Counterfeit Courtship by Christina Miller

Author:Christina Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin (UK) Ltd
Published: 2016-07-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The river at sunset, a string quartet playing, a nice breeze—the perfect setting to court a pretty woman. As Graham and Ellie approached the gathering at Joseph’s palatial home that evening, Graham glanced around at the other picnickers, especially noting the courting couples. This time, he’d get it right. He’d not give Ellie reason to laugh at his attempts again.

“I can’t remember the last time we had a picnic at the river bluff.” Her honey-colored hair glowed in the waning light—at least the part that wasn’t covered by her little white bonnet.

He did remember. She’d worn a soft yellow dress that made her skin look creamy and her eyes sparkly. “It was the first weekend in September. Aunt Ophelia made me set up all those tables in that same spot under the oak.”

Holding his arm, Ellie turned to look toward the tables. Graham dodged her white parasol to keep it from knocking into the brim of his hat. In so doing, he felt his elbow connect with someone’s ribs.

Susanna Martin. With Leonard Fitzwald at her side.

Of all the people to jab. “Susanna, forgive me. Are you hurt?”

“Oh, I don’t know...” Her syrupy voice sounded like that of a melodramatic actress.

“Colonel, you need to watch what you’re doing.” Fitzwald’s scowl, along with the eye patch, made him look like a villain.

“I’d advise you to let this drop.” Graham kept his voice as low and calm as he could.

“You’re in no position to advise me about anything.” Fitzwald stepped closer, edging nearer to Ellie.

As Graham stepped up to put a quick end to it, Ellie laid her hand on his arm, stopping him. “Leonard, we all know you’re upset with me, not Graham, because I won’t agree to your terms about the loan. This has nothing to do with that, so let’s forget about it. An elbow in the side certainly didn’t hurt Susanna.”

Graham kept his gaze solidly on the weasel, although he would have liked to have seen Susanna’s expression. Ellie shouldn’t defend him—it was his job to take care of her. “Just move along, Fitzwald. Ellie, let’s get something to drink.”

He drew her closer to his side as they left those two behind. It was just like Fitzwald to ruin the evening for them. The evening he’d intended to show Ellie that he wasn’t a complete chowderhead when it came to courting.

Well, he was a complete chowderhead about that, but tonight he wanted to rid himself of that description in her mind. “That man is determined to make us miserable.”

“He tried, but he couldn’t do it.” She hugged his arm and turned her face upward, giving him that sweet smile of hers.

The combination nearly knocked the ground out from under him.

Oh, Ellie. She had no idea what she still did to him. No matter how he fought it.

She shifted her gaze to the table. “Since it’s early, the punch might still be cold.”

“Chatham Artillery punch as usual?” he asked as he tried to regain his composure.

“Yes, without the alcohol, of course.

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