Rebel by Heather Graham Page B

to the place by the punch table where his parents stood with Teddy McMann. He knew that the buzz of gossip about the room grew as he addressed his mother, father, and Teddy, but he kept his voice low. He’d be damned if he’d add fuel to the fire. “Father, Mother, Dr. McMann, I wish to make an announcement tonight, and ask thatyou will all stand by my side—and that of your daughter, sir,” he said to Teddy. “Most assuredly, you have heard what gossip has been intended for your ears by now, and I pray that your belief in both Alaina and me has allowed you to keep faith in us despite it.”
    Ian was surprised to see that his mother appeared to be far more amused than outraged. “See, Teddy,” she assured McMann, slipping an arm through his, “I have told you that there can be nothing to these vicious rumors. Though I am quite curious to see how my son intends to dispel them.”
    Teddy McMann was slim, of medium height, with a head full of snow-white hair and clear, gentle eyes. He studied Ian, then reached out a hand, grasping Ian’s. “She is all that I have, Ian. I have known nothing but honor from McKenzies in the many years I have made this state my home; I will trust in you, as it seems my daughter has chosen to do.”
    Ian looked over to his father. Jarrett was not amused; he was concerned. Arms crossed over his chest, he leaned closer to his son, making their conversation private. “The lady seduced you at the pool? Or you seduced her? Are the rumors true?” he demanded quietly.
    “No one was seduced, Father,” Ian replied honestly. “It was an accidental situation.”
    “Men can survive such accidental situations; Miss McMann is ruined. You do realize that. Teddy McMann stands there, his heart breaking, certain that he has destroyed his daughter’s life through his selfishness in living on an island to pursue his vocation.”
    “If you are reminding me, Father, that there is but one honorable way out of a difficulty caused by vicious gossips, I assure you, I have taken the matter in hand.” He hesitated, glad that he’d not had much chance to talk to his father yet, and that he’d never mentioned his intentions to marry the colonel’s daughter, Risa Magee. “Father, Alaina and I have already wed.”
    Jarrett started at that, his brows jutting up, jet-black eyes assessing his son carefully. Whatever his thoughts on the matter, he wasn’t going to express them then. “I’ll give you a moment to tell Teddy McMann; I’d not like to see his heart fail when such a surprise is revealed to everyone in this room. I shall ask the musicians totake a break, and allow you to make the announcement as you see fit.”
    Jarrett stepped away from his son. Ian turned to Teddy McMann, who was watching him with the eyes of a man who had been kicked—but was still determined to seek good in his attacker.
    “Mr. McMann, you deserved much better from me, sir, but I think now is the best chance I have of letting you know that Alaina and I… have married.”
    Teddy stared at him blankly.
    Tara McKenzie, at Teddy’s side, gasped.
    “I’m sorry, Mother,” Ian murmured quickly.
    “Married?” Teddy inquired. “But how could this be? When did such a marriage take place? My daughter keeps no secrets from me—”
    “It’s your right to annul our wedding, sir, if that’s your choice,” Ian told him.
Teddy shook his head. “I’d never deny Alaina what she wanted; I’m just so… stunned.”
    The musicians had stopped playing again. Jarrett McKenzie stood on the raised dais at the far end of the breezeway where they had played. “Ladies, gentlemen … if I may ask your indulgence for a few moments, it seems we have another announcement this evening, and one quite close to home. I will let my son do the honors.”
    Ian turned, seeing where Julian stood with Alaina. He walked through the crowd, which parted obligingly for him. Then he took Alaina’s hand and returned to the dais with her. “Friends, honored