Games (Timeless Series)

by Loyd, Sandy

  Giselle realized she was getting in too deep and it was time to back up a little. “Nothing, Papa. Why are you so interested in my dealings with Simon? I barely know the man.”

  “It seems you know him well enough.”

  “I do know one thing. Simon is a confirmed bachelor. I have accepted the fact and have no plans to change his mind. You four act as if we were perfectly suited to each other. You have to know me well enough to know that I would never want anyone who did not want me. I refuse to listen to any more.”

  Marcus heeded the warning in his daughter’s voice by changing directions. “So, Bradford’s finally found the courage to speak up? I take it this is a recent conversation?”

  “Yes. He has made it perfectly clear that I am wife material.”

  “I should think if you’ve gotten that far, he must have something to hold your interest. Although he does seem a little stiff.”

  She shrugged. “He is all right when he is not talking about his mother. And I do wish he was not quite so predictable.”

  Sophie smiled, then reached for her hand, giving it a loving squeeze. “He does seem a little contrived, ma petite. I heard his mother is marrying, though—to some breeder who lives out of town. Once they are wed, he may not be so wrapped up in her.”

  “I have not made up my mind about Bradford just yet.” She was quiet, staring at her food. When she continued speaking, her voice was pensive. “I am also beginning to see how my actions may hurt some men, so I am not as willing to play silly games anymore.”

  Marcus and Sophie’s meaningful glances met. Sophie’s gaze moved to her daughter and she asked gently, “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, Mama. Do not pretend you do not know how mean my actions have been. I simply never realized it before now.”

  “Giselle, you are what you are. But you are not cruel. Why would you think you are? What brought all this on?”

  “It seems as if I hurt Bradford, and I feel as if I may hurt him more by refusing to marry him. He appears very determined.”

  “Have you led Bradford on?” Marcus asked. “Given him reason to expect marriage?”

  “No. I flirted with him and I probably dangled a promise of what could be in my smile, like Simon says I do. But I never went past that point. I did not even know he was thinking in terms of marriage until he spoke up on Saturday.”

  Not realizing her honest admission spoke unsaid volumes, Giselle missed Marcus’s knowing smile.

  “Well, there you go. A promise in a smile without the words is only half the equation. If a man is too timid to demand more, he doesn’t deserve more. I certainly don’t want you thinking about marriage to Bradford because he expects it. Your happiness is my biggest concern, not Bradford’s feelings.”

  A commotion at the door caught everyone’s attention as Simon Harrington strolled into the room.

  A smile spread across Giselle’s face at his arrival. “Simon!” she said, her voice filled with pleasure. “You are back. Come and join us. My parents came for a visit.”

  Both parents had obviously observed the smile. Their eyes met in another silent communication.

  Simon sat in the empty chair next to Giselle. “I heard the Thorpes had company.” He acknowledged Minnie and Maizie with a nod. “You ladies look ravishing this afternoon. You must be getting your beauty sleep.”

  The two women blushed. Maizie patted her hair and Minnie smiled coyly.

  He then turned and nodded at Marcus and Sophie. “It’s good to see you both again so soon. But I’m surprised, considering Giselle told me on Saturday she’d just spent time with you.” He kept his speculative gaze on the older man until Marcus chuckled.

  “Let’s just say we had some questions we felt needed to be answered after your visit yesterday,” Marcus said, still smiling.

  Giselle caught his comment and her gaze moved from Simon to her father and back again. “You two had a visit yesterday?”

  “Yes.” Simon turned his attention to her and the smile he bestowed sent little tingles up and down her spine. “At your suggestion, I stopped by to pay my respects.”

  Her glance went from her mother to her father. “Papa, why did neither you nor Mama tell me that you saw Simon? Why all the subterfuge?”

  Marcus studied his water glass, not meeting her gaze.

  “I’ll tell you why,” Simon cut in. “It’s because they’re being busybodies. They’re as bad as Minnie and Maizie.”

  “No. We merely wanted to see our baby. Is that a crime,” Marcus asked.

  Shaking her head, Giselle said, “I cannot believe you two. You are spying on me.”

  No one spoke for an uncomfortable moment until Simon’s bark of laughter filled the quiet room. “It runs in the family, Giselle. They can’t help it.”

  “Well, they can just go home, because there is nothing to see.” Her annoyed gaze sought first her father’s, then her mother’s. “I have told both of you that Simon and I do not suit, so put it out of your minds.”

  Marcus cleared his throat. “Of course, my dear. We’re just relieved you’re thinking seriously of marriage to Bradford. He’d be a fine husband.”

  Simon’s smile died. He turned to Giselle and his words cut like a knife. “You’re not considering marrying that jackass?”

  Even though Giselle felt the same way, she had had her fill of manipulating men. “I might be. But if I am, I truly think it is none of your business, Monsieur Harrington.”

  Forgetting the other occupants of the room, Simon’s steely green gaze caught Giselle’s defiant one and held it for several long seconds before he hissed, “It’s Simon. And you damn well know it.”

  Four pairs of eyes focused on their food and stayed there in uncomfortable silence while she and Simon engaged in a mental battle.

  “Simon,” she snapped in exasperation, finally giving in. “Who I choose to marry is my business and mine alone.”

  “You’re damn right,” Simon barked back. With angry motions he started eating, effectively ignoring everyone in the room.

  At once Giselle realized how their little scene must have come across to her parents. Glancing up, she noticed their innocent expressions.

  “Oh, do not think I cannot see what you are doing. Well, it will not work.” She got up from the table and said on her way out of the room, “I have reading to do, if you will excuse me.”

  ~~

  Simon looked up. With his attention on the Franklins, he lifted an eyebrow. “What’s she talking about?”

  Marcus smiled benignly and shook his head. “I haven’t a clue. Who knows what goes through the female mind?” He turned to his wife. “Do you know what got into her?”

  Sophie sighed. “I believe it is all this talk about marriage to Bradford. A woman is always nervous when she is about to become a bride. Oh, Marcus! Our baby is growing up and is finally ready for marriage.”

  When the meaning of her words set in, Simon’s fork halted in midair. He set it on his plate. “Are you two seriously thinking of letting her marry that buffoon?”

  Marcus shrugged. “You saw her. Do you think she cares what we think? She follows her own mind and always has.”

  Simon stood. “Well, someone needs to talk some sense into her.”

  “You are certainly welcome to go ahead and try. We’ve already seen how you have much more sway than we do,” Marcus said as Simon strode out of the room.

  ~~

  Minnie and Maizie gave each other knowing smiles. Minnie chortled and said to the Franklins, “Oh, you are good. That should stir the pot a little. Now all you have to do is let them stew awhile. He’s probably searching her out right now.”

  Marcus grinned at the ladies and bowed his head. “Giselle’s not the only one who knows how to play games. Simon’s right. It is a family trait. They don’t call me a master of the games for no reason.”

  ~~

  Anger simmering close to boiling, Simon let himself into the library. Giselle sat in her usual spot, reading and totally igno
ring his presence.

  He strode over to the bar and poured two drinks. After picking them up, he moved to the sofa and stood, waiting for her to acknowledge his presence.

  “Giselle, don’t test me tonight. I’m in no mood for it.”

  She sighed and set her book down. Simon sat next to her when she took the drink he offered.

  Her expression was combative. “Will you please leave me alone!”

  With his eyes on hers, he took a drink and then said, “I need to know you’re not really thinking of marrying him.”

  “What difference does it make to you? It is not your affair.”

  He shook his head and his voice changed, becoming almost earnest. “He’s not right for you.”

  She sipped from the glass, remaining silent for a full minute before asking, “How would you know who is right for me?”

  “I know you. If he interests you at all, you’d be bored with him in no time.”

  She smiled sweetly and patted his cheek. “Simon, I know you mean well, but I do not need your help.” She took another sip and placed her glass on the table. “Now, if you do not mind, I would like to be left alone.” Then she went back to her book, totally dismissing him once again.

  Not liking the fact that she could dismiss him so easily, he counted to thirty. Yet it did no good to cool his rising temper. What’s more, since sitting down, her scent and nearness taunted him. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t ignore her. The image of her, like she had been the other night, was imprinted on his brain and he couldn’t shake it. All he could think of was seeing her naked, begging him for release. Too late, he realized he never should have come in here. Whether he was making a big mistake or not, he set his drink down. He took her book, tossing it aside while pulling a startled Giselle into his arms.

  “You should know better than to bait me, Giselle. I thought we’d already established the fact. I can’t seem to resist the challenge.”

  His emotions had quickly come to a head, so when his lips found hers, they weren’t gentle. His most fervent thought was to subdue her in the easiest way possible, using his lips, tongue, and mouth. But his plan backfired. As maddening as this woman was, her mouth, now molding so perfectly to his, left him yearning for more. Desire for her engulfed him. It seemed whenever he tasted her lips, he couldn’t stop. His hands flew to the top of her dress, undoing it. Next he was kneading her bared breast with one hand while the other was beneath her petticoats, stroking her leg.

  Giselle moaned, opened farther for him, clearly awash in sensations and sending his own need skyrocketing. When his strokes became firmer, moving closer to her center, she pushed him with force and pulled her mouth away, halting an inch from him.

  “Simon, please!” Her pleas came out in whispers. “Do not do this. We are playing right into my parents’ hands.”

  As if he’d received a slap on the face, Simon sobered. He sat up, tugging her dress back over her shoulders, buttoning as he went and righting her petticoats, using the tasks to gain a modicum of control. It took him more minutes before he had total rein over his emotions.

  “I’d think you’d better explain yourself. How is my stealing a kiss playing into their hands?”

  “You were stealing more than a kiss.”

  “I beg to differ. The first kiss I stole, the rest you gave.”

  She blushed. “You are insufferable. I do not know why I put up with you.”

  “Yes, you do. You love my kisses,” he whispered, grinning at her deepening blush. In a louder, more serious voice he said, “Now, tell me why you think we are playing into your parents’ hands.”

  “They were baiting you. And you fell for it.”

  “How?”

  She tsked-tsked, shook her head, and said in an exasperated tone, “Simon, why do you think my parents are here? They suspect there is something between us, and they will stop at nothing to find out all they can. Now, unless you want to be forced into marriage, you had better start to use your brain before you react further to my father’s taunts.”

  “He was taunting me?” Simon couldn’t believe it.

  “What do you think?”

  He wiped his face with his hands to clear his mind and gaped at her. Seeing nothing but seriousness in her eyes, he swore under his breath. “My God, this can’t be happening.”

  “Well, it is and you had best be more careful, because my mother was playing right along with him. Do you honestly believe I could harbor thoughts of marrying Bradford? After our night? How can you think so little of me to believe I could jump so easily from you to him?”

  “I don’t know,” Simon replied honestly. “What could I think? You are a bit fickle.”

  “Not where that is concerned. You know you have gone where no one else has.”

  “I’m sorry, Giselle.” Her hurt expression sent a pang of remorse through his system. “I lost my head.”

  “And played right into my father’s hands, just like he wanted.”

  “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that.”

  “What would you call it?”

  He thought about it. Then he burst out laughing. “Touché, Giselle. You always seem to win your point.”

  “Well, I am so glad you find me so amusing. You should know I am not marrying Bradford or anyone else until you are long gone and forgotten. Right before you came in I was telling my parents so, and they fully understood. My father assured me his only concern was my happiness, not Bradford’s feelings.”

  “Then why were you baiting me? All you had to do was deny you were marrying him.”

  “You are as bad as my father,” she accused. “How is it you feel it is fine to tell me what to do? I do have a mind of my own. You men think you can control everything. Well, you cannot.”

  “We don’t think that,” Simon denied forcefully.

  “Yes, you do. I am telling you exactly as I told Papa. I want nothing less than what my parents have—a man who loves me. You do not want marriage and I would never force you into something you do not want.”

  “I know you wouldn’t, nor would your parents.”

  “If we were caught in a compromising situation, what do you think would happen?”

  It dawned on Simon just then how close he’d come. He smiled as his head moved slowly from side to side. “That wily old man. I should have known better.”

  “Do not forget my wily old mother,” Giselle stated, agreeing with Simon. “She is just as bad. Well, I am the wily old couple’s daughter. If they think they can outmaneuver us, they are going to be in for a surprise. We simply have to beat them at their own game.”

  “Oh? What are you suggesting?”

  “We stay away from each other until they are gone. I assumed you would be out tonight, so I thought it would be an easy feat to accomplish. Why did you come to dinner?” Giselle asked, glancing at him.

  “When Jake told me they were here, my curiosity got the better of me. After all, I’d just left them yesterday and they’d already had a visit from you, so why another visit this soon?”

  “Now you know why.”

  “Yes, but I think our staying away from each other, at least in their presence, would be a mistake.” When she shook her head and started to disagree, he put his finger to her mouth. “Think. They’ll know something’s up. Then they’ll increase their efforts to throw us together.” He was quiet while thinking, then smiled devilishly and rubbed his hands together. “I’ve got it. We need to act as if we’ve sorted out our differences in front of them.”

  “I do not follow you.”

  “At breakfast we’ll be on friendly terms, and we’ll act as if you’ve convinced me Bradford’s the one for you.”

  After pondering his idea, her wide smile spread, transforming her face. “Oui, I understand. You are devious, monsieur.”

  Her smile tugged at him, pulling him toward her. Peering into luminous brown eyes so full of mischief, he was further drawn to her. His head lowered. Just before taking her lips with his, he whispered,
“It’s Simon.”

  Where the last kiss was heated and angry, this kiss was gentle and soft. Simon knew he couldn’t drink long from her lips if he wanted to keep to their plans. So with much regret, he dragged his mouth from hers. The innocent desire reflected in her eyes when their gazes met was almost his undoing. Wanting nothing more than to lay her down and fall into her warmth, he dropped his arms and stood.

  “It’s time we said good night. I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned and quickly strode out of the room without looking back.

  Chapter 20

  During breakfast the next morning, Simon and Giselle were unusually quiet. After observing the pair for a time, Marcus asked, “So, did you two get things settled?”

  Nodding, Giselle smiled sweetly. “Oui. Now that Simon knows how I feel about Bradford, he has no qualms about my marrying him.”

  Marcus searched Simon’s impassive face. “It doesn’t bother you in the least to know she’s marrying that buffoon, as you put it?”

  Simon shrugged and took a drink of coffee. “Like you said, the woman knows her own mind. Nothing I say or do will make a difference.”

  His gaze narrowed as he chewed on his bite of eggs. He stole another look at Giselle’s face and then Simon’s. Both looked straight ahead, focusing on eating breakfast, neither paying the other the least bit of attention.

  In confusion he glanced at his wife. His eyebrows rose in question and he shrugged.

  When Simon was done eating, he rose from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get moving. I’m taking the train for Louisville and can’t be late. The weather looks as if it may turn nasty later. I want to return well before dark.”

  Giselle looked at him and there was a flash of questioning in her eyes. “You’ll be careful?”

  When Simon met her glance, his eyes revealed an answering heated message before he shrouded the look and nodded.

  Taking a deep breath, Giselle smiled mischievously and said, “Well, I would not want anything to happen to you before my wedding.”

  He chuckled, walked over to her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry, honey. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He turned to the others at the table, giving a brief nod. “I trust I’ll see you all tonight?”