Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Confused, I blinked stupidly at my cousin for a second or two. “What—”
“But I can see why.” Sarah gestured to the window, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I’ve always thought Ally was lovely. In every way. I’d like to think the way you were looking at her means I’m wrong and this isn’t a sham of a marriage?”
At her quirked eyebrow, I evaded her silent questions by pulling her into a hug. “You’re home early.”
Sarah returned the embrace. “I told you Theo and I were leaving London.” She stepped out of my hold but only to take my bearded face in her hands. Her green eyes, the same shade as my own, filled with concern. “What have you done, Jar?”
I gently extricated myself from her hold. “Where’s your husband? I’d like to talk to him about gossiping and how it’s bad for his balls.”
Sarah snorted. “Theo stayed at the club. I told him I wanted to see you alone first. Also, you’re going nowhere near my husband’s balls. I’m quite protective of them.”
I grimaced. “You know you sound more like Theo every day.”
She laughed again. “He tends to rub off on a person.”
“Or rub them the wrong way.”
“Och, you love him really. Right?”
Leaning against my desk, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I would like it if he wouldn’t spread my business around. He told North about Sorcha. And that he thought the farm might be in trouble.”
Nibbling on her lip, she nodded. “I understand why you’re upset. But please know Theo isn’t running around telling everyone your business. He told North. Whom he trusts not to gossip. And anyway, Theo is as worried about you as I am.” She gestured toward Allegra, who’d hung up the phone and was now over chatting to the chickens. As good as her word, she’d taken over their care and was growing attached to them.
“You married Allegra Howard, Jared. You. Mr. ‘I Will Never Marry Ever, Ever, Ever.’ You’re not seriously going to stand there and repeat the nonsense you spewed last week on the video call? I talked to Aria. She said Allegra was warned she wouldn’t be allowed back into the country next time she visited. And you … well, you’ve denied it, but I can tell you’ve been worried about the farm.” Her expression was full of knowing. “You two made a deal, didn’t you? You marry her so she can stay in the country, and you’ll benefit from her wealth as her husband.”
Feeling like an enormous prick, I lied. “No.”
“Jared—”
“We married because we wanted to. End of story.”
“And what about Sorcha?”
I scowled. “What about her?”
“Wasn’t she upset?”
“Why do you care? You never met her.”
“I care if you’re going around breaking hearts, Jared.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Sarah, I’m not some twenty-year-old sowing my wild oats anymore. Sorcha knew the score. No one got hurt. We’re still friends.” I shrugged. “We texted last night.”
“You’re still friends with the woman you were sleeping with only last month? Does Allegra know?”
Discomfort thrummed through me. “Why would she care? There’s nothing going on between me and Sorcha. There never will be again.”
“Your wife would care.” Sarah narrowed her eyes. “Unless she’s a wife in name only.”
“Och, sweetheart, let’s not go over this again.” I gave her a hard look. “Allegra and I are married because we want to be married to each other. Nothing you say will change my response. Do you understand?”
My cousin exhaled slowly and heavily. Then, “I do understand. I wish … I wish you hadn’t done it this way, but I understand. Just …” She stared out the window, and I followed Sarah’s gaze to find Allegra heading back to the house. Her slender, gently curved hips swayed from side to side. The woman’s sensuality exuded from every inch of her without her even trying. “Don’t hurt her, Jared.”
My head snapped back to Sarah. “How could I hurt her?”
“Because no matter what is really going on between you, I’ve watched Allegra Howard watch you from the sidelines for five years. You most definitely have the power to hurt her.”
Stunned, I stared after Sarah as she left the office to greet Allegra. I knew there had been a mutual attraction between me and Allegra when we first met. We’d been ready to leave the pub for a hookup until I found out who she was. But I’d assumed that attraction had dissipated on her side. That I was a fleeting flirtation for her.
Sarah couldn’t be right.
Allegra could have anyone.
And she was too smart and savvy to marry a man she had a crush on for a business deal.
“Nah,” I muttered, shaking off Sarah’s suspicions. Allegra had said herself that after two months of marriage, she would start seeing other people.
We were on the same page. This was just an arrangement. No real feelings were involved.