The Earl's Outrageous Lover Page 0,15
replied with more enthusiasm than she felt right at the moment. She wished she could stay right here and listen to James talk about his funny stories and ignore Edward’s grim expression. She’d snuck a peek at Edward often and thankfully he was chuckling over the tales. She loved to see him laugh, even his eyes crinkled when he laughed which she suspected was very seldom.
He wasn’t ever looking at her, though. He kept his eyes on James or Julianna the whole time, avoiding her as if she were some sort of ugly duckling that was abhorrent to him.
With a sigh, she stood up to indicate that they should move into the dining room. James immediately stood and took Julianna with him and, as Jessica watched him pull the blond woman out of the room, she felt as if her only friend had just abandoned her. She’d hoped to have a private word with James, ask for a bit of help in pushing Julianna and Edward out the door since their presence wasn’t really helping and only hurting her the longer they stayed here. She’d rather just hurry up to her room and lick her wounds, start to heal and find a way to overcome her fascination with a man who didn’t want her and was currently in love with another woman.
“I’d like a word with you, Jessica,” Edward said, taking her elbow and stopping her when she started to follow behind James and Julianna.
He waited until they were alone before turning to look down into her brown eyes. “Keep away from James,” he said as soon as the others were out of ear shot. “He’s not marriage material and you have a deadline. A very short deadline, I might add.”
Jessica was instantly offended that he would assume she was in any way interested in James. “James is a good man and a great friend. I really don’t want you saying anything disrespectful about him.”
Edward glared right back down at her, moving into her space in an effort to intimidate her. “You heard me, Jessica. He’s not right for you. Stay clear.”
“Or what?” she challenged, turning to face him and giving as good as she got.
“Or I’ll make sure that you are unavailable for him. He won’t marry you,” he said. “You have a mission and I’m here to ensure that you accomplish that mission. If you’re going to give up on that and just let your inheritance go to charity, then let me know right now so I can move on to other issues. If not, then you’ll heed my warning and steer clear of the man.” Edward had no idea if James was marriage material or not, but he didn’t like him hanging around Jessica. There was just something about the man that irked him.
“You can’t decide who I marry, Edward.”
He leaned down with a growl. “Want to bet?”
“Yes!”
“As executor of your father’s will now, I have approval authority over the man you finally marry. And I’m telling you right now that James Cavanaugh is not acceptable. Forget about him.”
His words infuriated her, especially since she and James were just good friends. “You are an arrogant jerk!” She poked him in the chest but he didn’t back up an inch. “For your information, he’s already proposed!” She didn’t mention to him that she’d laughed off James’ proposal which she hadn’t taken seriously. She knew that James would marry her if things came close to the deadline. She just had to ask and he’d be there for her. But she didn’t want to go down that route, knowing that he would soon fall in love with someone and become a wonderful, loving husband to a lucky lady. She just wasn’t interested in him that way.
“So you’re resorting to name calling?” He backed her up a step, wrapping his arm around her waist and trapping her against the chair. “Why would you even consider marrying a man who doesn’t make you feel something more than friendship?” he asked. “Look for someone who…” he started to say one thing, then changed his mind and said, “makes you feel pretty and desirable.” He looked down into those soft, vulnerable eyes and swallowed. “You need someone with a firm hand to keep you in line, but also someone who is willing to put up with your somewhat unconventional way of attacking life.”
She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t look away. The way he was looking down at her, with reverence and…wonder? It was almost as if