“She isAnna Lane, the daughter of my best and most lucrative investment partner. She is only just beginning to tolerateme, and ... Why in the world am I even discussing this? Anna and I would never suit.”
“Wealthy, lovely in all respects, and, by your own admission, brave. Which of all those qualities, pray tell, would not suit?”
I stood, grunting in frustration, and paced toward the fire.
What was wrong with Anna? Everything. Nothing. For even when she’d hated and rebuked me, I’d still admired her. Still loved to affect her any way I could. Perhaps, somewhere deep within me, I’d wondered ...
But I’d never admit to having such a weakness aloud. An affection, let alone an attraction to her? Impossible. Especially when she made it so easy to resent her. And resent her I had, however unfairly.
“Her father cares for you. He would not be opposed to the union. Indeed, the thought must already have crossed his mind.”
I doubted it. He knew about my past, and the shame that followed me from my father. My mother often tried to forget it, and this conversation proved it. I softened my tone. “I already have three women in my life, Mother. I do not need another. Not yet.”
“If you worry for our financial—”
“It’s not just the finances.”
“What, then?” Mother asked, exasperated.
Pursuing Anna would mean extreme awkwardness if I failed. Her father would be less likely to maintain a friendship with me, and I valued that man like family. Rejectionin any form resulted in pain, but rejection fromher? The first time she’d snubbed me had sent me spiraling for a fortnight. Besides, we were finally becoming friends, and I could not bear things going back to the way they were.
“There are too many risks.”
Mother leaned forward, as though she’d been waiting for me to say those very words. “There might be risks. You might not be certain of success. But you and I both have proved that the greatest risk can yield the greatest reward.”
I shook my head. She made it all sound too good. “You speak of marriage like it is an investment.”
She grinned. “Is it not?”
My brow arched.
She stood and reached up to stroke my cheek. “Courting might feel uncertain at first. Terrifying, even. But if your heart pulls you in one sure direction, I hope you’ll take the risk, Graham.”
Then she kissed my cheek and left.
ChapterEighteen
Graham
I woke to her laughter.
Anna had risen early, and for the first time in a long time, I’d slept late. I rolled over to face the door. Just outside my room, her and Ginny’s laughter carried as they reached the top of the staircase.
“What’re you supposed todowith all those?” Tabs
whispered-yelled.
I levered myself up on an elbow, ears perked to their conversation.
“I’ve never seen such a lovely bouquet. He issoooromantic!” Ginny squealed.
He, who?What?
“Hush.” Anna laughed, and I froze as a door opened. I could hear my own heart beating in my ears, waiting for her to say something more.
More squealing.
“Does this mean you’re in love, Anna?” Tabs sounded annoyed. “Will you marry him?”
