LITMIR.BIZ

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Aunt Harriet was surrounded by three other women. Haley’s knees trembled. They were her aunt’s friends, the cream of Sacramento’s society. How could she explain away what was so painfully obvious? Her gaze swept the lobby as she looked for an escape route, a place to hide—anything.

      Adam looked at the women, then down to see the terror on Haley’s face. “I take it you know that woman,” he whispered.

      She worked her mouth, but no words came out.

      The three women spotted her, and recognition bulged their eyes. They bent their heads together, whispering, then craned their necks at Aunt Harriet.

      Haley clamped her hand around Adam’s arm. “She’s my aunt. And those old hens are her dearest friends.”

      Adam looked at the women, then back at Haley. “She’s your aunt? Harriet Covington is your aunt?”

      She bobbed her head quickly and gazed up at him, desperate. “What are we going to tell them?”

      Adam couldn’t hold in the grin that pulled at his lips. He slid one arm around her waist and bent until his mouth brushed her ear. “We could always try the truth.”

      Haley wanted to slug him. “I told you, I don’t want anyone to know about this—this mess.”

      “Would you rather tell them we simply spent the night together?”

      Aunt Harriet advanced on them, her wrinkled cheeks pink with anger, her body rigid with well-practiced containment of her emotions. Behind her, the three other ladies stared, wide-eyed.

      Her gaze raked them both. “What is the meaning of this?”

      “Mrs. Covington, it’s good to see you again. Haley tells me you’re her aunt.” Adam smiled smoothly.

      She looked up at him for the first time, and recognition drew her mouth into a tight bow and bobbed her brows to her hairline. “But—I—You—Well, Mr. Harrington?”

      “We were just on our way to see you, Mrs. Covington, weren’t we, dear?” Adam gave Haley a squeeze, and a squeak slipped through her lips.

      Aunt Harriet glanced back at her three friends who were hovering within earshot. She pulled herself up straighter. “Mr. Harrington, I must ask for an explanation.”

      “Believe me, Mrs. Covington, the whole thing came as quite a surprise to us all. Isn’t that right, dear?” Adam looked down at Haley, a gracious smile in place. “Go on, tell your aunt.”

      Haley would have collapsed onto the floor long ago, had it not been for Adam’s strong arms around her. She felt the hot glare of her aunt, the nosy exchange of her friends, who must be dying to spread this juicy piece of gossip unfolding before them. But which was the worst scandal? Marrying a stranger in a drunken stupor, or getting caught sleeping with one?

      Haley lifted her chin, collecting her pride as best she could. “Aunt Harriet, Mr. Harrington and I got…married last night.”

      Aunt Harriet gasped in a most unladylike fashion. Her three friends circled her, whispering and offering congratulations. Several moments passed before Haley realized they were all pleased with the news.

      “Well, well.” Aunt Harriet’s cheeks had pinkened. “This is quite exciting, Mr. Harrington. Quite exciting.”

      Haley didn’t understand it, but at least no one was mad at her or would spread unsavory gossip. She didn’t want to linger, though, to hear the questions about the wedding details that were sure to follow.

      “I’ll see you later, Aunt Harriet, and we’ll talk more then.”

      “Certainly, dear, of course.” She gave her a proud smile. “And Mr. Harrington, we’ll want to have you over for supper very soon—your father, as well, of course. We should all get to know one another better, now that we’re related.”

      Adam nodded cordially. “Good afternoon, ladies.”

      Arm anchored around Haley, he crossed the lobby, leaving the women to stare after them. He looked down at Haley. “See? I told you not everyone considered marriage to me a horrible prospect.”

      She would have slapped that smug grin from his face, had she not been certain Aunt Harriet and her friends were still watching. Haley clamped her mouth shut and went out onto the street in front of the hotel, the bright sun stabbing her eyes. Adam hailed a hansom cab. The driver jumped down and opened the door for her.

      “Well, Mr. Harrington, it was nice…meeting you.”

      He closed his hand around her elbow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

      “I told you already.” She eased her arm from his grasp and sighed heavily. “Surely you’re not thinking we should stay married?”

      He shrugged. “Now that your aunt knows the truth, what else can we do? The news will be all over the city by nightfall.”

      That much was true. Haley pressed her lips together. “But I don’t know a thing about you.”

      Adam stood a little straighter and tugged at his waistcoat. “Adam Oren Harrington. I own a business, which, I’m proud to say, is quite profitable. I’m thirty-four years old, in good health, have few vices, and all my teeth.” He stretched out his lips, displaying two rows of even white teeth. A little grin tugged at his mouth. “Well? Does that meet your expectations for a husband?”

      He looked so comical, Haley couldn’t help giggling. “On the surface, yes.”

      “And what else would the lady like to know?”

      Haley studied him for a moment. “You don’t know a thing about me.”

      Adam took her hand in his. Slowly he brushed his thumb over her palm and captured her gaze. “I’ll be at your aunt’s after supper tonight. We’ll discuss everything then.”

      Ripples of warmth radiated up her arm. She ignored them and pulled her hand away. “I’ve already told you, Mr. Harrington, I have plans that do not include you. Plans that—” Could cause a worse scandal? Haley held her tongue.

      Adam folded his arms across his chest and watched as her bustle disappeared into the cab. He passed money to the driver, and the cab pulled out into the street.

      One thing he’d learned long ago was to keep his options open. Snap decisions were often regrettable decisions. Uninformed decisions were disasters. True, he knew nothing about his new wife now. But by the time he arrived at her aunt’s home tonight, he’d know everything he needed to know about Miss Haley Carissa Caufield.

      

      “Oh, thank God it’s you.”

      Haley plopped down on her aunt’s mauve settee and touched her hand to her forehead.

      Seated across the marble-topped coffee table from her, Jay Caufield settled deeper into the wing-backed chair. “Who were you expecting? Your new husband, maybe?”

      Her gaze came up quickly. “How did you find out so soon?” She’d left her aunt at the Madison only hours ago.

      “Good news travels fast,” he said, though his tone indicated that he considered it anything but.

      “Please, Jay, don’t play games with me.” She’d taken a bath and tried to nap, but she hadn’t been able to sleep, images of her mother, her aunt and her new husband tormenting her.

      “It’s all over town. Your aunt was at the Madison for one of those ladies’ club luncheons, spewing the news like a champagne bottle just uncorked.” Jay rose, his slender frame rigid. He threaded his fingers through the pale blond hair at his temple. “How could you have done this? Look, cousin, don’t you realize who Adam Harrington is?”

      Haley offered him a weak smile. “Aunt Harriet and her friends were quite pleased by the news.”

      He laughed bitterly. “I’m sure they were.

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