Elizabeth August - The Determined Virgin

Breaking the contact with polite decorum, she said, “Are you free to begin tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” he confirmed, a part of him again questioning the wisdom of this. But he’d given his word and he would not turn back now.

As the door closed behind him, Hesper sank back into her chair. The feeling she was treading on precarious ground pervaded her. Maybe she should have simply split the money with her stepfather. Anger flashed in her eyes. She would never allow Peter Lowell to win without a fight!

Hesper looked at the ring on her finger. Tobias had insisted she remain as his guest and he be allowed to make the arrangements for the wedding. It had been a small but very elegant affair, hastily accomplished. The only ones from her side of the family who could arrange to attend, other than Tobias, were Aunt Eloise and her son, Hagen. Although Tobias had kept his distance from others in the family, Hagen worked for him, making her cousin another who was privy to the truth of the arrangement.

As for Garth, he had no living relatives.

Now she and her new husband were on their way to her apartment in New York and from there to visit Jeanette DuPree. The elderly woman had sent her regrets that she was not well enough to travel to the wedding, but requested they come visit her as soon as possible after the ceremony. Trying not to think about what lay ahead nor the man beside her, Hesper studied the simple gold band. Garth had a matching one and Tobias had insisted on having their wedding date and their names engraved inside.

The ring sparked memories of the wedding. There had been no kiss. But just having Garth slip the gold band on her finger had caused her to feel shaky, then again a fire had ignited within her. Until now, denying her sexual urges had been easy. But this man she’d married aroused her passion with a strength she found difficult to fight. However, she was determined not only to fight it but to win.

Again attempting to direct her mind to a neutral subject, she glanced around at the interior of the car. Her vehicle was still at Tobias’s. This sporty BMW belonged to Garth. Clearly Tobias paid him well. Or maybe he was a spendthrift. The realization of how little she knew about him nagged at her. “I suppose we should get to know each other better. My grandmother will expect me to know something about you,” she said, assuring herself she was only asking because she needed the information to win the bet. “Tell me about your childhood.”

Childhood? Garth thought cynically. What childhood? Aloud, he said, “My past is none of your concern. I’m financially solvent and not wanted by the law. I joined the marines when I was eighteen and retired a year ago to work for Tobias. That’s all you need to know. For the rest, make up whatever story you think your grandmother will like best.”

So much for that subject, Hesper mused. Clearly the man did not like to talk about himself. “I’ve found it’s better not to lie. I’ll tell her that we met, fell madly in love, got married in the heat of the moment and are just now learning about each other.”

He nodded his approval. “The simpler, the better.” He pressed the button on the CD player and strains of Mozart filled the car. He tried to concentrate on the music and the road but images of the past came back to haunt him. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the woman beside him and wondered how she would have reacted if he’d told her what she’d wanted to know. She’d probably wished she’d never asked.

Seeking a diversion from the memories she’d caused to surface, he broke the silence between them. “If your grandmother does approve of me, how will you prove that to your stepfather?”

“He’s on his way to my grandmother’s as we speak. Since he also did not attend the wedding, it’s only natural he would take the first opportunity to meet his new stepson-in-law.” Hesper scowled. “My grandmother doesn’t know that he mistreated my mother. My mother was too proud to want anyone to know. She never told and she swore me to secrecy.” The scowl on her face darkened even more. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve kept my word. Because she believes Peter was good to my mother, my grandmother continues to accept him as a welcome member of the family. And I will admit that when my mother died, he played the stunned, grief-stricken husband to the hilt. Grandmama even appears to respect his judgment. That will give him an edge.”

Feeling that it was only fair to be completely honest with Garth about Jeanette DuPree, Hesper continued. “Of course it’s hard to know exactly what she’s thinking. She’s a very private woman. Some would call her cold. I suppose that’s a fair description. Her greetings and hugs are perfunctory and I, personally, have never seen her bestow anything beyond a nod of approval. Even that was done with a stern expression.”

Her mouth formed a thoughtful pout. “Although I did hear that she actually smiled when Hagen told her he was going to work for Tobias. I wish I could have seen that.”

Garth glanced at her. “She sounds like a very difficult woman. I suppose the members of the family visit as little as possible.”

“On the contrary. Christmas and Thanksgiving are always held at her home. She is the matriarch of our family and, as such, we all pay homage out of respect for that position. Even Aunt Eloise attends, although she and her mother haven’t exchanged a word since Eloise’s first divorce. They communicate through Alfred, my grandmother’s butler. If he isn’t around, a maid or family member acts as intermediary.” Hesper frowned at the road ahead. When they got to Grandmama DuPree’s, he was going to think she hadn’t been entirely honest. “What I’ve just told you is the truth. However, there is more. My grandmother has the same knack for business that I do. She’s worth a great deal of money.”

A knowing smile played at the corners of Garth’s mouth. He was beginning to see the real Hesper and that was going to make keeping his distance much easier. He’d never liked greedy women.

Her jaw firmed. “But the money isn’t why I or Hagen or Eloise continue to visit her. We go there out of a strong sense of family.”

The cynical expression on Garth’s face deepened. “No offense, but, in your case, I don’t buy that. I’m beginning to believe that you’d do just about anything for money.”

She was about to point out that he had no right to talk, but bit back the words. She’d sought his aid. It wasn’t fair of her to criticize. “I can’t blame you for thinking that, but you’re wrong,” she stated flatly.

Surprisingly he found his instinct was to believe her. I’m letting a pretty face rule my judgment, he admonished himself. He’d never thought he’d be that stupid. “You still haven’t told me how you and your stepfather will settle your bet.”

“After my grandmother has met you, she’ll propose a toast at one of our meals or perhaps when she has everyone gathered in the parlor. The toast will be an announcement of her approval or disapproval of the match.” Hesper shifted uneasily. She told herself that Garth Lawton was merely in this for the money. Still, he deserved to be warned. “Her disapproval can prove embarrassing. She speaks her mind very clearly and expects to be obeyed.”

The ominous tone in her voice caused him to glance toward her questioningly.

“She took a very strong dislike to Eloise’s third husband, Homer Hyde. She didn’t even wait for the first course to be served at dinner on the day he and Eloise arrived. She ordered wine poured as soon as everyone was seated, then rose to make the toast. She turned to him, ordered him out of her house and added that she hoped he tripped over his suitcases, which were waiting for him on the front porch, and broke his neck. She then told Eloise, through Alfred, that, despite her horrendous taste in men, which appeared to be getting worse with age, she could remain, but that she’d booked a room for Homer at the local inn and expected him to be gone before the soup was served. Eloise rose immediately to pack and leave with her husband, but Homer simply scowled at Grandmama DuPree and remained firmly seated. Grandmama nodded toward Alfred. He had two of the stable men waiting in the hall. On a nod from him, they entered the dining room, lifted Homer, chair and all, and carried him out the front door.”