Читать книгу The Marriage Mishap - Judith Stacy, Judith Stacy - Страница 9

“Breathe…That’s right. Just keep breathing.”

Haley lifted her head, and the room spun around her before strong hands pressed her onto the pillow again. She blinked, and a face came into focus, freezing the image in her mind. She moaned. “I thought you were a nightmare, but you’re real, aren’t you?”

Adam sat down on the edge of the bed. “Not every woman considers an evening with me a nightmare.”

Haley moaned again and flopped her hand onto her forehead. “I’m happy for you, truly I am, Mr.—” She looked up at him. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”

Annoyed, he sat up straighter. “Don’t you remember anything that happened?”

“On the contrary, the point where you announced our marriage is forever etched in my mind.” Haley shook her head slowly. “As if I’d been run through with a sword, a rusty sword—a dull, rusty sword with ragged edges.”

“You must remember…” Adam frowned and waved his hand across the bed.

Haley shrugged helplessly. “No.”

“Not even when you and I…?”

She shook her head.

“Or when you—”

“I did something?” Haley’s eyes bulged. “What did I do?”

“You did it three times—I’d think you’d remember,” Adam grumbled, and rose from the bed.

“Well, do you remember?” she asked challengingly.

He glared at her with wounded pride. “And who says marriage doesn’t have its tender moments?”

“Are you sure we’re really married?” Haley sat up, and the room spun again. Adam grasped her shoulders and steadied her; his hands felt strong.

His gaze captured hers. “Maybe you should lie down.”

That was how she’d gotten into this mess in the first place. Haley looked up, and for an instant felt lost in his green eyes, brilliant as emeralds and nearly as mesmerizing. She pushed his hands away and scooted to the edge of the bed. “Where’s that paper you found?”

Adam took it from the bedside table. “Executed by Judge Williams himself, and properly witnessed by Harry and Laurel Oliver.”

“The newlyweds?” Haley opened the paper and read the words, saw the signatures and the official seal.

“I’ve known Harry Oliver for years. He works at the courthouse.” Adam shrugged. “I don’t know how it can get any more legal than that.”

“We got married at someone else’s wedding?” Haley curled her lips distastefully. “Is that done?”

Adam plowed his fingers through his hair. “It must have been at the reception, because I remember the ceremony.”

Haley’s gaze came up quickly and met his. “You don’t remember, either? I thought it was only me.”

Adam shifted, and his gaze wandered across the bed. “Parts of it, I remember very well.”

Haley’s cheeks pinkened. “At least this explains how I got here.”

Adam crossed the room and retrieved his shirt. “And how I got here, as well. Believe me, Miss Caufield, I’m not in the habit of deflowering innocent young women.”

Haley looked back at the bed, then sprang off it. She smoothed down her gown, reaching for any modicum of dignity she could muster. “This can’t be happening.”

He looked back at her. “Some women would be pleased to find themselves married to me, Miss Caufield.”

She ignored his claim. “We have to do something.”

Adam shoved his arms into his shirtsleeves. “Such as?”

Haley touched her finger to her chin. “Harry and Laurel, the newlyweds. They witnessed the whole thing. Let’s talk with them.”

“Honeymooning in New York. Won’t be back for two months, maybe more.”

“Then how about this judge? Maybe he—”

“I doubt Judge Williams will take too kindly to having his word questioned.”

“Is it too late for an annulment?”

His gaze roamed the bed, and he drew in a big breath. “I would say it’s far too late for that.”

“Then that only leaves…” Haley’s stomach pitched.

“A divorce?” Adam’s gaze met hers as he closed the buttons on his shirt. “Now there’s a scandal our families will enjoy.”

Haley pressed her fingers to her lips. Another scandal. Her mother had nearly disowned her over Reginald. What would she do if she found out about this?

Haley stepped closer. “It wouldn’t be a scandal if they didn’t know about it.”

“You’re saying you really don’t want to be married?” Adam frowned as he shoved his shirttail into his trousers.

The haughty, indignant arch in his brows wound Haley’s stomach into a tighter knot. She pulled herself up straighter. “I suppose that comes as a surprise to you, Mr.—Harrington, was it?—but I have definite plans for my own future, and they do not include a husband.”

Adam pulled on his waistcoat and jacket, and stuffed his cravat into his pocket. “I don’t think either of us is in the proper frame of mind to make such a decision.”

“My mind is quite made up, Mr. Harrington. And I’ll thank you to keep this entire unfortunate incident to yourself. I’m leaving.” Haley headed for the door.

“Wait.” Adam followed her across the room.

She grasped the doorknob and looked up to find him standing over her. His height was overwhelming. She barely reached his shoulder. “What?”

He reached over her head and held the door closed. “Isn’t a husband allowed a goodbye kiss?”

Haley’s knees nearly gave out. A heat, an aura, engulfed her as Adam eased closer. His gaze captured hers, and all rational thought left her head. He folded his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. She felt the strength in his arms, tempered by the gentleness of his touch.

“Well?” A tiny grin pulled at his lips.

She tried to protest, but couldn’t speak the words. Visions, images, flashed in her mind.

Adam touched his mouth to hers, kneading them together gently until she parted her lips. He moaned deep in his throat as his tongue met with hers in an intimate exchange. She was sweet, giving, exquisite…just as he remembered.

Desire coiled in his belly as further recollections surfaced in his mind. He pulled his lips away and kissed a hot trail down her cheek, nestling against her neck. She tasted good. He wanted more.

“We don’t have to call off the marriage right this minute,” he whispered against her ear. “Another hour or two wouldn’t make any difference. How about it?”

Adam lifted his head and looked down to find Haley staring at him. Her lips were wet and swollen with his kiss, and her body was nearly limp in his arms. But her eyes, deep blue eyes, were wide with fright.

They’d made love all night, done wonderful things with each other, and he didn’t understand her reaction. He wanted to be mad, but couldn’t. Instead, he stepped away and pulled in a deep breath.

“Well, at least let me walk my wife down to get a cab.”

Befuddled, Haley stepped aside as he opened the door and walked with him down the carpeted corridor. The air was cooler here, and it helped clear her mind—enough for her to worry that they would be seen in the hotel together.

At the head of the grand staircase that descended to the lobby, Haley stopped. “I’d rather go down alone.”

Adam peered down the stairs. The double doors at the main entrance were only a short walk across the lobby. Several men sat on the settees and others stood near the front desk. Haley in her evening gown— modest as it was—certainly would catch their attention. And suddenly he didn’t like the idea of those men ogling her.

He shook his head. “I’ll see you to the cab.”

Haley started to protest, but he closed his hand over her elbow and led her down the stairs. She took heart in the strength that radiated up her arm.

Crossing the lobby, Haley kept her head down, though she could feel the stares of everyone there. At least she was new in town and almost no one knew her, the chances that she’d be recognized were slim.

She lifted her gaze for an instant, calculating the distance to the doorway. Only a few more feet and she’d be safely out of the Madison Hotel, safely away from the man clinging to her elbow, safely on the path to salvaging her reputation, not to mention getting her plans back on track. Her spirits lifted. No one would ever know.

Aunt Harriet stepped into the doorway.

Haley dug in her heels and pulled back. What was her aunt doing here at the Madison on a Sunday afternoon? Her first instinct was to run, but the man at her elbow anchored her in place. She pulled against him.

He held tight and looked down at her. “What the devil is the matter with you?”

Her breath came in quick puffs as her aunt’s gaze fell on her. She watched in horror as the older woman’s expression turned from surprise to anger.

Suddenly Aunt Harriet was surrounded by three other women. Haley’s knees trembled. They were her aunt’s friends, the cream of Sacramento’s society. How could she explain away what was so painfully obvious? Her gaze swept the lobby as she looked for an escape route, a place to hide—anything.

Adam looked at the women, then down to see the terror on Haley’s face. “I take it you know that woman,” he whispered.

She worked her mouth, but no words came out.

The three women spotted her, and recognition bulged their eyes. They bent their heads together, whispering, then craned their necks at Aunt Harriet.

Haley clamped her hand around Adam’s arm. “She’s my aunt. And those old hens are her dearest friends.”

Adam looked at the women, then back at Haley. “She’s your aunt? Harriet Covington is your aunt?”

She bobbed her head quickly and gazed up at him, desperate. “What are we going to tell them?”

Adam couldn’t hold in the grin that pulled at his lips. He slid one arm around her waist and bent until his mouth brushed her ear. “We could always try the truth.”

Haley wanted to slug him. “I told you, I don’t want anyone to know about this—this mess.”

“Would you rather tell them we simply spent the night together?”

Aunt Harriet advanced on them, her wrinkled cheeks pink with anger, her body rigid with well-practiced containment of her emotions. Behind her, the three other ladies stared, wide-eyed.

Her gaze raked them both. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Mrs. Covington, it’s good to see you again. Haley tells me you’re her aunt.” Adam smiled smoothly.

She looked up at him for the first time, and recognition drew her mouth into a tight bow and bobbed her brows to her hairline. “But—I—You—Well, Mr. Harrington?”

“We were just on our way to see you, Mrs. Covington, weren’t we, dear?” Adam gave Haley a squeeze, and a squeak slipped through her lips.

Aunt Harriet glanced back at her three friends who were hovering within earshot. She pulled herself up straighter. “Mr. Harrington, I must ask for an explanation.”

“Believe me, Mrs. Covington, the whole thing came as quite a surprise to us all. Isn’t that right, dear?” Adam looked down at Haley, a gracious smile in place. “Go on, tell your aunt.”

Haley would have collapsed onto the floor long ago, had it not been for Adam’s strong arms around her. She felt the hot glare of her aunt, the nosy exchange of her friends, who must be dying to spread this juicy piece of gossip unfolding before them. But which was the worst scandal? Marrying a stranger in a drunken stupor, or getting caught sleeping with one?

Haley lifted her chin, collecting her pride as best she could. “Aunt Harriet, Mr. Harrington and I got…married last night.”

Aunt Harriet gasped in a most unladylike fashion. Her three friends circled her, whispering and offering congratulations. Several moments passed before Haley realized they were all pleased with the news.

“Well, well.” Aunt Harriet’s cheeks had pinkened. “This is quite exciting, Mr. Harrington. Quite exciting.”

Haley didn’t understand it, but at least no one was mad at her or would spread unsavory gossip. She didn’t want to linger, though, to hear the questions about the wedding details that were sure to follow.

“I’ll see you later, Aunt Harriet, and we’ll talk more then.”

“Certainly, dear, of course.” She gave her a proud smile. “And Mr. Harrington, we’ll want to have you over for supper very soon—your father, as well, of course. We should all get to know one another better, now that we’re related.”

Adam nodded cordially. “Good afternoon, ladies.”

Arm anchored around Haley, he crossed the lobby, leaving the women to stare after them. He looked down at Haley. “See? I told you not everyone considered marriage to me a horrible prospect.”

She would have slapped that smug grin from his face, had she not been certain Aunt Harriet and her friends were still watching. Haley clamped her mouth shut and went out onto the street in front of the hotel, the bright sun stabbing her eyes. Adam hailed a hansom cab. The driver jumped down and opened the door for her.

“Well, Mr. Harrington, it was nice…meeting you.”

He closed his hand around her elbow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I told you already.” She eased her arm from his grasp and sighed heavily. “Surely you’re not thinking we should stay married?”

He shrugged. “Now that your aunt knows the truth, what else can we do? The news will be all over the city by nightfall.”

That much was true. Haley pressed her lips together. “But I don’t know a thing about you.”

Adam stood a little straighter and tugged at his waistcoat. “Adam Oren Harrington. I own a business, which, I’m proud to say, is quite profitable. I’m thirty-four years old, in good health, have few vices, and all my teeth.” He stretched out his lips, displaying two rows of even white teeth. A little grin tugged at his mouth. “Well? Does that meet your expectations for a husband?”

He looked so comical, Haley couldn’t help giggling. “On the surface, yes.”

“And what else would the lady like to know?”

Haley studied him for a moment. “You don’t know a thing about me.”

Adam took her hand in his. Slowly he brushed his thumb over her palm and captured her gaze. “I’ll be at your aunt’s after supper tonight. We’ll discuss everything then.”

Ripples of warmth radiated up her arm. She ignored them and pulled her hand away. “I’ve already told you, Mr. Harrington, I have plans that do not include you. Plans that—” Could cause a worse scandal? Haley held her tongue.

Adam folded his arms across his chest and watched as her bustle disappeared into the cab. He passed money to the driver, and the cab pulled out into the street.

One thing he’d learned long ago was to keep his options open. Snap decisions were often regrettable decisions. Uninformed decisions were disasters. True, he knew nothing about his new wife now. But by the time he arrived at her aunt’s home tonight, he’d know everything he needed to know about Miss Haley Carissa Caufield.

“Oh, thank God it’s you.”

Haley plopped down on her aunt’s mauve settee and touched her hand to her forehead.

Seated across the marble-topped coffee table from her, Jay Caufield settled deeper into the wing-backed chair. “Who were you expecting? Your new husband, maybe?”

Her gaze came up quickly. “How did you find out so soon?” She’d left her aunt at the Madison only hours ago.

“Good news travels fast,” he said, though his tone indicated that he considered it anything but.

“Please, Jay, don’t play games with me.” She’d taken a bath and tried to nap, but she hadn’t been able to sleep, images of her mother, her aunt and her new husband tormenting her.

“It’s all over town. Your aunt was at the Madison for one of those ladies’ club luncheons, spewing the news like a champagne bottle just uncorked.” Jay rose, his slender frame rigid. He threaded his fingers through the pale blond hair at his temple. “How could you have done this? Look, cousin, don’t you realize who Adam Harrington is?”

Haley offered him a weak smile. “Aunt Harriet and her friends were quite pleased by the news.”

He laughed bitterly. “I’m sure they were. But she’s your aunt on your mother’s side. Social position is what they live for. I’m your real relative, Haley. Our fathers were brothers. You should have discussed it with me before you up and married a Harrington.”

“Well, where were you last night, anyway?” Haley sat up straighter. “Maybe none of this would have happened if you’d been with me.”

He shifted and looked contrite. “I had to leave. Elizabeth was getting all goo-goo-eyed, talking about bridesmaids and gowns, jockeying to catch the bouquet. I had to get her out of there.”

“You coward. Elizabeth is a wonderful girl. You should marry her.”

Jay held up his palms. “We’re not discussing me. We’re discussing you and your fiasco.”

“My latest fiasco, don’t you mean?”

Jay just stared at her. Aside from Aunt Harriet, only Jay knew the reasons behind the Farnsworth incident. Though her mother had taken her from Sacramento when she was only thirteen, Haley and Jay had corresponded regularly. He was three years older than she, and they’d been fast friends growing up together. Jay was as close as a brother would have been, had her mother tolerated her father long enough to produce other siblings.

Jay sank into the chair again. “I didn’t think you even knew the Harringtons.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know them. I just…woke up with one.”

Stunned, Jay’s eyes bulged. “You mean, you two got married—” he snapped his fingers “—just like that?”

She nodded. “I don’t even remember the ceremony. Neither does he.”

“But…how?”

She sighed resolutely. “Something to do with the punch, I think.”

He chuckled lightly, then laughed, and laughed harder, until he grabbed his belly and threw back his head. “This is too much, Haley, too much!”

She sat forward on the settee. “What’s so funny?”

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. “When old Martin Harrington finds out what his son has done, he’ll hit the roof. I tell you, it’s almost worth it to have you married to that family.”

Haley flung out her hands. “What’s wrong with the Harringtons, anyway?”

Jay sniffed and got himself under control. “Nothing. Unless you’re trying to compete with their construction company for work in this town.”

She gasped. “The Harringtons own a construction company? But you and I—”

“Exactly. You don’t remember, since you were so young, but our fathers had a devil of a time holding their business together in the face of the Harringtons’ stiff competition—every construction firm in the area had a tough go of it. The Harringtons finally rolled over most everybody. Only a few firms, like ours, remain.”

“So what you’re saying is…” Haley shuddered. She didn’t even want to consider the possibility.

Jay nodded. “In a way, the Harrington Construction Company was responsible for your father’s…demise.”

“His drinking, you mean.”

“Well, yes.”

And that had led to business problems that compounded the marital problems, and eventually landed Haley at her grandparents’ home in San Francisco, with her mother estranged from her father.

Jay shrugged. “Maybe, if things had been different, your parents—”

“It wouldn’t have mattered.” Haley rose from the chair. “She’d married beneath herself. I heard it a thousand times.”

“He worked like a dog to make himself worthy of her.”

Haley walked to the mantel, sadness sagging her shoulders. Her father had died young, leaving his brother—then Jay—to run the business. “It was never enough, was it?”

“No,” Jay admitted. “He never stood a chance.”

She turned and faced him again, drawing in a fresh breath. “So, you and I are left as the sole owners of the Sacramento Building Company.”

Jay rose slowly from the chair. “We are. For now. I guess you got my letter.”

“I did. And that’s what brought me here to Sacramento in the first place.” Haley shook her head sadly. “Jay, you can’t mean it. You can’t close the Sacramento Building Company.”

“I’ve been beating a dead horse for years now. It’s no use, Haley, I simply can’t go on. Harrington Construction has work locked up in this town. I haven’t sent you any profits from the business for some time now, but I suppose the amount was hardly noticeable, compared to the money your doting grandfather Hasting heaps on you.”

Haley smiled. “You’ve done a wonderful job with the company. Your father would have been proud.”

“I do the best I can. Outbidding Harrington for jobs in this city is tough. We’re small potatoes compared to them. Come down to the office, sometime, I’ll show you around…while there is an office, that is.”

Haley threaded her fingers together. “No, Jay, I’m not going to let this happen. I’m a partner in the business, and I have a say in what happens to it. Closing Sacramento Building is the last thing our fathers would have wanted. We’ll find a way to keep it going.”

“Well, not tonight, I’m afraid. I’ve got to run.” Jay clasped her elbow and kissed her cheek as the mahogany mantel clock chimed the hour. He rolled his eyes. “Dinner at Elizabeth’s parents tonight—this is getting out of hand.”

“But—”

He was gone, and she was left standing alone in Aunt Harriet’s parlor, still contemplating the mission that had brought her to Sacramento.

But before she could do it, she’d have to find a way to get rid of Adam Harrington.