Page 64 of Wed to You-
He was shaking his head before she finished the long list of traits with which his family would easily find fault. “It’s not you, Chelsea. It’s them. You could be the Queen of England and they’d hurt you.” His hands rubbed her shoulders. “You’re sweet and kind, and I don’t want them anywhere near you because I can’t bear the idea of them causing you pain.”
Warmth spread through her chest. “I’m stronger than I look.” She wasn’t sure why she said that. She’d just had a crying jag in the tub that suggested otherwise. Besides, she didn’t want to go to the party. Even if everyone was nice, she’d feel like an old shoe in a department store of designer Jimmy Choos. But she didn’t want him thinking she was a delicate Southern flower either.
He nodded. “I know. As much as I don’t want to go, I think we should. It will help make this marriage look real, especially if it ends up on Page Six.”
“Page Six?”
“It’s the gossip section of the newspaper. I know that’s not what you signed up for, but it could help prove this marriage is real in case Tanya sues for custody of Kaden.”
Chelsea couldn’t see how a piece of gossip in a newspaper no one in Virginia would see could help his case, but she didn’t understand his world, so she didn’t respond.
“Most people at this party will be outwardly friendly, but my father won’t, so...” He shook his head. “You know what, never mind. I can’t subject you to that.”
She now understood Jagger wasn’t worried about her lack of social graces, but instead, about his father’s cruelty. Still, a part of her didn’t like him thinking she wasn’t a strong woman.
“If you need to go and if you need me to be with you, I can do it. I don’t have a dress and I can’t hide the fact I speak with an accent, but I know how to smile and be charming.”
He surprised her by flashing a grin. But as soon as it was there, it faded. His blue eyes studied her, for what she didn’t know. He stepped closer, and she was unable to move back because the vanity blocked her. “I don’t deserve you.”
A mixture of confusion and hope swirled in her belly. His words hinted that their relationship was more than a business deal of a marriage. The concept of deserving someone went beyond a simple arrangement. She pressed her hand to his chest, wanting to tell him he was worthy of her. She felt the beat of his heart, until he flinched and stepped back.
“What I mean is, this isn’t what you signed up for.”
She swallowed her hurt and stupidity. “If it helps people believe in this marriage and your effort to keep Kaden, that is what I signed up for.”
“I don’t want to do this, but I can’t see a way out of it.”
“So we’ll go.”
He stepped toward her again but didn’t touch her. “Promise me that if my father says anything hurtful or offensive to you, you’ll call him on it. Don’t just take it.”
“Isn’t it better to ignore bullies?”
Jagger shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what you do, he’ll never change. I don’t want you to think you have to take it.”
She nodded. “Okay. There’s still one problem. I didn’t bring anything for a party.” Not that she had anything suitable for a New York party that she could have brought.
He pulled his wallet from his pocket. “Alexis said she could take you shopping.” He handed her a gold credit card.
“Jagger, I can’t let you buy me a dress.”
“Why not? Dresses are expensive in New York and the only reason you’re getting it is because of me. It seems like I should pay.”
She felt like a charity case but knew he was probably right. A dress suitable for a posh party in New York was probably beyond her financial ability, even with all her debts paid.
She took the card, looking at it with unease.
“And have fun. Buy whatever you want.”
She looked into his stunning blue eyes.
He smiled. “I want you to enjoy this...the shopping, that is. You deserve it.”
She didn’t deserve it, but she’d get a dress that would help her fit in and go to this party because it was important to Jagger.
“I promised I’d take Kaden out for ice cream this afternoon.” Jagger opened the bathroom door. “I’ll see you back here later.”
She nodded. When he left, she studied herself in the mirror, wondering how she’d be able to turn the country girl into the elegant wife of Jagger Talbot.
