“That’s most admirable. What did you do there?”
“Since I’d had first-aid training, they let me treat the less severe wounds. Bandages and dressings mostly. But I also talked with the men and wrote letters to their families. I did whatever I could to keep their spirits up.”
“I don’t know what to say. You put me to shame.” Under his brow, his eyes were troubled.
“You have nothing to be ashamed about. It wasn’t your fault the army wouldn’t accept you.”
“No, but I still felt guilty for not being part of the war.” He pulled his glasses from his inside pocket. “I never thought having poor eyesight would keep me from fighting for my country.” He slipped the glasses on.
“How disappointing,” she said. “Especially when your brother enlisted with no problem.”
“It was humiliating. Because I appeared so healthy, people couldn’t understand why I wasn’t off with the others. Eventually I got tired of explaining and learned to put up with the rude stares and comments.”
Grace bristled. “That’s so unfair.”
“Perhaps. But it was the reality I lived with, and still do. When I finally accepted that I wouldn’t be going overseas, I threw myself into the family business to help fill the void Frank had left.”
“Your father must have been grateful. He seems to rely on you a great deal.”
“Only by default.” Andrew’s face grew tense. “He’d far rather be working with Frank.”
“What makes you say that?”
He turned his gaze out to the water, a nerve pulsing in his jaw.
After a minute of silence, she laid her hand over his on the railing. “You don’t have to answer that.”
“No, I want to. It’s just that I’ve never told anyone this before.” He took a deep breath. “The day my father received news of Frank’s death, I was at my desk. I heard a crash and ran down to Father’s office. For some reason, I hesitated outside the door. Harrison Carmichael was with him. My father was weeping. I didn’t know what was wrong, but I knew it had to be monumental for him to cry. Then he shouted, ‘Why did it have to be Frank?’” The veins corded in Andrew’s neck. “He didn’t need to say it. I knew he wished it had been me instead.”
“Andrew, no.” She squeezed his arm. “He probably meant out of all the soldiers fighting, why did it have to be his son? I’m sure it had nothing to do with you.”
Andrew turned to her, his expression tortured. “It only confirmed a truth I’d lived with my whole life. My father loved Frank best.” He shook his head when she started to protest. “I was the son who couldn’t catch a baseball like Frank, who couldn’t attract clients like Frank, who couldn’t charm the girls like Frank.” He closed his eyes, anguish radiating off him in waves. “Who couldn’t go to war like Frank. Who couldn’t die instead of Frank.”
Tears clogged Grace’s throat. Unbidden memories of the cruel things her mother had said—and hadn’t said—when Peter died came flooding back. Sometimes the things that weren’t said could wound deeper than any weapon. She linked her arm through Andrew’s, wishing she could do more to ease his pain. “I know a bit about wanting a parent’s approval and never receiving it. I looked after my mother for four years, gave up my chance to be a teacher, all in the hopes that one day, she would look at me with affection and say she loved me.” Her voice quivered. “That day may never come for me or for you, but somehow we have to learn to value ourselves despite it. To see ourselves as our heavenly Father sees us.” She dashed the moisture from her lashes. “I didn’t know Frank, but I doubt he could be any finer a man than you.”
Andrew looked at her, moisture glinting in his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered. He swallowed, his throat working hard.
His gaze fell to her lips, lingering like a caress. Her pulse stuttered, and for one heart-stopping moment, Grace thought he would kiss her.
Then a loud hiss filled the air, and the crowd cheered.
“They’re starting.” Andrew pointed to the middle of the lake.
Sure enough, a colorful explosion burst through the dark sky. Immediately, more rockets flew high into the air, erupting in a multitude of greens, blues, and reds. The murmur of the crowd mirrored Grace’s awe at the breathtaking display, reflected in the still water of the lake below.
Without a pause, the show continued, each burst of color outdoing the one before.
She’d seen a few amateur fireworks at home, but nothing compared with this astounding exhibition. A residue of tears blurred her vision at the magnitude of the spectacle, and in her heart she whispered a prayer of thanks to be witness to such beauty.
“So, what did you think?” Andrew asked as the crowds began to disperse. “Was it as fantastic as I described?”
He smiled, and she was glad to see a lifting of his previous mood.
“Better than anything I could have imagined. This has been the most wonderful day of my life. Thank you for staying and allowing me to see them.” In a rush of gratitude, she reached up and kissed his cheek.
His arm wrapped around her waist. Heat from his hand spread up her back and her pulse shot up, rivaling the fireworks she’d just enjoyed.
“You’re welcome.” Andrew’s husky voice so near her ear sent shivers up her spine. The spicy scent of his cologne enveloped her like a hug.
How easy would it be to give in to temptation and touch her lips to his? But that would mean crossing a line she could never come back from. It could ruin their friendship and put her job at risk.
For once, she tamed her impulsiveness and pulled away to look up at him. The intensity in his eyes stalled her breath. Was he thinking the same thing?
Then his expression changed, and he quickly stepped away. “We’d better head over to the dock. The ferry will be leaving soon.”
Grace murmured a response, all the while trying to control her rampant pulse. But it was no use. She could no longer ignore the glaring truth.
Despite her best intentions, she was falling hard for Andrew Easton.
CHAPTER 20
Breakfast the next morning proved to be a tense affair, one Virginia should have expected, knowing how Daddy would react once he learned Grace had joined them at Hanlan Point.
“What were you thinking, inviting the nanny?” he demanded as soon as Andrew sat down. “I thought I made myself perfectly clear on the matter.”
Though his glare was aimed at Andrew, Virginia cringed. At least Grace didn’t eat breakfast with the family and would be spared the full force of his displeasure. She drew in a breath. “It was my idea, Daddy. Andrew had nothing to do with it.”
“Your idea?” His icy attention turned to her. “Why would you suggest such a thing?”
Because Virginia had seen the way her brother looked at their nanny, and the hopeless romantic in her prayed that Andrew would fall in love with Grace. If so, he might challenge their father’s archaic social views and open the door for Virginia to be with Collin.
She jutted out her chin. “I consider Grace a friend, and when Basil couldn’t make it, I invited her along.”
Father huffed. “The woman is still a member of the staff. I’d thank you to keep this friendship to the confines of the house. Bad enough she sat with you at the gala—a fact Charlotte Carmichael was all too quick to point out.”
An irrational burst of anger swamped Virginia. She didn’t give two figs what Charlotte Carmichael or any of those other charlatans thought.
“Excuse me. I feel the need for some fresh air.” She pushed aside her plate and, despite the stares of her family, strode from the room.
She continued to the side entrance and closed the door quite forcefully behind her. Her mood since the picnic yesterday had only deteriorated, and Daddy’s blustering didn’t help matters. She was tired of his unrealistic expectations and his dictatorial attitude.
A walk in the garden might be the only thing to cure her lingering headache and . . . heartache. For if she were being honest, the true source of her turmoil was Collin Laffert
y. Seeing him at Hanlan’s Point and knowing she couldn’t be with him had soured the entire day for her. All she’d wanted was a few minutes alone with him. A stroll along the boardwalk. A ride on the roller coaster. A few treasured memories to tuck away in her journal as a memento of an ill-fated romance.
She plucked a rose from a bush as she passed and brought it to her nose, its fragrance only reminding her of the man she loved but couldn’t have, not without exacting a terrible price. If only he and Toby hadn’t ruined everything by confronting her family. Collin was supposed to come alone and keep his presence hidden until she managed to get away to meet him behind the roller coaster. A secret part of her had hoped Basil might indeed show up, catch her with Collin, and rescind their engagement. Would that be enough to free her? She didn’t know. But it would certainly buy her time to work on her father and make him see that her happiness was more important than any expected social norm.
Instead, everything had gone wrong. Her fingers crushed the petals as a sudden thought occurred. Collin hadn’t been too keen on her idea, but she’d worn him down with her pleading. Had he sabotaged her plan on purpose by showing himself to her family?
On a burst of irritation, Virginia flung the rose to the ground. She would not give him up. Not yet. Not until a minister had officially declared her the wife of another man. Until then, she would keep praying something would happen to allow her and that stubborn Scotsman to be together.
Fueled by her growing temper, she marched into the greenhouse and headed straight to the rear where she assumed he’d be working.
Sure enough, he stood with his back to her, digging furiously in a big pot on the table, his shirt sleeves rolled up past his elbows. Soil flew in all directions.
“I see you’re taking your frustrations out on that poor plant.”
Collin whirled around, a scowl darkening his features. “You shouldn’t be out here. Go back inside.”
“Not until we clear up a few things.” She came to stand beside him, close enough to smell the earthy scent that surrounded him. “You sabotaged our plan yesterday on purpose, didn’t you?”
He tossed his tool aside and wiped his hands on a rag. “I did.”
A wave of hurt crashed through her at his frank admission. “Why?”
“I never should have let you talk me into such a harebrained idea. You’re engaged to another man. We’ve no business planning any sort of clandestine meetings. It’s not right, and I won’t be party to any more of your schemes.”
“My schemes?” A volcano of toxic emotions spilled through her system, each one more volatile than the last. “You’re the one who started this, Collin Lafferty. With your smiles, and your compliments, and your roses, and your . . .” She clamped her mouth shut to stem the traitorous tears that clogged her throat.
The hardness left his face. In its place, weariness etched grooves around his mouth. “Believe me, if I’d have known what it would lead to, I never would have spoken to you at all.”
Virginia gasped. Pain seared her chest as though he’d plunged his trowel right through her. She sucked in a harsh breath. “Well, I wish to heaven I’d never laid eyes on you.” Her legs shook beneath her. “I suppose I should be grateful you never tried to kiss me. At least I won’t have to worry about comparing Basil’s kisses to yours. Though I’m sure his would prove far superior.”
A low growl rose up through Collin’s body, matching the fire that ignited in his eyes.
She took a step back, sensing she’d gone too far.
He pounced like a cat on its prey, wrenching her against his chest. A second before he lowered his head, she caught a glint of wildness in his expression. Then his mouth claimed hers in a storm of passion that made her heart beat against her rib cage. Along with the thrill of his kiss came a surge of power, knowing she could make him lose all sense of reason.
Didn’t that prove he loved her?
She held on and returned his kiss until her knees went weak. Still, his mouth remained fused to hers, his arms coming around her to hold her up. Finally he pulled away, staring at her with an intensity that rendered her speechless.
“Mo chridhe.” The whispered endearment sent shudders through her.
Then he kissed her again, only this time with such tenderness, she feared she might swoon. A tear escaped the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek.
He released her mouth, brushing the dampness from her face. “Please don’t cry.”
“I can’t help it. I love you, Collin.”
A long sigh shuddered through him. “God help me, I love you too.” Then he kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her forehead, and returned to her lips.
Virginia’s soul sang with the magnitude of her feelings, with the expression of her love at last.
Then, suddenly, he set her away from him. “We can’t do this, Virginia. Someone could come looking for you. Are you willing for your father to find out?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. But soon. Just be patient a while longer. I’ll figure out a way to make this right.”
He stared at her with tortured eyes. “I hope so, lass. Because I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“Me either.” She reached up to kiss him one last time, then turned and fled from the greenhouse, praying she didn’t run into anyone before she made it to her room, for her flushed face and swollen lips would surely give her away.
With a loud exhale, Andrew threw his pen on the desktop and leaned back in his chair. He couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything this morning, torturing himself by reliving every moment at Hanlan Point with Grace. Her smile, the sparkle in her eyes, her expression of wonder at each new sight. He’d enjoyed every second they’d spent together, especially the time alone watching the fireworks, yet the undeniable truth remained. The day had been nothing more than a brief respite from reality. A fantasy. A taste of forbidden fruit, so to speak.
Because that’s exactly what Grace Foley was to him—forbidden.
Heat swept up his neck at the memory of Grace’s lips on his cheek. The overwhelming desire to grab her close and give her a real kiss had been so strong, he’d had to physically restrain himself and step away. Kissing the nanny would be wrong on so many levels, he couldn’t begin to list them all.
Although his father certainly could. Oscar Easton’s code of acceptable conduct was the creed they all lived by.
Andrew forced himself to recall the painful memory of his father’s face after the last terrible fight with Frank over Rose—the one where Frank had stormed out of the house for good. Never did Andrew wish to see his father in such pain again. And he certainly would never be the one to cause it.
He swiveled in his chair to face the window and look out over the city. This was his world, the place he belonged. He needed to refocus his priorities, concentrate on making Father proud and earning that promotion. All thoughts of Grace must be firmly stored away.
The door opened. Without looking, Andrew knew who it was.
He turned his chair around. “Hello, Father. What can I do for you?”
“Andrew, I think it prudent that I send you to Ottawa for a few days. There’s a property there Harrison thinks might be the perfect location for our next hotel.” He crossed his arms over his chest, not bothering to take a seat. “You’ll need to meet with the current owner. Check the building to see if it’s worth renovating instead of starting from scratch. That could save us a lot of money.”
Andrew nodded. Going out of town to work on this important project might be just what he needed to get Grace out of his system. “How soon do you want me there?”
Father’s eyes narrowed. “As soon as possible. If the property is viable, we want to put in an offer before it’s snatched up.”
“Fine. I’ll leave on the first train tomorrow. Any recommendation as to where I should stay?”
“The Chateau Laurier, of course. Always smart to check out the competition.”
“I thought so. I’ll have Martha make the arrangements.
”
His father studied him for a moment. “I expected more of a protest. Glad to see you’re so eager to get going on this project.”
“I am eager. I know I wasn’t enthusiastic at first, but I’ve come to believe that expanding our holdings could be a good thing.” Sometimes the facts and figures didn’t tell the whole story, as the success of the gala had proved.
“Excellent. And if things work out, you could be moving there sooner than anticipated. You might want to mention that possibility to Cecilia.”
Andrew kept his gaze even. “I will.”
“Good. I’ll look forward to your report.” He paused. “I know it might sometimes seem I push you too hard, Andrew. But it’s actually a compliment. It shows how much I depend on you.”
After his father had left, Andrew basked in that tidbit of information for a minute before going to ask his secretary to make the arrangements for his trip. Then he went in search of Edison to apprise him of his plans. As much as he disliked the idea, Edison would have to fill in for Andrew on a few keys issues while he was gone.
Edison’s office was empty, and his secretary told Andrew that he and Miss Carmichael were in the conference room. Irritation prickled. What was Celia doing here when the fund-raiser was over? He marched down the hall and entered the room without knocking. At the far side, Edison and Celia sat close together, their heads almost touching. At the sound of the door opening, they broke apart.
Cecilia jumped up from her chair. “Andrew, you decided to join us after all?” Her cheeks flushed with what looked suspiciously like guilt.
“Join you? I wasn’t invited.”
She frowned. “Paul, I thought you told Andrew about the meeting.”
“Didn’t I?” Edison rose, a blasé expression on his face. “I could have sworn I told you Cecilia was coming in today to finalize the loose ends from the gala.”
“I can fill you in later, darling,” Cecilia said quickly. “We’re almost done here anyway.”
“I’m afraid it will have to wait.” He glanced at Edison. “I came to tell you I’m heading to Ottawa first thing tomorrow. I’ll be gone four or five days.”
The Best of Intentions Page 17