Every Time We Kiss. Christie Kelley
errant gaze moved to his lips. If she closed her eyes, she could remember the sensation of his mouth on hers. And that was what had caused all the problems.
“Matthew…”
“Are you still frightened of me, Jennette?”
She nodded. “What do you want from me?”
He laughed in such a soft tone it made her tremble again. “I had to see you.”
“Why? You promised to stay away from me.” She closed her eyes in thought. Anger surged when she realized the only reason he could be here. She glared up at him. “You only came to me because you need money, don’t you?”
“Who doesn’t?”
“No,” she said. “You want to blackmail me, am I right?”
He leaned in closer until the scent of his sandalwood soap teased her nose. “Blackmail is such an ugly word.”
“I heard about your father and brother’s accident. And I know about your finances.”
He glanced away from her for a moment. A hint of vulnerability crossed his face. “I didn’t think anyone else knew about my situation,” he whispered.
“Word of an earl’s finances spreads swiftly through the gossipmongers.”
“It really doesn’t matter.” His cold eyes stared into hers. “I didn’t come to beg you for money.”
If he didn’t want money, what could he possibly want from her? She had nothing else she could offer him.
“What do you want from me?”
“Your hand in marriage, of course,” he whispered nonchalantly.
Matthew watched as her brilliant blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight. What the devil had he just said to her? He’d only come to the party to see her, admire her from afar. Perhaps gather the courage to speak with her and tell her of his return to Society.
Not propose marriage!
When she’d stepped out into the garden, he knew he had to speak with her. But only to let her know that he was in town and what his plans were.
Not propose marriage.
Every time he was near her, he said the most foolish things. He couldn’t take his gaze from her. The woman was still an “Incomparable” in the mind of the ton and with good reason. Her tall, slim body, black hair, and blue eyes made her a novelty amongst the petite blondes and brunettes. And the ton always loved something new. She had an alluring maturity now that seemed even more enticing. It was an absolute wonder she hadn’t married by now.
“My what?” she finally blurted.
“Your hand in marriage,” he repeated softly. He had no idea why he continued in this vein. He couldn’t marry her. Even if it would solve most of his problems.
“To you?”
“Yes.”
Her face contorted as if she were trying to determine the reason for his proposal. Finally, she looked up at him and simply said, “No.”
Matthew almost smiled. “I don’t believe you have thought this through, Jennette.”
“There is nothing to think through, my lord,” she answered in a condescending voice. “I have no plans to marry you or any other man.”
“You have no choice in this matter.”
“Oh my God, you mean to blackmail me into marriage!”
He hated how that sounded, no matter how true. The idea of blackmailing her into marriage sounded sweet in his mind. At least as far as the benefits marriage would bring him. Her sensual body had haunted him for years.
“Jennette, I’ve spent the past fortnight attempting to integrate myself back into the folds of the ton. Only to be rejected on every front. I need a wife.”
“A wealthy wife,” she added in a sarcastic tone.
Matthew clenched his fists against the columns. “Yes,” he bit out. “I need a wealthy wife and a respectable wife. Someone who can elevate my reputation.”
“Well, it won’t be me.” She ducked under his arm and moved toward the bench.
“I’ve tried everything I can think of. If I don’t marry quickly my tenants will be removed from the land, my property sold, and I’ll be even more ruined.”
She bit her lip. “You ask too much,” she whispered, staring at her hands.
“I know.” Even that realization didn’t stop him from pursuing her. “But you owe me this, Jennette.”
“I know that, too.” Her gaze remained locked on her hands. “I can’t marry you, Matthew. I just couldn’t live with the memories of what happened.”
Matthew paced the small confines of the pergola. This was not going the way he’d expected. They were only supposed to talk and yet, now that he’d started this ridiculous conversation, he couldn’t stop it. Marrying her had never crossed his mind until he blurted the words out.
“Marry me or I’ll walk into that ballroom and tell everyone the truth.”
He cringed seeing the expression of shock cross her face. He couldn’t believe he had said that to her. What was it about her that brought out all the stupidity in him? The one glass of brandy he’d had before the ball couldn’t be the culprit. The urge to flee this scene grew. He should leave her alone, find another way to solve his problems. That was for the best.
But he couldn’t let go.
“You wouldn’t really do that, would you? If you did, there would be another inquest. You can’t possibly want that.” She moved slightly as if to run once more. Instead, she held her ground and stared at him. “What would John think of you?”
“John’s dead, Jennette.”
“I know that,” she hissed.
“But do you really want everyone in the ballroom to know you killed him?”
Chapter 3
Jennette gasped and stared at the cad in front of her. No one would believe him, she reasoned. Matthew had admitted to accidentally killing John. By doing so, he had protected her name and her family’s reputation. And he’d lost his. He left Society and became an outcast…all for her.
But if he suddenly changed his story, no one would trust him. They would think he was trying to place the blame on her to clear his name.
Yet, even as she tried to rationalize things, her guilt assailed her. The reason he could not find a bride had nothing to do with his finances and everything to do with a reputation he didn’t deserve. A reputation she had given him by letting John beg him to save her name.
If she had only stood up for herself back then. She knew now that if she’d taken the responsibility, the most likely outcome would have been sympathy for what had happened. Eventually, her reputation would have healed.
But now?
If people believed his story, she would be far more ruined than he ever was because everyone would hate her for not stepping forward five years ago. And worse, her actions would reflect poorly on her mother’s name, and Avis and Banning’s, too. All because of her.
This was all her fault. She never should have let him take the blame for her.
She had to find a way to help him. Marrying him was out of the question. His father and brother had gambled the family fortune away. No matter how much guilt she felt over what happened that day, she would never marry a fortune hunter and a gambler. Marrying Matthew would give him full control over her money so he could spend it all at the gaming hells. She would never let that happen.
Still,