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and a thrill of joy shot through her. He was actually on her side over the estate! He was fighting to protect her interests as much as possible from his own company. It was a miracle turnabout …
    Wait a darn minute, Rachel Barkeley, and think
, she sternly told herself. Jed had snuck onto the estate in an obvious attempt to persuade Uncle Merry to change his mind about the sale. Not exactly the act of a forthright businessman. Now, two days later, Jed had turned into Mr. Nice Guy, just because
she
wasn’t a willing seller? And the company had supposedly all but knuckled under, because they had no legal claim beyond breach of contract? Yet if the estate was the most desirable site, the logical course of action would be to press her to sell. Instead, Jed told her that was the last thing he wanted to do. Unless it was a reverse tactic …
    “Why, that son-of-a …”
    She clamped her jaw shut on the rest of the curse. She couldn’t think of a better way for him to get her on his side than to pretend he was on hers. It was more difficult to say “no,” when someone was being understanding and sympathetic—evenover something that meant a great deal to that person. Obviously, Jed still wanted the estate for his company, only this time he was going about getting it in a much more subtle manner. If he was “busting his butt” to find another site, then she was a monk! Talk about slick operators, she thought angrily. Used-car salesmen could take lessons from Jed Waters.
    Lifting her gown slightly off the floor so she wouldn’t trip over the hem, she hurried after him, determined to give him a piece of her mind. But when she spotted him heading for the exit to the lobby, she realized that venting her anger would be useless. He’d only dismiss her conclusions as farcical. She had no proof, just instinct—a good strong instinct that she was being softened for the kill. Still, it might be interesting to let him think that, she acknowledged with an inward grin.
    When she was finally beside him, she looped her arm through his. Not stopping, he glanced at her, desire latent in his hazel eyes. A more primitive thrill shot through her this time, reminding her of their kiss. She realized that it probably hadn’t meant anything to him. Her hurt stiffened her spine. “Jed, I want you to know how much I … appreciate what you’ve told me.” She hid the sour taste in her mouth under a smile. “You realize, though, that I’m now forewarned.”
    “I just wanted you to know that the estate is business,” he said. “It’s my job, and although I don’t have to like it, I will do it.”
    “I understand that.” She paused for a moment, trying to find the right words to show proper sympathy. “I probably understand your positionmore than most people would. After all, with my family’s banking interests, I’ve been hearing about how businesses work since before I could walk.”
    “Good,” he said, his steps slowing. A slow smile broke out on his face. “Could I interest you in a cup of coffee? It’d be a change from the lemonade we used to drink.”
    Rae hesitated. Tempting as his offer was, she decided a momentary retreat was safer. The ball was almost over anyway. “Much as I’d love to, I have to be going.”
    To her surprise, he only nodded and said, “Let me walk you out to your car.”
    “I have to get my cape,” she said, as relief and an odd disappointment washed through her.
    As they walked in silence toward the cloakroom, she decided her disappointment was due to the change in Jed. The Jed she remembered had had integrity. No matter how distasteful the job his father had delegated, Jed had always done it well and without an adolescent complaint. She wondered what had happened in the intervening years to twist him so.
    Her thoughts were interrupted when she reached the cloakroom. She retrieved her black wool cape from the attendant. Jed took it from her and wrapped it around her shoulders. Touching his