THIRTEEN
“Of course I wasn’tthinking of you,” she lied and turned back toward the paintings. “If you must know, this house and the paintings, reminds me of the Victorian era, and I was just imagining what it might have been like to live back during that time.”
Brad moved beside her as his attention shifted to the paintings. “Believe it or not, I would have loved to live back in those days.”
She stared directly at him. “Really? Why?”
“Because people didn’t look down their noses at the sons of rich men. Back then, people didn’t mind if the son of a rich guy didn’t do anything during the day. In fact, having a laborious job was frowned upon by high society gents and ladies.” He folded his arms across his wide chest. “Sons of rich men were the kind of guys the old bats wanted to marry their ugly daughters to.”
Breanna understood the point he was trying to make, but she still couldn’t help but laugh. “And you, I presume, would be the dashing young man who would be a hard catch. You’d tell the old hags—”
“Oldbats,” he corrected.
“Oh, sorry. But you’d tell the old bats that you weren’t ready to settle down and take responsibility of a wife and family because there was so much world out there for you to explore, and so many women for you to charm.”
Brad’s gaze swung to her. Dramatically, he gasped and clutched his chest as he stepped back. “Oh, Breanna—”
She arched an eyebrow. “That’s Countess Loveland to you, sir.”
He chuckled, bowed slightly and then straightened. “Pardon me. But Countess, my love, you wound me deeply. For all the other maids I’d turn away if I could only have your sweet presence for a mere day. And forever would I be in Heaven if I could feel your delicate touch, and taste the sweet nectar of your lips. Then, and only then, my love, would I die a happy man.”
Even though Breanna knew they were just playacting, her heart soared. Now, more than ever, she was drawn to him. She wanted to admit defeat and to be in his arms for all eternity. The ice block she’d tried to build around her heart so he wouldn’t break it, was slowly thawing. The feelings she’d denied for him were stronger than ever before, and yet it didn’t frighten her. Just the opposite, in fact.
Brad took her hand and brought it up to his mouth, lightly brushing his lips across her skin. “Would you, my sweet Countess, make me a happy man? Or will you take my sword and drive it through my heart? For if you turn me away, I would surely die.”
Breanna’s throat turned dry. They were playing, weren’t they? Then why did Brad look so serious? Why could she detect the plea in his eyes and in his voice?
The sound of someone clapping snapped her alert. She swung around to see who was making that noise. There stood her boss and his wife, both grinning like fools. Yet, Breanna was the one who felt foolish.
Todd looked as regal as she’d ever seen him, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and blue tie. In this lighting, she couldn’t see the wrinkles that were always around his mouth and eyes. He didn’t even look as pudgy as he did at the office. Instead, he looked lean in his suit. His wife looked just as grand. The petite woman wore a sparkling red, long gown with matching pumps. Her short, dark brown hair curled all over her head. Not one gray hair was visible, unlike Todd’s full head of dark hair that looked more salt and pepper than anything.
“Dad,” Brad said in a rush as though he’d been caught doing something wrong. “I... didn’t hear you come in.”
“Which I’m glad, because my dear son, I’ve seen a part of you I didn’t know existed. But it makes me proud to know there’s a poetic side to you.”
Todd’s wife nodded as she toyed with a diamond-drop earring hanging from her lobe. “You’re a real romantic, Brad. Don’t you think so Breanna?”
The words flowed out of Breanna’s mouth before she had a chance to stop them. “Yes. That was the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” It surprised her that she felt this way. Tom would have never said that or eventhoughtto say something so eloquent.
Brad smiled softly at Breanna and her heart flipped again. This time, she enjoyed the feeling and anticipated when it would happen again.
“All right, you two.” Todd laughed and linked his fingers across his belly. “Let’s go eat. I’m starved.”
“Uh, Dad.” Brad tapped his father on the shoulder. “Shouldn’t we wait for the other guests?”
“Oh, uh, yes. I suppose we should.”
His wife rolled her eyes. “They’ll be here shortly, dear. I don’t think you’ll have to wait long.” She looked back at Breanna. “Should we go into the sitting room? I would love to get to know you a little better.” Her gaze moved over Breanna’s dress. “What a lovely gown you have.”
Breanna’s cheeks warmed again. “Thank you. Believe it or not, your son helped me pick it out.”
Mrs. Montgomery nodded. “I believe it.”
Brad stepped up to Breanna, took her hand, and hooked it around his arm. Her heart melted a little more. It was obvious, his mind was still back in the eighteenth century where men were gentlemen and they respected women.
