Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress by Lauri Robinson

Author:Lauri Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-10-14T13:14:47+00:00

* * *

Jolie had been making small talk for what felt like hours, with people she barely knew, and some she’d only met tonight. Dad, wanting to enjoy one of his cigars without exposing anyone else to the smoke, had asked Randal to join him in his den some time ago, and they still hadn’t returned to the room.

“Sit here. There’s plenty of room.”

The invitation, including the patting of the cushion beside her, had come from Jane Albright, a beautiful blonde woman, who was very pregnant. They had been introduced earlier this evening, before the meal had been served.

“My feet couldn’t take standing any longer and I’d love to have someone to talk to,” Jane said.

“Thank you.” Jolie sat, glad that the doorway was within eyesight. Her nerves were a jumbled mess, wondering if Dad had told Randal about her coming to see him for fatherly advice. Waking up snuggled up against him this morning had been the most wonderful thing. She’d never felt so safe, so content. She should have told him about visiting Dad last night, while they’d been lying in bed talking. But she hadn’t.

“I heard about your wedding dress,” Jane said quietly. “I wish I could have seen it.”

Jolie’s spine stiffened. Jane Albright had seemed so nice and kind earlier.

“Oh, horse feathers!” Jane said. “I should have said that I heard your gown was absolutely stunning. That’s what I meant. Forgive me, please? I’m usually not such a simpleton. I swear this baby just steals my mind at times.” She rubbed her stomach. “Which is fine, but I truly didn’t mean to insult you. I used to sew all my clothes. When I lived in California. My sisters did, too. But from the sounds of it, we never created anything as lovely as your gown. And don’t worry about what the newspaper printed. They wrote unflattering things about me when I first arrived in town, and my family in California even heard about it.” She laid her hand on Jolie’s arm. “And now I’m rambling. Just tell me to shut up. I won’t mind. Just, please forgive me, and my baby.”

Jolie grinned at the woman’s honesty. “There’s nothing to forgive. Is this your first baby?”

Jane’s face glowed as she laid both hands on her stomach. “Yes. If it’s a boy, his name will be Gus. Augustus David Albright. Named after the two most wonderful men on earth. Gus is David’s grandfather and he’s absolutely delightful.”

Jolie heart skipped a beat, wondering if she’d ever know the happiness that exuded off Jane. “And if it’s a girl?” she asked.

“Mary Jane. Mary after David’s grandmother—Gus’s wife—and Jane because David insists.” She sighed. “He’s so wonderful, but so is your husband. I’ve never met him before, but I’ve sent him a thank-you note every month for years.”

“You have?”

“Yes, from the soup kitchen. I chair the fundraising committee. Randal is one of the few that when the need increased and donations decreased, he doubled his contribution, and has continued to be one of our largest donors every month.

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