Читать книгу An Act of Love - Marion Ekholm - Страница 15

CHAPTER SEVEN

MARLEY COULDN’T SLEEP, not after seeing Richard’s disappointment. More than a decade ago, she had loved this man, and at one point had expected to marry him. Now...now she was “engaged” to Brant. Marley turned over and pounded her pillow. Why was she stuck with Brant when Richard was available—and interested?

Marley tossed again. An engagement bound two people. She had to respect that...mainly because the truth would make a liar out of her. Still... She flipped again, unable to dislodge her thoughts. And why did Brant have to continually invade them?

Brant, needling, flashing that smile. She hated this engagement. She hated him for his utter enjoyment in being engaged to her. She hated him....Finally, exhaustion set in, and she fell asleep.

Marley awoke to a light tap on the door and the smell of bacon and coffee. Richard peeked in. “Breakfast’s ready. I have to make a quick trip to the office.”

She joined him a few minutes later. “Nice,” she said, taking a tall chair at the bar. An array of jams in jars plus wheat toast sat on the counter along with two plates filled with scrambled eggs and bacon. The Baroness came over and rubbed against Marley’s ankles.

“If the cat’s bothering you, I can put her in my room.”

“No, she’s fine.” Marley reached down and petted the cat’s soft fur until she purred.

“You like anything in your coffee?” Richard poured, then pushed containers of sugar and cream toward her. “Can’t remember if you even like coffee.”

“I do.” She added cream. “You cook like this on a regular basis? I usually grab a breakfast bar and pick up coffee at a local coffee stand when I’m off to work.”

“I like breakfasts. My specialty is omelets. Not enough time this morning.” He took a sip of coffee, put his cup down, then placed his hands on the bar, leaning slightly toward her. “As I recall, you made a few breakfasts for me back when—”

“Let’s not go there, Richard.”

“Sure.” He smacked the bar and turned back to his plate. “So when are you getting married? Is this the first time?”

Marley slowly chewed the bacon before speaking. “First time. Haven’t decided when, exactly.”