Page 6 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“I’m sure he won’t be that stupid,” Harriet said. “Leon and I broke up just before my twenty-first after being engaged for nearly two years.”
“I hate that guy,” Alex said through gritted teeth. “Just how many times did he cheat on you, Harriet?”
“Including the times he cheated with Ethan’s wife?” Harriet’s eyes blazed. “It was close to ten times, but every time I tried to end the engagement, it almost became an international crisis.”
“Yeah, Uncle Titus really wanted you to marry that lout,” Gray said, rolling his eyes. “Just like he tried his best to push Estelle onto me. He was furious when I married Sienna.”
“That’s because she was American,” Dawn told him.
“Yeah, I’m sure he was afraid that Sienna was going to do to you what Mom did to Dad, take him away from his home,” Harriet snorted. “Then that would’ve left me as the next Joyce, and I have to admit what a disaster that would be. Thank goodness Grandfather introduced the new policy that we could choose who we wanted to marry regardless of who they were.”
“Yeah, about that…” Gray scratched the back of his neck. “Uncle Titus wants to change the rules back to what they were to ensure our lineage.”
“He can’t do that, can he?” Harriet’s heart jolted.
“He’s trying darn hard to,” Gray warned her. “That’s why I came early—to warn you what he was up to. I have a date for Alex and Daniella’s wedding. She’s an old friend of mine who was delighted to be attending the wedding.”
“Who is she?” Harriet, Alex, and Dawn asked in unison.
“I’ll introduce her when she arrives here in a day or two,” Gray told them. “In the meantime, we need to get you a fake boyfriend or, better yet, a fake fiancé.”
“What about Liam?” Harley suggested, looking at Harriet. “Jennifer’s brother. He’s single.”
“Uh…” Dawn’s cheeks pinkened. “Liam and I are kind of going to the wedding party together.”
“Oh?” Harriet looked at Dawn questioningly. “Are you having a secret romance with the owner of the Summer Inn Hotel?”
“What?” Dawn’s cheeks went a deeper shade of pink. “No! We’re just friends, and when he mentioned he was going to the wedding party, and I said I was too, we decided to go together.”
“Liam’s a great guy,” Harley told her. “You couldn’t have picked a nicer malefriend.“ He grinned as Dawn’s cheeks flamed.
“You could always ask Finn,” Jennifer’s voice startled them, and Harriet jumped.
“Good grief, Jennifer!” Harriet hissed. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough,” Jennifer said, holding out her hand and walking toward Gray. “Hi, I’m Jennifer.”
“Gray, Harriet’s brother,” Gray introduced himself, shaking Jennifer’s hand.
“So that’s your car, huh?” Jennifer nodded toward the Bugatti.
“Yup!” Harriet nodded.
“Awesome,” Jennifer purred before returning to her previous suggestion. “Finn’s single, and I know he’ll help.”
“No!” Harriet shook her head. “Absolutely not. I don’t need a date. I will not bow to my uncle or anyone.”
“Okay,” Jennifer said with a shrug. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine,” Harriet assured her, then looked at her brother. “Now, should we get you checked into the hotel? I want to have a shower, change, and get breakfast.”
“Sounds good to me,” Gray agreed.
“Me too,” Dawn said.
“Do you three want to join us?” Gray offered.
“No, thanks,” Harley declined the offer. “Jennifer and I are going to Boston.”
