“Oh drink it. I imagine you’re a ball of nerves. I don’t know what your grandfather and my father got in their heads, to arrange a marriage like this, but you’re stuck, so you may as well make the best of it. My nephew’s a handsome fellow, at least.” She took a sip of her drink. “Really, I don’t know what they were thinking. It’s 2012, for goodness gracious. At least he didn’t get it in his head to marry me off.”
“Aren’t you married?” Chris inquired tentatively, sipping at her drink.
“Oh goodness no!” Jacqueline exclaimed, refilling her glass and Chris’s. “I’m a regular spinster. I’ve been all over Europe on my own, and had dozens of men asking to marry me, but I wouldn’t have any of them. It doesn’t matter if it’s the eighteenth century or the twenty-first, once you’re married, you’re at the beck and call of a man, and I’m not having any of it.”
Chris wondered how everyone seemed to get to marry, or not marry, whom they wanted, except her. She couldn’t see a way out of it. Why was her life so arranged? Sometimes she wished she could just skip town and never come back. She could start another life, and stay with one of her aunts. She could go to the university and actually do something with her life. She didn’t have to lead the life that everyone wanted her to lead.
Except that was not the way things were going to go. She thought of what Anna had said. Nobody could make her do something she didn’t want to do. But hopefully it wouldn’t come to that. Hopefully her fiancé would be handsome, charming and lovely, and would take care of her, not that she needed anyone to.
“You’ve been to Europe?” Christina inquired, politely ignoring the rant on marriage.
“Oh yes. You’ll have to have Gordon take you to France on your honeymoon, it’s just divine. Oh and Spain, and Italy too. And the beaches of Greece are just incredible…” she continued on and Christina listened with half an ear as she looked out of the window. Her mimosa was forgotten in her hand as the magnitude of what was happening impressed her more and more by the minute.
“You know, there are so many places you can go to with Gordon. The Italian Riviera, Tuscany, Lauterbrunnen, The Greek Islands, Hallstatt, Rome, Venice, London, Paris, Athens, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Cornwall, Copenhagan, Florence…the list is endless. You and Gordon can go to all of those places together!”
Christina frowned. Lilly had promised to take her around the world, if they ever ended up as old spinsters, of course. Lilly had her heart set on it--no man would ever hold her down. Christina felt, that in a way, she had betrayed her friend. Of course, none of this was her doing, and she had never meant to hurt her, but still, a part of her wished she could have brought her along. At least she wouldn’t be so nervous in her soon-to-be mother-in-law’s company.
She smiled at Jacqueline. In her head everything seemed so wonderful. So why was her heart beating a million miles an hour?
“Oh, don’t look so worried, dear,” Jacqueline said. “You will not be traveling for quite some time. Wait until after you’ve married and have a baby, and then you can think about going. You’ll have plenty of nannies.”
Christina almost choked. “What? Babies? I’m not ready to have babies.”
Jacqueline raised a disbelieving brow. “You haven’t had your period yet?”
Christina’s mouth formed a wide ‘O.’ “Of course I have, it’s just I’m not really emotionally already to have babies. That’s just crazy!”
Jacqueline sighed. “I see you still have lots to learn, my dear.”
****
There was still no sign of Gordon when they walked inside the lodge.
It was gorgeous, Christina thought, looking around. The main living room was wide and open, with plush chocolate-colored couches that contrasted nicely with the light wood of the walls and floor, with an Indian-style rug thrown across the floor and thick faux fur blankets thrown over the backs of the couches. One wall was almost entirely windows, with a bench lined with throw pillows along the opposing wall, and a large, pioneer-style plank table with chairs on the opposite side of the table from the bench. The kitchen was just off of the living room, and beyond that was a large library which Christina could just see into enough to get a glimpse of a huge fireplace to match the one in the living room, and some dark leather couches.
The bedrooms were on the opposite side of the cabin, and Jacqueline showed Christina to hers before politely informing her that they would all meet in the library for drinks at three. Christina nodded and shut the door behind her, dropping her bags unceremoniously on the floor and looking around apprehensively.
The room was huge. A large four-poster bed was against one wall, with a thick cream-colored comforter and a calico quilt thrown over one corner. The pillows were thick and fluffy, with coordinating calico throw pillows propped up against them. A sheepskin rug stretched across the floor at the side of the bed and a deep merlot-colored knitted blanket was thrown over the arm of a chintz chair in the corner, with a side table and lamp for reading. French glass doors opened onto a balcony with a tall privacy fence surrounding it and an outdoor shower next to a hot tub. A further inspection of the bedroom revealed a walk-in closet and the adjacent door led to a massive bathroom with a sunken Jacuzzi tub next to a picture window, and a separate shower.
Chris was taken aback at how beautiful everything was. Of course, she expected luxury, but nothing like this. This was all simply divine!
Well, if she was going to be forced to become acquainted with her future husband, at least she was going to do it in luxury, Christina thought ruefully. Of course, given that money was the whole reason she was in this situation, they had better be surrounded with beautiful scenery. She set about unpacking her bags, hanging up her clothes in the closet and folding some of the items into the pine dresser against the far wall. She lined up her shoes neatly on the rack inside the closet. Her mother had taught her to take extreme care with her clothes.
She shed her sundress and stepped into the shower, enjoying the hot spray of water over her sore muscles. She hated flying and spent most of the trips she took via airplane, being tense and rigid in the seat. The shower loosened the tension and left her feeling rubbery and relaxed, substantially better than before. She dried off and wrapped herself in the thick robe that the lodge had provided, and wrapped her hair up in a towel before collapsing onto the bed, stopping just long enough to set her alarm for two p.m., before falling into a deep sleep.
****
The insistent ringing of her alarm woke her from the same dream she’d had many times over the past two years, the dream of her standing in a church while a priest married her to a faceless man. Except this time the man had a face--the face of the handsome man that they’d run into at the resort, and he had sneered down at her as they said their vows. “I don’t love you, you know,” he’d whispered in her ear as he leaned forward to kiss her before turning and presenting themselves as newlyweds to their family and friends.
She tried to shake the feeling the dream left with her as she rifled through the closet for what to wear, settling on a deep green halter-neck cocktail dress that hugged what curves she had and settled just a little below her knees. She paired it with nude pumps and put on the emerald and rose gold earrings her father had given her, along with a slender rose gold lariat necklace. Maybe it was silly, but wearing the earrings from her father gave her a little comfort that she so desperately needed. She took off the necklace from Lilly and hid it in her suitcase, tucked underneath her undergarments. No one would find it there.
She nervously filed away at a chipped nail and applied just a touch of makeup—she never needed much, she had been blessed with nearly perfect skin—and deep, berry colored lipstick. She managed to get her hair into an updo with some difficulty, finally resigning herself to the few pieces that determinedly escaped and trailed around her face. Taking one last look in the mirror, she admitted that she looked rather nice, which bolstered her confidence a little. She tossed a few things into an embroidered broc
ade clutch and, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin, headed toward the library.
****
Gordon, wearing dark gray trousers and a navy button-down shirt with a patterned tie that made his blue eyes stand out more than normal, poured himself a glass of whiskey and stood facing the fireplace, tapping one foot impatiently. He was angry and was not looking forward to meeting his new fiancé.
“Oh, do calm down,” Jacqueline admonished, pouring herself a glass of champagne. She had changed into a lovely deep burgundy cocktail dress with black heels, and had swept up her thick black hair, revealing her long slender neck. Her dark eyes were shadowed and hooded slightly, and she looked far more sultry than any other woman her age. She had added onyx jewelry--a pair of oval earrings in a plain setting, an equally plain oval onyx on a thin white gold necklace, and an oval onyx cocktail ring in an antique setting. The overall look was slightly dangerous, and certainly a bit out of place in the rustic lodge. She was strikingly beautiful and much too polished for her surroundings.
“Don’t tell me to calm down, Jackie,” he grumbled, tossing back the whiskey and reaching for another. “I’m meeting my fiancée in a few minutes. Tell me, how hideous is she, exactly? It must be bad, for them to keep it from me all this time. I just know I’m going to be stuck with an ugly cow with the personality of a dishrag.” He sighed. He had planned on calling Mindy after meeting his hideous new fiancé, in the hopes of reconciling with her. He could fly her down here and he could change her mind. He knew she wanted to be with him, so what harm could it do?
Jacqueline rolled her eyes, taking a delicate sip of her champagne and pouring a glass to give to Chris when she arrived. “She’s beautiful, Gordy. Don’t fret. I think you’ll get along just fine.”
“Don’t call me Gordy.”
“Don’t call me Jackie.”
Their bickering was stopped by the sound of footsteps, and Gordon turned to see the girl from the resort walk through the door. He was speechless.
Except she didn’t look like the girl from the resort at all. That girl had been red-faced and shy, hiccupping into a margarita and unable to meet his eyes, obviously a social nightmare. This girl was stunningly beautiful, tall and slender, wearing a gorgeous green gown that made her eyes stand out in her porcelain skin. Her face was narrow, and her thick auburn hair was swept up, with just a few pieces trailing against those impossibly high cheekbones, just as he wished he could trail his fingers along them…
He stopped his thoughts short, surprised at how quickly they had gone astray. You’re not supposed to like her, Gordon, he reminded himself. She’s not even your type. He forced himself to appraise her flaws, annoyed at how difficult they were to find. She had almost no curves, he noticed, and no breasts to speak of. In fact, she probably didn’t even need to wear a bra under that dress…
He felt himself getting an erection and he abruptly tossed back his second whiskey, trying desperately to change the direction of his thoughts. In a way, he wished she were ugly. He wished she were hideous, so he wouldn’t face the embarrassment of actually wanting to sleep with her. He felt guilty for being attracted to her, considering in his mind he was still technically engaged to Mindy. But she was stunning, that he could not deny. He wouldn’t have to struggle too hard to produce a heir.
He sighed. No, she’s ugly! he told himself. She’s ugly and you don’t want her. You want Mindy! Mindy the model. Mindy…
Chris noticed his scrutiny and her face started to turn red. She was having a hard enough time. He was so gorgeous, those gray slacks clinging to his thighs and creased in all the right places. The navy shirt strained a little in his upper arms, and she remembered what his chest had looked like in the open shirt on the beach. She could just imagine pulling that tie loose and undoing those buttons, running her fingers down...
She frowned. Despite the fact that he was stunningly attractive, his frown made him somewhat ugly. She knew that frown was because of her. He despised her, she just knew it. She was not what he expected.
She gulped and gratefully accepted the champagne that Jacqueline offered her, sipping at it a little too eagerly. He was making her feel like a flustered teenager, and she momentarily hated him for it. She hated the way he made her skin heat up and tingle just by looking at her. She saw him staring at her breasts and she instantly regretted not wearing a bra, praying her nipples wouldn’t harden under the silk. She wrinkled her nose in distaste. He hadn’t even smiled at her, for God’s sake. He just stood there, staring at her with a blank face…a blank, angry face. She dry-swallowed, wrapping her arms around her chest. The guy made her feel a little comfortable.
Jacqueline stood back a little bit, watching the two stare at each other like hunter and prey, and laughing inwardly to herself. Somehow, she thought, her father and Mr. Fontenot had unwittingly matched quite a couple. That is, if they didn’t kill each other first. Gordon had quite a sharp tongue on him, and she didn’t think Chris was the type to take it lying down. Well, not at first, anyway…she laughed to herself, refilling her glass of champagne.
Chris tried desperately to think of something to say. “How did your fiancée take the news?” She saw Gordon’s mouth tighten and she instantly regretted the question. At the same time, she found herself staring at his mouth, and wondering what those lips would feel like on hers….
Oh for God’s sake, Chris, get a grip!
“She took it well,” he said coolly. “She was disappointed, of course. As was I.”
“Just disappointed?” Christina ventured, her voice cracking a little. She couldn’t seem to keep herself from asking.
“It was not a love match,” Gordon replied. “Just a marriage, for the convenience of having a wife. She understood that there was nothing I could do about a contract that I had no knowledge of. So I’ve traded one fiancée for another.” He shrugged. “Either way, it doesn’t make much of a difference. This is just business. Don’t expect me to feel anything for you.” He knew he was being cruel, but he was angry and wanted to take it out on somebody.
Christina turned up her nose, feeling small, but knowing she couldn’t let Gordon put her down. “I think you’re ugly and mean. You should know that I’m not ever going to feel anything for you. In fact,” she stood up straighter, feeling a surge of confidence flow through her body, “I despise you.”
Gordon smiled, guiltily. “On sight? That’s obviously a lie.” He smiled. “You’re nothing compared to my real fiancé. You know, the girl who I actually want to marry. She’s stunning and you’re the ugly stepsister.”
Christina was taken aback. “You’re still seeing her?”
Gordon nodded. “We had sex just before you came. It was amazing.”
Christina frowned and turned away, downing her drink and pouring herself another. She sighed, feeling beaten down.
Jacqueline saw Christina’s face fall and she intervened quickly, taking Christina’s glass and setting it on the side table with her own. “There’s a fabulous five-star steakhouse here at the lodge,” she said brightly. “I thought we might have dinner there. You two can get to know each other. It’ll be fine.”
Christina turned to face Jacqueline and nodded. “Whatever you like, of course. I do think I’ll finish that champagne, before we go.” She thought of what Lilly had told her before she left. “There are five rules of etiquette, Christina. Be nice to him, even if he’s a handsome bastard. Nod and smile, even if you want to scratch out his eyes. Agree with his parents, for they will be in your life just as much as he will be. Always refer to things in the present tense, so not to make him feel uncomfortable for the future. And show a bit of cleavage, for God’s sake. If you’ve got it, flaunt it! He will want you more if others find you attractive!”
Christina smiled to herself as she followed Jacqueline out of the room. She avoided Gordon’s gaze as she tried to walk as unattractively as she could. Everything would be just fine.
Chapter 6
Dinner was an awkward affair. Christin
a focused on her meal, listening with half an ear to Jacqueline’s conversation and trying not to meet Gordon’s eyes. He hates me, she thought miserably. He must. But then why does he keep staring at me? He made her so uncomfortable. She wanted to stare at him as he was so attractive, but at the same time, she wanted to just disappear altogether.
“So, Christina, have you had many lovers?” he asked, when Jacqueline had left to go to the bathroom.
Christina thought she would die in embarrassment. “As a matter of fact, I’ve had more than I can handle. I’ve got loads of men just lining up outside my door.”
Gordon raised his eyebrows and smirked. “Oh I’m sure you do. You must lead an easy life then.”
Christina’s stomach felt as she understood his meaning. She narrowed her eyes and smiled. “I’m sure you’re the very definition of easy. I’m just learning from my dear fiancé. Isn’t that what obedient wives are supposed to do?”
Christina was surprised she knew such vocabulary. By nature, she was not a particularly mean person. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she had ever had a bad thought about someone. But with Gordon, the hatred seemed to flow easily.
“You’re just like the rest of them. You want an obedient wife you can bully into doing what you want her to do.”
Gordon nodded. “You know what, Christina? You’re exactly right.” He took a deep sip of his drink. “And that is what I intend to do. Because you said it, darling, you’re an obedient wife, so you’ll do whatever I want you to do. You’re not the wife I wanted, but I’m stuck with you, so you’ll have to do. But I think you should know that I’ve already arranged for Mindy’s flights, and I’ll be spending the night with her instead.”
Who Loves Them? (Who--? Series) Page 6
