Now, as he stared into Claudia’s brilliant blue eyes, he was tempted to take up Archie Gordon’s promotional suggestion. Blake would be helping a beautiful woman out of her predicament, and at the same time, getting a promotion he highly deserved.
“Actually, Claudia...” He straightened and folded his arms. “I have a stipulation that will work with yer proposal.”
Her finely shaped eyebrow lifted. “And what would that be?”
“Not too long ago, I overheard ya and yer grandmother discussin’ yer cousin, and the topic of marriage came up. So did the mention of yer family name bein’ ruined.”
The color in her cheeks faded. “You did?”
“And I think I might have a solution that would not only help you out of your problem but would help me win the bet.” Her eyes widened, so he quickly continued. “What I’m proposin’ is marriage between the two of us – a fake marriage, that is.”
Gasping, her hand flew to her throat and she took several steps backward until the bench in the gazebo stopped her. “Marriage? But... we just met.”
He held up his hand to stop her. “I know that, but yer cousin doesn’t need to know that we’re not really in love. In fact, all anyone needs to know is that we’re gettin’ hitched. We can stay married for six months or so just to keep up appearances, but then we can part and go our separate ways after that.”
“Do you mean get a divorce?”
“Yep. That’s what I meant.”
As she stared at him, her hands twisted against her middle as she shifted from one foot to the other. He was grateful that she was at least considering the idea since she hadn’t turned him down just yet.
She nibbled her lower lip, which he thought was adorable. “And... it would be in name only?”
“Name only.”
She turned and paced the small area of the gazebo. He was impressed that she would seriously consider his offer. That just meant she was very desperate to keep her plantation away from Phillip Matthews.
Blake wasn’t certain how many minutes had passed, but she finally spun around and came toward him, stopping closely in front of him, the skirt of her dress brushing against the leg of his trousers. She placed her hand on his arm, and immediately warmth shot through him. He fought the urge to pull her against him, taste her tempting lips, and enjoy her sweetness.
Quickly, before he followed his urges, he shook that indecent thought out of his head. There was plenty of time for that later.
“I will do it,” she said, “but I also have another stipulation.”
“Go on.”
“You must sign an agreement stating that when we marry, the plantation will be in my name and you will not have any rights to my inheritance.”
He grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“We can stay married long enough for my cousin to realize he has lost. We’ll wait until he leaves Georgia and returns to Virginia where his family is from.” She took another deep breath. “Also, the man I’m supposed to marry hasn’t come for me, and until he does, I need to keep the plantation in my family.”
Blake recalled the other men mentioning her beau – whom they presumed had died in the war. “How long will that take?”
“I don’t know, but I suppose six months will be sufficient.”
“Agreed.” He nodded.
“My cousin needs to believe we married because we are in love. It won’t work any other way,” she said in softer tones.
Love? Blake didn’t believe in that emotion. Could he portray a man in love when he tried his hardest to stay away from it? Then again, he would only have to pretend until they were married.
More ideas filled Blake’s head. He and Claudia didn’t have to be married legally. He’d have his friend, Chaplain Brooks, act as their minister. Everyone in Charleston would believe he and Claudia were married, along with Archie Gordon. This was definitely a win-win plan.
“What about yer soldier?” he asked. “If he returns sooner, will ya want a quick divorce?”
“Absolutely. Will that be a problem?”
He opened his mouth to answer, when the gazebo’s wooden steps creaked. Claudia jumped away, and he swung to see who had interrupted their private conversation.
Phillip Matthews marched up the stairs, his face nearly as red as his hair. This was the very cousin Claudia had spoken of – and a man Blake couldn’t trust.
Phillip’s dark red brows drew together and lines of anger marred his face. Accusation blazed from the depths of his brown eyes as he switched his gaze from Blake to Claudia.
“What’s going on here?” Phillip demanded.
Claudia folded her arms and tilted her head, meeting Phillip’s stare with an innocent expression. “Whatever are you talking about, cousin?”
Phillip motioned his head toward Blake. “Do you know this man?”
“Why certainly.” Claudia smiled at Blake. “We were introduced not too long ago.”
Blake eyed Phillip warily. “Is it a crime to talk with Miss Cummings?”
“Of course not, it’s just... it’s just I’d hate to see my cousin’s reputation ruined because she was alone with a man she barely knew.”
Claudia chuckled and stepped closer to Blake, sliding her arm around his elbow. “Don’t be ridiculous, Phillip. We are out in the open. Anyone from the party can see us. What’s so scandalous about that?” She gazed up at Blake, her eyes twinkling. “Besides, Mr. Bentley and I were about to head back to the house for a dance. Were we not?”
As Blake stared at the beautiful woman on his arm, his mind raced with thoughts about how they could make their courtship – and marriage – look real. He grinned widely and patted her hand on his arm. “Indeed we were, Miss Cummings.” He motioned his head toward the house. “Shall we?”
“Phillip,” Claudia said irritably, “please find someone else to pester. We are currently busy.” She brushed past her cousin as they walked out of the gazebo.
Blake held in a chuckle. She was certainly a woman with a bold personality. That didn’t worry him. He could handle her – handle being the operative word, of course. Soon. Whether she wanted him to lie to her betting friends about charming her or not, Blake wasn’t about to lie. His own reputation with women wouldn’t allow it. Neither would his ego.
After they were far enough away from Phillip, she giggled and looked up at Blake. “Do you think he was upset?”
“I certainly would have been.” He winked. “But explain to me why yer worried he will take over yer plantation?”
“He’s determined to marry me, and I’m determined to fight him every step of the way. I know him well, and it’s all about greed. He’s a very devious man, as well.”
“Have ya told him ya aren’t goin’ to marry him?”
“Countless times, but my cousin is a stubborn man, and extremely pushy. He can charm his way into anything, and he’s currently working on my grandmother. I cannot make her understand Phillip’s deceitfulness.”
“So, if he saw ya marry me, he would finally give up?”
“I’m positive.” She tugged on his arm, bringing them to a stop. Her eyes widened as she stared at him. “Does that mean we have an agreement?”
Goodness sakes, she was beautiful. Or was it just the way the sun tinted her light brown locks and caused her blue eyes to sparkle that made her look mouth-wateringly irresistible? And speaking of mouths... her full, heart-shaped lips were perfect for kissing. He couldn’t wait to find out if he was right.
Did he want to agree to the bargain? Plain and simple, it was the only way. How else could he keep a close eye on Phillip Matthews, the dirty dog he’d been watching all of this time? Blake would convince his supervisor that with Claudia’s help, they might actually catch the man that Blake suspected had stolen jewels in three different states.
“I think we’d make the perfect business partners.” He caressed her soft cheek with the pad of his thumb.
She chuckled and quickly pulled away, but not befor
e his finger burned with heat from her skin. Was she embarrassed, perhaps? Or did his touch make her quiver the way his body had been responding to her touch?
“Splendid.” She smiled widely. “Let’s begin planning this immediately. We’ll return to the ballroom and enjoy our first dance, and then—”
“Claudia? Do we really have to plan all of this out right now? Why don’t we just enjoy the moment and let things happen naturally?” He turned them back toward the house and continued their stroll.
“Well, I’d think we should at least discuss what should happen, don’t you?”
“Perhaps, but later this evenin’ after most of yer guests have left.”
“Why later?”
He glanced down at her. “Fewer ears, the better.”
“Good thinking.” She nodded. “For now, all I’m worried about is convincing my idiotic cousin, and my overly-trusting grandmother that I’ve met the man I intend to marry.”
“Let’s not forget,” he paused, nodding toward the group of men who’d made the bet, now standing with wide eyes and opened mouths as they looked Blake’s way, “our dear friends over yonder.”
She snickered. “Oh, if I could only know what they are saying now.”
He bent and whispered in her ear, “They’re sayin’ what a lucky man I am.”
Her head quickly swung toward his before he could pull away, and if he’d been any closer, their lips would have collided. A fierce blush stained her cheeks.
“Do you think that’s what they’re saying,” she asked softly as she stared into his eyes.
“I know it is. They are worried I’m goin’ to win the bet, and they will wonder how I did it.”
Her smile widened and her gaze dropped to his mouth. “And I’m quite certain you’ll give them an earful.”
“Actually, Claudia, I don’t plan on giving them any details at all.” He covered her hand hanging on his elbow and squeezed. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Then how... how will they know?”
He wagged his brows. “Actions speak louder than words.”
She gasped and pulled away but left her arm cradled in his. The color in her cheeks darkened. “I think not.”
“Yer not goin’ to give me even a small kiss? Besides, they’ll know by the way ya act toward me whether I won the bet or not.”
“You really think so?”
“I’m positive. All ya have to do is look at me with yer meltin’ gaze and smile at me as if we share an intimate secret, and they will definitely know. And a little kiss wouldn’t hurt, either.”
He held in a laugh. In order for her to smile at him this way, he would make sure they really did share an intimate secret. Suddenly he was looking forward to putting their plan into motion.
FOUR
As Blake strolled into the ballroom with the lovely Miss Cummings hanging on his arm, many pairs of eyes turned their way. Grinning, he took Claudia into his arms and swung her around the dance floor. It surprised him how many shocked expressions he saw in the crowd, and just the same number of people threw scowls. It didn’t bother him. He was used to judgmental people, but the guests were Claudia’s friends. Would she mind bad gossip spreading about her? If they were to marry quickly, he was certain the social circles would be abuzz with negative chatter.
When the dance ended, another one quickly started. The waltz was always his favorite. He could hold the woman close without causing scandal.
Claudia smiled a lot and gazed into his eyes more than he expected. Apparently, she wanted to start the charade immediately. He tightened his arm around her waist, bringing her an inch closer.
“Blake? May I ask you a personal question?”
A grin tugged on the corner of his mouth, lifting it higher than the other. He nodded. He’d love nothing more than to talk about personal things with her, yet what he had in mind would be more appropriate in a private room.
“Rumor has it you’re heavily in debt. Is this true?”
Apparently, she’d been checking on him before their chance meeting in the gazebo. Either that or someone had been spreading false rumors about him.
He shrugged. “It all depends on who ya heard the gossip from. To one person I may only have a few creditors, but to another I could be seriously over my head in debt.”
“True, but which one is it?”
He couldn’t tell her the truth yet. “I have a few creditors.”
“And who doesn’t?” She laughed lightly. “So, what about the other things I’ve heard about you?”
“Which are?”
“Are you a Northern sympathizer?”
He cocked his head. His heartbeat stilled for a few brief seconds. He hoped she wasn’t one of those southern fanatics that couldn’t grasp the fact that the north had won the war. There were still too many haters out there, which sometimes made his job as a Pinkerton agent harder. “Does it matter? The war has ended.”
Sadness lurked in her blue eyes. She must have loved someone who died. But didn’t everyone? There wasn’t one person that hadn’t been affected by the blasted war between the states.
She frowned. “No, I suppose it doesn’t.”
He breathed easier. “Good, because that’s in the past, and I’d rather not think about it any longer.”
“Agreed.”
As they danced, he slowly slid his fingers over her hand. He watched her gaze soften, as did her smile. Would it be hard to charm a kiss from this very enchanting woman? So far, she played into his hands easily. “Is that all ya’d like to know?” he asked in a deep voice.
“I... I suppose you could tell me about your past loves, if that’s all right.”
He arched his brows. “Who told ya I had loved anyone in my life?”
“Do you have a girl back home waiting for you?”
He tightened his arm around her waist a little more. Why was she interested? Or was she just making small talk? “Would I marry ya if I did?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know you well enough to decide.”
“Right now, I have only one project in my life.” He lowered his attention to her mouth and grinned wider. “I’d show my devotion to yer cause if we were someplace private.”
Color deepened her cheeks again, and she leaned into his dance hold. Had she consumed too much champagne already today? Or was his charm working?
Playfully, she swatted his shoulder and chuckled. “Now I realize what I’ve heard about you is correct. You are a womanizer, Mr. Bentley.”
He laughed. Finally, he found one rumor about him that was true.
The dance ended and he took her to the punch bowl, but that was not his choice of drink right now. With this lovely woman so near, a stronger drink was required if he planned to make it through the evening without losing his head.
“Would ya enjoy some punch?” he asked.
“Certainly.”
As he reached for a cup, an older woman scooted between him and Claudia. The woman had been eyeing him closely since he returned to the ballroom with the prettiest gal in the county on his arm.
Claudia’s grandmother’s curly white hair was swept tightly on her head and pinned with green and silver combs. A cameo fastened the high-necked light green gown, modest to a fault. Along with her glare, she arched an eyebrow.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” She put forth her hand. “I’m Miss Cummings’ maternal grandmother, Mrs. Ruth Willis.”
He bowed over her hand and placed a small kiss on her fingers. “It’s a pleasure to meet ya, Mrs. Willis.”
“Grandmama,” Claudia cut in and wiggled between them, brushing closely against his chest. Her lavender scent filled his head – a fragrance he didn’t think he could ever forget.
“This is Mr. Blake Bentley from Texas,” Claudia continued, bringing him out of his untimely stupor.
“Texas?” Mrs. Willis’ voice was louder than he thought necessary. “Aren’t you a long way from home?”
“Yes, ma’am. Bein’ a wanderer, I tend
to follow the open road wherever it leads.” He shrugged. “It happened to lead me here.”
“Oh, so you’re not planning on staying in town long?” Mrs. Willis’ face brightened.
He wanted to laugh but didn’t want to seem rude in front of Claudia’s grandmother. “Actually, I was thinkin’ of stayin’ around these parts a bit longer. There are a lot of job opportunities in Charleston.”
The older woman’s shoulders wilted. “Yes, there are,” she said sadly.
Claudia slipped her arm around Blake’s again. “Grandmother, if it’s all right, I’d like Mr. Bentley to join us for supper tonight.”
Blake could tell the wheels in Mrs. Willis’ head were turning as she stumbled to find an excuse to refuse her granddaughter’s request. Being a card player, he read people pretty well, and Mrs. Willis’ mixed expression almost made him roll his eyes. But once again, he refrained. This was one lady he needed to win over.
“Uh, well... we don’t have many guests that will be here—”
“Splendid.” Claudia’s eyes twinkled when she looked up at him. “Then it’s settled. Mr. Bentley will be our guest for tonight’s meal.”
Ruth’s face paled, but he pretended he didn’t notice. “Thank you kindly, ma’am.” He took the older woman’s hand again, but softly patted it instead of kissing it this time.
“Umm... certainly,” she answered hesitantly.
Claudia pulled him away from her grandmother and led him out the door and to the front porch. The wide, two-sided rock steps were filled with couples whom she graciously greeted as they slipped further away from the party. Blake followed her lead, wondering where she was taking him. So far, she was content to walk beside him down the spacious drive, tall oaks on each side creating a canopy all the way down the path. As much as he wanted to be alone with her, he needed to stay closer to the house. He worried the jewelry thief would strike when he wasn’t watching. Knowing Phillip’s crassness, Blake was sure the man would dare to steal from her right under everyone’s noses.
An Agent for Claudia Page 3
