Page 13 of His Scandalous Siren
He sighed. Sofia’s infatuation with him had been a sore spot for years. How could she really know what love was? Hell, he didn’t think he did either. How does a person understand if they loved another? “I promise this is no prank. It’s the God’s honest truth.” He made sure not to crack a smile as he spoke. Gabrielle would be his sister after he married Sofia. He didn’t want her to hate him. “It is in the Times.”
Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. “That doesn’t make it real.”
He did smile then. “The Ton will expect a wedding, and they will get one.”
“I don’t understand you,” she said. “None of this makes any sense. You don’t even like Sofia.”
“Now that’s where you are wrong. I’ve always liked her.” He frowned. It was being leg shackled to her that he had objected to. “I kept my distance to protect her.” Drew was not husband material. Unfortunately, their actions a few nights ago changed things.
“How could you?” Sofia shouted as she walked back into the sitting room. She waved a paper at him. “This…this…”
Gabrielle stood and took the paper from her sister. She scanned the contents, and the color drained from her face. “You put this announcement in the Times?”
Drew nodded slowly. “I did.”
“Why?” Sofia asked. “Why would you do this? You don’t want to marry me?”
He couldn’t very well agree with her. It would take them several steps backwards. Drew had made a decision, and he intended to see it through. “Where would you get a silly idea like that? Didn’t you once say we were destined to marry?”
Sofia rolled her eyes. “I was a foolish girl, and very wrong. There’s no such thing as destiny.”
There was a time Drew would have agreed wholeheartedly. Especially back then, when she had first spouted that nonsense. Now he fully intended to use it to his advantage. “Aww,” he said in an offended tone. Drew placed his hand over his heart. “You wound me. How dare you speak so negatively about our love?”
“Oh…” She stomped her foot. “I think I hate you.”
“I adore you,” he countered.
She narrowed her gaze. “This is all a joke to you.” Sofia snatched the paper from her sister. “But this means nothing. I cannot marry you.” There was a gleam in her eye, as if she suddenly had all the answers.
“You can,” he disagreed. “And you will. After three Sundays, to be exact.”
“I won’t,” she said. “My father hasn’t agreed to this. He won’t let me marry unless he’s here to give me away.”
Drew grinned, and she froze in place. “I knew you would want your parents here. Do you think I wouldn’t handle our wedding and make sure it is a day to remember?”
Sofia let the paper fall to the floor as she stared at him. “What did you do?”
He reached inside his waistcoat and pulled out the telegram. “This came through this morning.” Drew handed it to Gabrielle. Sofia didn’t even motion to take it.
Gabrielle flipped it open and read. “Permission granted. Stop. Arriving before the wedding. Stop. Give Sofia our love. Stop. Damian, Conte Leone.”
“This cannot be happening,” Sofia said. “You didn’t even ask me what I wanted…if I wanted this.” She was as colorless as her sister now. “All of this—it was on purpose. This was your way of ensuring I was backed into a corner and couldn’t escape. You effectively trapped me.”
“We were both trapped already, pet,” he said. “I just made it easier for you to accept it.”
With those words, he stood. “Since I’ve already delivered the joyous news,” he began. “I’ll leave you alone to digest it in peace.” Drew reached back inside his pocked and pulled out a small velvet box. “I retrieved this from my mother when I told her about our upcoming nuptials. It was my grandmother’s and now it is yours. Welcome to the family.” He lifted her hand and slid the ring on to her finger, then kissed her cheek lightly. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”
“Nothing will ever be fine again,” she mumbled. “You’re going to destroy what is left of my heart.”
She might be right, but he couldn’t let that bother him. Sofia could already be carrying his child. Drew had never been so foolish before. She made him lose his head, and now they were both going to pay for that mistake. He had done what he had to, and he refused to apologize. “I’ll be back in a couple of days. We will go for a walk in the park. We need to be seen together.”
Drew didn’t wait for her to respond. He left her alone with her sister. They would probably have a lot to discuss, and they would curse his name at every opportunity. He didn’t blame them. If he were in their shoes, he’d curse him too.
