Chapter 237
He called over his bodyguard. “Spread the word: Mr. McCarthy is planning to marry a divorced woman.”
“Carney…” Leda sounded anxious. “Won’t that make Ablett furious?”
“So what if it does?” Carney replied, unmoved. “The more people who want him, the more trouble they’ll cause for Blanche. He’ll be so busy putting out fires, he won’t have the time or energy to come looking for me.” He took Leda’s hand firmly. “Trust me, I’ll make sure you marry into the McCarthy family.”
“Just focus on getting better and prepare to be a bride.”
With Carney’s reassurance, Leda finally felt at ease. Still, the thought of how fiercely Ablett protected Blanche left her feeling hollow.
Inside the car, Ablett sat reading over some documents while Blanche stared out the window. The rain had come out of nowhere, pounding down in sheets.
A gust of wind blew the rain inside.
Ablett reached over to close the window for her, leaning in so close that Blanche caught the faint scent of ink and paper on his clothes. She looked up, meeting his eyes-he was mere inches away.
“Why don’t you tell your parents the truth?” he said softly.
Blanche hated the way lying made her feel-guilty and small.
They both froze for a moment, neither moving. Ablett fixed his gaze on her. “Tell them,” he said, “then what?”
“They’d never agree to us getting married.”
“And then?”
“Then… we’d get a divorce.” Blanche lowered her voice, her guilt clear.
She’d already sorted things out for Mamie’s residency. But that didn’t change Ablett’s predicament-he’d still need to find a suitable wife.
For some reason, after meeting Leda and learning about the scheme she and Carney had tried to pull on Ablett last night, Blanche was certain now: Leda would never be the right woman for him. He deserved someone far better.
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11:23
Chapter 237
Outside, the roads were slick with rain, visibility nearly gone. Suddenly, at the crosswalk, a car shot out in front of them, forcing their driver to slam on the
brakes.
The abrupt stop sent them both pitching forward.
Ablett, who had been turned slightly toward Blanche, caught her as she tumbled into his chest. The momentum sent them both reeling backward toward the seat.
He quickly slipped an arm behind her head to protect her, bracing himself with the other hand so he wouldn’t crush her.
Blanche instinctively pressed her palms against his chest, and the two of them. froze-closer than ever, breathing in each other’s warmth.
He held her in a loose embrace, the subtle scent of his cologne and the heat of his body making her cheeks burn. Blanche didn’t look away, nor did she move her hands.
Ablett’s expression was usually calm and reserved, but now there was a glimmer in his eyes. He gently lifted her chin, his voice soft and steady. “I’ll take care of everything. Stop thinking about divorce.”
His tone was usually casual, almost careless, but when he spoke seriously, his words lingered, winding their way through her heart. It was the kind of voice that made you listen.
Blanche’s wide hazel eyes fluttered, her long lashes trembling.
She’d had more than just a long relationship-she’d had a long marriage. She’d only ever been with him, but he’d taken her from innocence to maturity, coaxing her to
blossom.
How could she not feel the charge in the air, the tension between them, the longing that hovered so close?
Ablett’s gaze flickered as he leaned in, just a fraction closer. Blanche didn’t pull
away.
But then, suddenly, the car door was yanked open. Wind and rain rushed inside, snuffing out the heat between them in an instant.
She jerked her head up and met Eddy’s furious glare.
11:23
