And his defiant, stormy gaze met hers across the crowded floor.
Rue Ann sucked in her breath as doom settled over her.
Then her gaze lit on Celeste Wiggins, gorgeous in the latest fashion, a formfitting gown that seemed designed from nothing more substantial than moonbeams and starlight. The satiny folds sparkled and shimmered with each movement. The woman clutched Logan’s arm as though she feared he’d take off, running straight for Rue Ann.
“Did you know he was coming?” Theodore’s punishing grip on her wrist left her wincing.
“You’re hurting me.” Rue Ann struggled, breaking free. She drew herself up and shot her intended a glare. “Believe it or not, I’m not privy to Mr. Cutter’s comings and goings. I’m the last one he’d share his plans with.”
“He has no business here,” Theodore snapped. “I’ll wager he’s only interested in spying on you.”
“What a foolish statement. It’s no surprise that he’d come. You know how Celeste thrives on social occasions, no matter the circumstances.” Although she strongly suspected Logan would’ve preferred to stay far removed from the festivities if the black scowl was any indication.
“Your father will be furious. There’s no love lost between them. It’s high time Cutter got it through his head that you belong to me,” Theodore snarled, again grasping her wrist. Wrenching her to him, he set off across the dance floor to another waltz.
Rue Ann struggled to keep her feet under her. When at last she gained her footing, she ordered, “Stop this instant. Get it straight right now. I’m not your or anyone else’s property.”
She was so busy trying to make her point that she didn’t see the dark-haired figure until he politely tapped Theodore’s shoulder.
“The lady isn’t a sack of potatoes to be manhandled.” The low timbre of Logan’s voice held warning.
Theodore drew himself up and glared. “This is a private matter and I’ll thank you to keep out of it. You forget that Rue Ann is engaged to me, not you, Cutter.”
“The only thing I’m forgetting is how good it would feel to knock you from here to Galveston and back, and that’s because I haven’t done it yet. I can rectify that situation in about two seconds ... Teddy.”
Theodore’s face turned a ruddy color at Logan’s derisive tone.
“I can’t believe this—” Rue Ann began, only to be interrupted by her father.
“Gentlemen, take it outside. This isn’t the time or place.” Devlin Spencer glared his disapproval.
“With pleasure,” Logan directed his wintry smile at Theodore. “After you ... Teddy.”
Rue Ann died with mortification. Two grown men were fighting over her as if she were some kind of prize they gave out at the county fair. She looked for a hole to crawl into. But she saw nothing except some bales of hay scattered around the barn for guests to sit on. Not exactly a place to hide.
Just then Celeste swept regally into their midst and fixed a cold stare on Rue Ann. “I hope you’re satisfied now. See what you caused?” Then she turned to her escort. “Logan dearest, can you please get me a cup of punch? I’m ever so parched.”
For a second Rue Ann thought Logan would refuse Celeste. At last he sighed and addressed Theodore. “This isn’t over. We’ll meet again. In the meantime you’d best watch yourself. You’re too dumb to know how to treat the best thing you’ll ever have.” Then he swung to Rue Ann. “Miss Spencer, it’s good seeing you again.”
Rue Ann’s heart broke into a million pieces as she watched him walk away with Celeste clutching his arm.
Conflicting emotions consumed Logan as he moved toward the refreshment table with Celeste stalking ahead as though to blaze a trail. The way she kept glancing over her shoulder to make sure he was following made him feel like an obedient dog. Celeste’s rigid spine told of her anger.
Logan couldn’t help it. He couldn’t have lived with himself if he’d
Rue Ann sucked in her breath as doom settled over her.
Then her gaze lit on Celeste Wiggins, gorgeous in the latest fashion, a formfitting gown that seemed designed from nothing more substantial than moonbeams and starlight. The satiny folds sparkled and shimmered with each movement. The woman clutched Logan’s arm as though she feared he’d take off, running straight for Rue Ann.
“Did you know he was coming?” Theodore’s punishing grip on her wrist left her wincing.
“You’re hurting me.” Rue Ann struggled, breaking free. She drew herself up and shot her intended a glare. “Believe it or not, I’m not privy to Mr. Cutter’s comings and goings. I’m the last one he’d share his plans with.”
“He has no business here,” Theodore snapped. “I’ll wager he’s only interested in spying on you.”
“What a foolish statement. It’s no surprise that he’d come. You know how Celeste thrives on social occasions, no matter the circumstances.” Although she strongly suspected Logan would’ve preferred to stay far removed from the festivities if the black scowl was any indication.
“Your father will be furious. There’s no love lost between them. It’s high time Cutter got it through his head that you belong to me,” Theodore snarled, again grasping her wrist. Wrenching her to him, he set off across the dance floor to another waltz.
Rue Ann struggled to keep her feet under her. When at last she gained her footing, she ordered, “Stop this instant. Get it straight right now. I’m not your or anyone else’s property.”
She was so busy trying to make her point that she didn’t see the dark-haired figure until he politely tapped Theodore’s shoulder.
“The lady isn’t a sack of potatoes to be manhandled.” The low timbre of Logan’s voice held warning.
Theodore drew himself up and glared. “This is a private matter and I’ll thank you to keep out of it. You forget that Rue Ann is engaged to me, not you, Cutter.”
“The only thing I’m forgetting is how good it would feel to knock you from here to Galveston and back, and that’s because I haven’t done it yet. I can rectify that situation in about two seconds ... Teddy.”
Theodore’s face turned a ruddy color at Logan’s derisive tone.
“I can’t believe this—” Rue Ann began, only to be interrupted by her father.
“Gentlemen, take it outside. This isn’t the time or place.” Devlin Spencer glared his disapproval.
“With pleasure,” Logan directed his wintry smile at Theodore. “After you ... Teddy.”
Rue Ann died with mortification. Two grown men were fighting over her as if she were some kind of prize they gave out at the county fair. She looked for a hole to crawl into. But she saw nothing except some bales of hay scattered around the barn for guests to sit on. Not exactly a place to hide.
Just then Celeste swept regally into their midst and fixed a cold stare on Rue Ann. “I hope you’re satisfied now. See what you caused?” Then she turned to her escort. “Logan dearest, can you please get me a cup of punch? I’m ever so parched.”
For a second Rue Ann thought Logan would refuse Celeste. At last he sighed and addressed Theodore. “This isn’t over. We’ll meet again. In the meantime you’d best watch yourself. You’re too dumb to know how to treat the best thing you’ll ever have.” Then he swung to Rue Ann. “Miss Spencer, it’s good seeing you again.”
Rue Ann’s heart broke into a million pieces as she watched him walk away with Celeste clutching his arm.
Conflicting emotions consumed Logan as he moved toward the refreshment table with Celeste stalking ahead as though to blaze a trail. The way she kept glancing over her shoulder to make sure he was following made him feel like an obedient dog. Celeste’s rigid spine told of her anger.
Logan couldn’t help it. He couldn’t have lived with himself if he’d
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