Read To Bed or to Wed for Free Online Page B

foreboding.
    “Lucky girl. For all of Jamie’s fawning over me, I have yet to meet any member of his family. His mother refuses to acknowledge we might make a match, and as for the marquess, well, as soon as there might be a hint of a meeting between him and any member of the party, he scurries away as if the hounds of hell were after him.” Bethany pushed the food around her plate with her fork. “When will you take our alliance seriously, Jamie? Not many women would willingly be put in this position.”
    Jamie rolled his eyes , all teasing lost. “I told you to be patient. Contracts need to be prepared.”
    Charlotte’s jaw dropped. Perhaps the girl knew exactly what transpired after all. Wanting to head off what could be an ugly argument, she cleared her throat. “Tell me about your uncle. Why does he work so hard at being dark and brooding?” Even now, she swore she heard his whisper in her ear or felt the warmth of his breath on her cheek. A flutter sailed through her lower belly.
    Really, Charlotte, forget about such fancy. Obviously, the man is not for you.
    “Ah, the problem of my loving uncle.” Jamie shoved a piece of ham into his mouth and chewed with vigor. Once he’d swallowed, he continued, “Something happened to him in Spain. He never has revealed what exactly, and if he has to acquaintances, they haven’t shared the secret. Ever since then, he refuses to be around people or act polite. The man is incapable of showing warmth or affection toward anyone.”
    “Then he was more… human, for lack of a better word, before his stint in the military?” How very odd, that in a town that seemingly thrived on secrets and gossip, no one knew or was willing to tell, what exactly happened to the marquess while in the military.
    “No. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s been harsh. Some say even cruel, much like Grandfather when he was alive.” Jamie shrugged. “As long as I keep on his good side, I don’t concern myself with him. He’s shut me out too many times for either of us to bring comfort to each other.”
    “How sad and somewhat depressing.” Was it the family dynamic that made Ravenhurst the way he was, or something else entirely? Had he once known a grand passion that had ended in disaster and that was why he refused to marry? Her heart raced from the mystery as well as the puzzle he represented. “How did you talk him into his house party if he detests being around people?”
    He leaned back in his chair, the picture of nonchalant elegance and youth. The lock of hair fell over his brow. “Mother didn’t want the celebration in London. She doesn’t enjoy guests in the townhouse as she likes things just so. She badgered Uncle into having it here. I don’t know why he agreed, but if she says jump, he generally does.” He frowned. “Also, I think she hopes anyone of consequence will forget I’m her son, and keeping me away from London helps.”
    “Sounds like your whole family has trouble bonding.” She sucked in a breath. “I apologize. That was horrible of me to say.”
    Jamie hooted with laughter. “Truer words have never been spoken. We’re mostly strangers in this family. We’re good at it, I suppose. No sense changing now.” He planted an elbow on the table and grinned. “I’ll wager if any woman could break my starchy, reclusive uncle, it’d be you. I imagine you’d turn all of us around and manage us into better people. Care to take up the challenge?”
    There he went again, saying she excelled at managing or bossing. Charlotte sighed. How very unflattering. On the other hand, she was merely taking command of her own life. “Oh, I’m not certain that would be a good idea.”
    “It would be a capitol idea. If there were any two people in need of a match, it would be you and Uncle.” Jamie grinned and his brown eyes twinkled.
    “Don’t rush your—or my—fences.” She dropped her gaze. Now, had he given her a snifter of brandy and dared her to drink it, she