Accidental Bride(45)

“Oh, I know. I wasn’t thinking of bringing it into the Damon fold. I do a few things on my own, you know.” He twitched his eyebrows at her, making the words teasing rather than reproachful. “I wouldn’t mind talking to him, though. He really impressed me.”

Kelly was almost hugging herself with excitement as she closed her fingers around the business card. She could hardly wait to see Peter, so she could tell him.

Etta gave her a little smile, like they shared a secret. “He only says that when someone reminds him of himself.”

“Hey!” Harrison objected, as his wife and Kelly both laughed.





Nine




“What do you mean you told him about Eden Manor?” Peter asked, his voice low, but his face tightening into a frown.

Kelly had been so excited about her conversation with Harrison Damon that she’d started telling Peter the story as they were walking to their car after the party. Since several other people were making the same walk—including her sisters and grandmother—she’d told him discreetly, so no one else could hear what she was saying.

“I was just talking,” she explained, realizing Peter must have misunderstood and thought she’d made a point of going around and asking for money from any stray rich person she saw. “Not even to him. I was talking to his wife, only I didn’t know who she was, and she was asking about you, so I just mentioned it. Then she told Harrison, and he gave me his card to give to you. I think he was serious about possibly investing. It’s amazing, really.”

Peter had his hand on her back as they walked, but it didn’t feel affectionate as much as him keeping her close so they could continue their low-voiced conversation. “I don’t want to run a Damon property.”

“I know that.” She was starting to get annoyed that he was acting so displeased with such a great opportunity. “He knows that too. I told him. He said he does some things on his own. He’d just be a silent partner or something. Why are you acting so grumpy about it?”

They’d reached the car, and they both stopped, facing each other. “You know I want to do this on my own. I don’t need you going around soliciting donations for me.”

She sucked in a breath, feeling like she’d just been slapped. She was about to snap out a response when she saw her grandmother approaching. Instead, she slipped the business card into Peter’s pocket and whispered quickly, “Fine. Whatever. He told me to give you his card so I did. You can take it or leave it. I’ll know better than to try to support you again.” Her voice cracked on the last words, something she hated. She wasn’t an emotional person by nature. She didn’t know why being married to Peter was taking such a toll on her mental stability.

When Peter opened his mouth to reply, she turned away from him intentionally. “Let me open the door for you, Grandmama,” she said, with false cheerfulness.

Her grandmother was shooting suspicious looks at Peter, as if she somehow knew he’d upset Kelly. “If your husband was a gentleman, he’d open the door himself.”

This wasn’t fair. At all. Peter always went out of his way to open doors—not just for Grandmama but for Kelly too. His face twisted slightly, as if he was having to restrain himself from replying.

Even though she was exasperated with him herself, she couldn’t help but defend him. “Don’t be snippy, Grandmama. You know Peter is always doing things for you. He sometimes lets me open my own doors because he knows I’m not helpless.”

Her grandmother tsked her tongue, but didn’t respond, which was a relief. Kelly helped her into the front seat while Peter got into the driver’s seat. When Kelly had climbed in the back, she saw Peter giving her a questioning look in the rearview mirror.

She shook her head briefly, to indicate that the rest of the conversation would have to wait until they were alone. They drove home in silence, but Peter kept watching her through the mirror. It made Kelly very self-conscious, especially since she couldn’t seem to control her emotions.

It shouldn’t have hurt so much—Peter throwing her gesture of genuine support back in her face. She knew he was irrationally stubborn about accepting help.

But how could she be his wife, or even his friend, if he refused to let her help him at all?

It was only a fifteen minute drive home, but it seemed to last forever. When they finally pulled into the driveway, Kelly was exhausted and drained from trying to keep a natural expression on her face.

She just wanted to go to bed. Except Peter would be right there in bed beside her.

They walked with her grandmother into the house, and Peter set down the flowers she’d brought back with her. Kelly was about to head to her room to change clothes when Peter reached out for her hand. “Do you want to take a walk?” he asked softly.