Every Time We Kiss

“After I left.”

“I talked to her about what happened and apologized for my part in it.”

“Oh yes, Vanessa Fulbright. Your mistress, am I correct?”

Matthew folded his arms over his chest. “No. She is my former mistress. I ended things with her before I started my bride search.”

“Obviously, you didn’t end things well enough,” Selby’s voice grew louder.

“I realize that now,” Matthew replied forcefully.

“And after you apologized, what happened?”

Matthew stood to his full height. And much to his pride, was at least an inch taller than Jennette’s brother. “Nothing. She became upset when we started to discuss something that happened five years ago. Then she left.”

“I will not allow a marriage between you two,” Selby said softly.

“When at last I checked, I found your sister to be well above the age of majority. She doesn’t need your consent.” Unfortunately, Matthew knew she would want her brother’s approval.

“I will go to court and get my grandmother’s will overturned. Jennette will have nothing because I refuse to allow the man who killed my sister’s betrothed to marry her.”

Matthew clenched his fists. The money didn’t matter to him any longer. The only thing that mattered was Jennette. Together they could solve their problems and face the gossips. Perhaps it would be for the best if Selby turned over the will. She already thought he was a gambler. By not bringing her fortune into the marriage, she would see he had no desire for the gaming hells.

And perhaps someday she might even learn to love him as much as he loved her. He strode to the door and then glared back at her brother.

“Do what you must, Selby.”

Chapter 20

After arriving back in town last evening, Jennette had been on tenterhooks. Nervous energy filled her for no apparent reason. When the footman asked if she wanted the trunk left in her room for the voyage, she’d snapped at him. When the maid brought her tea and toast, and the tea was lukewarm, she had yelled at her.

She had never cared before if her tea wasn’t piping hot. There had to be something to do that would ease the panicky sensation burning through her belly.

The entire carriage ride home, her thoughts were on Matthew. In her heart, she knew marrying him would only bring more scorn on him. The gossips were cruel to him before and they would assume he killed John to have her for himself.

And what would they say about her?

Perhaps they would think she had more involvement in the killing. People might say they planned this together to be rid of John. Society would ostracize her family. They would shun her mother, Banning, and Avis. Her family’s name ruined.

“All because of me,” she whispered aloud.

“What is all because of you, my dear?” her mother asked.

Jennette whirled around, stunned to see her mother standing at the threshold of her room. She’d never even heard the door open.

“Jennette, don’t you think it is time to talk to me? Believe it or not, I was once your age and remember the trials of falling in love.”

“I’m not in love,” she exclaimed. Was she? Five years ago, she’d thought she loved John, only to have his best friend hold more appeal. Was she just a fickle woman who couldn’t decide on a man?

“Of course you are,” her mother said, waving her hand at her in dismissal of her objection. “I haven’t seen you this preoccupied…ever.”

“That is only because I’m leaving in a matter of days.”

Her mother sat in the floral chair and shook her head. “You still have six days and no, you aren’t leaving.”

Jennette frowned. “What do you mean I’m not leaving? The trunk is over there,” she said, pointing to the trunk in the corner.

“Why can’t you just admit you love the man?”