Judith Stacy by The One Month Marriage Page A

Brandon and hardly seemed his type, Jana had considered the possibility. But after seeing them together on several occasions, she came to doubt that anything of so intimate a nature had gone on between them.
    Had she been wrong?
    Jana slid Leona’s luncheon invitation into her handbag and turned her attention to the passing scenery. It seemed that the woman was ready to confess all at their meeting today. Perhaps Jana would finally learn the truth. She’d be glad to know, finally. Yet her heart ached a little imagining what the “highly confidential and deeply personal matter” might be. She could think that it meant only one thing.
    Jana shifted on the seat. Perhaps it would be for the best if Leona confessed an intimacy with Brandon. Certainly it was a just reason to leave him. One even Brandon couldn’t attempt to deny.
    Yet if the matter Leona wanted to discuss today proved to be something entirely different, Jana would have no choice but to stay with Brandon for the month, as she had promised. She’d asked him twice now to release her and he’d refused both times. What could she do but stay?
    The carriage drew to a stop in front of Blossoms Restaurant, and the doorman assisted Jana to the sidewalk. The maître d’ nodded respectfully when she walked inside.
    “Your party will arrive shortly, Mrs. Sayer,” he said. “Please come this way.”
    Jana had never been to this restaurant before and was surprised to be recognized. Establishments such as thiscatered to the wealthy and powerful, and they made it their business to know their patrons on sight. Yet how could they know her?
    Conversation hummed low among the well-dressed diners as Jana followed the maître d’ through the tables to the rear of the restaurant and down a short hallway to a smaller dining room. He seated her at a table set for two, bowed slightly and departed, leaving Jana totally alone in the room. Not one single diner was present, save herself.
    But what a lovely place it was, Jana thought. The small octagonal-shaped room featured floor-to-ceiling windows on all but one side. Outside, a private garden tucked into a courtyard bloomed with a profusion of colorful flowers, lush shrubs and vines, and palms. The theme carried indoors with pale green linens, floral china, potted palms and fresh cuttings on every table.
    Late-afternoon shadows dimmed the garden reminding Jana of the hour. She hoped Leona wouldn’t keep her waiting. It was after four o’clock already and Jana had to be home before six.
    A waiter appeared, poured water in the crystal goblet, then departed with nothing more than a bow and a faint smile. Jana fidgeted, wishing she’d insisted the maître d’ seat her facing the door rather than the garden so she could see Leona’s approach. Would the look on the woman’s face foretell the purpose of today’s surprise luncheon?
    Jana told herself once again that she had no reasonto fear this meeting. If Leona told her the worst, Jana should, in fact, be glad to hear it.
    Yet Jana could find no joy in that hypothetical situation. And now that the possibility of facing it was upon her…
    Jana pressed her lips together, willing Leona Albright into the room.
    Instead, a waiter appeared and offered a pleasant smile as he lit the small candle nestled among the table’s floral centerpiece. He moved on to light the other candles in the wall and floor sconces around the room, then disappeared only to be replaced by a musician. With a brief bow to Jana, he stationed himself in a far corner, tucked a violin under his chin and began to play.
    If this wasn’t the strangest luncheon, Jana couldn’t imagine what would be. Good gracious, what was Leona Albright thinking? Did she believe this oddly romantic setting would somehow soften the blow of revealing that she and Brandon had been—
    A warm rush swept up Jana’s neck, setting her nerves on end just as a hand reached around and lay a solitary rose beside her plate.
    Brandon.
    She turned