by Nancy Bush
Charlotte’s fine brow furrowed. “Well, Mr. DeWitt was very nice, but he’s so – so –” She flushed.
“Ugly?” Kelsey supplied.
“Oh, I can’t believe you would say that aloud! It’s indecent!”
“It’s the truth.” Both Kelsey and Charlotte collapsed into laughter.
Across the room, Jesse Danner stared at the two women. Charlotte Chamberlain was everything Zeke had said she was: sweet, beautiful, virginal, wealthy. And she was a few other things besides: silly, naïve, and way, way too young. He’d forgotten what seventeen-year-old girls were like. Lord, save him from ridiculous innocence.
The other woman interested him, however. She was a spinster, if you could believe the way she dressed. And Zeke had assured him that Orchid Simpson was indeed a spinster. God, she looked familiar. Had he met her somewhere before? Surely he would have remembered the name Orchid.
He gazed at her intently, frown lines etched across his brow. No, he didn’t know her. He would have remembered. But that russet-colored hair. He wished he could see it unbound.
“Tell me more about Miss Simpson,” he said now to Zeke, who was still fuming that Jesse had had the gall to actually drag Charlotte to the alcove. Well, the little lady had been willing, hadn’t she? Jesse asked himself, stifling his conscience. So what if it wasn’t exactly protocol. He was certain he would’ve saved a lot of wasted time if he’d been able to have his way with her for a few minutes. Wasn’t that would Zeke wanted?
“Miss Simpson?” Zeke was looking down his nose.
“The lady with Charlotte Chamberlain.”
“I know who she is. You aren’t interested in her, are you?”
“I just wanted to know more about her.”
Zeke’s gaze fell thoughtfully on Orchid Simpson. Her face was truly gorgeous, he could admit that. But the woman was a dried-up, passionless thing if he’d ever seen one. He doubted even Jesse could light a fire of desire inside her.
“She’s been a subject of interest ever since she became Charlotte Chamberlain’s companion,” Zeke said. “Lady Chamberlain dotes on her. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a sizable chunk of inheritance coming her way when the lady dies.”
“Where does she come from?”
Zeke shrugged. “You’d have to ask her. She’s extremely mysterious, and from what I’ve heard, cold at the North Sea.”
“She doesn’t look cold.”
Zeke gazed at him in amazement, but Jesse’s attention was focused on Orchid. “She doesn’t?”
He shook his head slowly.
“Are you more interested in her than in Charlotte?”
“Definitely.”
Zeke blinked rapidly. This was a turn he hadn’t expected. “Well, she certainly should be wealthy one day, if the old lady doesn’t cut her out of her will. She’s also welcomed in all the right social circles. But I’d venture she won’t be so easily convinced you’re the man for her, if you know what I mean…”
“You think I’d need more than ‘a little charm’ to seduce her?” Jesse glanced his way, laughter in his eyes.
Zeke sniffed. “Even you have your limits.”
Jesse threw back his head and laughed, drawing the attention of those around him to the deep, rolling sound. Kelsey glanced over sharply, her nerves tense, but the dark-haired man was just turning away, clapping his friend, Mr. Drummond, on the shoulder.
“I told Charlotte I would visit her soon,” Jesse assured Zeke as they headed for the door. “Maybe I should stick to that plan.”
“A wise idea, my friend,” Zeke agreed, glancing over his shoulder to see Orchid Simpson politely shake her head in response to the request for another dance from the rakish Gerrard Knight. Zeke had the distinct feeling that lady was trouble.
And it bothered him the way her gaze narrowed on Jesse, almost as if she knew he was a threat.
“Blast,” Zeke muttered as they walked downstairs.
“What’s wrong?” asked Jesse.
“Nothing. But I think you should move rather quickly on Charlotte. Don’t waste time.”
“I’ll take it under advisement,” Jesse drawled, shaking his head. Sometimes Zeke could be fussier than a mother hen.
“And stay away from Miss Simpson,” Zeke added with sudden fervor. “For your own good.”
Chapter Two
Kelsey watched in amusement as Charlotte dashed from one end of her bedroom to the other, checking her hair and her dress and her face, then her hair again. High color glowed in her cheeks. Her eyes glittered like sapphires.
“What time is it?” she asked, pacing across the carpet.
“Almost seven. I can’t imagine why you’re so excited over Charles DeWitt, but I’m happy for you.”
Charlotte laughed and clapped her hands together in delight. “Charles isn’t picking me up tonight! I just told Grandmama that to make sure she’d let me go! Since you are my chaperone, it should hardly matter anyway. Once he’s here you’ll love him too!”
“Who?” Kelsey demanded with growing dread.
“Jesse Danner. That’s his name. He wrote me a card and told me he was Ezekiel Drummond’s friend. Then he signed his name: Jesse Danner. Isn’t it gorgeous!”
“Jesse Danner?”
Charlotte turned at the tone of Orchid’s voice. My stars, but Orchid had fairly shrieked and now she looked ready to faint dead away. “Do you know him?”
Kelsey couldn’t speak. There couldn’t be two of them, could there? But there must be!
“Orchid …?”
“No, I – uh – don’t know him.” But now she remembered how familiar the man at the dance had looked. Could it be Jesse? Impossible. Yet… yet …
Charlotte dashed to the door and hollered, “Maizie! Bring the smelling salts.”
Kelsey took hold of herself. “For God’s sake, Charlotte. I’m not going to faint.”
“Are you sure?” A doubtful frown crossed her face. “You look wretched.”
“Thanks.” Kelsey’s legs shook as she walked to the overstuffed chair near the fireplace in Charlotte’s sitting room. It was a coincidence, that was all. Jesse Danner was gone. He’d been missing for nearly thirteen years. He could very easily be dead. In any event, he was not the type of man to show up at a social function.
“You cannot go out with this Mr. Danner,” she said when she regained her composure. At that moment the upstairs maid burst into the room, looking panicked. Kelsey waved her away impatiently. “I’m fine, Maizie. Charlotte just got hysterical.” When the maid closed the door behind her, Kelsey went on. “You don’t even know this man. He could be just what your grandmother fears most – a fortune hunter.”
“He’s not. I know he’s not. And you’ll be with me as my chaperone, Orchid. You can protect me if he should…” She blushed. “Well, you know. But I would love him to kiss me. I’m absolutely dying for it! You will give us a few moments alone, won’t you?”
“Only if God strikes me dead,” she muttered furiously.
“Orchid!”
“Charlotte, you silly nincompoop. You have no idea what this man has in mind. For all you know –”
Downstairs, the deep chimes of the front doorbell pealed through the huge three-story manor. Cora Jean’s footsteps could be heard moving steadily across the entry hall to answer the door.
Kelsey leapt to her feet, but Charlotte grabbed her arm in excitement, yanking her back down into the cushions. “What are you going to do?”
“Get rid of him.” Kelsey struggled to her feet once more, escaping Charlotte’s second attempt to waylay her.
“No!” Charlotte was adamant. “I won’t let you! I’m going to see him and that’s final.”
She rushed out of the room, nearly tripping Kelsey in her haste. Hot on her heels, Kelsey fairly flew down the curved stairway, but even so she was too late to stop Charlotte, who’d forgotten every one of the manners Lady Chamberlain had drilled into her since birth and raced headlong into the drawing room at the north
west corner of the main floor.
The drawing room where Cora Jean had shown Mr. Jesse Danner.
Kelsey’s heels clicked across the marble foyer. She was in a fine fury, both at Charlotte and this mysterious Mr. Danner who had won her young charge with scarcely a dozen words spoken between them. He was not the Jesse Danner of her youth, but he was most assuredly trouble.
She stopped short inside the double doors that Charlotte had thrown wide in her excitement and lifted her chin in practice schoolmarm-ish style. Charlotte was hovering by the silk draped windows on the north side of the marble fireplace, one hand laid across her bosom as if she could scarcely believe her startled eyes. She was staring unabashedly at the man who stood with one foot on the polished andiron, one arm lying gracefully across the ornately carved cream-painted mantel. When Kelsey entered, he turned toward her expectantly.
Kelsey felt the blood rush from her head so quickly her scalp tingled. Lord, it was Jesse Danner! He was older, tougher-looking than she remembered, but it was most definitely the same Jesse Danner from Rock Springs.
She was about to faint. She’d never fainted in her life, but she was about to now. Oh, my God! she thought incoherently.
“Miss Simpson?” Jesse drawled politely.
He didn’t recognize her. Kelsey would have laughed if she had any breath left to laugh with. A soft gasp escaped her mouth just as Cora Jean closed the doors behind them. Starting at the sound, Kelsey fought her dizziness and rising hysteria. Her lungs felt constricted, unable to draw air. Lord sakes, she might truly swoon!
“Mr. Danner?” she choked out, seeking a chair with as much grace as she could muster. She sank into the depths of the green brocade cushions.
His eyes narrowed, thick black lashes pulling together, a line of puzzlement drawing between his brows. “Miss – Simpson?”
“Yes. Orchid – Orchid Simpson.” Heat rushed back into her cheeks in a flood, hectic color heightening her cheekbones.
“Charlotte says you’re to be our chaperone. I assure you, I won’t do her any harm.”
Was there laughter hidden in his words? Kelsey drew another deep breath, unable to take her eyes off him. Blue eyes regarded her evenly. He’d turned out more handsome than even she would have suspected, she realized numbly. That smile, those eyes, that arrogance. Luckily, he didn’t seem to have any idea who she was.
“Mr. Danner, I never take any man’s assurances.”
“Orchid!” Charlotte warned desperately.
“Where did you plan to take Charlotte this evening?” she asked, recovering herself with each rapid breath she took. She ignored Charlotte’s flashing eyes and angry flush.
He shrugged. “A carriage ride through the park? Or there’s an excellent new restaurant on Third Street.”
“Cavendish’s,” Kelsey agreed. “It sounds suitable. We’ll forgo the carriage ride through the park, thank you.”
“You don’t trust me at all, do you?” he said in an amused drawl.
“Not a bit, Mr. Danner.”
He laughed. The sound grated on Kelsey’s nerves. She remembered his laughter. The dancing eyes and sweet flattery he’d used on every woman he’d ever met. Oh, he’d been accused of terrible things by scorned women. Everything from rape to robbery to murder. She’d never fully believed the rumors, but now, with Charlotte’s future at stake, she let doubt creep in. She would never let him ruin Charlotte. She’d die first. And she saw no reason to keep her feelings a secret.
“Charlotte’s a very wealthy young woman, prone to the scourge of fortune hunters,” Kelsey remarked coolly.
“Orchid!” Charlotte shrieked.
“I won’t have her taken advantage of in any way. She’s an honorable young woman, and her grandmother wishes her to stay that way.”
The amusement faded from his eyes, replaced by speculation and something Kelsey couldn’t quite identify. That something sent an icy shiver of dread down her spine. Jesse Danner was dangerous.
Charlotte was apoplectic with humiliation and fury. “Orchid, how could you?” she cried.
“I won’t do anything to besmirch Miss Chamberlain’s honor,” Jesse drawled, but the tone of his voice was edge with steel. “How could I, with a lioness guarding her so zealously? Are you ready?” he asked, turning to Charlotte. While Kelsey watched in horror, Jesse gently touched Charlotte’s arm, guiding her toward the door.
“Y-yes,” Charlotte stammered. “I’ll get my cloak.”
Kelsey rose from the chair to follow Charlotte. She could tell by the way, Charlotte’s shoulders quivered that she was in a fulminating rage. Kelsey couldn’t blame her. She would have been furious if anyone had treated her so highhandedly.
Charlotte wouldn’t look at Kelsey as she hurried down the front steps and to the waiting carriage. Kelsey strode down the porch steps, gathering her skirts at the waiting carriage. Before she could climb inside, however, a hard masculine hand spun her around.
“You can interfere all you like, Miss Simpson,” Jesse’s voice said quietly in her ear. “But the lady’s decision is entirely up to her.”
Kelsey’s heart beat painfully. She pulled her elbow from his grasp with slow deliberation and shot him a glance through her lashes, just enough to read his expression. He was completely, implacably determined.
“Are you saying you’re going to ask for her?”
“I’m saying she wants me, and there’s not a helluva lot you can do about it.”
Her gray eyes grew stormy. This was a new Jesse Danner, one who’d lost any sense of value he’d once possessed. “Isn’t there? Well, you don’t know me very well, Mr. Danner.”
“Nor do I want to, Miss Simpson.”
The way he said it was a slap in the face, a reminder of her spinsterhood. Kelsey could bear almost anything but a man passing judgment on her. Especially Jesse Danner. “If you dare ask for Charlotte’s hand in marriage, I’ll cut you down,” she warned tautly. “Lady Chamberlain listens to me. She’ll refuse you.”
Jesse’s eyes grew hooded and he focused his gaze on her tightly set mouth. “Then maybe I’ll take your advice.”
“What advice was that?”
“I’ll destroy the lady’s honor. The good Lady Chamberlain might be begging me to offer marriage then.”
Kelsey’s lips parted in outrage. “You’re unspeakable!”
“In fact, it might be a good idea…” His gaze lifted to touch on Charlotte, whose bright face was peering anxiously through the carriage window.
“As soon as I tell Charlotte your plan, she’ll never see you again!” Kelsey hissed.
“Want to bet?”
He was so utterly sure of his charms, she wanted to scream in frustration. Instead, she leveled angry gray eyes on his deep blue ones. “If that’s a challenge, I’ll make certain you lose.”
He grinned.
“Orchid!” Charlotte rapped on the window, her voice tinny from inside the carriage. “What’s taking so long?”
Kelsey gloved hand twisted the carriage’s lever handle. Jesse’s hand closed over hers. Kelsey froze, yanking her fingers from beneath his. He opened the door, extending a palm to help her inside. Kelsey gathered her skirts and climbed up the two tiny steps, ignoring him.
He settled himself on the luxurious squabs opposite Charlotte and Kelsey, his gaze directed at Charlotte, sending her a smile so dangerously packed with sexuality, Kelsey could almost feel its imprint.
Charlotte’s eyes grew dreamy.
Kelsey ground her teeth. How could she have ever imagined she loved Jesse Danner? He was a rogue and a rascal and he had no conscience at all. She would rather die a horrible death than let him have Charlotte. She would rather bed that horrible lecherous Tyrone McNamara than let him have Charlotte. She would rather go home to Rock Springs, and face Jace, and Emerald, and everyone else than let him have Charlotte!
She had to stop him.
Feeling Jesse’s gaze on her, Kelsey leveled him an icy look. I’m going to make your life hell, Mr. D
anner, she silently told him. His mouth twitched in response, almost as if he were looking forward to it.
¤ ¤ ¤
Dinner was a disaster. Jesse charmed and teased Charlotte until the poor child was so lovestruck, her lips were parted in ecstasy and her eyes were full of stars. Kelsey was sick to her stomach and had to keep her gaze centered solely on her plate. A knot of anger and determination hardened within her. She would stop him. For Charlotte’s sake.
On the ride home she thought she’d go mad listening to Charlotte giggle and squeal. Several times Kelsey shot Jesse a lethal glance from the corners of her eyes, but he was being a perfect gentleman. At least his hands were where they were supposed to be. And every time he caught her look, he stared right back at her, all innocence, as if he were entirely blameless for the devastatingly miserable evening.
She wanted to wring his neck.
At Lady Chamberlain’s front door Kelsey alit as if she had wings on her feet. She stormed up the walk, so furious she could scarcely see straight. But when she glanced back she found she was alone. Charlotte had stayed in the carriage with Jesse.
She swept back in fine fury, yanking open the carriage door. Jesse had Charlotte bent over his arms, kissing her passionately. Charlotte’s breasts were threatening to spill from their tight bodice. Jesse’s hard brown fingers surrounded her rib cage, less than an inch from the soft, velvet-covered mounds.
“Let her go!” Kelsey shouted in outrage.
Deliberately, as if he couldn’t bear to unhand her, Jesse’s lips slowly lifted from Charlotte’s. He gazed down at her with such desire, Kelsey felt it like a physical blow. Dazzled, Charlotte exhaled a sigh of pure longing.
“You’d better get inside,” Jesse told her tenderly.
“That would be a good idea,” Kelsey agreed evenly.
In a daze, Charlotte floated up the walk. Kelsey didn’t bother to shoot Jesse a look of loathing; battle lines had already been drawn.
She felt his gaze on her back as she marched stiffly up the walk behind Charlotte. It was like a heat wave, gathering strength, spreading across her skin. Irritated, she slammed the door behind her, then leaned against it, gathering her breath.