Olivia remained unperturbed. She sat calmly and regally, waiting for her subjects to do her bidding so she could get on with the affairs of state.
Carson’s eyes darted from Lauren to Jared to Olivia, and then back to Lauren. He had no idea what the girl was thinking. She stared in front of her as if she had lost all her senses.
Jared’s reaction surprised them all. He burst out laughing. He stood and stumbled around the room holding his sides until, completely spent, he collapsed against the windowsill. Drawing in several gulps of air, he said with total incredulity, “You can’t be serious! Marry Miss Holbrook! That’s the best laugh I’ve had in weeks.” He wiped tears of mirth from his eyes and Lauren was poignantly reminded of Ben. Only that memory penetrated her shocked brain.
Olivia stated quietly, “I’m not joking, Jared. I’m serious, and I think you’ll see why if you let me explain it to you.”
“I don’t need any explanations, Mother. It’s absurd,” Jared cried. He pointed a finger at Lauren. “She’s still wet behind the ears.”
“Miss Holbrook is twenty. Ben told me.”
“I wasn’t referring to her age, dammit, I was refer—”
“I know what you meant,” Olivia said. “It’s a far cry from your earlier opinion of her. I remember your accusing Ben of bringing his ‘southern belle whore’ into the house when he told us about her.”
Lauren swelled with anger at Jared’s unjust and unwarranted comment. He hadn’t even met her! Before she could fill her constricted lungs with enough air to protest, Olivia continued, “We made a plausible story of her being a classmate’s sister. We’ll embellish it and say that you fell in love on one of your visits with her family. Your father surprised you by bringing her here, and you can’t bear for her to go back. You’ll be married right away.” She held up a palm to stave off the objection she saw coming. “We expect you to be more discreet in your… other interests, Jared, but you need not change your lifestyle. Lauren is educated and refined and will add a convincing touch to your new, responsible image.”
Jared leaned against the wall, crossed his ankles, and folded his arms across his chest. He sounded amused when he drawled, “We weren’t exactly a loving couple last night. How the hell do you expect those shrewd Vandivers to fall for your little farce?”
“We’ll say Lauren thought it improper to marry so soon after Ben’s death and that you had quarreled about it. You were having a lover’s spat.” Then, dismissing any further arguments, she said, “You will marry immediately. Have I made myself clear?”
Jared looked at his mother levelly for a few moments. When he spoke, all traces of humor were gone. His voice was low and menacing. “Every goddam decision in my life, you have made for me. I’ll go along with your scheme for the railroad, but there’s no way you’ll saddle me with an unwanted wife. No way in hell.”
Olivia smiled smugly. “I think there is, Jared. I happened to overhear your argument with Ben the night before he died. Do you wish to tell Miss Holbrook why Ben arranged for her to come here?” Jared’s face paled alarmingly, even considering his hungover pallor. His eyes looked pained. He stood up straight and balled his hands into fists at his side, but he didn’t speak. “No?” Olivia turned to Lauren. “Well, Lauren, it seems that Ben picked you out for Jared. He was bringing you here in the hopes that before he died, he would see his son married and settled down with you.”
She faced her son again. “It’s ironic that for once my objectives are the same as your father’s, isn’t it, Jared? And it was your vehement objection to his matchmaking and your promise to make Lauren’s visit as abominable as possible that caused your father’s heart attack. I think you owe him his last wish, don’t you?” She leaned back in her chair and smiled dangerously. “Yes, I think you owe him this.”
Jared’s jaw had turned to iron. His teeth clenched and unclenched; his hands worked at his sides. He turned and faced the window, looking out with eyes blinded by impotent rage.
Had Lauren not been so stunned by the events of the past few minutes, she would have resented being discussed as if she were deaf and mute, an object rather than a person. Ben had invited her here for that wastrel to marry! How could he have been so callous? And Olivia and Jared had known all along, probably Carson had, too. They had conspired to deceive her, had even humiliated her with spurious doubts of her virtue.
Olivia turned a hard, green stare on her and said, “Lauren, we’ve not heard your opinion.” Clearly her statement was a mere formality. Olivia would brook no opposition.
At Lauren’s obvious inability to speak, Carson hesitantly cautioned, “Olivia, maybe we’re being unrealistic. Let’s give them time—”
“No,” Olivia said. “The sooner the better, Carson. I’m sure when Lauren hears the rest of our proposal, she’ll agree fast enough.”
Lauren met Olivia’s eyes again and felt a spurt of courage. This woman could never force her into marriage. Never.
Before Lauren could tell Ben’s widow exactly what she thought of the entire family, Olivia said, “Lauren, we don’t expect you to do this without compensation. We’re only asking that you stay married until the railroad is complete and running to our satisfaction. Then, when all the fireworks are over, you may go wherever you wish. For your time and trouble, we’ll give you twenty thousand dollars in cash when you leave.”
“I don’t want any money from you, Olivia!” Lauren declared. She wasn’t even aware of having used Olivia’s first name. This final insult was too humiliating. Olivia had actually offered her money to marry Jared!
She ignored the derisive snort that came from the direction of the window. Her eyes were riveted on Olivia as she whispered hoarsely, “This is impossible. Surely you are joking?” Olivia only stared back at her stoically. Lauren looked toward Carson, who was wiping his moist hands with his handkerchief. The man at the window remained motionless, brooding. He was leaving her to fight this battle alone, when they should have been allies. Anger made her brave.
“I won’t marry anyone. I don’t want to marry anyone,” she declared with a defiant lift of her small, pointed chin.
Olivia laughed indulgently. “My dear Lauren, I’m not suggesting that you marry in the biblical sense of the word. The marriage need never be consummated.” Again Lauren heard a scoffing sound from near the window. “I would think our offer would be attractive. You don’t want to return to that dismal parsonage right away, do you? When you leave here, you’ll be a woman of independent means.”
“I would also be a married woman,” Lauren protested.
With a hint of impatience in her voice, Olivia replied, “An unconsummated marriage can be annulled expeditiously. Don’t worry about that now. As Jared’s wife, things will be very pleasant for you here.”
The green eyes narrowed on Lauren and Olivia asked pointedly, “Was there someone you were involved with in North Carolina? Perhaps a former love is the reason for your resistance.”
“No,” Lauren rasped. She shuddered when William’s gloating face invaded her thoughts. “No,” she said with finality. Feeling bolder now, she challenged, “If you’ve known all along why Ben brought me here, why didn’t you say so?”
“That’s a lesson for you to learn, Lauren. Gather what information you can, and then save it until just the right moment. Had this occasion for us to use you not arisen, you would have been sent away after two months none the wiser.” She smiled tightly. “No doubt Ben’s romantic soul hoped you and Jared would develop an affection for each other during your visit. Ben was always a fool about such things.”