Undeniable (Cloverleigh Farms #2)(57)

“Why is that?”

“So many people around?”

“All the better for a celebration!”

“Uh, we haven’t been together very long—just a few months. And we’ve had to keep it secret, so …”

“Nonsense,” she said, tightening her hold on my arm. “You two have always been just right for each other, and you’re not getting any younger. It’s high time you settled down, Oliver Pemberton, and if you drag your feet, she’ll find someone less wishy-washy and settle for him instead. Is that what you want?”

“No, but—”

“Then you get that ring on her finger tonight. Mark my words, she’ll be gone if you don’t.”

We reached the bottom of the stairs and turned for the library. “What if she’s not ready?”

“Jiminy cricket, she’s thirty-two, Oliver. Of course she’s ready.”

“Maybe she doesn’t want a husband,” I tried.

“Every girl wants a husband.”

I knew that wasn’t the case, but Gran was ninety. How could I argue with her?

“And once you’re engaged and the wedding date is set,” she whispered, “we’ll get the remainder of your trust all set up for you so the two of you can buy a house and settle down anywhere you’d like, although your parents and I hope you’ll stay close by. You know how I love to dote on my great-grandchildren.”

“I know.”

“So tonight, then?” she pressed.

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Tonight.”

“Good boy.” She patted my arm as we entered the library. “Oh, and be a dear and do it before dinner, would you? I get tired and don’t always make it to the last course.”

“Before dinner?” I almost choked. “Like right now?”

“That’s a marvelous idea! The library is a beautiful setting.” She laughed merrily and pointed to Chloe, who was chatting with Charlotte over by the window. “There she is. Go get her.”

My stomach churned even harder as I hurried toward her. “Excuse me. Chloe, can I talk to you alone for a minute?”

“What’s with you?” Charlotte asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Someone put a rubber snake in your bed?”

Chloe laughed and tipped up her glass of champagne. “God, he was such a little shit, wasn’t he? I still haven’t forgiven him for that.”

“Nor should you ever,” Charlotte said.

“We’ll just be a minute.” I grabbed Chloe’s arm and tried to drag her out of the room, but my dad blocked our path.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” he boomed. “Grab a glass of bubbly. I’m about to make a toast to your grandmother for her birthday.”

“We’ll be right back,” I said, trying to get around him.

“Oliver, stop it,” Chloe hissed, shaking me off. “We can’t miss this.”

“Chloe, I have to talk to you.”

“Later,” she told me. “Now go get a glass so we can toast to Gran. She’s watching us.”

Reluctantly, I went over to the table where a tray of full champagne glasses rested and took one. Then I trudged back over to Chloe and stood next to her, surveying the group assembled. My parents, her parents, Hughie’s family, Charlotte and Guy, Gran—they’d all witness my utter humiliation if she said no.

“Are we all here?” my dad asked loudly, looking around. “Everybody have a glass? Good. We’ve got a lot to celebrate today.”

“Hear, hear!” Hughie shouted, which annoyed me for no reason. Did he always have to get a word in?

“Not only are we celebrating our great nation’s independence, but we’re here to honor my dear mother, who is slightly younger than the United States of America, but no less formidable.”

Everyone laughed at the joke, and Gran smiled. “More formidable, some might argue.”

“I can attest to that,” said my mother, prompting more laughter.

“We also have an upcoming addition to the family,” he said, nodding at my sister, “and a new sailboat to christen,” he went on, gesturing toward Hughie and Lisa.

“What will you call this one?” Charlotte asked.

“The Lisa Yvonne II, of course,” Hughie said, smiling at his wife.

How boring, I thought. As if on cue, Chloe leaned over to me and whispered, “If you ever name a boat the Chloe Lorraine, it’s over between us. Ew.”

I gave her half a grin. “I was just thinking the same thing. We’ll come up with something better.” Seeing her suppress a giggle made me feel better. We thought alike in so many ways—she got me. She’d get why we had to fake this engagement, wouldn’t she?

“I’d also like to toast our lifelong friends, John and Daphne Sawyer,” my father orated, lifting his glass in Chloe’s parents’ direction. “John, here’s to your retirement, to your continued success and good health, and to finally getting you to take a holiday off and play some goddamn golf with me. Tee time is nine A.M.”

“You’re on!” John shouted, raising his glass.

“And finally,” my father said, “I’d like us all to raise a glass to a new partnership, both professional and personal. Oliver, your mom and I couldn’t be happier for you and Chloe. We’ve always loved her like a daughter and we can’t wait for you to make it official.”