An Officer but No Gentleman(61)
“Well, maybe you should leave me alone for a minute so we can find out what he wants.”
Jaxon frowned. She didn’t know Grayson like he did. Everything Jaxon liked Grayson wanted. Charlie was not some toy Jaxon would ever share. Jaxon gave her a peck on the cheek and reluctantly left her standing alone next to the large oak tree in the yard. He entered the house and watched through the window sheers as Grayson made his approach.
“You are quite the little actress, aren’t you?” Grayson said snidely. “You didn’t even know our cousin so why would you cry over his death?”
“Grayson, I know this is not about Jimmy. What do you want?”
“I want you to come to my office tomorrow morning at 8:00 o’clock. I’ve decided to go to Charleston and help you with your inheritance. You will need to sign some papers giving me the authority to act on your behalf.”
“Oh.” People rarely surprised Charlie, but this took her off guard. “You couldn’t tell me this while Jaxon was here?”
“I didn’t know if you’d told him of our conversation. Attorney/client privilege prevents me from telling others what we discussed without your approval.”
“For future reference, I have no intentions of keeping secrets from Jaxon. You can discuss these things in front of him.”
“Good, I was hoping you would say that.” Grayson made a mock bowing gesture. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“We’ll see you in the morning.”
Jaxon was at her side within seconds of his twin’s departure.
“He wants me to come by his office at 8:00 tomorrow morning so I can sign some papers. He’s going to go to Charleston to take care of my inheritance.”
“I don’t buy it. He’s up to something,” Jaxon said frowning, looking off in the direction where Grayson had gone.
“You aren’t children anymore.”
“That is why I don’t know what he’s up to yet. If that was all he wanted, why didn’t he just approach you while I was with you?”
“Attorney/client privilege, he said.”
Jaxon continued to frown. Grayson never did anything without a motive. “I’m going with you in the morning.”
“Good, because that’s what I told him.”
Jaxon put his arms around her and pulled her close. He casually looked around to make sure no one was watching, but didn’t kiss her.
“We have an audience,” he said in her ear. “Come on. You haven’t met Jayne yet. You sit on one side of her and I’ll sit on the other or she’ll get away.”
Jayne sat on the edge of the porch pretending to read her book despite the fact Jaxon had seen her watching them seconds earlier. She was a petite eighteen-year-old with the signature Bloodworthy black hair, but her eyes were vivid green.
“Hello, Jayne. Whatcha reading? I bet it’s something naughty like Tom Jones or Moll Flanders.” Jaxon was nearly giddy as he teased his sister. He began pulling at the book and she pulled back slapping at his hands.
“And what if it is? I’m eighteen and out of the schoolroom.”
“Jayne! I’m going to tell Mother.”
“And I’ll tell her you gave me the books.”
They laughed companionably. It was Jayne who suddenly stopped remembering why the family was gathered together.
“Charlie, I want you to meet my favorite younger sister, Jayne.”
“Imelia is his favorite older sister and Grace and Sloane are his favorite twin sisters,” she said quietly not looking at Charlie.
“But I like you best because you’re the quietest.”
Jayne smiled, but kept her head down. “They can wear you out with all that chattering. It’s nice to meet you, Charlie.”
“I have a feeling you and I will be best friends,” Charlie said. “Do you ever lend your books? I would love to read Tom Jones and Moll Flanders.”
“So would I,” Jayne admitted quietly.
“Jayne!” Jaxon interjected with feigned horror.
“Well, I didn’t want to read them until you said they were naughty.”
“Jax has lots of books in his library. You should come by and see if there’s anything you’d like to read.”
“He’s never invited me over. Are you sure it’s all right?”
Jax put his arm around her shoulder. “How can you say I never invited you over? We’re family. The invitation is implied. You are always welcome. And,” he added. “I think there is a book of fairy stories for you to read.”
“It’s probably the only book there you’ve read.”
Jayne elbowed him in the side making Jaxon grunt in pain. She caught him right in his injured side. He tried not to react further, but Charlie realized his sister had hurt him, and he didn’t want Jayne to know.