Jayne’s face lit up the moment she saw Justin walk in, and she sprang to her feet, hurrying over to greet him.
“Oh, you should’ve called ahead if you were coming! I could’ve whipped up a better dinner spread for you!”
Justin lifted the white paper bag in his hand. “The wedding dress just got flown in this morning. I wanted Edith to try it on and see if it fits. I texted her, but she’s probably been busy and didn’t see it.”
Rosie stared at the logo on the bag, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, but the name was still there–a boutique Italian label. The kind that only makes wedding gowns, so exclusive most people have never even heard of it, let alone seen one in person.
But what really floored everyone wasn’t just the dress. It was Justin himself.
Rumor had it Edith’s second marriage was to some old man—a retired lawyer with a few connections. The Sumner family, people said, had only arranged it to bail Kearney out of trouble. Edith was just a pawn.
But the man standing before them was no old geezer.
He was young, striking, with that effortless elegance you just can’t fake.
Edith looked a little startled. She finally checked her phone and saw that Justin had messaged her half an hour ago. With relatives from the Sumner family around, she hadn’t bothered to look at her phone before.
She stood up, took the wedding dress from him, and said quietly, “I’ll try it on later. Would you like to stay for dinner?”
Justin smiled, “Looks like my timing’s perfect. I’d love to.”
Without waiting for a reply, he strolled over to Edith’s seat, where Rosie was sitting. Beside Rosie sat York, then Gideon, and next to him, Gideon’s wife, Candida.
1/2
17.00
Chapter 98
Justin paused for maybe three seconds, his refined features tightening with a hint of impatience. His gaze swept from Rosie to Gideon. “So, is it that she doesn’t know any better, or is it you?” His words were meant for Rosie and Gideon. “Are you seriously not going to make some room?”
Gideon blinked, then, almost involuntarily, scooted over. Candida and York followed suit, shuffling down the bench, leaving only Rosie stubbornly in place.
Justin tilted his head, arching an eyebrow. “I’m amazed the Sumners ended up with a daughter–in–law so lacking in manners. What are you waiting for, Rosie–a formal invitation, or for someone to drag you out of the seat?”
His sharp tongue left Rosie speechless; she could only shrink into herself, outmatched. Candida, a bit braver, finally piped up, nudging Rosie to move over before turning a disapproving look on Justin. “So you’re the man Edith married the second time around? Well, let me tell you, in this family, it’s not your place to criticize how we do things. Birds of a feather, I suppose. Edith never had much upbringing, and it seems you’re not
much better.”
Edith’s heart tightened. It was one thing for her relatives to talk about her behind her back, but now they were turning their sharp tongues on Justin? She worried he’d be too polite to defend himself, that he’d let them walk all over him.
But Justin’s response made it clear she had nothing to worry about.
He sat down, instinctively edging closer to Edith as if even being near Rosie was distasteful. In its own way, the gesture was unmistakable.
He glanced sideways at the Sumner relatives, his tone completely unhurried. “I’ve never been known for my manners, so no need to be surprised. But as for Edith–she’s got more class than all of you put together. Honestly, if she weren’t so well–mannered, you people would’ve never made it through the front door.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.