The Scent of Jasmine (Edilean 4)

She leaned against the wall beside Alex and said in a dreamy way, “When I was eight years old, I went with my parents to Gracewell, South Carolina, to visit the Armitage family. My father worked with Mr. Armitage during the War for Independence, and they’re friends. My father doesn’t call him King; he calls him Billy, and they spend a lot of time talking about Scotland. When we visited, Jamie was home from William and Mary. That’s—”

“I know what it is, and believe it or not, I can read and write, too.”

Cay looked at him as though to ask what he was talking about, but then went on with her story. “I was just eight years old, he was twenty-two, and he pushed me on a swing.”

Alex waited for a moment, but she said nothing else. “And what happened?”

“Nothing. That’s it. He pushed me on the swing for about half an hour, then he went back into the house, and the next morning he left before I was up. I never saw him again.”

Alex moved away from the wall to look at her. “Am I missing something here? You made this sound like it was really important.”

“It was. That night I told my mother I was going to marry Jamie Armitage, and she said I’d made a good choice.”

Alex blinked at her a few times. “Have you always been so obsessed with marriage?”

“I want to get it right. What’s so wrong with that? I’ve seen unhappy marriages and I don’t want to live like that.” She put her arms over her chest and turned away from him.

“Just a few days ago you were talking to me about the three men you were trying to decide about, and no

w you’re after this man.”

She turned back to face him. “I’m not after any man. I’m just telling you that I know this man. I know his family, his home, and some of the towns that his father owns.”

“And you want to travel with me so you can go after him, just as those twins are going after you?”

“You’re disgusting.”

Alex took a few deep breaths to calm himself so he could try a different approach. “Your brother Adam told you to stay here and wait, and I think that’s what you should do.”

“I think Adam would want me to spend as much time with an Armitage son as possible. Adam didn’t like—” Cutting herself off, she looked away from Alex.

“He didn’t like what?”

She didn’t want to answer, but Alex kept staring at her. “The men.”

“Are you saying that your oldest brother, who you seem to revere, didn’t like the three men you were considering marrying?”

“Yes. Are you happy now?”

Alex couldn’t resist a smile. “What did Adam say about them?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“Was it that bad? Or are you just too cowardly to repeat his words?”

“Adam said those three men weren’t good enough to kiss the soles of my shoes. There! Does knowing that make you happy?”

“Pretty much.” He was grinning. “You know, every word you’ve told me about your precious Adam has made me dislike the bas—the man, but now I’m beginning to think we might like each other.”

“No you wouldn’t. You’re too much alike.”

“Alike? Are you changing your story and saying that I am like your oldest brother?”

“You’re getting too much pleasure out of this, so I’m not going to say another word to you about anything, except that I’m going to go with Jamie whether you like it or not.”

“You’re not.”

“Am.”