomed to.”

“In the meantime, what am I supposed to do?”

“Ignore him. Enjoy yourself, and don’t let him see how much he hurts you.”

“He is hurting me.”

“Precisely.” Silas grinned at her. “Now, you will have to pretend that he is invisible.”

It wasn’t easy, but she managed, and after throwing herself into enjoying the evening and accepting the attention of several admiring males, she completely put him out of her mind. At one point, she saw him in one corner, staring at her with a brooding look, but she looked away immediately.

Two could play the same game. She might be a novice at it, but she was catching on quickly. And she enjoyed talking to and getting to know the women she had been introduced to.

They were beautiful women married to powerful men, but they were surprisingly approachable and enthusiastic about the enormous number of charities they were in charge of.

She soon found herself captivated by tales of how far their reach was.

“The Blackwoods contribute a lot to the local children’s home,” Leesa told her during one of the conversations. “One does not have to think why that is.”

“Because of Harvey.” Kendra nodded.

“The home he came from was badly run during his time.” Kelly supplied as she sipped her champagne. “When they decided to adopt your husband, they did a thorough investigation, only to discover that the children there were being badly abused.”

“Abused, how?”

“Physically. It was well hidden, of course, but someone spoke out. They were disciplined by extreme means.

Denied food, and in some instances, the heat was turned off, and certain privileges were taken away. They were not allowed to express themselves at all. The slightest offense, as they call it, and it could be anything, was interpreted as being rude and undisciplined.”

“And Harvey?” Kendra whispered.

“He was said to be a troubled child and received the worst punishments.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Public records, darling,” Leesa told her. “And someone who used to work there was very obliging to the press as soon as everything came out in the open.” She nodded toward where Harvey was in discussion with several men. “Your husband has come a long way, and the Blackwoods are to be commended.”

“What happened to the home?”

“Almost the entire staff was fired, and the place was revamped. The Blackwoods used their vast influence to turn things around.”

She was quiet on the way home, stealing glances at the man in the driver’s seat. He had loosened his tie the minute they left the hotel and the top buttons of his shirt.

She was no longer angry with him, but after hearing the story about his early years, she felt something akin to maternal protection and wanted fiercely to find the people responsible for his unhappiness and misery and do some bodily damage.

He was silent for the entire journey, and she did not intrude. Leaning back against the seat, she stretched her feet out and closed her eyes. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.

Turning his head to look at her, Harvey felt tenderness blossoming as he glanced at her profile. He had been an asshole to her all night, something his entire family had made him aware of.

“She is a lovely young woman and darling. I am sorry, but I don’t think you deserve her. What were you thinking, dancing and flirting with all those women and ignoring your wife?” His mother had asked him in a furious undertone, taking him to task. But she wouldn’t understand; none of them would.

He had been rejected before when he was merely a baby until he was a toddler and had suffered those six years in that wretched place. Giving his love- he recoiled ruthlessly from the word. He was not in love with her.

He was just violently attracted to her, that’s all. And was possessive as well. He had gone to great lengths to prove that he was not into her in a big way. He had done such a good job that Marilyn had invited her back to her place.

He had firmly reminded her that he was a married man.

“Not a happily married one by the looks of it.” She had taunted him. “Your poor wife is over there, and you have been flirting with me and others the entire evening.”

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