An Officer but No Gentleman(83)

“Your four oldest brothers will see to it no one gives you the wrong type of attention.”

“This is not about me,” she snapped. “Anyone who’s ever met Charlie knows how naïve she is. They will say you took advantage—nay, unfair advantage of her ignorance. You will be the worst type of villain.”

Jaxon ran his hand through his hair. “I told her this morning, I would do right by her and she said it didn’t matter—she would probably never marry.”

Jayne gasped at the implication and struck him on the chest. “Are you telling me you ruined more than her reputation?”

Jaxon cringed realizing Jayne did not know he had slept with her until that moment. She had simply taken him at his word that he would wait until the marriage.

“You promised Mother that you could wait.”

“Jayne—”

“Jaxon—Do you not understand why Charlie said she would not marry someone else? There are only two reasons I can think of. Either she will not marry because you have ruined her or because she cannot imagine marrying anyone but you.”

He hated being lectured by a girl barely out of the school room, but he let her continue because he knew she was saying what everyone would say.

“I told you already, she will not have me.”

“If you love her, you will find a way to convince her.”

He stared at his younger sister and hesitantly admitted, “I don’t know if I ever loved her.”

Jayne struck him again. “You don’t know? You ruined a maiden you did not love? You truly are a reprobate.”

“I thought I loved her. I was just wrong.”

“Well, then it will be doubly dreadful when you’re forced to take her as wife.”

Jaxon stared at the young woman before him and wondered where his timid sister had gone.

Jayne held her hand out in front of her brother’s face and slowly counted to ten as she tried to calm her breathing. “Perhaps, Jax, Charlie is too naïve to understand what her ruination means. I cannot believe she would choose ruin to marriage.” Her lips pursed as tears reddened her eyes. “I always thought you and I were of a kindred mind and I recognized that same trait in Charlie. But you have ruined her and thrown her over like yesterday’s leavings.”

“It is not like that,” he protested, hating hearing the harshness of her words.

“It is like that. What would you do if a man had ruined me like that?”

Jaxon’s brow lowered at the comparison. He hated to admit she was right.

“I will talk to her again. I will make sure she understands. But I will not force her. Charlie may be naïve, but she is far from a simpleton. If she will not have me, what am I to do?”

Jayne sighed shakily. “Please, brother, do talk to her. Charlie may be your only hope to find a wife. Even without the scars, two broken engagements would be the death knell of most men socially,” Jayne said. “I shall keep this to myself for the time being, but I will tell Mother if I have to.”





30





It was 7:00 o’clock in the morning when Jaxon heard the knocking at his front door. He’d barely stepped out of the tub and had only a towel wrapped around himself. Jaxon cursed and for one moment wished he employed some sort of servant who could answer the door. Jaxon threw on a dressing robe and hurried down the stairs cursing whoever would call at such an ungodly hour as the devil himself and a scoundrel. Soaking had done little to alleviate the pain in his leg and now having to face the stairs an extra time irked him.

“Who in their right mind knocks on someone’s door at 7:00 o’clock in the morning?” Jaxon shouted as he angrily flung open the door.

“I’m obviously not in my right mind or I wouldn’t be here at all.”

“Charlie, uh.”

“I’m sorry, I know it’s early. I just wanted to catch you at home so I could get my boots. This pair is too small and...”

Jaxon stepped back allowing her entrance. “Come on up,” he said indicating the stairs with a flourish of his hand, knowing if she didn’t go upstairs to get them herself, he’d have to face the stairs yet one more time to bring them down.

Charlie hesitated. She knew it was improper, but it wasn’t as if she was going to allow anything to happen. She also knew Jaxon wasn’t the sort of man to force himself on a woman. With a slight sigh of resignation, Charlie climbed the stairs. She was nearly to the top when she turned to speak to Jaxon and saw him holding his leg and grimacing as he slowly climb the stairs behind her.

“What’s wrong with your leg?”

“It’s just that old injury acting up.” He didn’t want to tell her he it was because of their near fall on the dance floor for fear that she would feel he blamed her.