The Earl's Outrageous Lover Page 0,27
bit insane from Jeremy’s constant questions, isn’t she?”
Tim laughed softly and nodded. “That she is!”
“Tell her I’ll stop by and give her a break tomorrow so she can go out and have some question-free time, okay?”
Tim’s eyes showed his appreciation for her offer but he shook his head. “No need Ms. Jessica. But I appreciate your offer.”
“Nonsense. Everyone needs some time alone. I’ll be over about noon so she can have a lunch out. Jeremy and I will have a great time together. He’s a great kid.”
Edward looked from his driver to Jessica as she approached. “Who is Samantha and why does a boy named Jeremy have a cast?” he demanded as he extended his other arm for her.
Jessica slipped her hand onto his arm, allowing only her fingertips to touch the expensive material of his tuxedo. “Samantha is his daughter and Jeremy is his ten year old grandson who was climbing a tree last month and fell, breaking his arm in two places. He’s pretty rambunctious but he’s extremely bright.”
Edward looked down at the stunning woman on his arm and shook his head. He hadn’t even been aware that Tim had children, much less grandchildren. Nor was he aware that the man’s grandson had been in an accident. “How do you know this?” Tim had been his driver for as long as he could remember so it would make sense that the man had a family and a life outside of driving him around the city.
She looked up at him, her chocolate brown eyes hurt and still confused by that kiss followed by the way he had basically ignored her completely afterwards. She didn’t understand the rules he played by, which was yet another reason to stay as far away from him as she could. “I had breakfast with Martha yesterday and Jeremy came by, excited to show his grandmother his cast-less arm. He’s very funny.”
Edward made a mental note to tell Alice to send over additional help for Tim’s daughter. But before he could say anything else on the subject, even a thank you for giving him the information that one of his employee’s grandchildren was out of sorts, the lights and music of the ballroom broke through. He went through the introductions to the host and hostesses and all the formal rituals of any event, slowly making their way into the main ballroom.
As soon as he entered the crowded room, he spotted the one man he’d been trying to avoid. Before he could even lower his head to Jessica’s and warn her not to dance with James Cavanaugh, the man approached Julianna.
He bowed to Jessica and winked at her with a teasing look. “Good evening, Jessica. You look ravishing tonight.” He turned to Edward and nodded politely, but then his eyes immediately skimmed to the blond on Edward’s other arm.
“Lady Holbrook, I was hoping you might be able to assist me with an important issue,” he said to Julianna before turning to Edward. “Do you mind if I take one of these lovely ladies off of your hands for a moment?” he asked.
Since he’d already taken possession of Julianna’s free hand and was pulling her into the crowd, there wasn’t much Edward could say. Edward had to admit that he was mostly relieved that James wasn’t trying to take Jessica away from him. He would have had something to say about that, he knew. Julianna could take care of herself though. He’d been with her when other men had been too forward and she had them all eating out of the palm of her hand, apologizing profusely for being impertinent or out of line. James would be putty in her hands in moments if he did anything obnoxious.
Jessica on the other hand, she had those soft, brown eyes that showed her innocence. She liked people too much, he told himself. James would take advantage of her kind and generous nature. Edward had to prevent that, especially after the previous dinner when the man had been hanging on her every word.
He refused to admit that the kiss less than a half hour ago had changed his perception of the woman. He wasn’t being possessive, he told himself. He hadn’t liked James the first time he’d met him so this was nothing new. Besides, he’d already told Jessica that the man wasn’t right for her.
After that kiss, he wished that he was the right man though.
“Let’s move over here to the side,” Edward said gruffly, leading Jessica to a