A Scarlet Bride (18 page)

Stepping back out into the afternoon sun, Connor almost bumped into a lady he had tangled with beneath the covers. The young Widow
Rozili
had been an eager participant, and had certainly entertained ideas of getting him to a church for a ring ceremony.

"Hello, Connor," she fairly purred with her hand on his chest. "I thought that was your black stallion tied outside William's offices."

Even today in her blue brocade gown, the swells of her bosom gleamed in the sunlight and she was a stunning woman.

"How are you, Mrs.
Rozili
.
You're looking well," he said, taking a step back. Maybe she'd gotten over their affair, maybe she hadn't heard of his marriage, or maybe she'd found someone else.

"How kind of you to notice," she replied.

She leaned closer to him, the scent of her perfume cloyingly sweet, overpowering him. It wasn't a subtle, clean smell like Alexandra's.

"Where is your new wife?" she inquired, her voice holding just a twinge of sarcasm.

"She and my sister are at home, busily preparing everything for their tea next week," he said, pausing for just a moment.

Lizzie
smiled,
her face an ugly grimace. "Oh, yes. I heard all about the little tea your bride is planning."

Connor shrugged. "Alexandra is trying to help Suzanne. She's been instructing my sister on the art of being a lady."

Lizzie threw back her head and laughed. "Life has a way of getting even, don't you think, Connor?"

He glanced at the woman, wondering if she had always been this odd and he'd never noticed it before, or if their breakup had sent her over the edge. "I don't think I understand."

"If you wanted a woman who could teach your sister how to be a lady, why did you marry that whore instead of me?"

The hair on the back of Connor's neck rose. If she'd been a man, he would have laid her flat on her back. "I do not take it kindly when someone calls my wife names. Alexandra is not a whore. And I would never have married you."

Her face twisted into an ugly grimace. She fairly spat the words at Connor. "Do you really think the women in this town are going to attend your sister's tea? Your marriage to Alexandra Thurston has been all the rage lately, but your wife is a divorcee who had to remarry under questionable circumstances. You've not only hurt yourself, but destroyed any chances your sister had in society." She laughed gleefully. "No one is going to attend."

Connor took a deep breath, not quite believing her words."Alexandra comes from one of the oldest, wealthiest families in New York and you're telling me people are going to snub her?"

Lizzie
smiled,
a satisfied smirk on her face.
"As well as you and your sister."
She snapped her parasol open and turned to go.
"Happy marriage, Connor.
When you get tired of her, you know where I live."

Connor stood there and watched Lizzie walk away, the seductive swing of her skirts even more pronounced than usual, a powerful ache filling his chest. He couldn't disappoint Suzanne. He didn't want Alexandra to be hurt again.

He didn't want to see Alexandra hurt after spending so much time helping Suzanne. Regardless of her past, regardless of their recent marriage, she didn't deserve to be treated this way.

And then there was Suzanne, an innocent girl about to be embarrassed. Thank God he'd broken off his affair with Lizzie. The woman would never have been suitable for his sister.

Surely there was something he could do to help Suzanne and Alexandra. The thought of either one being hurt made him cringe. Connor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Who of all the ladies in town could help him?

***

Though he knew it was highly improper, he stopped by the
Jorgansens
' town house.
Maddie
Jorgansen
lived part of the time in Charleston, but often could be found in New York, where she kept a small apartment on Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park.

He rang the bell and a servant in a crisp black suit answered the door.
"Connor Manning to see Mrs.
Jorgansen
.
Tell her I'm Louisa Manning's son."

The butler led him into the parlor. "Wait here, please. I'll see if Madam is receiving guests."

His mother and Mrs.
Jorgansen
had once been close friends, though it had been years since he had spoken with the woman. Still, he had often seen her in passing.

Less than five minutes had passed when the rustle of skirts announced her arrival. She came into the room, her hands outstretched. "Dear Mr. Manning, what a delight to see you."

"The pleasure is all
mine
. You still look as young as the day of Mother's funeral."

She chuckled and motioned for Connor to take a seat. "Thank you. I see you've matured and acquired your father's charm. You know, I tried to talk your mother out of marrying that man."

Connor smiled."Mother told me. But in the end, Father didn't know how to live without her."

"When men like your father fall in love, it's usually hard and everlasting.
But enough of this sad talk.
I'm sure you are not here to talk about your parents."

"No. Actually I need your help."

"Oh?" The woman raised her brows.

Connor frowned and shook his head. "My sister, Suzanne, is seventeen and has never been formally introduced into society."

"I've often wondered about that sweet baby, and how she was doing. What can I do to help?"

Connor spent the next thirty minutes explaining to Mrs.
Jorgansen
his situation with Alexandra and how the women of Charleston were going to snub her.

"I must tell you, Connor, I'd heard about your recent marriage. But I also know that sometimes things can happen in
a union that leave
us wondering why we even consider the institution. I've often thought there was more to your wife's first marriage than most people know."

The older woman sat back in her chair and sighed. "I have a cousin who lives in New York, and recently she wrote to me about a book called
Hester's Revenge
. She suggested I acquire a copy and promised I would find it most interesting."

"What's it about?" Connor asked, wondering why she would mention such a book when they'd been talking about his recent marriage.

"It's the story of a young woman married to a banker. That's all I'm going to tell you. You really must get the book and read it for yourself."

"Yes, ma'am.
I'll see if I can find it," Connor said, though it seemed quite peculiar to him.

Mrs.
Jorgansen
stood, indicating their interview was over. "I'm so glad you came by today, Connor. It's been much too long. Don't worry about Suzanne's tea. There will be plenty of ladies there to help ease your sister into her first social function.
And congratulations on your marriage to Alexandra.
In time, I'm sure everyone will accept your wife."

"Thank you, Mrs.
Jorgansen
," he said, feeling immensely relieved.

The butler showed him to the door and Connor couldn't help but almost skip down the steps. He knew he could depend on Mrs.
Jorgansen
to help make the tea party a success.

But why had she mentioned
Hester's Revenge
? What did the book have to do with him?

Why had she suggested hosting this ridiculous tea? Alexandra's anxiety had been building for several days, and her nerves were strung tighter than a noose. What if nobody came?

She knew Aunt Clara would attend, but how utterly deplorable to have a party with your relative as your only guest. A shudder ran through her, settling in her stomach as a wave of nausea assaulted her. Sighing, she took a long sip of water.

Lord, she prayed she was not setting Suzanne up for failure. Though it would hurt terribly if no one came, Alexandra would survive. But to inflict this kind of snub and hurt on a
seventeenyearold
girl would be devastating. And it would be all Alexandra's fault.

Alexandra, the adulterous divorcee, committing yet another misdeed.

No, it had to be successful. She'd remarried, ladies would come—or at least she hoped they would.

She hurried downstairs to make sure everything was ready. As she rounded the comer of the dining room, her skirts swishing as she bustled about. She ran straight into Connor. He grabbed her forearm to keep her from plowing
headon
into him. His white shirt was open to his waist, his naked chest mere inches from her face. He stood there in his stocking feet, his pants fitting snugly against his firm thighs, his hair in disarray. She took a gulp of air to still her suddenly racing heart. The pleasant aroma of horse, leather, and man assaulted her senses.

He was devastatingly handsome and her
longsleeping
senses reacted swiftly.

"You seem to be in quite a hurry," he said, balancing her until she was steady.

She couldn't help but stare. They were so
close,
she could see the dark hairs on his chest. The trail of a scar ran diagonally across his shoulder, disappearing beneath his shirt.

"Our guests will be arriving any time now," she acknowledged.

Connor laughed. "Afraid the good ladies of Charleston will be offended by my dress?"

Alexandra smiled. He must have just come in from the fields, and at least he'd been courteous enough to leave his muddied boots outside.
"Everyone but ladies who wanted you for themselves."

"
Touche
, my dear."

He leaned forward and took a deep breath. "Hmm, you smell nice. It's a shame I'm on my way upstairs now to change."

Alexandra's gaze was drawn to his
cobaltblue
eyes. With surprise, she realized his look was almost tender. What had happened to the angry man who thought she had a secret paramour? Though it had been several days, she couldn't help but wonder if he still thought her capable of such a heartrending crime.

But for the moment, she didn't have time to dwell on Connor's moods. There were other details to take care of.

"Though this is a ladies' tea, as Suzanne's brother and guardian, it would be nice if you were to drop in for a few moments," she said.

Connor laughed. "Your message is clear, Alexandra. I will drop in later and say hello, then hurry to spend my time working in my office."

"Thank you." She started to pull away from him, but he gripped her arms tighter. She looked up at him, startled. "I must check to make sure everything is ready."

"Hold on for a minute." He gazed down at her, his eyes warm and inviting. "I don't think I've told you how much I appreciate what you're doing for Suzanne. She's very excited."

His comment took her by surprise. Warmth pervaded her being. "Thank you. I like your sister, Connor. I just hope my past doesn't keep the ladies from attending."

He smiled.
"Nonsense.
That's all behind you. You're a respected married lady now."

Alexandra raised her eyebrows. "Is it in the past, Connor? The last time we discussed this subject you were insinuating that George Montgomery was more than just a friend. You were demanding knowledge of my affairs."

Connor took a deep breath. "It's just that I've never been married before and I was totally unprepared for how angry I felt when that package arrived. I couldn't help but wonder if he was the man who caused all the problems in your first marriage."

She broke into laughter.
Of all the days for him to bring up the subject of her accursed adultery.
She didn't have time to explain. "I wouldn't worry about George if I were you."

"I'm sorry." He ran his hand through his
hair,
a perplexed frown crossed his face. "Maybe I don't know what to believe about you anymore."

Alexandra was stunned. It appeared the man was apologizing for his behavior of the week before.

He shuffled his feet, his eyes shifting around the room nervously. "I guess I assumed there were no other men in your life but me. I wasn't prepared to be a jealous husband."

She couldn't help but smile. "Well, we know I'm the only woman in your life.
At least this week."

His eyes twinkled with amusement. "That's not fair. I'm a married man now."

"Would that stop you?" she
questioned,
her voice suddenly serious.

But before Connor could answer, the bell signaled the arrival of the first guest, abruptly interrupting them and the easy atmosphere that had enveloped them.

"Oh, my God, they're starting to arrive and you've kept me from checking on the food."

He reached out and patted her on the arm. "Everything is going to be just fine."

"Where's Suzanne?"

The young girl appeared in the doorway. "I'm here."

Connor's eyes skimmed the women's attire. "You both look gorgeous. Go get '
em
, ladies." He headed up the stairs to his room, leaving them to face their guests alone.