His Yankee Bride by Rose Gordon

Author:Rose Gordon [Gordon, Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781479398171
Publisher: TALC Publishing, LLC
Published: 2011-12-31T13:00:00+00:00

~Chapter Eighteen~

John's heart slammed in his chest as full understanding finally took root in his brain. Though Carolina hedged on the side of overzealous with her constant prattle and scandalizing boldness, she was only that way because it was who she was. She wasn't trying to be annoying or insincere. It was just that her heart was the size of the ocean and knew no boundaries. A trait he'd overlooked before, but never would again. Not that he thought for one minute he'd ever be able to overlook anything about her ever again, as it was.

Below the table, he clenched his hands into fists to keep from strangling someone. And there were many people who needed a thorough strangling: Gabriel, for not telling him the truth about Charlie, but letting him believe Charlie was a genuine suitor; Mrs. Ellis, for being so cruel to Carolina; or the two impertinent chits he was seated between, who thought it amusing to poke fun at someone who clearly didn't understand their cruel intent as well as someone else, only because she was the object of the other's affections.

He swung his gaze to the young man's parents. Neither seemed to find anything unusual in what had transpired. Mr. Ellis looked impassive and Mrs. Ellis had a rather pleased look on her face. John shook his head and thought of what to say, but nothing he thought of could possibly make the situation better.

“Thank you, Charlie. I feel much better now,” Carolina murmured, patting one of his large arms.

Charlie let go of her and straightened in his chair, then picked up his spoon.

John didn't bother to find out what he planned to do with that; he only had eyes for Carolina, who for the first time since he'd met her, didn't seem interested in him.

To his misfortune, the annoying chits on either side of him did and prattled on about one inane topic after another.

Between bites, he'd nod or murmur something that could pass as an answer; meanwhile, he tried not to act too obvious about staring at Carolina. He noted the red hand marks Charlie had left on the bare skin of her arm from his tight grasp. He also noticed, much to his utter amazement, that Carolina never seemed upset or bothered by Charlie's less-than-gentlemanly eating habits. She just wiped away whatever he happened to get on himself (or her) and helped him hold his spoon better. Of course, that would only improve the situation for a minute or two, then he was making a mess again.

By the time dinner was finished, his brain was numb from the awful conversation and his blood was pumping at the fury he felt on Carolina's behalf.

“Gabriel,” John barked, as the group was making their way down the hall to the parlor for their after dinner entertainment.

Gabriel turned around and forced a thin smile.

John jerked his thumb in the direction of an empty room.

Gabriel frowned but followed him into the room.

“What is going on?” John demanded without ceremony as soon as he shut the door.

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