Bayou Bride Read online

  "Philip and I were merely having a conversation," she returned. "There was no harm in that."

  Nick gave a harsh laugh. "A conversation is one thing. What I saw was something else. But even if I hadn't walked in on you, consider how it would look if someone else discovered that my fiancee was spending time alone with another man in a hotel room."

  "I'm not your fiancee yet!"

  "As far as I'm concerned, we sealed the deal in the warehouse earlier this evening. Or have you forgotten?"

  "I haven't forgotten anything!" Jordan was torn between the frustration of wanting to defend herself and the misery of knowing she couldn't. She wanted to tell Nick the truth, but she feared the conesquences. She couldn't let him find out about her past. Tears threatened, and she fought against them. Afraid that he might see her distress, she turned away, meaning to escape to her room.

  Nick interpreted her action as an arrogant dismissal, and he erupted in anger. Grabbing her by the arm, he swung her back around to face him and took her by both shoulders.

  "Jordan..." he began threateningly, having every intention of lecturing her further on her behavior. He stopped abruptly, though, when he saw the sheen of tears in her eyes. He immediately assumed she was crying for the loss of her lover, and annoyance filled him. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Though her expression was proud, her lips were trembling.

  Some driving hunger, some compelling need, filled Nick. He wanted to force all thoughts of Montgomery right out of her head. His eyes darkened, and he was like a man possessed as his mouth claimed hers. Jordan knew it was going to happen but was unable to prevent it.

  "No!" she cried, but it was too late.

  With unerring precision, Nick's lips found Jordan's and began to plunder their softness. It was a fiery kiss, an explosion of wonder that rocked them both. Without thought, his grip on her changed from a firm hold to a caress. He urged her closer gently, and in that moment they molded together, full breasts to hard-muscled chest.

  For one long sweet moment, she let herself enjoy the embrace. Nick was, after all, the handsomest man she'd ever seen, and in a way, he had rescued her from what could have been a terrible life. But just as she was about to loop her arms around his neck to melt closer to him, her sanity returned. She couldn't allow this to happen! She couldn't allow herself to feel anything for this man!

  "No!" Jordan panicked, backing away from him. She was afraid of what he was making her feel, and she had to fight it. It would be far too easy to surrender to this unexpected desire. She wasn't about to let that happen.

  "Jordan?" Nick frowned, startled by her reaction and by his own. Even after his time with Delilah, Jordan's one simple kiss left his body throbbing with excitement.

  "How can you have the nerve to lecture me on keeping my word where our bargain's concerned?! What about your word? You told me this arrangement would be in name only."

  Nick's mouth thinned and his gaze hardened. "You needn't worry, Jordan. I'm a man of honor."

  "It's not your honor that's worrying me!"

  "Jordan," he drawled, affecting a look of pure boredom while he fought down the desire to take her back in his arms and kiss her again, "I've been with many women who were far prettier than you. You needn't be concerned that I'm so overcome by your ... er... `charms' that I won't be able to control myself."

  His words, so casually flung at her, stung, and she was strangely hurt by the thought that he'd been unaffected by the embrace. She refused to allow it to show, though, reminding herself that all that mattered was that she and Philip not be separated. "Then why did you kiss me just now?"

  "Let's face it, if we're going to convince anyone we're madly in love, we're going to have to learn to act the part."

  "In public only! That was our agreement!" Jordan came back at him.

  Nick was growing more and more aggravated by her attitude. No other woman had ever acted this way when he'd kissed her. "Slater seemed to have some doubts about your ability to carry off the charade, and frankly, though I defended you at the time, I'm beginning to think he might have been right."

  The thought that Nick might change his mind and decide not to go through with their deal left Jordan suddenly nervous and a little uncertain. "You don't have to worry. When the time comes, I'll be the most adoring fiancee you can imagine."

  "I hope so. This is too important a matter to take any risks."

  "Why is this so important? Why are you being forced to find a wife so quickly?"

  Nick had meant to explain things to her tomorrow, but he figured tonight was just as good a time as any to set things straight between them once and for all. Taking off his coat, he threw it casually on the bed, then started to untie his cravat. As he began to speak, he tried hard not to let any of his emotions show.

  "My father is a very strong-willed, very successful man. Ever since I reached my majority, he's wanted me to settle down and start a family. I knew he felt that way, but until lately he hadn't pressed the issue. A few months ago, though, the doctors discovered that he has a serious health problem. They believe that he doesn't have long to live."

  "Oh...I'm sorry," she murmured, her eyes meeting his in a look of compassionate understanding. She had lost her parents not too long before, and she remembered all too well how awful it had been.

  Nick looked down into Jordan's sympathetic gaze and for a moment found himself wanting to tell her everything... how he'd been devastated over the news of his father's illness and how he'd felt completely helpless in the face of it. With an exercise of will, he managed not to blurt out his life's story. He frowned as he wondered what there was about her that encouraged such revelations from him when he'd only known her for a matter of a few hours. The thought was unsettling.

  "There's nothing that can be done," he said in a brusque tone to cover his discomfort, "and he knows it. That's why he did what he did."

  "What did he do?"

  "He added a clause to his will stating that unless I married by September 15 of this year, I would be disinherited."

  "What about your mother? Couldn't she do anything about it?"

  "My mother's dead. She died when I was young. There's just the two of us.. .my father and me."

  "So you've got to find a wife or lose everything..."

  "Yes. If I don't find a bride soon, my father's estate will be given over to the church upon his death, and I can't let that happen..."

  Nick said it so fiercely that Jordan got the wrong impression. She didn't understand that he loved his father deeply and that he loved Riverwood, too. She didn't understand that he'd labored beside his father for years to make the plantation into the showplace it was now. To her, it sounded like the money was all he cared about. He came across as a greedy, conniving, self-serving bastard, and the sympathy she'd felt toward him cooled.

  "I see," she replied. "So, in essence, what we have to do is fool your dying father into thinking we're a love match so you can claim your inheritance. Right?"

  The way she phrased it, his plan sounded terribly calculating, but Nick suddenly felt too downhearted to try to convince her otherwise. "That's right. You're future, as well as mine, rides on the ultimate success of our bargain."

  "I'll do my part," she agreed, knowing it was her only way out.

  "That's all I expect," he replied, turning away to unbutton his shirt. "I'll see you in the morning. After breakfast, we'll see about getting you some suitable clothes."

  Summarily dismissed, Jordan took the opportunity to retreat to her room. She quickly changed into her nightgown before lying down, but as weary as she was, sleep proved elusive.

  The discovery of Nick's true motivation added to her growing disillusionment. For a little while she'd almost thought he was wonderful.. .a knight in shining armor, so to speak. Now she realized just how wrong her judgment could be. He was nothing like what she'd imagined. Attractive though he was, he was a man without a conscience. He was a man who would do whatever he had to in order to achieve his objective. It sa
ddened her, and when she finally fell asleep, it was with a heavy heart.

  Nick shed everything except his pants and stretched out on his bed, his arms folded behind his head. He wanted to sleep, but his mind refused to let him rest. In the silence of his thoughts he debated the wisdom of all that he'd done. He hated deceiving his father, yet he could think of no other solution that would make his last days happy. He wanted him to believe that he'd found the woman of his dreams and that he was going to be happily married.

  Though it sounded simple when he thought of it that way, somehow it was far more complicated. Finding Jordan in Montgomery's arms had sent a flash of fury through him the likes of which he'd never known before, and he still couldn't figure out the strange sense of lacking that had possessed him while he was with Delilah. The thought of Jordan's kiss and his reaction to it left him frowning into the darkness, and he quickly told himself that he was worrying needlessly. None of it was important. All that mattered was making sure his father's remaining months were contented ones.

  Nick settled down then, his sense of purpose firmly restored. But as he closed his eyes against the blackness of the night an ethereal vision of Jordan crept into his thoughts. It was quite a while before he slept soundly.

  Philip's emotions were running hot and high, and he, too, could not sleep. He'd been stalking about his room like a caged beast ever since Jordan had left with Kane. It had been ugly listening to Kane insult his sister, and he realized now that it was a good thing she'd come between them.

  Philip hated that fact Kane thought so little of Jordan as to believe that she could be his mistress, but for their continued safety he could do nothing to change his mind. They were caught up in a set of circumstances that they could not alter. He was going to have to do whatever Kane wanted-whether he liked it or not. He would support and help Jordan all that he could, but he knew he would have to be very careful. It wouldn't be smart to make Kane angry. He didn't look like a forgiving sort of man.

  Swallowing what was left of his battered pride, Philip finally went to bed. He turned out the light and lay there staring into the darkness as the hours crept slowly by.

  As Slater dressed in Charice's room at Madame LaFleur's, he pondered his quixotic mood. He didn't understand why he felt as if he'd betrayed Francesca when all he had done was to bed a willing wench. Francesca was dead, he told himself. A man couldn't be faithful to a memory forever. Still, the aching in his heart didn't ease. She had a hold on him even now, and he wondered if he would ever be able to get on with the rest of his life.

  "Slater... don't leave," Charice begged in a husky voice. "It's not light yet..."

  "Sorry, little darling, but I have to go," he answered. She had been more than accommodating in the heat of their couplings, but enough was enough. He needed to breathe some fresh air instead of stale perfume, to look up at the clear night sky and see the twinkling stars.

  "You'll come back again?" She was hopeful. There were very few men around like Slater MacKenzie.

  "Next time I'm in town."

  "I'll be waiting," she promised, and she meant it.

  Slater half expected to find Nick waiting for him. He was surprised to discover that he'd left long ago, and he couldn't help but smile.

  Slater's smile stayed with him all the way back to the hotel. Nick was probably going to use the excuse that he had to check on Jordan as his reason for not staying at Madame LaFleur's longer, but Slater knew that the truth of it went much deeper than that. His friend probably wasn't even aware of it yet, but time was going to tell. Slater grinned-he was going to enjoy this...

  It was morning, and after finally getting a few hours of sound sleep, Nick was feeling much better. His confidence in what he was doing had returned, and for the first time in months he faced a day without the oppressive weight of his father's commandment hanging over him. He believed he had everything well in hand.

  Nick reviewed his plans for the day as he stood before the mirror to finish tying his tie. First, there was breakfast. He needed to see how Jordan conducted herself at a meal so he could gauge how much she knew about manners. He did not relish the thought of tutoring her in the social graces, but he would do whatever he had to to make sure this worked out. Jordan seemed quick enough, so he hoped he wouldn't have too much trouble.

  Following breakfast, Nick intended to take Jordan to the best couturiere in town. Since she was going to have to impress his father, he wanted her outward appearance to be perfect. He would see that she got the very best of everything. From her shoes to her hats, no part of her appearance would be open to criticism. Once he knew her manners were passable and her wardrobe correct, then he would be able to relax and concentrate on playing his role.

  Nick was just turning away from the mirror when Slater knocked at his door. "Come in," he said.

  Slater entered without delay, eyeing him with interest as he crossed the room. "You look rather bright this morning. Had an early night, did you?"

  Nick had known he would hear about leaving LaFleur's early. "I managed to get a little sleep. What about you?"

  "Sleep wasn't what I had on my mind last night."

  "So, Chance was quite entertaining, was she?" Nick grinned at his friend.

  "Delilah wasn't?"

  "She was a woman of rare qualities."

  "Weren't they both?" They chuckled in easy male camaraderie. "So why did you leave early? I thought you'd be waiting for me downstairs."

  "I had too much on my mind last night," Nick answered evasively.

  "Like Montgomery?"

  "Among other things."

  "It couldn't have been the girl, could it?"

  "Jordan? No..." he said disparagingly. "Why would I come back here because of her?"

  Slater gave him an enigmatic smile as he goaded, "I thought maybe you were more pleased with your bargain than you let on."

  "No, Jordan doesn't mean anything to me. Oh, she'll be pretty enough once I get her the right clothes to wear and teach her how to behave in public. But there'll never be any more to it than just a friendly business arrangement. We're both in this for our own convenience, that's all."

  "Whatever you say."

  Slater's tone sounded suspiciously mocking, but when Nick glanced at him sharply, there was no emotion on his face. He looked merely interested, leaving Nick to wonder if he was overreacting.

  Changing the subject, Nick asked, "Could you do me a favor and keep an eye on Montgomery for me today? I'm going to be busy with Jordan and wont have the time."

  "Sure. Shall I get the man some new clothes? If you're really going to tell your father that he's an accountant, then he's going to have to look the part."

  "I suppose you're right. Get whatever he needs and let me know the cost." Nick was interrupted as Jordan knocked softly on the connecting door and then came in.

  Jordan was in a much better mood this morning. Through the long hours of the night she had made a fierce determination to try to put the memory of Nick's kiss firmly from her and to remember that, as much as she didn't like his reasons for doing what he was doing, it was still to her benefit.

  Jordan had hoped that by accepting the things she couldn't change she would have some peace of mind, and so she had until Nick had knocked on her door earlier that morning to let her know how soon they'd be leaving for breakfast. He hadn't shaved yet, and the dark beginnings of his beard had lent him a rakish, almost dangerous look that had left her nearly breathless. She'd been tongue-tied, and was only able to answer him in monosyllables. She felt utterly stupid when he disappeared back into his own room again.

  Knowing they were going to be seen in public together, Jordan had made certain she looked her best, fixing her hair in a soft style that drew it away from her face and then let it fall around her shoulders in a cascade of loose curls. Pleased with the effect, she donned her dress and, after smoothing the wrinkles from it, went to let Nick know she was ready.

  "Nick... I'm ready now," she announced before she saw that
Slater was with him. "Oh...Mr. MacKenzie.. .I'm sorry ...I didn't mean to interrupt."

  "Slater, please," he invited quickly. "And you're not interrupting."

  His gallantry was rewarded with a blinding smile, and for a moment Slater was nearly struck speechless by her unaffected beauty. The night before on the dock, he'd thought she had reasonable potential, but nothing in his imagination had prepared him for the sight of her this morning. She was lovely-not in the flashy way of some women, but beautiful in her own right. She had an elegant presence about her, to say nothing of her natural good looks. Her hair was a tawny mane of tumbling curls, her peaches-and-cream complexion was flawless, and her figure, while not voluptuous, was perfectly proportioned. He knew that if she could do such wondrous things for the plain, ordinary dress she was now wearing, she was going to look fantastic once she was outfitted properly.

  "Slater, then. Good morning," she was saying, a little more at ease in his company.

  "You look lovely this morning," he complimented.

  "Why, thank you," she replied, beaming. It thrilled her that he'd noticed the change in her appearance.

  In that moment, Slater knew for sure that Nick was being less than honest with himself about his real reason for rushing back to the hotel the night before. Slater knew that had Jordan been waiting for him, he would have rushed back right away, too. Hell, he thought wryly, I would never have left in the first place! Whether his friend would admit it or not, he'd gotten lucky this time, and he hoped Nick realized it before it was too late.

  "Well, we've got to get going. We've got a lot to do this morning," Nick said as he opened the door and held it for Jordan. "If you'll take care of that one thing for me, we can meet back here around noon."

  "I'll see you then," Slater quickly agreed, and he watched with interest as Nick ushered Jordan from the room. There was a definite male possessiveness in the way his friend stayed right with her, and Slater was forced to stifle a grin.