return?”
Acker picked up his glass and Clayton
aimed his cue.
“ Yes, this
afternoon.”
He missed. Had Acker gone back after
they left? What had she told him?
Acker picked up the cue for his
turn.
“ Hasn’t Jamie grown?”
Culver asked and Acker missed the cue ball.
Clay looked at Culver oddly. Was he
the father? The coloring was right and it was possible there was a
small resemblance. “Is Jamie a relation to you?” Clay
asked.
Culver was quick to answer. “My
nephew, actually. I am his only adult living male relative and feel
it is my duty to see to his care,” the young man announced in a
tone that was an odd combination of pride and
depression.
Clay altered his opinion of Miss
Westin, slightly. With the father deceased there was no one to
stand in his way. Could it be possible that she had fallen in love,
anticipated the vows then her beloved killed? It was plausible.
Still, the fact that she would act in such a manner spoke of her
character. A true lady of breeding waited for her wedding night
regardless of temptation.
It was Clay’s turn again and he set
the cue to strike.
“ Did you ask her to marry
you again, Acker?”
Clay missed once more. What was wrong
with him? He usually was an excellent player, as was Acker. He
simply needed to concentrate more. But how could he when Miss
Westin was the topic of conversation and what was this about Acker
marrying Miss Westin? If Acker was interested, then he would
surrender. No lady was worth ruining a friendship over, yet it
galled him to have to give her up just yet.
Acker picked up his cue. “She turned
me down, again.”
Clay straightened. “You have asked
Miss Westin for her hand in marriage, on more than one
occasion?”
Acker looked up and met his eyes.
“Yes.”
Culver laughed and refilled his glass.
“Acker has offered marriage more times than I can count. It is the
only way he can help relieve the financial burden she is under
since Elle is too proud to take money.”
Acker missed his own shot.
She didn’t hesitate to take
mine. Clay approached the table for his
turn. “Why did she turn you down?”
“ We wouldn’t suit.” Acker
answered simply. “Our mothers were cousins and they visited often.
Despite the age difference while growing up, Elle and I formed a
close bond.” He looked over at Clay. “I am very protective of
her.”
Clay missed his shot again.
Acker landed the ball in the pocket.
Rarely had Acker beat him at this game, but tonight he just might,
for Clay couldn’t concentrate. Not while learning these interesting
facts about Miss Westin. Acker missed his next shot and muttered a
curse under his breath.
“ Did she tell you of her
Season in London?” Culver asked.
Clay connected with the cue ball, but
with enough force to send it flying from the table. He was
beginning to wish Culver would leave. If he hadn’t hoped for
information regarding Miss Westin he would quit the
game.
Acker lined up his shot. After sinking
the ball he looked up and directly at Clay. “Yes. She revealed a
number of interesting stories this afternoon.”
“ I say, good shot Acker.”
Culver applauded.
The next shot Acker missed and once
again relinquished the table to Clay.
“ It appears her grandfather
released some of her inheritance.” Culver continued to make
conversation.
Acker had to walk past Clay and looked
him dead in the eye. “Is that how she came into the
funds?”
Culver shrugged. “It was what we all
assumed, not that anyone would ask of course.”
Clay barely bothered trying on his
next shot. The game was lost and apparently Miss Westin had told
all to Acker. How soon before the man confronted him? Perhaps he
should leave the room now and pack his bags, or ready his pistol.
Without bothering to take his turn, Clay laid the stick on the
table. “This game is lost. Why don’t you challenge
Culver?”
Culver eagerly took up the opportunity
and Clay stood back while Acker methodically and intentionally
Acker picked up his glass and Clayton
aimed his cue.
“ Yes, this
afternoon.”
He missed. Had Acker gone back after
they left? What had she told him?
Acker picked up the cue for his
turn.
“ Hasn’t Jamie grown?”
Culver asked and Acker missed the cue ball.
Clay looked at Culver oddly. Was he
the father? The coloring was right and it was possible there was a
small resemblance. “Is Jamie a relation to you?” Clay
asked.
Culver was quick to answer. “My
nephew, actually. I am his only adult living male relative and feel
it is my duty to see to his care,” the young man announced in a
tone that was an odd combination of pride and
depression.
Clay altered his opinion of Miss
Westin, slightly. With the father deceased there was no one to
stand in his way. Could it be possible that she had fallen in love,
anticipated the vows then her beloved killed? It was plausible.
Still, the fact that she would act in such a manner spoke of her
character. A true lady of breeding waited for her wedding night
regardless of temptation.
It was Clay’s turn again and he set
the cue to strike.
“ Did you ask her to marry
you again, Acker?”
Clay missed once more. What was wrong
with him? He usually was an excellent player, as was Acker. He
simply needed to concentrate more. But how could he when Miss
Westin was the topic of conversation and what was this about Acker
marrying Miss Westin? If Acker was interested, then he would
surrender. No lady was worth ruining a friendship over, yet it
galled him to have to give her up just yet.
Acker picked up his cue. “She turned
me down, again.”
Clay straightened. “You have asked
Miss Westin for her hand in marriage, on more than one
occasion?”
Acker looked up and met his eyes.
“Yes.”
Culver laughed and refilled his glass.
“Acker has offered marriage more times than I can count. It is the
only way he can help relieve the financial burden she is under
since Elle is too proud to take money.”
Acker missed his own shot.
She didn’t hesitate to take
mine. Clay approached the table for his
turn. “Why did she turn you down?”
“ We wouldn’t suit.” Acker
answered simply. “Our mothers were cousins and they visited often.
Despite the age difference while growing up, Elle and I formed a
close bond.” He looked over at Clay. “I am very protective of
her.”
Clay missed his shot again.
Acker landed the ball in the pocket.
Rarely had Acker beat him at this game, but tonight he just might,
for Clay couldn’t concentrate. Not while learning these interesting
facts about Miss Westin. Acker missed his next shot and muttered a
curse under his breath.
“ Did she tell you of her
Season in London?” Culver asked.
Clay connected with the cue ball, but
with enough force to send it flying from the table. He was
beginning to wish Culver would leave. If he hadn’t hoped for
information regarding Miss Westin he would quit the
game.
Acker lined up his shot. After sinking
the ball he looked up and directly at Clay. “Yes. She revealed a
number of interesting stories this afternoon.”
“ I say, good shot Acker.”
Culver applauded.
The next shot Acker missed and once
again relinquished the table to Clay.
“ It appears her grandfather
released some of her inheritance.” Culver continued to make
conversation.
Acker had to walk past Clay and looked
him dead in the eye. “Is that how she came into the
funds?”
Culver shrugged. “It was what we all
assumed, not that anyone would ask of course.”
Clay barely bothered trying on his
next shot. The game was lost and apparently Miss Westin had told
all to Acker. How soon before the man confronted him? Perhaps he
should leave the room now and pack his bags, or ready his pistol.
Without bothering to take his turn, Clay laid the stick on the
table. “This game is lost. Why don’t you challenge
Culver?”
Culver eagerly took up the opportunity
and Clay stood back while Acker methodically and intentionally
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