Chapter 13 #2
Surely he could not be planning on the abduction again. It had failed before, and this time, Landry and Kathy were adults. Guards surrounded them.
And yet, the bastard had found a way to get to not only his daughter, but the woman his son was seeing.
Picking up the snifter of brandy, he took a sip, the excellent blend turning sour inside his stomach.
He had come out here for fresh air, but it was more for contemplation.
He had seen the look on his wife's face and knew they were both wondering if they had caused this.
He had known of his friend's interest in Jessica, hadn't he? Joel had spoken of her in almost reverent tones. Of her beauty and her charms. He had known his friend was in love with her.
But then he had fallen prey to her beauty as well, and when she was attracted as well, nothing else had mattered. His friendship and loyalty to Joel had taken a back seat. He wanted her, and she wanted him. Surely Joel would understand. Clearly, he hadn't.
How arrogant and stupid to think that when he returned and said all was forgiven, they had believed him. Had needed to believe him. Now they were paying for it.
Now his children's lives were in danger.
And others as well. Hissing out a breath, he was about to turn and go back in when he felt her presence.
"I was just about to retire to bed."
Crossing the room, Jessica went and leaned against the sturdy rail, breathing in the crisp air.
"It's so lovely. A full moon."
"Yes. We should- "
"You're wondering if I married you for your wealth."
The statement had him jolting in guilty surprise.
That was exactly what he had been thinking and wondering for the past few weeks.
They were not exactly a loving couple, and after the children came, she had expressed the need to have her own suite.
He had obliged her and found that slipping into her bed whenever the mood hit was something of an adventure.
"I saw it on your face," she added, a smile touching her lips.
He stared at her for a few seconds before looking away, but even so, he could still keep the image of her in his mind.
She had blossomed with age. He knew her and knew that unlike women of her station and position in society, she had not fallen prey to the knife in order to maintain her beauty.
Her skin was still unlined, and her beauty still shone.
She possessed excellent genes and had passed them on to their children.
It was her beauty that had dazzled him, but over the years, he had come to understand that behind the cool and unflappable facade lay a strength that was often underestimated. He had been fiercely attracted to the outer shell and had fallen in love with the inner person.
"I did, at first." Her soft, cultured voice drew his gaze back to her.
"I was a struggling actress and there was no way I was going back to modeling.
I wanted the comfort of knowing that I would be set for life.
" She lifted elegant hands and let them drop.
"When I first met you, I was intimidated.
You were authoritative and aloof. It dazzled me and scared me at the same time.
" She met his eyes. "Then I got to know you.
" She crossed to him, her robe billowing behind her.
Blue suited her, he decided, giving her alabaster skin a rich, healthy glow. He reached for the hands she had outstretched.
"Joel might believe that I'm greedy and materialistic, and I might have been, when I was much younger." Her hands tightened on his. "But I'm no longer that person," she ended quietly.
"I know. And I didn't care if you married me for my money." He smiled slightly. "At least, not that much."
"He hates us."
"I took him from you."
"I wasn't his to begin with." She drew nearer to him.
He loved the feel of her slender body against his. "We're stronger together."
Tilting her head, she gazed into his dear face. She might not have been a very good wife, certainly not mother of the year, but she had never had a good example. But that was no excuse. If given another chance, she intended to make things right with her children. "He's not going to win," she vowed.
"No. He won't." Tilting her chin up, he kissed her gently.
***
"We could go away. There's this cozy little pied-a-terre in France. It's tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Carennac. We would get lost in the anonymity." He nuzzled at her neck, arms wrapped securely around her waist.
"We're not running away."
"Just escaping the drama for a little bit.
" He sighed softly and turned her to face him.
He had made love to her like a man on a mission, a mission to forge himself to her.
The lovemaking had been desperate and frenzied.
The second time he had gone much slower, lingering over her body with the skills of an artist, determined to turn out a masterpiece.
"I want to suggest you stay away from work for a week."
Her tapered brows arched. "In the busiest season? Unlikely."
"At least, move in with me."
"Landry- "
"It would set my mind at ease."
"I'm not shacking up with you."
"Then marry me." The impatience in his deep voice had her staring at him.
"That's not the most romantic of proposals."
"I'll give you tons of romance once this is over." His hands cradled her face. "This has been on my mind since I came back to town. I want a life with you, darling. We've... I've wasted so much time already. I don't want to waste another bit of it. Marry me." His voice was urgent.
"Your parents, my mother- "
"We will set a meeting with them and tell them of our plans." He shook his head as she opened her mouth. "I refuse to take no for an answer."
"All right."
He blinked at her response, though he had been determined to mow over any more objections she might have. "What?"
She grinned at his dazed expression. "Yes."
"You're agreeing to marry me?" he asked, wanting clarification.
"Unless you've changed your mind."
With an excited yell, he swung her into his arms, crushing her to him. "We're getting married!"
"If you don't squeeze the life out of me first," she told him breathlessly.
"Sorry." Putting her back down, he kissed her soundly. "How about next weekend? It doesn't have to be a big ceremony, something intimate with family and a few friends."
"Landry- "
"I will take care of all the arrangements. My assistant is a whiz at getting things done." His eyes turned pleading and had her going weak. "I want you as my wife, darling. I want to see my ring on your finger and know that you bear my name. Give me that. I want it as soon as possible."
"This is crazy," she muttered.
"Next Saturday."
"All right, fine. I can just imagine the look on my mother's face, but what the hell! The answer is yes."
Swinging her into his arms, he carried her back to bed.
***
"This is utter and complete madness. We're in a crisis here," his father said.
"One that you and mother created," Landry pointed out with a touch of grimness to his tone.
"All we're asking is that you wait- " his mother said.
"Until when, mother? Do you have a time frame on when this mad man will make his move?
" He shook his head. "We're not asking for your permission.
With or without you, we're getting married next Saturday.
It will be a small ceremony, family, a few friends.
" His eyes turned icy. "We were forced to be apart because of something you did, and it almost destroyed us.
We will face this thing as a married couple. "
"I for one think it's delightful," Kathy purred, aiming a dazzling smile at Kady. "I've always wanted a sister and you fit the bill, darling."
"Thank you." Kady's dry tone had her laughing.
"It's the only bright spot in this awful set of circumstances. Have you told your brother?" she asked casually.
"I've asked him and my mother to lunch." Kady looked at the couple, who were still staring at them as if they had taken leave of their senses.
"I'm sorry if you think we just landed this on you, Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw, but I love your son, have loved him since I was a teen, and I have no intention of letting this 'mad man' dictate my happiness for a second time. "
"Good for you." Kathy shrugged when her father aimed a cool look in her direction.
"We deserve some sort of happiness," she continued determinedly.
"And for the horror you went through, darling, I'm rooting for you.
" Walking over to her brother, she went on her toes and kissed his cheek.
Turning to Kady, she squeezed her hand and added saucily, "I'm voting myself matron of honor. "
"Naturally."
The three of them turned toward the couple, unwittingly forming a unit.
"A week," Jessica murmured, realizing that they either had to get on board or run the risk of alienating their children even more.
"You don't have to do anything," Landry told her swiftly.
"Nonsense." Moving forward, she held out her hands, the smile not reaching her jade green eyes.
"Welcome to the family, my dear, and under the circumstances, I think you should call us by our given names.
" She turned to look at her husband, brows lifting.
"I'm your mother, and both your father and I would be honored to be part of the entire planning. "
"I've already contacted Leonora. You can liaise with her.
I-" He turned to smile at the woman at his side.
"We want complete intimacy. Just a quiet ceremony.
We've decided not to take our honeymoon yet, until this is all over.
" Leaning down, he brushed his lips on hers.
"Massey took something significant from us and almost destroyed us in the process; we're not going to allow him that privilege again. We're prepared to fight."