Heirly Ever After, Vernon, Magan [best thriller novels to read .txt] 📗

Putting my hands on my hips, I frowned. “That all? It’s a pretty big deal to pack up everything and move to another country, don’t you think?”

He shrugged, but there was a brief second when something crossed his face. The slight quiver of his chin as he pulled his collar. What did that mean?

“What’s stopping you? What’s back in America that you can’t get here?”

“Well, for one…” I paused, thinking of a reasonable explanation. “A job. I don’t have that here. And don’t even know if I could get one without a degree.”

He raised an eyebrow, that dimple popping as he smirked. “Why couldn’t you? You said you went to school for art. Why not do that here? Hell, London isn’t that far, either, with some of the best art schools. The world is at your fingertips.”

“Easy for you to say.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s not. I’m the same lad who came to see his long-lost family on a whim without a plan, and yet here I am. In the manor. With a gorgeous date, about to head to a dinner with my English family.”

“Well, when you put it that way,” I muttered.

He laughed, putting his arm out. “Come on, let’s get down to dinner. Before they start talking and think I’ve passed out and you’re still miffed at me for calling you my girlfriend.”

I stiffened before putting my arm through his. It was an instinctive thing I’d seen so many people do here. But combined with his words and the way just the touch of him sent jolts of electricity low in my stomach was enough to have my brain going haywire.

“I wasn’t miffed.”

“I’ll make sure to correct that tonight and apologize to yer mother,” he said plainly. As if it were that simple.

We headed to the large dining room and arrived to find people milling in groups instead of sitting around the large table. My sister, Mom, and Cecily stood together, all looking like regal dignitaries in their long gowns in different shades of blue and their elegant updos. Then there was Gavin, his brother Hugh, their father, and some men I didn’t recognize, all in dark suits, sipping from rocks glasses.

My whole body went rigid when Lady Helena approached us with another young woman on her arm.

Lady Helena was of course as regal as ever in her dark blue, long-sleeve, boat-neck gown that appeared to be made from the lightest material available so it just floated on her body. The woman next to her was no exception for exuding grace, either. Her long dark hair was pulled back with a fancy crystal clip, accentuating her sun-kissed skin. The black velvet gown clung to her curves, making her look like a royal pinup beauty.

I found myself glancing at Jacob, wondering if he’d soon be striking up a conversation with the buxom brunette with the way she smiled at him. But all the color seemed to drain from his face as he stared wide-eyed back at her.

“Madison, I’m so glad you and your date could join us,” Lady Helena said with that luxurious accent that always dripped with a little bit of condescension. She then turned with a large grin toward the woman next to her. “This is Baroness Everly from London, in for the wedding. I believe you two have met, Laird Lachlan.”

Her smile became wicked as she looked at my date.

“It’s been a long time,” he said, taking Lady Helena’s hand and kissing her knuckles but stilling when Baroness Everly offered her hand.

Baroness Everly laughed. “Yes, I believe the last time I saw you was when you called off our engagement.”

He what now?

A cold shiver ran over my body as I looked from the giggling woman to the wide-eyed man next to me.

What the hell had I gotten myself into?

Chapter Fourteen

Jacob

Out of all the spiteful and low-level things that could be done, they’d brought Everly. Not only one of the most despicable human beings I’d ever met, but also the one my parents had tried to set up an arranged marriage with as a way to help our family really quick.

Of course, I shot down that idea, much to my parents’ disappointment.

At the time, Everly had almost seemed relieved to hear the news. But now she was acting as if I’d stood her up at the darn altar.

“As I remember it, you told me to piss up a tree when I said I would never agree to a marriage with you,” I said, trying to control my voice.

I wanted to yell, to get in Lady Helena’s face and demand what in the fuck she thought she was doing.

But now wasn’t the time.

I’d already embarrassed myself drunkenly earlier in the day and fought another cousin with swords. Every step I took in this damn manor seemed to keep me falling farther and farther from grace.

This had to stop.

Madison’s grip tightened on my arm, and I felt the slow circle of her thumb against my bicep. The same motion I’d done to calm her down with horseback riding.

Shite, the thing worked.

Lady Helena’s nose scrunched up as Baroness Everly laughed again. Which I wasn’t sure the girl could actually do with that stick so far up her arse. “Still haven’t changed a bit, I see, Lachlan.”

“Jacob. I go by Jacob. My father and great-grandfather go by Lachlan.”

A wicked smile curved on her lips. “Ah, yes. Last time I spoke to your family was when they were selling paintings to my mother. A shame how many of the old family relics you’ve had to get rid of in the last few years.”

I tried to focus on the movement of Madison’s thumb along my bicep, but when she halted, I caught the sense of pity dripping off her.

No one needed to fucking feel sorry for me.

But that’s what Lady Helena wanted to do.

Have Everly to show me my place.

“Water under the bridge,” I said, trying to force a smile, but inside my entire body was