Page 47 of Fairy Tale Husband

CHAPTER EIGHT

“YOU must have been in quite a state when you saw that diamondback,” Judge Graydon said, shaking his head in amazement.

“About the same state I was in when Buster tried to ride Mad Dog,” Jake retorted dryly. “I think it’s called sheer unadulterated terror.”

The judge stirred his coffee, his gaze shrewd beneath heavy gray brows. “Having a family is quite a responsibility.”

“So I’ve discovered.”

“But worth it?”

Jake glanced at Wynne, the words torn from him. “Yes, it’s worth it.”

“Oh, please,” Randolph muttered in disgust. “What else is he going to say? He’ll do whatever it takes to inherit this place. Even lie.”

Wynne’s coffee cup clattered onto the saucer. “He doesn’t lie,” she informed him fiercely. “Nor do I. And just so you know, Jake and I did sleep together on our wedding night.” She hesitated, then grudgingly conceded, “Actually it was the next morning. But the point is, we’re a duly consummated couple. There. Now that we have that out of the way, how about cake?”

“Who told her?” Jake shot to his feet, his scorching gaze pinpointing each dinner guest in turn, before keying in on Peter. “You. This is your doing, isn’t it?”

“I—Icame by earlier, sure,” the lawyer confessed. “But just to make certain everything was set for tonight.”

“You son of a—”

“Wait a minute,” Peter protested. “Why are you so upset? Didn’t you tell her what to expect tonight?”

“No, Ididn’t,” Jake snapped.

“But, you said you would.”

“I lied!”

“See, he does lie,” Randolph said, adding his two cents’ worth.

“Why the hell didn’t you explain it to her?” Peter questioned in exasperation. “What did you expect to have happen tonight?”

Jake folded his arms across his chest. “I expected a few subtle questions from the judge. Subtle enough that she wouldn’t catch on to the real reason behind his queries.”

Judge Graydon frowned in concern. “Why would you keep such a thing from her, Jake?”

He remained silent a long moment, then reluctantly admitted, “I’d hoped to spare her feelings.”

“He wanted to protect me,” Wynne explained, giving her husband a dazzling smile. “He’s just being his usual noble self.”

Randolph leapt to his feet, leveling a finger at Jake. “That man hasn’t got a noble bone in his body. Nor does he care about your tender feelings. I’ll tell you why he kept quiet about that clause. He knew you’d leave him. Any normal woman would, rather than be forced to discuss such intimate details in public.”

“Leave him?” Wynne shoved back her chair, her eyes flashing like gemstones. “You think I’m embarrassed or humiliated to admit I’m Jake’s wife in the truest sense of the word? I’m proud of it. I’d announce it to the entire world, if he asked me.”

“He’s just using you,” Randolph retorted, resentment gathering in his voice. “You must be blind not to see it.”

“If that’s what you believe, you can’t know Jake very well,” she stated with absolute conviction.

“I’ve known him for years. Unfortunately.” He glared at her in frustration. “You seem to have the mistaken impression that he’s some sort of domesticated lap cat. Well, you’re wrong. The man is a vicious predator who wandered over from the wrong side of the tracks. And the minute you turn your back on him, he’s going to rip you to shreds.”

Jake returned to his seat, alazy smile creeping across his face. “Please, Chesterfield. Don’t bother to pull your punches.” He tipped the chair back onto two legs. “You’ve been dying to tell me what you really think for years now. Well, here’s your chance.”

“You’re right. Ihave wanted to tell you what I think.” Randolph’s jaw clenched, his entire body tensing in anticipation. “And with the judge as a witness, you wouldn’t dare attack me for speaking the truth.”

“Your version of the truth.” Jake corrected him mildly.

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