Page 4 of Forbidden Earl

Her sister was twenty-two and soon, she’d have far more choices in the world than just Avce nobility, if she’d be patient. Cassidy would fund a European tour for her if that is what she wanted. Donna walked into the side room to fetch her fiancé.

Time to go. Cassidy hurried outside into the setting sun, pulling a small weed from a pink rose bush. Gigi would want the fragrant plants cared for.

Calmer, she returned to her car and dug out her keys. She tugged the driver’s side door open and jumped in her seat. She turned the ignition and once again the engine purred like it hadn’t given her problems all day yesterday.

She’d pulled her hair into an elastic tie when she saw Donna run out of the house and toward the front of the car.

Cassidy rolled her window down, hoping Donna was all right. Chelsea was not an easy foe.

“Lady Cassidy, can I get a ride?” Donna gestured to the seat beside her where Cassidy had her empty coffee mug.

She nodded, moved the mug to the back, and Donna jumped into the passenger seat. “Sure, though I think you’re making a mistake,” Cassidy said. “My sister wanted to be a duchess, bad.”

“Well, she can have him. I don’t marry cheaters.”

Great.She put the car in drive and rumbled down the road. Cassidy Bright’s two main jobs were computer programmer and family mess cleaner. At least her computer program helped people find love, because her other life certainly lacked the emotion.

But for the ride home, she chattered with Donna and didn’t think about Remy. At the back of her mind she wasn’t sure she could be his bride, not really.

Chapter 2

Remington Burke IV felt like he was the fourteen-year-old boy that Cassidy had punched in the face, all over again. She drove off in that old junker as if she’d just made a deal with the devil. He didn’t remember what he’d said to her back then, they’d been camping, but he remembered her fist bloodying his nose and Grannie forcing him to apologize.

And now his grandmother wanted him to marry her? Cassidy hated him and always would.

However with only twenty-three days until his thirtieth birthday, he was out of options. And even if he had options, Grannie’s plea a few minutes ago trumped them.

Somehow, he and Cassidy would have to learn to live together.

He went and held his grandmother’s hand. “Grannie, Cassidy and I will get married this week. I want you there.”

“Now that is something to live for.” She patted his hand though her weak grip made him uneasy. “You and Cassidy have so much going for you. Treat her right, Remington, and remember we’ve never had a divorce in the family.”

“If I tried to divorce Lady Cassidy, I’d lose out on my entitlement which you helped me build to billions.” He leaned closer. “I’ll treat her with respect, don’t worry. Grannie, you have to regain your health—I need you.”

“Nonsense!” She coughed and took a few deep breaths to calm down. “You never give yourself credit. You’re better at accounting than your own father, and that is the truth.”

“It’s not about money, Grannie. I just want you, here, with me.” His grandmother’s wrinkled old face turned damp with tears. Her small hands with the strong grip that had protected him all his life now fit between his gentle grasp. He smoothed the white sheet at her chest. She’d been the only parent he’d ever had, the one person who loved him without reservation. “I’m not ready to lose you.”

“Don’t cry. You never cry.” She reached up and wiped away a tear. “I want you and Cassidy to be happy together. Try to love her.”

She’d always liked Cassidy Bright. He nodded. “I’ll do right by you and her, Grannie.” Footsteps shuffled in the hall.

“Someone’s at the door.” She closed her eyes, the lids paper thin. “Give me a few minutes alone before the next person comes in to tell me how sorry they are.”

He winked and released his hold on her cold hand. “Anything for you, Grannie.”

She winked back, but it was an effort, and he slowly walked to the door. He knew the doctors on staff were reputable, but he hated their prognosis. Remington lived for the days she was here with him still.

He waited at the door to give her time and heard Blackwell and Cassidy’s little sister, Chelsea. His friend didn’t sound pleased as he said, “Chelsea, I’ll be speaking to your father about this stunt.”

Remington walked into the side room off the foyer that used to house a private telephone as Chelsea claimed, “He won’t believe you.”

Last week he’d offered a marriage contract for Chelsea—seems he’d dodged a bullet by Lord Bright dragging his heels and waiting for Blackwell.

His friend puffed his chest and lifted his chin. “He’s not getting a dime more from me. Now, I have to go.”

He understood why his friend wanted to go, to retrieve Donna Smith, but this needed to be settled first. Remington tapped Blackwell on the back. If he wanted to end the contract he’d signed for Chelsea to marry the lovely Donna, he should wait. “Lord Paston is coming over to see my grandmother now. It would be best if we could clear up any and all business as a group, Blackwell.”

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