Page 48 of Fairy Tale Husband

“Mine and everyone else’s in this town.” Randolph planted his palms on the tabletop. “You’re a no-good louse, Hondo, with an eye on the main chance, just like your mother. The only difference between you two is she didn’t have your luck. If the old man hadn’t been so desperate for a grandson, he’d never have taken you in.”

Jake shrugged. “Old news, Chesterfield. My grandfather made that very clear when he came for me. If he’d had any legitimate grandchildren, I’d have been left in the gutter where he found me. So what? Inever wanted to go with him in the first place. If the courts hadn’t enforced his request, I’d have stayed put. At least I knew where I stood on the streets.”

“But you did come back with him. And then you rode into town intent on getting even with anyone who’d known your mother—”

The front legs of Jake’s chair crashed to the wooden floor. “I didn’t ride in, Iwas driven. Or should I say hog-tied and dragged, fighting every damned inch of the way? It’d be more accurate.”

“You wanted to get even because we all stood by while Chesterfield threw your mother off his land.”

Jake laughed, the sound more chilling than a bitter arctic wind. “He didn’t throw her off. Hell, he didn’t have to. All it took was a few coins chucked into the dirt and she left of her own accord, grateful for that much.”

“Nonetheless, you came back to get even because no one lifted a finger to help her. You blackened every eye that looked at you sideways and forced yourself on every woman who wandered within reach.”

Evie stood and crossed to her husband’s side. “Randolph, stop. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I know exactly what I’m saying. And it’s time the sweet, faithful Mrs. Hondo knew, too.” He shot Wynne a mocking look. “How do you like the truth so far?”

“Which truth? That Jake’s illegitimate?” She shrugged. “He told me. Since that’s not his fault, Ican hardly hold him responsible. Though apparently you do.”

“I hold him responsible for his actions since coming to town. Or doesn’t it bother you that he speaks with his fists and can’t be trusted around any decent woman?”

“If you think I’m shocked that Jake has been in a few brawls, you’re sadly mistaken. Of course he gets into fights. All you have to do is look at the man to know that you provoke him at your own risk.” Wynne smiled proudly. “He’s a natural-born warrior. That’s one of the reasons I married him.”

“You can’t be serious!”

“I’m quite serious. And as far as women are concerned, Iassure you, he would never force himself on anyone. He wouldn’t have to.”

A harsh laugh burst from Randolph. “I know for a fact that he’s done just that.”

“Please, don’t say more,” Evie urged her husband. “It won’t change anything.”

Wynne refused to back down. Randolph was maligning her husband, and that was one challenge she couldn’t allow to pass uncontested. Slowly rising to her feet, she flung her linen napkin onto the table as though it were a gauntlet. “Women may claim they were forced,” she informed him in clear, precise tones. “But only because they didn’t have the nerve to admit the truth.”

“And what truth is that?”

“That they allowed themselves to be seduced by the town’s black sheep.”

She’d clearly struck a chord. Hot color washed into Randolph’s face. “That’s a lie!”

Jake didn’t say a word, simply raised his wineglass in a salute, the tender expression in his eyes tearing at her heart. It was all the encouragement she needed.

“It’s not a lie, but a shameful truth,” she retorted. “I wonder, how many women wouldn’t give my husband the time of day in public, and yet slipped eagerly into his bed in the dead of night? Five, ten...” She glanced at Jake and lifted an eyebrow. “More?”

“It was before I knew you, elf,” he said without apology. “I hope you’re not offended.”

“I’m not the least offended. It was their loss, not mine. They only knew half the man. Iintend to know the whole.”

“When’s the next Cinderella Ball?” Peter demanded. “I want a wife like her.”

“She’s lying I tell you!” The words burst from Randolph, laden with helpless fury. “She’s so hot for Hondo she’ll make up any story to protect him.” He scowled at her. “You may have been an easy tumble for him, but my wife never was!”

“Randolph!” Evie cried.

Wynne didn’t waste her breath trying to stop the fight brewing. She could tell Jake was blind to everything but the overwhelming urge to get at his cousin. Instead, she darted around the table and threw herself at Jake, physically restraining him. His muscles bunched beneath her hands and he caught her shoulders as though he intended to force her from his path. It was Evie’s plea that ultimately checked his threatening move toward Randolph.

“Jake, Ibeg you. Don’t touch him,” she whispered. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying.”

The breath shuddered through his body and he fought to bring his anger under control. “Get out of my house, Chesterfield. Quick,” Jake warned in a low, grating voice. “And don’t come near me again for a long, long time. Otherwise you’ll pay a hard price for that crack.”

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