Page 16 of Jordan
"This is preposterous! That girl is--the daughter of a former maid. And she's--"
Jordan's head jerked away to pierce his father with a look that had him trailing off into silence.
"Yes? She's what? Not the right complexion? From our so-called society?" His icy gaze circled to encompass the entire family. "That means nothing to me. We're getting married in a few weeks. It will be an intimate ceremony at the local chapel, and you're all invited. Whether or not you want to put aside your bigoted standards and attend the wedding is entirely up to you. The wedding will go on with or without you. And--" he held up an imperious hand. "If you are thinking you can bribe her bytrying to pay her off, forget it. She's pregnant." He felt her jolt of shock, but to her credit, she kept her face blank.
"You've been seeing this--this woman in secret?" Jacquline's face had paled considerably, her posture rigid.
"Secret?" Lifting her hand, Jordan brushed his lips over her knuckles. "I prefer the word discreet, but yes, we've been involved. And now we think it's time we make things permanent."
"I will not allow this!"
Even though he felt the anger simmering through his body, Jordan gave his father a derisive glance. "What will you do? Lock me in my room? Take away my allowance? Disinherit me?" His thick brows lifted mockingly. "Might I remind you that there's nothing you can do? I cannot be disinherited, and I happen to have my own money." Leaning back, he wrapped his hand around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him.
"You have no right to do this to us." His mother's face was rigid, anger and hatred flashing in her eyes as she turned her gaze towards Julesa. "She's not suitable--"
"As she is going to be my wife, then I'd say that's for me to decide and she's perfect for me."
The dinner bell sounded just then, cutting off the rest of the conversation.
"Shall we?" In one smooth fluid movement, he rose and tugged Julesa gently up and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Putting his mouth close to her ear, he whispered, "You're doing great."
"I'm not so sure," she whispered back.
"Just follow my lead."
She supposed she had seen the large and elegantly appointed dining room before with its gleaming rosewood table that could seat twenty people, the sideboard, floor to ceiling windows with the view of the fabulous rose gardens and slate gray carpet. Keeping her by his side, Jordan seated her before taking his seat next to her.
His father took his position at the head of the table, with his mother at the opposite end. The two sisters sat across from their husbands and were yet to say anything. They barely looked at Julesa as if afraid of incurring their parents' wrath.
The meal was consumed in silence and Julesa had a feeling that with people like the Wainwrights it was improper for aconversation to be held at the dinner table. The silence was so fraught with tension, it fairly crackled in the air.
Julesa had to force herself to choke down the delicate roasted duck and grilled vegetables. The only person unaffected by the tension was Jordan, who was eating cheerfully, cleaning his plates. Flouting rules, he draped one hand over the back of Julesa's chair in an intimate gesture, fingers tangling with the ends of her hair.
The dinner table was cleared and dessert brought in.
Jordan, pushing back the chair, had everyone turning to look at him. "I'm afraid we won't be able to stay for dessert. Jules and I have some planning to do. The wedding is three weeks away." Taking her hand, he drew her up beside him. Gazing around the room, he offered a crooked smile. "Let me know if we should include you in the wedding invite." Tucking her hand through his arm, he led them out of the room.
Julesa waited until a maid handed them their coats and they were outside, before she drew a steady breath.
"Thanks," she told him with a breathless laugh as he opened the passenger door. "I don't think I could stand another minute in there with your parents giving me those killer looks."
He slid into the driver's seat and secured his seatbelt.
"You're completely welcome." He shot her a grin and started the engine.
She waited until he had made his way out of the circular driveway before continuing.
"Why did you tell them I'm pregnant?"
He glanced over at her briefly, enjoying her profile and the shape of her lips. "To discourage them from trying to stop the wedding. They might not like the idea of us getting hitched, but at the backs of their minds, the possibility of the next Wainwright will give them pause."
"They hate me." She folded her hands in her lap and stared out the window. She jolted slightly when his hand closed over hers and squeezed.
"Does it bother you?" His deep voice was quiet and had the power to steady her.
"No." Turning to look at him, she realized it was the truth. "Not really."
