She raised a brow in challenge, and the overwhelming urge to kiss her nearly had him breaching the distance.
“I'm game.”
“And, of course, we shall use the Episcopal church for the ceremony,” Beatrice Malone continued, detailing her family's extensive plans for her and George's nuptials.
Noah stifled a groan into his glass and caught Kizzie's gaze across the table. She failed miserably at cloaking her expressions, which only made her more endearing. No pretense. She looked utterly unimpressed and perhaps a little bored.
In fact, just as he met her gaze, she was attempting to hide a yawn in her teacup.
Her eyes grew wide at his observation of her blunder, so he shot her a wink.
She attempted to smother her smile.
And he embraced then and there this new love growing inside his heart for her.
As ridiculous as it sounded, hewantedto win her.
If they had to wait a year to marry, he could do that, as long as he knew she waited with him.
“Doesn't your family attend the Baptist church, Beatrice?” This from his mother.
Beatrice turned her bright blue eyes on his mother, the same look of superiority she always wore pasted on her porcelain face. “Yes, but the Episcopal church will hold more people and, as you know, we will have a large number coming in from out of town for the occasion. My mother's New York family plan to stay for a month.”
“Did you know she has connections with the Vanderbilts?” George said, touching Beatrice's hand. “Beatrice and I have discussed taking a train to Asheville to see George Vanderbilt's grand estate during our honeymoon tour.”
Beatrice slid her hand free from his grasp and gave him a disapproving look.
Kizzie glanced over at Noah. Yes, she'd caught that too. Not the first time Noah had seen the behavior, however. Beatrice Malone ruled the relationship with her money and personality, and despite Noah's attempts to convince George otherwise, his brother was determined to connect himself to a family beyond his status and a woman who seemed rather cold and controlling.
“It must be nice to have such a large family willing to travel down here to celebrate with you,” Kizzie said. She'd remained quiet for most of the meal but watched everything. No doubt coming to her own conclusions.
Beatrice barely offered her a look before returning her attention to Mother. “Of course. We all are highly supportive of one another, and Father wishes to show the family his new bank.” She looked over at George. “However, I'm not sure how long we'll remain in The Hollows, as Father is making plans to move farther south for more lucrative banking opportunities in Charlotte. My uncle expounds on the fact that Charlotte will be one of the financial capitals of the South in a few decades, and who doesn't want to take advantage where advantage is available?”
Moving?
George looked away, his expression steeling. Had he known about this? Why build an expansive home if he had no intention of staying?
From his pallor, perhaps the news came to him with as much shock as it did Noah.
Had George invested all this time and money and debilitated his father's mill for a house he'd have to sell within a year? Maybe two? For a status he wouldn't even hold in The Hollows anymore? What had his brother's desire for rank cost him?
Costthem?
“That is why we have been able to create our legacy. We take opportunities as we see them.” Beatrice's gaze slid to each person at the table, finally landing on Kizzie. “And refuse anything that would weaken us.” Her smile took a humored direction. “Survival of the fittest, as Father says.”
Noah started to interject in order to pull Beatrice's attention from Kizzie, but Kizzie responded first.
“That's certainly a fact where I grew up in the mountains. The survivors are the ones who run the fastest from the cougars and bears. Though I reckon if you lose someone you care about while trying to save your own skin, you lose all around. I reckon that's why most folks ought to help each other as they can.”
“Or learn to run faster.” One of Beatrice's golden brows edged northward.
What had George gotten himself into with this one?
“If our eyes are focused on ourselves, then that would definitely be the best option, Miss Malone, but I tend to think we create a happier world when we're willing to help those alongside us. Outrunning everybody else may have you win, but it's a lonely place in the end.”
“Kizzie.” Noah broke into the stare between the two women just to rescue Kizzie from further conversation. “If you're finished with your dessert, I'd love to show you the chess set I told you about earlier today.”
Kizzie bestowed on him such a knowing smile, he couldn't help but reciprocate.
