Chapter 5
"Relax," he murmured when he felt her tensing up. As soon as she agreed to the proposition, it was as if everything was happening too quickly. He had acquired the ring, an exquisite square cut diamond with dazzling emerald stones surrounding the diamond and it was a perfect fit.
"Do you want something private or a big splash?"
"Something private with just family."
"That makes it easier to plan. Another thing--I have been wanting to move out of the manor since I know myself, so I was thinking that we find a place to live.
We own real estate all over town. There's also an isolated cabin that belonged to my great-grandfather.
But you would need internet for your work and it's more like a fishing deal than anything else. You decide."
And she had. Now that it was real that everything was going according to plan, she could feel the nerves jangling all over her body. She had not told her brother yet but was cowardly waiting until she had faced his family. One catastrophic experience at a time, she thought grimly.
"What did you tell them?"
"That I am bringing someone special to dinner.
" He had picked her up at the house. Julesa's spirit had been bolstered at the flash of admiration in his eyes when she opened the door.
The dress was new and a Romano's original.
The green wool figure hugging, but not too overtly sexy and the color looked great against her skin.
She had decided to leave her luxuriant dark brown hair loose, brushing it until it shone, with the ends in vibrant curls just past her shoulders. Discreet diamond knobs were at her lobes, and she was wearing a thin gold necklace.
She glanced at him briefly, feeling the familiar thrill at the look of him. He was wearing khaki dress pants with a brilliant blue sweater that made his own eyes appear an even darker blue. His hair refused to be tame and had several locks falling over his forehead.
Sliding her eyes away from him quickly, she stared out at the towering white building and felt the tension gathering inside her chest.
"Hey."
She jumped slightly when she felt his hand on hers.
"I'm fine," she assured him. Taking a deep breath, she unhooked her seatbelt. He was out of the car and opening her door by the time she was finished.
Taking her hand, he linked their fingers together, giving her the courage she needed.
She was heading straight into the lion's den and felt as if she needed some added protection.
For the first time since she left, she was going to be facing the people who had made their lives a living hell.
And she was going to force them to acknowledge her as equal.
Even though that was a tall order, she had added ammunition. Their only son and heir to the throne was on her side. They were going to have to deal with it.
The doors--towering, polished oak--were swept open as soon as they stepped on the wide wraparound porch by a familiar face.
"Edmond," she exclaimed in genuine pleasure and surprise. "You're still here."
The grizzled looking black man in his starched black uniform beamed a smile. Glancing first at Jordan as if seeking his approval, he stretched out a hand in welcome.
"Ms. Julesa. Just look at you. I always knew you would be a beauty." The expression on his face changed at the strident voice behind him. Snapping to attention, he took their coats and folded them neatly on his arm.
"The family is in the green and white salon." With one last fond look at her, he melted away. Her grip on his fingers tightened unconsciously.
"He looks the same," she murmured as they walked through the wide passageway with its silk wallpapers and marble flooring.
"He's an institution." He could feel the tension radiating through her and wanted to smooth it over. "He likes you."
"He used to slip me cookies and milk." Her smile was wistful. Taking a deep breath, she turned her head towards him. "I'm fine, really."
"Good." Bringing their joined hands up, he brushed his lips against her knuckles as they stepped into the room.
It was like a scene out of an elegant soap opera. Everyone was there. The word "salon" was completely underrated. The room was large and sumptuously furnished with antique pieces. A huge fireplace took up an entire section. Lush white carpet--miles of it--had their feet sinking to the ankles.
The woman of the house was draped in a throne-like chair, excellent legs crossed at the knees.
Her husband was standing a little behind her.
The two young women were seated on apple green love seats, with their husbands standing behind them.
All of them were superbly dressed as if for a formal party.
Despite the exorbitant amount she had shelled out for her outfit, she felt like the poor cousin.
But she was not so unaware that she did not see the look of stunned surprise on the family's faces. The mother's eyes went swiftly to their joined hands before swinging towards her son's face as if demanding an explanation.
"I don't believe an introduction is necessary." Guiding her to an unoccupied lime green single sofa, Jordan saw that she was seated before sitting on the arm of the chair. "Julesa Simpson." His amber eyes took in the family's reaction, one by one.
"Ms. Simpson." Inbred good manners forced the polite tone of her voice. "We're sorry for your loss."
"Thanks."
"Now Jordan, why don't you tell us what's going on?" Harry Wainwright's voice boomed out.
Settling his arm intimately around her shoulder, Jordan relaxed, an easy smile curving his lips. "Jules and I are engaged." Using his free hand, he snagged her left wrist and showed off the dazzling ring on her finger.
For a few minutes, it seemed like everyone had been carved into stone. No one moved, even the air was still.
Jordan waited, his eyes on his parents and saw the fury break through the icy demeanor. His father was not so subtle--his face turning florid with anger.
"You must be joking," he rasped.
"I'm afraid not." Leaning negligently against the sofa, he lightly brushed his fingers through Julesa's hair.
And doing so, it hit him like a thunderbolt.
He was no longer pretending. He wanted this--wanted her with an intensity that startled him enough to swing his gaze to stare at her.
"We're getting married," he added slowly.
As if drawn to him, she tilted her head to meet his gaze. What she saw there had her going still, her breath tangling in her throat. For a few seconds, it was as if they were the only two people in the room.
"This is preposterous! That girl is--the daughter of a former maid. And she's--"
Jordan's head jerked away to pierce his father with a look that had him trailing off into silence.
"Yes? She's what? Not the right complexion?
From our so-called society?" His icy gaze circled to encompass the entire family.
"That means nothing to me. We're getting married in a few weeks.
It will be an intimate ceremony at the local chapel, and you're all invited.
Whether or not you want to put aside your bigoted standards and attend the wedding is entirely up to you.
The wedding will go on with or without you.
And--" he held up an imperious hand. "If you are thinking you can bribe her by trying to pay her off, forget it.
She's pregnant." He felt her jolt of shock, but to her credit, she kept her face blank.
"You've been seeing this--this woman in secret?" Jacquline's face had paled considerably, her posture rigid.
"Secret?" Lifting her hand, Jordan brushed his lips over her knuckles. "I prefer the word discreet, but yes, we've been involved. And now we think it's time we make things permanent."
"I will not allow this!"
Even though he felt the anger simmering through his body, Jordan gave his father a derisive glance.
"What will you do? Lock me in my room? Take away my allowance?
Disinherit me?" His thick brows lifted mockingly.
"Might I remind you that there's nothing you can do?
I cannot be disinherited, and I happen to have my own money.
" Leaning back, he wrapped his hand around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him.
"You have no right to do this to us." His mother's face was rigid, anger and hatred flashing in her eyes as she turned her gaze towards Julesa. "She's not suitable--"
"As she is going to be my wife, then I'd say that's for me to decide and she's perfect for me."
The dinner bell sounded just then, cutting off the rest of the conversation.
"Shall we?" In one smooth fluid movement, he rose and tugged Julesa gently up and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Putting his mouth close to her ear, he whispered, "You're doing great."
"I'm not so sure," she whispered back.
"Just follow my lead."
She supposed she had seen the large and elegantly appointed dining room before with its gleaming rosewood table that could seat twenty people, the sideboard, floor to ceiling windows with the view of the fabulous rose gardens and slate gray carpet.
Keeping her by his side, Jordan seated her before taking his seat next to her.
His father took his position at the head of the table, with his mother at the opposite end. The two sisters sat across from their husbands and were yet to say anything. They barely looked at Julesa as if afraid of incurring their parents' wrath.
The meal was consumed in silence and Julesa had a feeling that with people like the Wainwrights it was improper for a conversation to be held at the dinner table. The silence was so fraught with tension, it fairly crackled in the air.
Julesa had to force herself to choke down the delicate roasted duck and grilled vegetables.
The only person unaffected by the tension was Jordan, who was eating cheerfully, cleaning his plates.
Flouting rules, he draped one hand over the back of Julesa's chair in an intimate gesture, fingers tangling with the ends of her hair.