Page 6 of The Dravenhearst Brides
“Shyster?” Alastair cackled. “Takes one to know one, eh, Merrick?” He turned to Samuel. “The onlyshysterin this room is Mr. Dravenhearst. I suggest we gather Margaret and return to the ballroom posthaste. Do not entertain—”
“The matter isnotsettled,” Pa interrupted, his attention focused on Dravenhearst, assessing. “But it will be. Imminently. If you’ve something to say, boy, the time has come.”
The temperature in the room skyrocketed. Margaret’s heart stuttered.
Dravenhearst licked his lips. He couldn’t possibly have anything to say, Margaret could tell that much with the barest glance. It almost hurt more, to have this carrot dangled before her at the eleventh hour. Her desperation had never been higher.
A slow grin spread across Alastair’s face. “Cat got your tongue, Merrick? I suppose not even the Greenbrier fortune and a pretty face can get those bachelor legs of yours down the aisle.”
“Margaret.” Pa stepped forward, prepared to take control of the spiraling situation. “Do you even know this man?”
She wasn’t certain what prompted her to lie, but fib Margaret did. Straight through her teeth. “Of course.”
“But you…you’ve never mentioned…” Pa rubbed his chin. “Where did you meet?”
Margaret was quick. “At the Collingsworth party, was it not?” She turned to Dravenhearst, her eyes wide, pleading.
“Indeed it was.” A lazy grin overtook his features. The bastard was enjoying this. “I remember the evening well. You wore a midnight bluegown and this very same necklace, if I’m not mistaken.” He brushed a finger over the pearls, and a shiver ran through Margaret, straight to her toes.
How did he…?
“We met again at the Feinstein home,” he added. “You wore emerald green that evening, a stunning complement to your red hair.” His gaze traced her face. A flicker of intimacy passed through his eyes, there and gone in a heartbeat.
But Margaret had seen. It puzzled her, this game he was playing. She couldn’t even begin to ascertain his motives.
Dancing with the devil,she realized suddenly.That’s what I’m doing.
“Yes,” she murmured, unable to manage anything more. Because shehadworn midnight blue and pearls to the Collingsworth gala, and emerald to the Feinstein’s. But how on God’s green earth did this man know that?
Alastair roused himself for a final parting shot. “Samuel,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “We’re old friends. I understand the situation you find yourself in, but you’ve always said your greatest fear was a fortune hunter seeking claim to your daughter. You’ve said it since the day she was born and placed in your arms.” Alastair’s gaze was steady as it flicked to Dravenhearst, then back. “I’m telling you, on my honor, there is one standing in this room today, make no mistake. I implore you, as your friend and as someone who loves Margaret dearly, to refuse to consider his impertinence.”
“If the man intends to ask for my daughter’s hand,” Pa said, “he may do so anytime.Properly.We’ll be accepting calls tomorrow.” His eyes flitted to Dravenhearst’s with significance. “For now, Margaret and I will take our leave.”
Margaret lowered her lashes as she slipped past Dravenhearst. His gaze burned into her spine as she crossed the room, but she hadn’t the courage to look back to meet it. She could ask nothing more of him. Tonight’s game had gone far enough.
As she departed on her father’s arm, Margaret’s ears picked up hushed tones.
“You’re a damn fool, boy,” Alastair murmured. “You can’t bring that girl to Dravenhearst Distilling as your bride, and you know it.”
“I never said I was going to,” came the cool response.
“See that you don’t. The only thing more foolish thanmecourting Margaret isyoucourting her.”
3
June 14, 1933
Xander,
I have been delayed. Unexpected business opportunity. A few days at most.
More soon,
Merrick Dravenhearst
Thenextdaywasinterminable. Margaret had tossed and turned in bed all night and risen with the sun at dawn. Time passed the way hot molasses drips in an hourglass on a winter day, tantalizingly unhurried and tainted with the sugarcoated sweetness of illicit anticipation.
He wouldn’t come. She was certain.
