A Texan's Honor by Leigh Greenwood Page B

man.”
    Sam wasn’t allowed brandy, but at this point he drew the bottle toward himself and took a swallow directly from the bottle. “Go on.”
    â€œI will undertake to convince Emily to move to Boston. I’m prepared to stay here for several months if it takes that long.”
    â€œUntil I’m dead.”
    Bret hadn’t wanted to say that. He was grateful Sam did it for him.
    â€œIf I can convince her to go to Boston, I’ll see she doesn’t marry anyone who will treat her badly. Don’t ask me how I’ll do that, because I don’t know yet.”
    â€œAnd what is this going to cost me? Half my ranch? Half my fortune?”
    â€œJust the right to vote your stock.”
    Sam pushed the brandy bottle away and leaned forward. “Are you trying to take over the company?”
    Bret shook his head. “Uncle Silas has kept me in piddly jobs for six years, but that time has given me a chance to see how the company works. If we don’t make some changes, we’ll be out of business in ten years.”
    â€œI knew the company wasn’t making much money, but I didn’t think it was that bad.”
    â€œI’ve worked out a plan to restructure the company. My cousin Rupert Swithin—another poor relation—agrees it’s what we need to do to survive. Even my grandmother thinks it’s a good plan.”
    â€œI haven’t thought of Elizabeth in years. Is she as independent as she always was?”
    â€œIf it hadn’t been for her, Uncle Silas wouldn’t have given me a job.”
    â€œSo you’re a young rebel who wants to bring down the head lion. Why should I help you?”
    â€œBecause I can help
you
.”
    â€œAnd how do you plan to do that?”
    Bret laughed. “You can’t expect me to give away all my secrets.”
    Sam slammed his fist down on the table. “I won’t have you trying to make Emily fall in love with you just so you can push your way into a job I can’t be sure you can handle.”
    Bret sobered quickly, reined in his temper. “I’m not ready to get married, and I’m not in a position to marry in any case.”
    â€œYour position wouldn’t matter if you married Emily.”
    Bret could see that Sam wasn’t going to give inquickly, but he respected the older man for not accepting Bret’s word without any validation. “I’m not asking you to commit to anything now. I realize you don’t know anything about me, but you haven’t been able to convince Emily to go to Boston on your own, and you won’t be able to guide her after you’re gone. At some point, you’re going to have to trust someone.”
    â€œAnd you think that person ought to be you?”
    â€œAs I see it, you have four choices—your brother, Uncle Silas, Joseph, or me. You have to decide which one you trust with your daughter’s future.”
    â€œYou think you’ve got me cornered, don’t you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDon’t lie to me, boy. You know I can’t stand my brother and don’t trust Silas or his boy.”
    â€œYou could ask my grandmother.”
    â€œIf she couldn’t stop her husband from disinheriting her own daughter, she couldn’t protect Emily.”
    â€œYou could hire someone.”
    â€œAnd have him sell out to Silas.”
    Bret had expected to have a difficult time convincing Sam to trust him, but he seemed to be gaining ground. It would probably be better if he kept quiet now, but there was one fact he felt he couldn’t withhold.
    â€œThis may not help my case,” Bret said, “but I feel I have to tell you I find your daughter very attractive.”
    Sam grinned suddenly. “I’d think something was wrong with you if you didn’t.”
    â€œWhat I’m trying to say is that although I am attracted to her, I have no intention of deepening our relationship beyond trying to