Behind a Lady's Smile (30 page)

“Pleased? More than pleased, Mr. Dwight. You see, I had no idea I had any money, never mind . . .”

“Two million dollars,” Mitch added, when it became clear Genny was so overwhelmed she could hardly say the words.

“Of course, it is not all liquid funds. Only approximately fifty thousand is readily available. But I’m more than happy to liquidate some of these stocks for you so that you have more cash available.”

Genny let out a laugh. “That would be wonderful, Mr. Dwight. I do think fifty thousand should tide us over for a bit.” She laughed again.

Genny signed some papers, withdrew five thousand dollars, which she placed carefully in her reticule, and the three shook hands, all smiling. Giddy with the day’s events.

Once they were out of the bank and on the wide sidewalk in front, Mitch couldn’t wait any longer. He picked her up, laughing and spinning as she clutched his neck.

“You know,” Mitch said, once he’d set her down and pressed a kiss on her forehead, “it doesn’t matter. If all we had in our pockets was the money your grandfather gave us, I’d still be happy.”

Genny nodded, but couldn’t help smiling. “I truly don’t think I would have been this happy had there only been two dollars in that account. We’re wealthy, Mitch. I never, ever would have believed it. You made this all come true.”

Mitch smiled, but guilt, unexpected and sharp, hit him. Hard. “I have to tell you something, darlin’.”

“My, you look so serious.”

“I’m not the man you think I am.” When she started to speak, he stopped her. “When I first met you, when you were hurt, my plan was to stay just long enough to make certain you could get around. The last thing I wanted to do was escort some girl anywhere, never mind all the way to England. And then you showed me those letters and, well, all I could think of was getting some reward from your rich relatives so I could open my business. That’s why I did it. Not because I’m a hero or a good man.

“Then something happened. Around the time we got to Sacramento and definitely by the time we got to Omaha. I started to not care about the money. It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was getting you home.”

He expected her to be hurt or angry, but Genny smiled. “You fell in love.”

“I fell in love. Madly, madly in love.”

“I’m glad,” she said, getting up on her toes and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “Because I fell madly, madly in love, too. Besides, I always knew you were interested in money.”

He pulled back, stunned. “You did?”

“I tried sympathy, then anger, but when I mentioned my mother’s jewels, that seemed to do the trick.”

He grinned down at her. “You little scamp. You knew all along?”

“No, not about a possible reward. Honestly, Mitch, how disappointing.” She didn’t look at all angry, so he couldn’t stop smiling. “I shall be very angry with you but not now. Today is too wonderful for anger. Do you think we can give some money to Tillie so she can have a grand wedding? I do like Mr. Paulings.”

Mitch looked down the street and spied a hansom cab coming toward them without occupants, so he stepped forward and waved to the driver to stop. “I think you can do whatever you want with the money.”

“Then I shall buy a house for us and a wedding for Tillie. And a photography studio and clothes for you. And a home in the country by a lake. I do so miss nature.”

Mitch chuckled. “You certainly have thought this through. Anything else?”

“We need to set aside some money for your mother just in case her acting career takes a turn. I shouldn’t like her to open another brothel, though she did seem to enjoy herself. And . . .”

“And?” The cab stopped and Mitch gave the driver the address, for the first time in his life not caring that the trip would take nearly a dollar out of his pocket.

“And we’ll need furniture for the house. And clothes for the baby, of course.”

“Of course,” he said, helping her up to the cab. Then it hit him, what she’d said, and if Mitch thought a man could feel any happier than he had a moment ago, he learned what real happiness was in that instant. “Did you say baby?”

Genny gave him a smile he instantly recognized, for he’d been seeing it on and off for days now. She nodded, her cheeks blushing becomingly. “A baby, Mitch.”

And now he knew what was behind that smile all along.

 

But not just any girl will do. She must have the money to save his dilapidated estate and desperate tenants. So when he meets a charming American lady’s maid on the beach at Brighton, the last

thing he ought to do is kiss her.

 

Or at least her mother is. But Katherine can’t get the memory of a
most inappropriate kiss out of her mind. The handsome stranger
who took her in his arms in Brighton was only a valet, but even if
she is an heiress, she’d rather spend her life with him than some
stiff British aristocrat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For he has the unfortunate habit of falling for each Season’s loveliest
debutante, only to have his heart broken when she weds another.
Surely Lady Marjorie Penwhistle can help him. She’s sensible,
clever, knows the
ton
, and must marry a peer, which he is not.
Since she’s decidedly out of his reach, Charles is free to enjoy her
refreshing honesty—and her unexpectedly enticing kisses . . .

 

At least not the titled-but-unbearable suitors her mother is
determined she wed. She’d rather stay unmarried and look after her
eccentric brother. Still, advising Mr. Norris
is
a most exciting secret
diversion. After all, how hard will it be to match-make someone so
forthright, honorable, and downright handsome? It’s not as if she’s
in danger of finding Charles all too irresistible herself...

To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

 

 

LYRICAL PRESS BOOKS are published by

 

Kensington Publishing Corp.

119 West 40th Street

New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2015 by Jane Goodger

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

 

 

Lyrical and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

 

First Electronic Edition: August 2015

ISBN: 978-1-6018-3449-2

ISBN-13: 978-1-60183-450-8

ISBN-10: 1-60183-450-0