One Night of Misbehavior (16 page)

She stalked toward Elizabeth, fury rushing up from her belly. It exploded from her like lava from a volcano. “Is. It. True?”

Elizabeth backed up half a step. “You can’t come in here. This is private property.”

“I am going to sue you,” Charlotte spat. “You can’t go around telling people—”

Amusement burst from Elizabeth in a harsh laugh. “It’s true. Richard isn’t your father. After your precious mother died, he was stuck with you.”

“He loved me.”

“He loved Lisa. You were part of the package.” Malice coated the words, a sense of satisfaction.

“Don’t listen to her poison.” Ash was a solid presence at her side.

Charlotte focused on Elizabeth, stalking closer, intent on her prey. “What do you mean?”

“Lisa had money.”

Charlotte rejected the words instantly. She remembered her parents together, their quiet laughter and whispering. Yes, they’d loved each other, but they’d loved her too. Then doubt surged through her as other memories—long forgotten—flickered through her mind in a slow-moving film reel. Another man. Big. So big. Shouting. Weeping.

She swallowed her escalating fears. “Who is my father? Where is he?”

“Jason Humphries went to jail for murder. He died three years later in a prison fight.”

Dead
. Charlotte gasped for breath, struggled to maintain her composure, but it was like sucking air through a straw. Her chest tightened. Black spots appeared in her vision. She sucked harder and a little oxygen made it down the narrow tube. A wheeze escaped as she fought for another breath. A roar rushed through her mind. Panicked. Painful.

She felt as if she were floating, untethered, without roots.

She stumbled for the door, determined to leave before the tears welling in her eyes overflowed to dampen her cheeks. She came face-to-face with Ash, stared at him. Her heart twisted in anguish as another truth struck her over the head.

Everything she’d thought of as truth was a big lie.

And now the publicity would go crazy, even worse than it had been to date. The facts about her father’s history and the lie she’d been unknowingly living would be rehashed in the press. And Ash…no, she was only prolonging the inevitable. She yanked off her engagement ring and pressed it into his hand, evading his grasp, not stopping at his hoarse, shocked words.

The publicity was hurting his business already, and she couldn’t live with herself if his clients deserted him because of his association with her. It was much safer to her sanity and her heart to leave now, before he left her.

Charlotte walked out of the kitchen without looking back.

Ash stared at the sapphire-and-diamond ring in his hand, paralyzed by what had just happened. Charlotte wasn’t thinking straight. She was distraught. They’d work this out.

A harsh laugh—one tinged with sly amusement—jerked him from his frenzied thoughts.

“I’m not surprised,” Elizabeth said. “Considering her father’s instability, Charlotte’s behavior is not unexpected.”

“Why?” For the first time in his life, Ash wanted to hit a woman. His gaze took in Jenny. “Why did you do this to Charlotte?”

“Charlotte gets everything,” Jenny cried. “She got an inheritance from Gran, she lands a job when she doesn’t have any training, and you. She snared you. Charlotte gets everything and she doesn’t deserve it.”

If they knew how carefully he’d wooed Charlotte, how he might have lost her because of their meddling. Instinctively he’d known something was broken in her, had recognized it because he’d felt the same pain battering him inside before, emotions fighting for freedom. The difference was the support he’d received from his father, his relations and friends.

Charlotte had never had the same safety net.

Ash sent Jenny a disgusted glare and turned his wrath on Elizabeth. “And you? What excuses do you have for your behavior?”

“Excuses?
Excuses?
” Elizabeth screeched. “That girl has been a boil on my backside from the day we met. I didn’t want another child, but I put up with her for Richard. I loved him. I thought I could make him love me in the same way.”

Ash gaped at her, shocked by her spite. Charlotte had been an innocent child. None of this had been her fault. He edged to the door, wanting to leave, before the filth in this house rubbed off on him. No. He needed to know everything before he approached Charlotte. In order to heal, she needed to understand the why of this mess.

“None of this is Charlotte’s fault. She was an innocent child.”

“She is the bloody key to every problem I have.” Elizabeth’s cool blonde façade melted into an ugly mask of resentment and anger. “All of Lisa’s money went to Charlotte. Richard had guardianship once Lisa died. I wanted him to get rid of her, but he refused. He loved Lisa and her daughter. Even when he was dying in the hospital, his last words were of Lisa and Charlotte. I loved him, and he cried out for her, for them.”

“What happened to Lisa’s money?”

“I spent it. It was easy since Richard made me Charlotte’s legal guardian.”

Jenny gasped. “You stole Charlotte’s inheritance?”

“Every cent,” Elizabeth said in satisfaction.

“But it didn’t make you feel better,” Ash said. “You made her into a slave, playing on her soft heart. You made her into Cinderella.”

Elizabeth shrugged and laughed lightly. “Can’t beat payback.”

“You make me sick,” Ash said. “Stay away from Charlotte. If you so much as look in her direction I’ll have you in court so fast your head will spin. Understand?” He was tired of playing nice. “And you.” He whirled on Jenny. “Don’t bother coming into work again. I’ll ask Laura to give you a reference, but I’m only doing it so I don’t sink to your level.”

“No. Please—” Jenny broke off under his furious glare.

Ash strode out of the McDougal house, feeling in need of a shower. Outside, he couldn’t see Charlotte. He rang Maria, asking her to let him know if Charlotte arrived at the boutique. He made a quick call to Laura and told her to cancel his appointments for the next two weeks.

“But I can’t reschedule everything,” she protested.

“Do it,” Ash said in a hard voice. “You and John can take care of everything between you. I’ll be in touch on a daily basis, but I won’t be in Auckland. Tell clients I have a family emergency. I’ll be at home for the rest of the day. Ring me around five.” He hung up before she responded and drove toward home.

Charlotte would have to go there at some stage, even if was only to collect her belongings. He’d wait until she arrived and make her listen to him.

* * * * *

Charlotte sat in the far corner of a café, staring into her coffee cup. The second she thought of Ash, the tears started again, raining down her cheeks. She bit back a sob, aware people were staring.

An elderly waitress delivered coffee and cake to a neighboring table and returned to hand Charlotte several tissues.

“There, there, dear,” she murmured. “I’m sure he’s not worth all these tears.”

“Thanks,” she croaked.

You shouldn’t have given back the ring
,
Ms Feisty snapped.
Ash loves you.

Charlotte wasn’t so sure. How could she trust her instincts when she hadn’t known the truth about her own family? Heck, she’d never suspected a thing.

Ash loves you
,
Ms. Feisty insisted.
He’s a good man. You need to talk to him, explain how you feel. He’s not a damn mind reader. And tell Ash you love him in return. You know you love him. You can fix this mess. All you need to do is talk to him. I don’t want to lose, Ash.
Ms. Feisty stomped her foot, and the dull ache in Charlotte’s head intensified.

She pushed away the full coffee cup, blotted her face with the crumpled tissues and took a deep breath.

Ash deserved an explanation about why they couldn’t be together. He needed to learn about the nerves gouged raw by Elizabeth’s revelations. Maybe he’d even forgive her, and they could remain friends. All she needed was a little honesty, a smidge of bravery. Friends was best while she found her feet and regained some sort of equilibrium.

Charlotte stood and left the café. She was at the stop for a few minutes before the bus arrived. Ignoring the hovering reporters and their hollered questions at Ash’s house, she opened the security gate and slipped through.

Ash was at the door to meet her. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head mutely, tears welling yet again, when she thought she’d cried every drop of moisture from her body already.

“Aw, sweetheart,” he whispered. His arms wrapped around her, his warmth, his familiar scent and his smoky voice calming as he murmured words of comfort.

When her sobs slowed to hiccups, he pulled back and led her into the lounge. He guided her to the leather couch and pulled her on his knee.

“Tell me why you gave me back my ring,” he said.

Charlotte hesitated.

“You can tell me anything,” he said. “God knows, I’ve suffered plenty of insecurities due to my scars. I have no intention of judging.”

Surprised, she pulled back, staring into his pretty blue eyes. He regarded her steadily, not a hint of anger in him. Puzzlement, yes, but he didn’t seem annoyed.

Tell him,
Ms. Feisty said impatiently.
Procrastinating will make it harder.

“Everything I thought I knew about my past is a lie,” she blurted. “I can’t…Elizabeth and Jenny with their story. I thought…I’ve brought you trouble, here and at work.” She sucked in a quick breath. “I can’t…” She trailed off, struggling to put her thoughts into words.

“Elizabeth did it because she’s jealous of you. When Richard died his last words and thoughts were of your mother and you rather than Elizabeth. Jenny acted out of jealousy too. She thinks you get everything by clicking your fingers.”

An incredulous laugh squeezed past her tight lips. “They’re jealous of me?”

“Yes,” Ash said. “Charlotte?”

The stern note in his voice forced her to lift her head. “Yes.”

“I don’t care about your past.”

She sighed tiredly, recognizing the serious flaw in his words. “The press will make it a big deal. This is only the start of this mess.”

“All I care about is now and my future with you,” he said.

“My real father was a criminal. He murdered someone. I feel as if I don’t know who I am anymore.”

“You’re Charlotte Dixon, the woman I love,” Ash said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “You’re the first woman I’ve met who sees the real me rather than my bank account. My scars don’t throw you. You’re the woman I want to marry. You challenge me with your clever brain, you make me laugh, and you excite me with your sexy body. Sweetheart, I can’t promise the publicity will die down soon. Life’s not like that, but I can promise I will treasure and love you with every part of me. Hell, I fell halfway in love with you at the ball, before I even knew your name. Nothing else matters apart from our feelings for each other.”

Charlotte listened to the timbre of his voice, the passion in him and tendrils of belief unfurled deep inside her. He really didn’t care about the publicity or what people would say about her murderous father. “What happens if I’m not sure?”

“We don’t need to hurry. I’ll woo you to my way of thinking, maybe tie you to my bed. I have enough money to buy a new bed especially for the purpose.”

A faint smile curled her lips before she sobered again. “I need to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do things on my own. I don’t want you to smooth my way for me. I need this, Ash. After living with Elizabeth, I need to feel I’m the one driving my life.”

Ash frowned before finally nodding. “I understand the need for independence, but could you meet me halfway? Keep up with the design work you’re doing or go to university. Whatever you like,” he said. “But, Charlotte, we’re good together. What do you say? Will you marry me? Please, put your ring back on and stay with me.”

“I’m scared.” And it was true. Fear bubbled in the depths of her soul. Not rational but real all the same. The fear of losing herself again, her very identity.

“It’s okay to feel afraid.” Ash tipped her head up so he could see her face. “It’s not all right to run away or stick your head down a burrow. Cowardice isn’t an option, not for the Charlotte I know.”

“Maybe you don’t know the real me.”

“Oh, I know the real you. You’re feisty, sometimes impulsive. You have a huge heart, and you’re capable of giving so much love.” He tugged on a tendril of red hair. “We can stay engaged for as long as you want. I know our relationship has happened quickly. We can move at our own pace.”

“The stories in the papers won’t go away.”

Ash sighed. “No, they won’t. The best thing is to issue a formal statement and ride out the attention until another story takes its place. I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?”

Charlotte nodded.

“You’ve almost finished the campaigns I’ve given you. I’ve cleared space in my schedule. Why don’t we go away for a week or ten days? Somewhere quiet where it’s just the two of us. Do you have a passport?”

“Yes, Gran took us to the Gold Coast in Australia for a holiday a few years ago.”

“How does a private bungalow in Tahiti sound? At one of the resorts where they’re used to dealing with guests who require privacy.”

“We could do that?” What she meant was, would he do that for her?

* * * * *

Seven days later

The waves lapped at the shore, and with each step Ash caught a whiff of the floral scent from the flower Charlotte wore tucked behind her ear. When he glanced at her, she smiled, the sexy grin sending a frantic message darting below his belt. He kept walking, the warmth from her hand wrapped in his a comfortable one.

Away from media scrutiny, she’d relaxed. They’d talked about their pasts and what they hoped for the future. They’d talked about her need for independence within their relationship, and after everything she’d told him of life with Elizabeth, he understood her desire for freedom. They’d discussed Elizabeth and the theft of Charlotte’s inheritance, deciding to tell Elizabeth they’d ignore her theft if she refrained from giving further interviews. Charlotte excited him, fulfilled him. Most people would think it sappy, but she completed him in the best of ways.

“This is nice,” she said, directing their steps into the water.

He reached over to lightly tap her nose. “Someone got a bit much sun today.”

“It will probably peel,” she said in a cheerful tone. “At least that’s the only part of me to catch the sun.” She scanned his naked upper body, browned by days of swimming and snorkeling. “You’re lucky you don’t burn.”

Ash laughed, putting on a leer and directing his gaze to her chest. “It’s no hardship rubbing lotion on you. How far do you want to walk?”

“Maybe a bit farther. What’s the time?”

“About three thirty.”

“Okay.” She huffed out a breath. It was hard enough to stir the collar of the long gauzy shirt she wore over her bikini. “I want to ask you something.”

The serious note in her voice shoved the indulgent smile off his face. He noted her nervousness, the way she’d averted his gaze. The stirrings of foreboding caught him unawares. He’d thought things were going well between them. If she told him she wanted out of their engagement…

“Sure, go ahead.”
Settle
,
he told himself. Wait. Listen and panic then if necessary.

She took a breath, more of a gulp really and lifted her gaze. A second breath made her breasts rise and fall, but he didn’t allow the distraction. She fumbled with the small bag she carried slung over her shoulder and pulled out something. For another instant, she hesitated, her brown eyes full of anxiety.

A third breath whispered in and out of her before she held out her hand and opened it. In the middle of her palm sat a gold band. “Ash, will you marry me?”

He stared at her, shock pummeling him. His attention drifted to the ring in her hand, and his vision blurred.

“Um, you don’t have to. I mean… Damn, I’m making a mess of this,” she said in frustration. “I’ll start again. I love you, Ash Marlborough, and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

The explosion of emotions inside Ash threatened to send him to his knees. She was amazing. His woman. And she loved him. Aware she was starting to look uncomfortable, he smiled so wide it hurt his mouth. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” He yanked her into his arms and kissed her, a possessive kiss. One with little finesse, but it contained every emotion that rioted around inside him.

Charlotte curled her hand around the ring and kissed him back.
You’re only half done,
Ms. Feisty reminded her.