The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride by Victoria Alexander Page A

can agree with that.”
    “Furthermore, I did not throw you out into the cold as, if I recall, we were in your
     room.”
    He shrugged. “A minor point.”
    “And . . .” She drew herself up in a haughty manner. “It was June and not the least
     bit cold.”
    He chuckled. “You have me there.”
    “Well?”
    “Well what?”
    Her jaw tightened. “Do you accept my apology or not?”
    “For your less than gracious behavior this afternoon?” He nodded. “It was understandable,
     really, given my unexpected appearance. It does tend to be uncomfortable when one’s
     adventure appears without warning on one’s doorstep. So yes, I do accept your apology.
     As for the rest of it . . .” He sipped his drink. “I haven’t decided yet.”
    “There’s nothing to decide.”
    “It also seems to me that, as neither of us were completely honest when we first met,
     one deception cancels the other.”
    She studied him suspiciously then nodded. “That’s fair enough, I suppose.”
    He laughed. “I never realized an apology was subject to negotiation.”
    “Neither did I.” She paused. “Why are you here anyway?”
    “I’m here for the wedding, of course. And I have business to attend to. And I met
     a charming woman in New York, who looked vaguely like you—”
    She scoffed.
    “That I did want to see again.”
    Her brow rose. “In spite of the fact that she did not want to see you again?”
    “Or possibly because she was so vehement about not seeing me again.” He grinned. “Her
     protestations didn’t ring quite true to me. I think thou dost protest too much, you
     know.”
    She stared in disbelief. “Are you trying to quote Shakespeare?”
    “Sure. Why not?”
    “Well, you’re not doing it right. The quote is . . .” Her brows drew together and
     she thought for a moment. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, I can’t remember it now. Any other
     time it would spring to mind immediately.”
    He took another sip of his drink and tried not to laugh.
    “It’s simply not correct, that’s all. And I did not protest too much. I daresay, I
     did not protest enough.”
    “You didn’t want to be rude.”
    “I am never rude.”
    “Of course not.”
    “Admittedly, it is hard to be polite when you are trying to tell someone you never
     want to see them again.”
    “Without actually coming out and saying I never want to see you again.”
    “Yet another mistake on my part, although I thought I was quite clear. I should have
     simply said it.” Her eyes narrowed. “I never wanted to see you again.”
    “Yes, that’s probably what you should have said but what you did say was—oh, how did
     you put it?” He thought for a moment. “Ah yes, you said it would be best if we never saw each other again.”
    “It’s the same thing.” She fairly spit the words.
    “No, it’s not.” He swirled the whisky in his glass. “What you said implied a mutual
     benefit on both sides. I saw absolutely no benefit to never seeing you again. I didn’t
     think it would be the least bit best. ”
    She glared.
    “Although I can certainly see why it might be of benefit to you.”
    “Can you?” Suspicion colored her words.
    “I understand you’re looking for a new husband. It wouldn’t do for any potential candidate
     to know you were the sort of woman to indulge in scandalous affairs at the drop of
     a hat.”
    She gasped in horror. “I am not!”
    “Although I suppose it’s not scandalous if no one knows about it,” he said thoughtfully.
     “The scandal lies more in the telling and retelling and gossip and—”
    “I have not told anyone!”
    “Neither have I.” He smiled.
    She studied him closely. “Do you intend to?”
    “Now that is rude, Delilah.” He shook his head in a mournful manner. “Even in our short acquaintance,
     have I done anything to make you think that I am the kind of man who brags about something
     like this?”
    A blush washed up her face. “No, you haven’t.”
    “That I am not an