Corinne felt strangely happy all of a sudden. He had gone to so much trouble for her.
He held her elbow until they reached the front door of her house. Dawn was just creeping over the horizon, but Corinne felt wide awake.
"I'm going to kiss you, Corinne Barrows," Jared said suddenly.
Before she could react, he had pulled her into his arms. It was a gentle yet forceful kiss, and Corinne didn't have the will to resist for more than a moment. He did not press her tightly against him as Russell often tried to do, but just held her firmly enough so she couldn't escape.
He released her. "Before you bite my head off for taking such a liberty, you have to know that nothing could have stopped me just then. Not you, nor my own will. I felt compelled to kiss you and couldn't resist doing so."
Corinne smiled. "You disappoint me—Jared. I wouldn't have expected you to apologize."
She left him like that, completely surprised and pleased by her response..
Chapter 8
Corinne sauntered into the parlor. "So there you are, Father. What are you doing, sitting here in the dark?"
Samuel was slouched in a large, comfortable chair with a brandy in one hand. "The fire gives enough light, and it's more peaceful this way," he replied, turning a speculative gaze on his daughter. "You're all dressed up? Have you plans for this evening?"
Corinne went to stand by the fireplace, lifting her skirts a little to warm her legs. September nights were getting much too chilly. She made a mental note to wear something warmer later that night.
"Jared is taking me to a recital. He should be here shortly."
"Jared, is it?" Samuel raised a brow. "I didn't know your relationship with Mr. Burk had become so intimate."
"Don't be silly," Corinne admonished. "It's just that I feel foolish calling him Mr. Burk after he has been my escort more than a dozen times in the last two months." She did not include the many times he had taken her to the gambling club. "We've enjoyed dinners, luncheons, the theater. He even took me to the Compton's ball, which you were too busy to attend, and we've gone upstate for the races."
"My, my," Samuel mused, pretending he didn't know his daughter's every move. He knew all about her dates with Burk. "What has happened to Mr. Drayton? Is he no longer in the picture?"
Corinne stiffened. "Russell had to go to New York in the middle of summer."
"Business—or pleasure?"
"Neither," Corinne snapped. "His mother's people Eve there. His grandfather is ill and the doctors warn that he might not recover. Russell says he's really quite old. Anyway, it was only proper that he go."
"And so you have turned to Mr. Burk in his absence?" Samuel asked pointedly.
"You really can be exasperating at times, Father," Corinne retorted. "Russell will be back any time now, and he will be my husband eventually. I simply see no reason to confine myself while he's gone."
Samuel frowned. "You're not leading Jared Burk on just because you need an escort, are you, Cori? He's not a man to trifle with."
"I've been told that before," she laughed. "But no, Father. Jared knows how I feel about Russell, that I intend to marry him. We enjoy each other's company, that's all. He really has turned out to be quite likeable."
"You thought differently when you first met him," Samuel reminded her.
"First impressions aren't always accurate. I was wrong about him. I admit it."
"Is there a chance that's not all you're wrong about, Cori?" he ventured.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you sure Burk considers your relationship as innocent as you say it is?" Samuel asked in a serious tone.
Corinne shrugged off his concern. "Of course he does. Oh, I may flirt and banter with Jared, but that adds spice to our encounters. Life would be utterly boring without a little flirtation. He knows I don't mean anything by it."
"He knows you so well, eh? Can you say the same? Have you learned anything about him during all these innocent outings? Where exactly does he come from? Who are his people? You don't know if he comes from good stock, do you?"
"I have asked him, but he always evades my questions," Corinne replied, then grinned. "I do believe he likes his role as mystery man."
"Aren't you curious, though?"
"Not especially, but you certainly seem to be," Corinne said. "Why haven't you asked him where he comes from?"
"I did."
"And?"
"And he evades answering me as well. He said it wasn't important, that it didn't concern our negotiations. And he was right."
"Well, if he invests with you, then you will find the answers when he leaves Boston. He will have to give you a forwarding address if he intends to collect his profits."
"Well, then I should know any day now."
"Why?"
"He made his investment with our firm last week," Samuel answered, amused by his daughter's surprise. "Didn't he mention it?"
"No, he didn't. He didn't say a thing to me about it," Corinne said, suddenly quite annoyed. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I haven't seen very much of you lately, my dear. Either I'm working, or you're nowhere to be found."
"So he's a partner then?" Corinne said, more to herself than to her father. She couldn't understand why Jared hadn't said anything to her about it.
"Yes, he's a partner, all right," Samuel returned with a chuckle. "He invested much more than we anticipated, almost a half million."
Corinne let out a slow whistle. "You didn't need that much for the expansion, did you?"
"No, but Mr. Burk insisted. It was the only deal he would agree to."
"And that gave him more shares than you intended he have, didn't it?"
"Yes. He now owns as many shares as Cousin Elliot and I own. If he wanted to, he could counter our votes. Which would leaveyour vote as the deciding one."
"But you control my vote."
"Yes, I do," Samuel smiled.
Corinne gasped at the sly look in her father's eyes. "You didn't tell Mm that, did you?"
Samuel shook his head slowly, savoring his business
judgement "He will find out at the first board meeting—
if he is here to attend it." x
"You deceived him, then!"
"Hardly. I just wisely withheld a few facts. Do you think I didn't know he has been paying court to you? If he hadn't paid so much attention to you, then I wouldn't have felt the need to conceal those facts. As it is, I have to consider all possibilities, and one is that he may have hopes of taking over the firm. If not, then why such a large investment?"
"That is ridiculous," Corinne replied doubtfully. "What does he know of shipyards?"
"Must I remind you that we know nothing about him, Cori? If he hadn't been so secretive, then perhaps I wouldn't have either. But regardless, if it was his intention to control the firm by manipulating you, then he's in for a big surprise and it's only what he deserves. And if he had no such plans, then it won't matter one way or the other."
"Jared is not as devious as you imply," she said angrily. "No, he's probably not. But it doesn't hurt to be cautious. And time will tell."
"Yes, time will prove that your imagination has run rampant," she rejoined.
"You're very defensive of him," Samuel observed. "You haven't by chance been fooling yourself about your involvement with him, have you, Cori? He's a very attractive man, the kind women fall in love with easily."
"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Corinne accused him, her eyes suddenly darkening to deepest emerald. "He's just the type of man you would approve of!"
"Well, I doubt he would let you run wild the way I have," Samuel chuckled.
"You can get thoughts of matchmaking out of your head right now!" Corinne snapped hotly. "I'm going to marry Russell!"
"Not as long as I have anything to say about it!" Samuel raised his voice Jo match hers.
Corinne glared at him. He would never give in, she could see that now. She would just have to find someo
ne else. But not Jared Burk, definitely not him. Oh, he was charming enough, handsome and rich enough, and when he kissed her, as he had many times, she felt a thrill all through her body. Without any effort he sucked her will away, and for just that reason he would not do for a husband.
"Very well, Father," Corinne said coolly. "When Russell returns, I'll tell him I won't see him anymore."
"Good. Then you're going to consider Burk?" he asked, unable to hide the hopeful gleam in his eyes.
"How can you even ask that after you practically accused him of trying to take over our shipyard?"
"I said no such thing. I said it was only a possibility, and not a very likely one."
She glared at him. "You would let him marry me, though, wouldn't you?"
"I think he would make a good husband, yes," Samuel said truthfully.
,"Well, I don't. And he will be leaving soon anyway," she said, killing her father's hope.
"Where is he? Didn't you say he would be here shortly?"
Corinne looked at the clock on the mantle and frowned. "He's late."
Samuel chuckled. "Well, that's a change. For once someone has kept you waiting."
"Well, it will be the last time!" she replied stiffly, and started pacing the floor. "I won't be seeing him again after tonight"
"Just because he's late?"
"No, because I can't very well find my future husband if Jared Burk is monopolizing my time."
"You're very cold, daughter," Samuel said disapprovingly, "I pity the man you do finally marry."
Chapter 9
JARED was thirty minutes late, which put Corinne in an even worse mood than her conversation with her father had done. She greeted him coldly, and said very little to him the entire evening, except to confirm his promise to pick her up again after midnight. Jared did not question her silence, assuming she was pouting because of his tardiness. Corinne let him think so. She would explain later, before he brought her home from the club.
Corinne was not really angry with Jared, but with her father for his unreasonable stubbornness. All that time wasted on Russell. And now time would be wasted in finding another man to suit her needs. But to wait another two years for her money was even more unthinkable.
That problem was not enough, for Jared posed another. She did not look forward to telling him that she wouldn't see him again, and explaining why. She hated having to break off a relationship, to suffer the hurt looks and pleadings as she had with William and Charles. She was not so cold-hearted that the scenes did not affect her, but she was too strong-willed to let them sway her.
With Jared she did not feel quite so much guilt, for she had not instigated their relationship, as she had the others. He was the one who insisted she see him again and again. Granted, she used him as an escort, but he used her for a diversion during his stay in Boston. So he would have no right to be upset when she talked to him later.
Corinne built up more resentment against Jared after they reached the club that night. Each time he brought her here, he insisted she play at his table so he could keep an eye on her. And each time she played with him, she lost to him. It was infuriating.
Tonight was no different. They had been at the club for three hours. It was not crowded, for this was a week night and many of the earlier gamblers had gone home long ago. Only three tables were still occupied. Corinne was about ready to quit. Again, Jared had won all her money.
"This will be my last hand," Corinne announced.
"I think mine, too," said the sandy-haired man on Co-rinne's left.
"We might as well all quit,, then," responded the only other player besides Jared.
Jared nodded in agreement and Corinne dealt draw poker. She had just enough chips to finish this hand, as long as there were no raises. She prayed this last time for that one hand that would give her a sure win. This would be the last time she would come here with Jared, the last chance she had to beat him—just once, only once was all she asked for.
She spread her cards slowly, and held her breath as the queen, jack, nine and eight of clubs appeared one at a time to tantalize her. She squeezed off the last card slowly, but her heart fell when she saw the three of diamonds. However, there was still the draw, and though she would have to fill an inside straight for the best hand of a straight flush, a regular flush was also possible and not a hand to scoff at.
Jared opened the betting, and Corinne and one other player called. The other player took three cards; Jared asked for two, leading her to believe he was drawing to three of a kind. She took her one card and was almost afraid to look at it. Jared bet again, the limit for their table, fifty dollars, and Corinne gently lifted her draw card from the table and put it in her hand. She did not bat an eye as she stared at the ten of clubs. A queen high straight flush, just two cards under a royal, the best hand possible! She couldn't believe it. It was the best hand she had ever held, yet she had no money to bet itl She didn't even have enough to call, since Jared had bet the limit. She wondered furiously if he had done it on purpose, knowing she couldn't call.
"It's up to you, Corinne," Jared said.
She looked at him icily, and then addressed the other players with a most beguiling smile. "Would you mind if I left the table for a moment before we finish this hand?
I know it's not usually allowed, but this is the last hand and I would like to see it through."
"Go right ahead," said the man who had folded.
"Don't matter to me, either," said the other man, and threw in. his cards. "I'm not going to call anyway."
Corinne glared at Jared, daring him to object. "Do you mind?"
"I hardly think it's necessary to see the owner about more money, Corinne, when this is the last hand. Why don't you just throw in too and we'll call it a night?"
"I would rather finish," she said stiffly. "Or are you afraid I might finally beat you?"
He shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "Very well, I will wait. But don't be too long."
She left the table, but returned after only a few minutes in bitter disappointment. The owner had refused to give her any more credit.
"Well?" Jared questioned upon seeing her forlorn expression.
She looked at him speculatively. "Would you take my I.O.U.? You know I'm good for it"
Jared waited a few moments before answering. "If that's the case, why dont we raise the limit? As you say, you're good for it, and it's just the two of us now."
The other two players had gone. They were alone, and now she felt the old thrill of the game that she hadn't felt since she started playing with Jared. She was going to beat him, and for high stakes.
"Five thousand?" she suggested.
She noted his look of surprise and grinned. That was more money than she could afford to pay without going to her father. But she wouldn't have to do that, for she was going to win this hand, and win it big.
Jared nodded, and withdrew pen and paper from his pocket. "You haven't called my bet, Corinne."
She took the paper and wrote an I.O.U. to cover his bet and her raise. "And five thousand," she said confidently, never more sure of a winning hand.
Jared reached into his pocket again and took out a wad of bills and peeled off some. "There's your five." He paused and counted off more money. "And five more."
Corinne was delighted. She reached for the paper to match his bet and raise him again, but Jared stopped her.
"I won't accept another I.O.U., Corinne."
"Why not?"
"Because I know where you will have to go to honor the debt, and I don't think he will be too pleased."
"My father will never know, Jared, because I don't intend to lose."
"This is a game of chance, Corinne," he warned her in a level tone. "Only one hand is unbeatable, and the odds are you don't have it."
"Are you afraid I might have beat the odds?" she challenged him.
"You're that sure of your hand?"
"I am."
"That's too bad, then,
since you can't afford to call," he said offhandedly.
Her temper exploded. "Why did you raise me, then, if you didn't intend to let me cover it?"
He completely ignored her outrage. "You are the one who left the pot open to another raise by raising me. You also suggested a five thousand limit. I agreed to no more," he reminded her casually.
"I meant per bet!"
"Well, I didn't."
"You're contemptible, Jared Burk," she said hotly. "It's just as well that I decided not to see you again after tonight."
"You do take defeat graciously, don't you?" he said with heavy irony.
"That has nothing to do with it!" she snapped, her expression furious. "I was going to tell you on the way home. It's nothing against you—at least, it wasn't until now! But you have just proved yourself beneath me. I wouldn't see you again if you begged me to!"
He shocked her by smiling. "By God, woman, you actually expect me to, don't you? I don't think I've ever met anyone quite as vain as you are."
Corinne turned bright red, but stiffened her back and rose with dignity. "So now you insult me. Well, I don't have to listen to any more."
She started to leave, but Jared reached across the table and grabbed her wrist. "Sit down, Corinne."
"I will not!"
"Sit down!" he commanded in a voice she had never heard him use before.
She did so, but first jerked her arm free. Then she waited, her eyes like fiery emeralds as she glared at him.
Jared leaned back in his own chair and reached into yet another pocket and pulled out several small pieces of white paper. He tossed them across the table at Corinne and met her murderous stare.
"Since neither of us has any intention of seeing the other after tonight, you can honor these now."
She picked up the notes and was aghast to recognize her I.O.U.S to the club for two thousand dollars, now payable to Jared Burk. Her eyes turned on him accusingly.
"How did you get these?"
"I bought them."
"Why?"
"That doesn't matter. What matters is I am collecting on them now, including the one you signed only a few minutes ago. Seven thousand, lady."
He said lady with such contempt that she flinched. "If my debt was paid in full here, why wouldn't they give me more credit tonight?"