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“Well…” Now that she’d been called upon to define it, Janine couldn’t quite put that magical feeling into words. “It’s…it’s an awareness that comes from the heart.”
“The heart,” her grandfather repeated, smacking his palm against his chest.
“Romance is the knowledge that a man would rather die than live his life without me,” she said, warming to the subject.
“You want him to die?”
“No, just to be willing.”
Gramps frowned. “I don’t think I understand.”
“Romance is forbidden trysts on lonely Scottish moors,” she added, thinking of an historical romance she’d read as a teenager.
“There aren’t any moors in the Seattle area.”
“Don’t distract me,” she said, smiling, her thoughts gaining momentum. “Romance is desperate passion.”
He snorted. “That sounds more like hormones to me.”
“Gramps, please!”
“How can I understand when all you say is ridiculous things? You want romance. First you claim it’s a feeling in the heart, then you say it’s some kind of passion.”
“It’s more than that. It’s walking hand in hand along the beach at twilight and gazing into each other’s eyes. It’s speaking of love without ever having to say the words.” She paused, feeling a little foolish at getting so carried away. “I don’t know if I can adequately describe it.”
“That’s because you haven’t experienced it.”
“Maybe not,” she agreed reluctantly. “But I will someday.”
“With Zach,” he said with complete assurance and a wide grin.
Janine didn’t bother to argue. Gramps was being obstinate and arguing with him was pointless. The only recourse she had was time itself. Soon enough he’d realize that neither she nor Zach was going to fall in with his scheme. Then, and only then, would he drop the subject.
A week passed and Gramps hadn’t said another word about arranging a marriage between her and Zachary Thomas. It was a cold windy March evening and the rain was coming down in torrents. Janine loved nights like this and was curled up in her favorite chair with a mystery novel when the doorbell chimed. Gramps had gone out for the evening and she wasn’t expecting anyone.
She turned on the porch light and looked out the peephole to discover Zach standing there, a briefcase in his hand. His shoulders were hunched against the pelting rain.
“Zach,” she said in surprise, throwing open the door.
“Hello, Janine,” he said politely, stepping inside. “Is your grandfather here?”
“No.” She held the book against her chest, her heart pounding hard. “He went out.”
Zach frowned, clearly confused. “He asked me to stop by. There were some business matters he wanted to discuss. Did he say when he’d be home?”
“No, but I’m sure if he asked you over, it’ll be soon. Would you care to wait for him?”
“Please.”
She took his raincoat, then led him into the library where she’d been reading. A fire was burning, and its warmth hugged the room. The three-story house, situated in Seattle’s Mt. Baker district, was a typical turn-of-the-century home with high ceilings and spacious rooms. The third floor had once housed several servants. Charles was their only live-in help now, and his quarters had always been an apartment over the carriage house. He worked exclusively for Gramps, driving the limousine. Mrs. McCormick arrived early in the mornings and was responsible for housekeeping and meal preparation.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked, once he was comfortably seated.
“Coffee, if you have it.”
“I made a fresh pot about twenty minutes ago.”
Janine brought him a cup from the kitchen, then sat across from Zach, wondering what, if anything, she should say about Gramps and his idea of an arranged marriage.
She doubted that Gramps had broached the subject yet. Otherwise he wouldn’t be sitting there so calmly sipping coffee. He’d be outraged and infuriated, and studying him now, she concluded that he wasn’t even slightly ruffled. It was on the tip of her tongue to warn him about what was coming, but she decided against it. Better that he learn the same way she had.
Lacing her fingers together, she smiled, feeling awkward and a little gauche. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You, too. I’ll admit I’m a bit disappointed, though.”
“You are?”
“On the drive over, I was trying to guess what you’d be wearing this time. A dress made from bread sacks? A blouse constructed out of men’s socks?”
She muttered under her breath, annoyed by his teasing. He had the uncanny ability to make her feel fifteen all over again. So much for any possibility that they’d ever be compatible. And Gramps seemed to think he knew them both so well.
“I’ll admit that an Irish cable-knit sweater and jeans are a pleasant surprise,” he said.
A flicker of admiration sparked in his dark eyes, something that had been missing the first time they met.
In that instant, Janine knew.
She went stock-still, almost dizzy with the realization. Not only had Gramps approached Zach, but they’d apparently reached some sort of agreement. Otherwise Zach would never have been this friendly, this openly appreciative. Nor would he arrive unannounced when Gramps had specifically stated that he’d be gone for the evening.
They were obviously plotting against her. Well, she had no intention of putting up with it. None. If Zach and Gramps thought they could lure her into marriage, they had a real shock coming.
Squaring her shoulders, she slid to the edge of her chair. “So you gave in to the pressure,” she said, shooting him a scalding look. Unable to stay seated, she jumped to her feet and started pacing, rubbing her palms together as she cornered her thoughts. “Gramps got to you, didn’t he?”
“I beg your pardon?” Zach stared up at her, his eyes curious.
“And you agreed?” She threw up her hands and groaned, “I don’t believe it, I simply don’t believe it. I thought better of you than this.”
“What don’t you believe?”
“Of all the men I’ve met over the years, I would’ve sworn you were the type who’d refuse to be bought. I’m disappointed in you, Zach.”
He remained calm and unperturbed, which infuriated her more than anything he could have said or done.
“I haven’t got the slightest idea what you’re talking about,” was all he said.
“Oh, sure, play the innocent,” she snapped. She was so incensed that she continued to pace. Standing still was impossible.
In response, Zach merely glanced at his watch and drank his coffee. “Does your grandfather know you suffer from these bouts of hysteria?”
“Funny, Zach, very funny.”
He exhaled an exaggerated sigh. “All right, I’ll take the bait. What makes you think I’ve been bought? And what exactly am I getting in exchange?”
“Technically you’re not getting anything, and I want that understood this very minute, because I refuse to be sold.” Arms akimbo, she turned to glare down at him with the full force of her disdain. “What did he offer you? The entire company? Lots of money?”
Zach shrugged. “He’s offered me nothing.”
“Nothing,” she repeated slowly, feeling unreasonably insulted. “He was just going to give me away.” That was enough to deflate the billowing sails of her pride. Stunned, she sat down again. “I thought the bride’s family was supposed to supply some kind of dowry. Gramps didn’t even offer you money?”
“Dowry?” Zach repeated the word as if he’d never heard it before.
“Gramps’s family received a cow and ten chickens from my grandmother’s family,” she said, as if that explained everything. “But apparently I’m not even worth a single hen.”
Zach set his coffee aside and sat straight in his chair. “I think we’d better begin this conversation again. I’m afraid I lost you back there when you said something about cracking under pressure. Perhaps you should enlighten me about what I’m supposed to have done.”
Janine just glared at him.
“Humor me.”
“All right, if you insist. It’s obvious that Gramps talked to you about the marriage.”
“Marriage,” he echoed in a shocked voice. His face went blank. “To whom?”
“Me, of course.”
Zach flung himself out of the chair, bolting to his feet. “To you?”
“Don’t look so horrified! My ego’s taken about all it can for one evening. I’m not exactly the Wicked Witch of the West, you know. Some men would be more than happy to marry me.” Not Brian, and certainly not Peter, but she felt it was important that Zach think she was sought after.
“Marriage between us is…would be impossible. It’s completely out of the question. I don’t ever plan to marry—I have no use for a wife or family.”
“Tell that to Gramps.”
“I have every intention of doing so.” His face tightened and Janine guessed her grandfather was due for an earful when he got home. “What makes that crazy old man think he can order people’s lives like this?” he asked angrily.
“His own marriage was arranged for him. Trust me, Zach, I argued until I was exhausted, but Gramps hasn’t given up his old-country beliefs and he thinks the two of us—now this is really ridiculous—are perfect for each other.”
“If you weren’t serious, I’d find this highly amusing.”
Janine noticed that he seemed rather pale. “I appear to have jumped to the wrong conclusion earlier. I apologize for that but, well, I thought…I assumed Gramps had spoken to you already and you’d agreed.”
“Was that when you started mumbling about a cow and a few chickens?”
She nodded and her long bangs fell over her eyes. Absently she pushed them aside. “For a moment there, I thought Gramps was offering me to you gratis. I know it’s silly, but I felt insulted by that.”
For the first time since they’d entered into this conversation, Zach’s face softened and he granted her a faint smile. “Your grandfather loves you, no question.”
“I know.” Feeling self-conscious, she threaded her fingers through her hair. “I’ve used every argument I could come up with. I explained the importance of romance and told him how vital it is for men and women to fall in love with the person of their choice. However, he refused to accept any of it.”
“He wouldn’t listen to you?”
“He listened,” she replied, feeling defeated, “but he disputed everything I said. Gramps says the modern version of love and marriage is a complete failure. With the divorce rate what it is, I’m afraid I don’t have much of an argument.”
“That’s true enough,” Zach said, looking frustrated.
“I told him men and women fall in love and then decide to get married, but Gramps insists it’s better if marriage comes first.”
Zach rubbed a hand over his face. “Now that I think about it, your grandfather’s been introducing you into every conversation, telling me how wonderful you are.”
Janine gasped softly. “He’s done the same to me about you. He started weeks before we even met.”
Pressing his lips together, Zach nodded. “A lot of things are beginning to make sense.”
“What should we do?” Janine wondered aloud. “It’s perfectly obvious that we’ll have to agree on a plan of action. I hate to disappoint Gramps, but I’m not willing to be married off like…like…” Words failed her.
“Especially to me.”
Although his low words were devoid of emotion, Janine recognized the pain behind his statement. Knowing what she did about his past, the fact that he’d experienced only brief patches of love in his life and little or no approval tugged at her heart.
“I didn’t mean it to sound like that,” she insisted. “My grandfather wouldn’t have chosen you if he didn’t think you were pretty special. He prides himself on his ability to judge character, and he’s always been impressed with you.”
“Let’s not kid ourselves, Janine,” Zach returned, his voice hardening. “You’re an uptown girl. We’re totally unsuited.”
“I agree with you there, but not for the reasons you assume. From the minute I stepped into your office, you made it clear that you thought of me as some kind of snob. I’m not, but I refuse to waste my breath arguing with you.”
“Fine.”
“Instead of hurling insults at each other,” she suggested, crossing her arms in a show of indignation, “why don’t we come up with a plan to deal with Gramps’s preposterous idea?”
“That isn’t necessary,” he countered. “I want no part of it.”
“And you think I do?”
Zach said nothing.
Janine expelled her breath loudly. “It seems to me the solution is for one of us to marry someone else. That would quickly put an end to this whole thing.”
“I already told you I have no intention of marrying,” he said emphatically. “You’re the one who insinuated you had plenty of men hanging around just waiting for you to say ‘I do.’”
“None that I’d consider marrying, for heaven’s sake,” she grumbled. “Besides, I’m not currently in love with anyone.”
Zach laughed, if the sound that came from his throat could be called a laugh. “Then find a man who’s current. If you fall in and out of love that easily, surely there’s got to be at least one prospect on the horizon.”
“There isn’t. You’re going to have to come up with someone! Why don’t you go out there and sweep some sweet young thing off her feet,” she muttered sarcastically.
“I’m not willing to sacrifice my life so you can get off scot-free.” His words were low and furious.
“But it’s perfectly all right for me to sabotage mine? That makes a lot of sense.”
