Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) (32 page)

“Bailey said I can have a dress like hers….then we will both be princess
es” She smiled drawing Beckett’s attention.

The moment shattered Bailey stepped backwards away from Beckett’s touch. She suddenly realized how close she had come to being sucked back into the fantasy of his world. She saw him frown as she threw her shields back up into place and when he took a step towards her she shook her head.

“We should leave.” She said grabbing her wrap. “Alexis….Tristan….you mind your grandmother.”

“We will.” Alexis said watching Bailey leave.

She stopped in the hallway waiting for Beckett to join her. Before he did he said his goodnights to the children. She leaned her head against the wall closing her eyes as she steeled her emotions from the night ahead. She felt the heat from his presence before he spoke.

“Are you ready?” He asked and when she opened her eyes she was met with his
darkened eyes.

“Yes.” She said and when he presented his arm she placed her hand through it trying to ignore the current that passed through her as he escorted her downstairs.

Once in his car she became acutely aware of how much little space separated them. When he glanced over at her the slit in her dress opened revealing the garter on her leg. She heard his quick intake at the sight and instead of enjoying the moment she tensed at the sexual tension between them. They rode in silence and when he pulled up in front of the gallery she welcomed the sudden rush of air that occurred when the valet opened her door. She took the hand he offered and stepped out of the car as flashbulbs went off all around. Beckett was at her side taking possession of her arm as he led her past the groups of reporters and photographers.

“Smile, you can at least pretend you are enjoying my company.” He
smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Bailey assumed the role and plastered her face with the most brilliant smile looking up at Beckett as if she believed the sun rose and set just for him. She noticed the way Beckett’s expression changed and satisfied she had succeeded in her role she looked towards the photographers gracing them with her look. Once inside she tried to remove her hand from his arm but he held it in place and when she looked back up to meet his gaze he warned her to continue with the role. She was about to refuse when Grace and Lance Barrett greeted them.

“Mr. and Mrs. Garrett it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Beckett said smoothly as he shook Lances hand then nodded towards Grace.

“Please, I thought we agree you would call us by first names.” Grace protested as she leaned over and kissed Baileys cheek. “Bailey you are absolutely stunning, I’m glad my husbands in love with me or I would worry about a roving eye.”

“Thank you Grace but I fear you mustn’t worry, Lance is quite taken with you and your beauty truly outshines mine.”

“You are modest but I will graciously accept your compliment, Beckett, do you mind if I steal your fiancé for a moment, there are some people I would love for her to meet.” She said as she slipped her arm through Baileys.

“As long as you return her to me, I too fear her beauty might entice more than one man to stray tonight.” He said gallantly but Bailey noticed for a moment he believed every word till he quickly masked his emotions again.

She allowed Grace to lead her off in one direction while Lance led Beckett to the bar. Even from across the room she could feel his eyes on her and didn’t know if she should feel flattered or annoyed.

“I remember when Lance and I first fell in love” Grace sighed. “No one else in the room existed but him.”

“It
’s obvious the two of you are still in love.” Bailey said studying her face.

“Oh yes, but it’s a different type of love. We are more at ease with each other, in tune you might say. We can almost read each other
’s thoughts.” She smiled. “But those first few years of falling in love; the rush of anticipation, the yearning….” She sighed.

Bailey looked at her and swore the woman blushed. She knew from their conversation at the Remington
’s that Grace had been 16 and Lance 22 when the met. It had been love at first sight but the age difference was an issue for her parents. They had to wait till she was 18 years old to officially date and after a year of courtship she was given permission to marry. Grace wanted to elope but Lance did not want to dishonor her parents so he waited. They had been married now for nearly 32 years, had 7 children and 15 grandchildren. They had taken to Bailey under their wing the moment they met having known both of her parents. She had spent nearly an hour with them listening to tales of her parents and how they met. As they walked Bailey couldn’t help but notice the glances she kept receiving from the men present. She had to smile thinking no matter the age men were the same. In school when a new girl transferred in the boys referred to her as new meat. She was the new meat in town and while she may have arrived with Beckett these men didn’t seem to care, in fact the way they looked at her now seemed like a challenge. She had gotten the same reaction at the dinner party from the group of men she had met. She was not unused to men’s advances but in California an icy glance would send them running. There were too many willing females to waste time and effort when she was not. However, here in the South the men reacted differently. They still felt superior to women and from the short time she had lived with her grandmother she had learned women were supposed to remain in their place. Bailey knew her grandmother and even Grace were anomalies here who refused to bow down to the expectations of Southern society.

“What’s wrong my dear?”
Grace asked noticing the small frown on Baileys face.

“Nothing really, I’m j
ust amazed at the difference between the culture here and back in California.”

“Ah yes….in most cases we have not progressed with the rest of the world.” Grace smiled noticing the way the men were looking at Bailey. “Men look upon a beautiful woman as an object to possess.”

“How do you deal with it?”

“I let them believe they’ve succeeded. Women
like you are smarter than them; you can easily manipulate them without them being aware you are doing it.”

“I don’t like to manipulate anyone.”

“No my dear I know, you are truly open and honest which is what Lance and I love about you. But there are things you must learn if you and Beckett are to be a success in this arrangement Regina has arranged.”

Bailey turned and looked at Grace her shock evident on her face. Grace just smiled as she led Bailey to the first group of people she wanted her to meet silencing the questions on Baileys lips.

“Bailey….I’d like to introduce you to Harrison Steele and his sister Emily…..this is Bailey Montgomery, Regina Montgomery’s granddaughter.”

“Miss Montgomery, it is truly a pleasure to meet you
, the talk of you beauty was not an exaggeration.”

“I’m flattered.” Bailey said as Harrison took her hand in his.
“Though I was not aware I was the talk of anything?”

He was taller than she but not quite Beckett
’s height. With dark brown hair that curled just below his collar and dark brown eyes with flecks of green and gold. His face reminded her of the heroes often depicted on the cover of romance novels. High cheek bones, straight nose and a perfect mouth now curled in a dazzling smile that certainly melted women’s hearts. Like Beckett he was toned and by the tan of his skin she knew he spent a great deal of time outdoors. His sister in contrast was smaller than her and reminded her of a tiny porcelain doll with her perfectly shaped body, blond hair, pale skin and blue eyes. Just a hint of color touched her cheeks and lips which only enhanced the image. Unlike her brother’s friendly smile, hers was reserved as if in sizing up Bailey she found her inferior. Bailey ignored the chill she felt from Emily’s glance and returned her attention to Harrison when he spoke.

“Oh but you are, those who were lucky enough to meet you at the Remington’s party have spoken of nothing else. I fear you left a trail of broken hearts when you declined so many of their invitations.”

“Now I know you are exaggerating.” Bailey smiled. “One cannot leave a trail of broken hearts when they have only just met.”

“So your intelligence and quick wit were not a lie.” He said unable to hide the amusement from his eyes. “I hear you were out to visit my friend
’s estate to view his horses.”

“
If Ashton is your friend than you are correct, my brother wanted to see his Arabians and Ashton was kind enough to offer.” She said noticing he had yet to release her hand. She attempted to pull it back but he kept it firmly in his grasp.

“Th
en you must bring your brother to visit my stables, my Arabians have been bred from some of the finest bloodlines in the world. In addition I have several thoroughbreds including two Akhal-Teke’s.”

Bailey suddenly forgot about the hand he still held at the mention of his two horses.
Harrison smiled knowing he had her attention. Akhal-Tekes were rare in the United States and she had only seen one when she was a girl at the race tracks. They were known for their speed but also their endurance making them desirable for cross breeding.

“I see you know the breed”

“Yes, I used to go with my father to the tracts when I was little. Before I grew too tall I wanted to be a jockey.” She smiled. “One of the owners imported an Akhal-Tekes for stud purposes.”

“Then you must come and ride with me.” He grinned and Bailey noticed the way his sister rolled her eyes
in boredom. Harrison caught it also. “Don’t mind Emily, she has an aversion for anything to do with the stables.”

“Not an aversion brother, just I do not understand your obsession with it.” She corrected.

“Until your dalliance with one of our grooms you used to spend quite a lot of time in the stables.” He reminded her causing her to return his smile with a glare. Bailey caught the undercurrent of tension between the two and felt the need to excuse herself before she got caught up in the middle of a family squabble.

“
I would love to see your horses; maybe I could call on you sometime during the week?”

Ignoring his sister he again turned to Bailey. “If you are free for lunch tomorrow why not join me
; I had planned on taking them for a run then?”

Before Bailey could respond she noticed the way Emily was eyeing someone behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know Beckett was heading in their direction. She could feel his eyes on her and his presence when he stopped at her side. Emily was devouring him with her eyes and when she looked up at Beckett she noticed he seemed to be enjoying every moment.
She then saw the scowl on his face when he noticed Harrison was still holding Baileys hand.

“Bailey
.” Beckett said commanding her attention. “I thought you might like a glass of champagne.” He said as he held a glass for her. She felt Harrison reluctantly release her hand as she took the glass from Beckett. He smiled then turned to face Harrison. “I’m Beckett Birmingham, Bailey’s fiancé.” He said extending his hand towards Harrison.

Bailey noticed the way Harrison studied
Beckett as if he was sizing him up as competition. Bailey also noticed the way Grace was smiling as if this had been orchestrated. Harrison took Beckett’s hand and for a brief moment gripped it before releasing it.

“Beckett, this is Harrison Steele….and his sister Emily.” Bailey said completing the introductions. Beckett turned to Emily and graced her with his charm.

“Miss Steele, now I truly know where the South has been hiding its beauty.”

“Thank you.” Emily said as she
blushed at his compliment.

Bailey wondered how the girl could blush on command. One moment she was devouring Beckett with her eyes like a lioness hunting her prey and the next minute she was the delicate Southern belle that who eluded innocence.

“It is quite refreshing to have a gentleman grace our area.” Emily said as she placed a hand on Beckett’s arm. She gazed up at him and ever so slightly licked her bottom lip.

Bailey watched Beckett’s reaction and was hurt to see the smile on his face as he understood her implied message and seemed to consider the offer. First Macy now Emily, Bailey would have to remember tonight was just for appearance. The exchange between the two did not go unnoticed by Harrison and
Bailey noticed that Harrison was watching her reaction. Bailey smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. Harrison’s expression changed as if he understood and was sympathetic towards her. Beckett seemed to notice it too as he slid his arm possessively around her waist. She saw the challenge in Beckett’s eyes and felt the sudden tension between the two men. Despite his casual stance Bailey felt Beckett’s muscles constrict and for a moment thought Harrison might respond before dropping his gaze back to Bailey.

“If you will excuse us, I just noticed someone I wanted my sister to meet
. I hope you will accept my invitation for lunch.” He said to Bailey before taking Emily’s arm and leading her away.

Bailey stepped
away from Beckett and turned to him challenging his actions.

“What the hell was that all about
?” She demanded and Grace laughed.