“I think we both know there’s no possible way for me or Momma to pay you back,” I say honestly.
“There’s no timeline to this loan,” Livingston immediately replies. His eyes are solemn. He means every word.
“Don’t you think there’s nothin’ favorable to come out of loanin’ friends money, no matter the amount?” I ask, my tone soft.
“Yes, but I’ll make an exception this time.” Livingston gives me a crooked grin that most women can never say no to. For me, though, I’ve seen it so many times I feel only a small flutter in my stomach. I know better.
Sighing, I reach out and pat him on the arm. I shouldn’t have done that because almost immediately, I feel a jolt in my fingertips and the heat that spreads across my palm. Almost a punishment for thinking I’m immune from his charm.
I snatch my hand, hiding it behind my back and continue speaking as though nothing is the matter. “I appreciate the offer, but I was raised under the belief that if money is loaned out, it should be paid.”
“I respect that, but let me do this … for your brother.”
For your brother.
His words aren’t meant to cut to the quick. I know Livingston is being kind. But the three words don’t sit well with me because they’re said to me, but they’re for someone else. He’s doing this for Miles. I know the fact he doesn’t want to be the executor of my dowry plays a tremendous role. Am I that much of a burden to him?
Livingston dips his head. “I will take your silence as a no.”
Lacing my fingers together, I stare at the ledgers held between his hands. “It’s better this way. And I’m confident that between you and Étienne reviewin’ the accounts, Momma and I won’t need to worry about the creditors knockin’ on our door. It might not happen tomorrow as we wish, but we’ll have the answers soon. Maybe you will find money hidden somewhere, and I won’t have to accept this dowry,” I say with a weak smile.
Livingston’s brows become furrowed as he looks at me. His mouth opens and closes several times. “Rainey—”
I hold up a hand because I don’t want him to say something else out of obligation or pity. “And if you don’t find a thing, that’s fine, too. I have my dowry.” I never once thought I’d be saying those words aloud. Yet here we are.
“And the bachelors,” Livingston mutters.
“And the bachelors,” I agree faintly.
Livingston becomes silent, carefully watching me. “You mentioned you have a bachelor takin’ you for a stroll around a park this afternoon. Which one is it?”
“What’s it matter to you?”
Livingston scoffs “It doesn’t matter. I’m merely bein’ polite. Which bachelor is it?” he repeats.
“Oh …” I try to think of a male name, any name, but nothing comes to mind. Livingston tilts his head to the side as he waits for my reply. “I’m uncertain.”
“Wouldn’t it be best if you know who you’re seein’?”
“It would,” I concede. “But I’m usin’ the Livingston Lacroix method with the bachelors. Recognize them by faces. Never by their names.”
At that, he arches a brow. “Is it Beau?”
“I said I’m uncertain,” I reply.
Livingston can poke and prod all he wants, but I’m not conceding to anything. The truth is, there is no need for me to freshen up because no bachelor is escorting me around the park. I said that to get Livingston to leave, and for him not to know when the next actual event with my bachelors will be. I don’t want another theater fiasco on my hands.
“Uncertain?” he questions with a quirk of his brow.
I merely nod.
Livingston leaves, maintaining his half-smirk and a look in his eyes that said, I know you’re lying.
“Have fun with Uncertain,” he calls out behind him.
I shake my head, trying to be annoyed but I can’t stop myself from smiling.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Livingston
“I must say this roast ducklin’ is superb.”
“Thank you. I worked very hard on this dinner,” a female voice says. Has to be Serene.
I press my face closer to the key lock until my nose is nearly smashed against the door to get a better look inside the room. All I can see is one side. Fortunately for me, it’s in the direction where Rainey and Conrad are sitting.
“Did you?” Conrad says.
“No, the cook made it,” Serene replies.
Everyone in the dining room laughs. I snort, and stop myself from rolling my eyes when someone or something tugs at my jacket. I shrug it off, and continue staring into the dining room. Is it my imagination, or is Conrad moving closer to Rainey? He’s nearly sitting on her lap. My left hand curls into a fist. I stop myself from bursting into the room and demanding him to back away. It’s supposed to be a dinner, and he’s far from being respectful what with the heated glances he’s giving her. I know those glances. I’ve given those glances. He’s thinking of bedding her.
“Bastard,” I mutter.
“Uncle Liv?” a child’s voice sweetly says beside me. There’s another tug on my sleeve.
When I look down, I find Alex staring up at me with her almond-shaped eyes.
“Go play with your cat, Chauncy,” I say dismissively. Can’t she see I’m in the middle of something?
“His name is Chandler. I call him Chan-Chan. Have you seen him?”
“They’re both ridiculous names.”
“Uncle Liv,” she repeats, this time more urgently. “Have you seen Chan-Chan?”
My God, doesn’t this child have a nanny? What happened to proper childcare?
“No, I haven’t. I’m a bit preoccupied,” I whisper and watch as Conrad turns toward Rainey preventing me from seeing her face.
“Dammit, move,” I hiss.
“Dammit,” Alex echoes perfectly.
Wide-eyed, I face the child as she begins to skip in circles, saying a word that will undoubtedly be linked back to me. Giving her my undivided attention, I kneel in front of her, and stop her by placing my hands on her shoulders. “You cannot say that. Uncle Liv was wrong.” I mock slap myself. “Bad Uncle Liv.”
Alex giggles and slaps her cheek. “Dammit.” She points a finger at me. “Your turn.”
This hellion thinks it’s a game! She’s going to ruin this for me.
I happened to discover this dinner by sheer luck. I came to Belgrave to drop off some of the Pleasonton ledgers for Étienne to peruse, and instead was drawn toward to the kitchen by the delicious scent of food. I tried to take a bite of one of the biscuits. But when the cook, Pearl, has been part of the staff longer than you’ve been alive that’s not easy to come by, and she promptly whacked my hand and said, “Shoo, boy. This is for Mr. and Mrs. Lacroix and the dinner they be hostin’.”
I asked who would be at the dinner and Pearl said she knew Miss Rainey would be there but that’s all she knew. It didn’t take long for me to grasp that I’d been hoodwinked by Rainey. There was no walk in the park with a bachelor. She simply wanted to distract me from this dinner.