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Faced with his brother’s accusing glare, Trey’s denial crumbled into angry resignation. “Shit. I knew this would happen.”

  “You’re damn right about that! Elizabeth has transformed from a manipulative bitch into a sweet, wonderful woman and now you’ve decided she’s yours.”

  “That’s not it. I didn’t ever intend for it to happen, but it did. I’m not proud of that. I know it was wrong--it is wrong.”

  A muscle pulsed in Rad’s cheek. “It wasn’t just once, was it? You’re still at it! That’s why you brought her here, so you can have her close and convenient whenever you feel like fucking her! Did you ever consider I might have something to say about that?”

  “I knew very well you’d have something to say about it. Rad, I promised Edward I’d look after her and see that she was safely settled. I brought her here because I didn’t know what else to do with her. But it’s temporary. She can’t stay here. Just look at what it’s doing to us. We’re fighting again over her, just like we did before.” He got up and stalked over to the window, gazing outside while he gathered his thoughts. “I knew this would be a disaster; as long as she’s here and available, I won’t be able to keep away from her. And you-”

  “Why should I keep away from her?” Rad barked incredulously. “Why should I deny myself when you didn’t, brother?”

  Trey lifted an eyebrow, his guilt giving way to his old jealousy. “What makes you think she’ll want you?”

  “Well, we’ll never know unless I give her that choice, will we?” Rad got up and marched to the door.

  “Stay away from her, Rad,” Trey warned. “It can’t work. It’ll end badly, just like before.”

  “Fuck you, Trey.” The door slammed behind him.

  ****

  "You want me to what?" Elise stood in the masculinely appointed study and gaped in stunned disbelief at Trey. As if anticipating her reaction to his suggestion, he'd wisely positioned himself behind the protective barrier of his massive desk.

  The tingle of excitement she’d felt when he'd requested to see her immediately following breakfast disappeared like a puff of smoke. She was hoping he was going to suggest an encore of what they’d shared the night before, and she would have been more than happy to accommodate him, especially if he would reciprocate in kind. He’d certainly been a happy camper when he’d left her room. Now, however, it was obvious he’d had second thoughts, and third thoughts, for that matter. She could understand his dilemma, knew he was just protecting himself and his family. It would be perfectly understandable for him to lay down new ground rules for the duration of her stay in his home, maybe double his efforts to stay away from her, perhaps even insist that she leave. But this!

  "I believe I made myself clear the first time," he answered in a resolute tone that, after the intimacy between them last night, cut Elise to the quick.

  Her temper ignited; it was either that or cry. "Oh, you were very clear. I'm just wondering how you could even suggest something so...so cold. There are other ways to solve this problem that don't involve marriage."

  "Is that right? Name one."

  Elise ignored his challenge, too damned angry to weigh her options now. She only knew what she absolutely would not do. "I will not let you put me on the market like some prize pig!"

  Trey looked insulted. "You're not a pig, and the marriage market is hardly comparable to the selling of livestock."

  "Oh, no? They seem to me to have a couple of parallels. Both are convenient ways of getting rid of an animal--or female, whichever the case may be--who has become an unwanted burden. And in both cases the merchandise to be unloaded has very little say in the matter!"

  "Please, Elise, be reasonable. I'm not going to force you to marry the first man who comes along. Of course you'll be allowed to make the final decision, you're a grown woman. But given your set of circumstances, I think the wise thing to do would be to find a suitable match as soon as possible."

  "Why?" Elise persisted.

  "You really have to ask?" Trey released a frustrated breath and she could see the pain behind his mask of sternness. “I promised Edward I’d see to your welfare, see you settled and taken care of. What do you think he’d say if he knew I was keeping you here for my own selfish desires, having you without benefit of marriage? Ruining you. I’ve already done the inexcusable. I took your virginity, for God’s sake. And last night…”

  Elise felt her entire body flush at the memory of the interlude that had left her both euphoric and miserable, sated and yet still wanting. They’d both found their pleasure, but it was incomplete. They’d had to settle for loving each other in a way that didn’t involve the risk of pregnancy.

  “I was to blame for that, Trey, not you.” Despite her best intentions, her desire for him had taken control and would take control again given the slightest opportunity. Even now, watching him, she knew that he too was remembering the passion they shared; she could see the hunger in his eyes. A familiar pulse of heat flared between her legs. She let her gaze travel downward over his body, wondering if the memory was affecting him the same way. If the evidence of arousal was there, it was hidden by his securely buttoned jacket.

  “It doesn’t matter who’s to blame.” His voice was gravelly with emotion. “It is what it is, and it can’t go on.”

  “What if the old Elizabeth never returns, Trey, then what? If I go through with this, I’ll be miserable, and in a marriage with someone I don’t love. I won’t do that, not even for you.” She raised her nose a notch and continued. “But I’ll leave your home. I can find some way to support myself. This is a large enough city, there must be some sort of opportunities here for a single woman."

  Trey shook his head again in that way that said he thought she was losing her mind. "Not for one with no money and no marketable skills. Elise, for God’s sake, you don’t even remember your life before three weeks ago. You’re relearning the most mundane aspects of everyday life. You’d be a prime target for every two-bit swindler and rogue in this city looking to take advantage of a beautiful, naïve female. You need a protector, a husband."

  Elise ground her teeth at his insulting assessment of her abilities, but she couldn’t blame him. He didn’t know that she’d been a smart, competent, self-supporting modern woman. "You're just trying to scare me. I may be relearning some things, but I’m not stupid. And I'll have you know I'm not afraid of hard work. I'll find some way out of this that doesn't involve marrying a stranger for his money."

  She could see that Trey was fighting to control his temper, and losing. "Blast it, Elise! Why are you being so stubborn about this?" he barked, slapping his hand down on the desktop.

  “Because I won’t marry for any other reason than love. I won’t!” Her eyes began to fill with scalding tears. “It’s my misfortune to have fallen in love with you, Trey Kingston. But I can’t have you because of that bitch Elizabeth!” Unable to bear the look of anguish on his face, she spun around and headed for the door.

  Trey moved quickly up behind her. His strong arms came around her and he pulled her back against his chest, his breath was hot upon the nape of her neck as he held her tight. “Don’t you think I wouldn’t love to be able to give you what you need? If I could marry you, I would.”

  Elise’s heart lurched at his confession and she let her head fall back against his chest. “You’d risk it? Even with the possibility that Elizabeth could-”

  He nodded and pressed a kiss below her ear. “The doctor said the longer you stay this way, the better the chances are it will be permanent.”

  “We can wait for a while longer, to be sure, and then-”

  He made a noise of frustration. “But it’s more complicated than that. I couldn’t give you the kind of marriage you’d want, that you’d accept. I can’t ask that of you.”

  She turned in his arms. “I don’t understand.”

  “There’s Rad, Elise. I told you before that he and I fought over Elizabeth in the past and we promised each other it would never happen again.”
>
  “Rad?” Elise exclaimed, amazed and angry. “You’re telling me now you can’t be with me because of your brother?” She pushed away from him. “I can’t believe this!”

  “Elise, Rad wanted Elizabeth as much as I did. What happened between the three of us hurt him as much as it did me.”

  “So you’re willing to give me up to spare your brother’s feelings?”

  “He and Rachael are the only family I have. After we left Savannah, we’ve taken care of each other, built a new life together. Rad and I own the business together.”

  Elise rubbed her eyes indelicately and groaned. “I get it. You’re telling me you’re a package deal.” A flare of emotion crossed his face at her words--expectancy and anxiety. She drew in a deep breath. “I have to resolve the issues between Rad and Elizabeth before you and I can be together.”

  “And there lies the problem, I’m afraid. Rad was unwilling to give up Elizabeth before, and once he gets to know the new you, I doubt he’ll be willing to give you up now.” He released a sad sigh and walked back to his desk. “It can’t work between us. You need someone who can give you a respectable, normal life. If you think about it, you’ll see I’m right. And someday, you’ll thank me.”

  Elise was adamant. “I’m not giving you up that easily. I’ll talk to Rad, try to work things out with him.”

  Trey grimaced and rubbed his forehead. "Very well, but in the meantime, I think it’s only prudent for you to be aware of your options. You need to make social contacts, begin the process of meeting other more eligible gentlemen."

  Elise rolled her eyes. God, she wished he’d let this stupid idea go! But if she went along for now, at least it would buy her some time to sort out this mess with Rad. “Fine, whatever.”

  “Good. I’m glad you’re seeing reason.” He didn’t sound very glad, but he went on in a measured tone. “I am going to procure you an invitation to the Vanderbilts’ ball next week. That will be a good chance to introduce you into society.”

  Her eyes widened in alarm. "The Vanderbilts?” There is no way she was prepared to attend an event like that. “But I can't possibly go so soon after Edward's death."

  "Edward would want you to go." Then, without hesitation, as if he'd already anticipated her excuse, he added, "Nobody has to know the exact date of his passing. If anyone inquires, which I doubt they will, just be vague about your answer. No one would be tactless enough to press any further."

  Elise felt panic rising inside her. She wasn't ready for this. Formal gatherings like this one required extensive knowledge of social etiquette. She'd make a complete fool of herself. "But I don't even remember how to dance." Club dancing maybe, but not the kind of dancing they did in this century.

  He was not to be swayed. "You have a week. Rachael can teach you what you need to know. I'll tell her you'll be attending the party after all. She'll handle everything and answer any questions you have."

  Chapter Nine

  "Round your shoulders more, Elise. A little more... No, too much. For goodness sake, your goal is to affect a graceful posture, not a hunchback!"

  Elise made a noise of exasperation. "What's wrong with standing straight?" After an entire morning spent at Madame Demorest’s Emporium of Fashions being stripped, measured and fussed over by several clucking seamstresses, she was running low on patience. She suspected Rachael’s crash course in etiquette was an exercise in futility, and she would stand out like an ostrich among swans at the Vanderbilts’ ball.

  "It's much too masculine," Rachael explained tolerantly. "Ladies are expected to be rounded, graceful."

  "You mean slumped."

  "Well, yes. The curved line is feminine, the straight, masculine. A true lady will strive to create an illusion of roundedness in her appearance as well as her gestures and movement. Here, watch me."

  Rachael demonstrated by gliding slowly across the drawing room's Turkish carpet, her hooped skirt swaying rhythmically as she seemingly floated past the tall satinwood cabinet inlaid with Wedgwood plaques and seated herself on a chair in a languid droop. "Notice that I did not walk in a straight line across the room. I curved my path. And see how my arms are held? They are slightly bent at all times. There should be no rigidity in movement, no harshness of line in posture. Do you see?"

  Elise imitated Rachael's slightly roundabout way of crossing the room. Carefully avoiding the three-tiered stand that displayed a set of fragile Limoges porcelain figurines-- lest they end up in pieces because of a clumsy brush of her skirts-- she made her way to the Grecian sofa. As smoothly as possible, she sat with her shoulders lowered, her arms in the prescribed oval shape and her hands folded demurely in her lap.

  "Tilt your head just a bit. Yes, that's very nice. You're a quick study," Rachael praised.

  "If I don't want to make a fool of myself next week, I have to be, don't I?" Elise said as she wondered how long she would be able to maintain this posture before she got a stiff neck.

  Catching the flat tone in Elise's voice, Rachael commented in surprise, "You don't sound as if you're looking forward to this ball. How can you not be excited? It'll be the event of the season. The Vanderbilts throw incomparable parties." Then suddenly she was contrite. "Oh dear, how insensitive of me. You're still grieving, of course. But when Trey asked me to help you prepare for this party, he gave me the impression you wanted to attend."

  "I think it would be more accurate to say Trey wants me to attend." Elise was able to keep most of the bitterness from her voice, but not all. "He's concerned about my financial future and has suggested I find a husband to support me. The sooner, the better."

  "How very practical of him," Rachael replied dryly. "But that's Trey. He's always been entirely too pragmatic.”

  “So I’ve discovered.”

  "Oh, Elise, please don’t let grumpy old Trey spoil this for you. I know you’ll enjoy yourself if you give it a chance," Rachael said with a gleam of excitement in her eye, "I even danced with a viscount at their ball last season! Can you imagine? I do hope I'll see him again this year. He was so handsome! And I think he was interested in me." Leaning toward Elise, she whispered loudly, "When we waltzed, he held me decidedly closer than the prescribed twelve inches. I adore a man who's daring, don't you?"

  "Sounds like a man who could use a lesson or two in proper social etiquette.” The voice from the doorway caused both women to look up in surprise.

  "Rad!" Rachael exclaimed, two bright pink spots appearing on her cheeks. "How dare you eavesdrop on a private conversation! How rude! How uncouth!" She bit her lip. "How long have you been listening?"

  Elise felt a shiver of nervous anticipation course through her as Radcliffe ambled in, followed by a rush of resentment toward him. This was the man who stood between her and Trey. She quickly sized him up. He appeared composed and well groomed today, not the wobbly drunk she’d met the night before. He wore a trim navy jacket that accentuated the impressive width of his shoulders and tan trousers that hugged his long, long legs. He was a bit taller than Trey, and more powerfully built.

  "Long enough to hear about the daring viscount," Rad answered with a teasing lift to one corner of his mouth. “I'll be sure to have a word with the fellow if he does make a repeat appearance this season."

  “You wouldn’t,” Rachael gasped. “I’d be mortified!”

  “Better my baby sister be mortified than compromised. I know his type, Rachael.”

  “I’m sure you do, Rad,” Rachael replied peevishly, “since you are that very type yourself.”

  Rad cleared his throat and looked up at the gilded banjo wall clock as it chimed. “It’s four o’clock, Rachael. Why don’t you go see about having some refreshments prepared.”

  “Very well,” Rachael huffed. “Excuse me, Elise. I’ll return momentarily and we can continue our lessons.”

  Once they were alone, Elise shifted nervously under Rad’s lengthy gaze. She wondered how much he remembered about their encounter last night. Wondered exactly how intense his relationshi
p with Elizabeth had been and how in the world she’d handle those unresolved, potentially very negative, feelings.

  “Hello, Elizabeth.” To her surprise, he sounded nervous. She noticed he had one hand behind his back as he approached her. “Please accept my profound apologies for any discomfort I may have caused you last night. The incident was unfortunate and my conduct deplorable.” From behind his back, he produced a small bouquet of red roses and held it out to her. “I’d very much like it if we could start fresh.”

  Elise blinked. It didn’t seem as though Rad was holding any sort of hateful grudge against her for Elizabeth’s past transgressions. “Yes, of course, Radcliffe,” she said, gathering her wits and accepting the bouquet. “Apology accepted.” He seemed surprised and relieved by her answer. “But only if you agree to try to forgive the awful way that Eliz- I treated both you and Trey in the past.”

  She could see his shock at her apology. “Of course, Elizabeth.” He took a seat next to her on the sofa. “Trey did tell me that you’ve undergone some changes since we last met.”

  “I have. I’m not the Elizabeth you knew, thank God. She was an awful person.” She gave him a hopeful smile. “I’d like it if you’d call me Elise. I prefer not to go by ‘Elizabeth’ anymore. Too many negative associations.”

  “Elise.” Rad tried the name out on his tongue then grinned that same crooked, boyish smile from the night before and Elise could see the tension leave his posture. “Thank God for small favors. I thought for certain I’d ruined my chance.”

  “Chance?”

  “The chance to get to know you again, darlin’. Or rather, the chance to get to know the new you. Elise.” Though he’d been in New York for several years, Rad’s voice still held a slight southern accent that made Elise’s toes tingle. “Trey’s quite taken with you, you know. Which is saying a lot, seeing as how we all parted on such bad terms.”

  They were off to a good start, Elise decided. If they could become friends, perhaps eventually he could accept a relationship between her and Trey. And despite everything, she had to admit she was starting to feel more comfortable with Rad, though she probably shouldn’t. There was just something about him. He reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t place who that someone was.