“Brandy?”
“You’re a man of refinement, I see. But unfortunately brandy’s almost impossible to come by these days—at least in this house. Would you like Scotch instead?”
Charlie had never tried Scotch, but she agreed. After smelling it, Charlie took a swallow. It took her breath away. Had she known it was so strong, she would have only taken a sip.
Grayson laughed and brought the decanter with him as he took a seat in one of the wing chairs by the unlit fireplace. Charlie sat down in the other.
“I understand you’re a lawyer.”
“I am. Are you in trouble with the law?”
It was an impertinent question. Why would he make that assumption?
“Actually, my father passed away recently and I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do.” Charlie took another drink of Scotch and set the glass down on the table between the chairs. It wasn’t empty, but Grayson poured more into it. “We were at sea, but I’m guessing the banks won’t just take my word for it that he’s dead. Plus there is a business partner, Dr. Brody Kirk who was shanghaied by the same British warship that killed my father. I’m not sure what to do with the business account since I can’t talk to Dr. Kirk.” She’d like to keep the shipping company running even if it meant building another ship and hiring a captain.
“I see,” Grayson said picking up her glass and handing it to her.
“I have my own account in Charleston and my father’s personal account which I’d like to move here since I’ll be calling Chimerical Cove my homeport now. Can you help me with these matters?”
Grayson tapped his glass against hers, prompting her to take another sip.
“Absolutely,” he said reaching the decanter towards her and pouring more into her glass.
“Also, do you think there is any recourse to get my impressed men out of the British’s hands?”
“Your men?”
Charlie began the lengthy explanation sipping the Scotch as she spoke. As she told him of the initial attack by the British, she found each time she thought of the upsetting details, she took a sip and Grayson was quick to refill it every time she set the glass down.
Charlie leaned her head back in the chair and realized suddenly how strong the Scotch was. She had had way too much and was feeling drunk.
“That’s quite a fantastic story.”
“It’s all true,” Charlie said quickly realizing by his sarcastic tone Grayson didn’t believe her. “And there’s more, but I’ll leave that for Jaxon to tell you.”
She wished that Jaxon would come back soon. The alcohol was really getting to her and she didn’t want to be drunk right now.
“Oh, God, Imelia is coming and she’s going to find me here drunk. What kind of first impression is that going to make? Grayson, I’m not sure if you’re a scrupulous person. You may look like Jaxon, but I suspect you’re not a man of character.”
Grayson laughed. He sounded exactly like Jaxon. “I’m just trying to figure out if you are a man of character, Charlie. Here you are in my brother’s house after a very short acquaintance. You are ensconced in here like you own the place and you and my brother are best of friends.”
Charlie rubbed her temple. “This is going to be like Daniel all over again, isn’t it? Daniel doesn’t like me much either.”
“But he’s coming around,” Jaxon said suddenly from the doorway. He scowled at the pair of them.
Charlie jumped up from her chair and ran over to him. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard. “Grayson thinks I’m a man,” she whispered in his ear as they parted.
Jaxon looked past her to his twin. The look of shock was priceless. He laughed so hard at his brother’s expression that it was almost worth it to come home and find her drunk.
Jaxon took her by the hand back to the wing chair. He sat down then pulled her into his lap. She fell with squeal.
“I see you’ve met my black-hearted brother,” he said to her. “And you’ve met my Charlie,” he said to Grayson. “I’ve barely been gone half an hour and I come back to find my fiancée is drunk with the brother who has stolen every girl I ever liked. Well, this one you can’t have.”
“You’re a girl?” Grayson was genuinely surprised. He had no inkling that Charlie was female.
“Poor Grayson, you should have seen your face when I kissed your brother. I didn’t know someone’s face could go from white to scarlet so quickly. It serves you right for refilling my glass every time I set it down.”
A smile graced Grayson’s countenance. “When we were kids, Jax would do stupid or dangerous things just to see if I’d follow. I almost thought he was testing me again.”