Scandalous 1 (Scandalous #1)(29)
Author: H.M. Ward

Kate’s hand clutched my arm as the bidding quickly soared over $1,000. “This is good,” she whispered in my ear, “They were afraid no one would bid, but with this much activity, you might be able to pay off your loans.” She squeezed my arm tightly, practically jumping up and down. The bids swiftly soared over $100,000, still climbing wildly. Paddles flew into the air, one after the other, each person wanting to claim a piece of the scandalous Jonathan Gray. Moments later the bids passed $300,000 and Kate and I watched in horrified silence, wondering how high it would go. There were still multiple bidders driving the price higher and higher. The way the lights displayed the artwork, it was difficult to tell who was bidding. There was an elderly couple in the front row. Every time the bid climbed higher, she would tug her husband’s arm and his paddle would fly up. She clearly wanted the painting. But there were others too. People I couldn’t see, concealed in shadows at the back of the room.

My stomach flipped in my chest as the price flew up. The auctioneer was saying, “A million two. A million four. A million six.” After every increase he pointed at someone. He was speaking so fast that I could barely understand him. My eyes had grown large and I was certain I’d stopped breathing, when the auctioneer said, “Two million eight. Going once, going twice…”

A voice rang out, “Seven million two.” Kate glanced at me, her eyes wide like big green dinner plates.

The auctioneer seemed startled, but continued, “Seven two going once, twice. Sold to the gentleman for seven million two. Please step forward.” Gasps followed as the man from the back of the room walked toward the stage. Murmuring came in cascades, but I already knew who it was.

Jack Gray took long confident strides toward the auctioneer. Several people snapped his picture, as he neared the stage. I stood frozen in the wing, Kate at my side. She whispered in my ear, “I think he just spent his entire fortune on a painting of you.”

Eyes wide, I couldn’t even nod. I couldn’t breathe. When Jack stood in front of the painting, he beamed. His black tux hugged his body perfectly, showcasing every beautiful angle. He posed for a moment before the painting. The press called for me, and I felt Kate’s hand on my back pushing me forward. Jack stood on one side of the painting, looking dashingly perfect as I blinked like a deer in the headlights. Did he really spend his entire fortune on this painting? Could he do that? I glanced at him, and his expression softened. Sadness haunted his eyes like it had when I first came back.

He nodded, “Miss Tyndale.”

I ignored his formality. Eyes wide, in shock, I asked, “Why? Why would you spend every penny you had on this?” My voice made it sound like the canvas was just a pile of paint, nothing special at all, but Jack thought otherwise.

“Some things are worth it. Sometimes I freeze, Abby. I don’t do what I should. I let precious things slip between my fingers.” The room was so silent that the only sound I could hear was my heart pounding in my ears. He was speaking of our past, of that kiss that almost happened all those years ago. He was talking about the past few weeks, how he pushed me away, growing increasingly colder. He froze me, utterly chilled my soul, and made me think I was completely wrong about him. But this made no sense. The longing in his eyes, the emptiness that was so visible, made me freeze in place. My knees were stiff, my legs glued to the floor. They felt like they were made of iron and would not bend or move, no matter how much my mind screamed to run and never look back.

“I lost everything, and it was my own damn fault. I thought I was helping you, but I wasn’t. I should have seen it. I should have known,” he shook his head. His jaw was tight, his eyes filled with regret, “If this is the closest I’ll ever get to you again, it was worth it. Every penny.” Blinking, I stared at him, pulse pounding in my head. “Say something, Abby.”

Silence passed. It felt like hours, but it was only a matter of moments. Finally I shook my head, pressing my lips into a thin line, I said, “I have nothing to say, Jack.” He pressed his eyes closed, defeated. Slowly, he started to turn from me. Reaching for him, he stopped, blue eyes meeting mine with a soft worried expression on his face, pain in his eyes. Stepping toward him, I took his face between my hands. Our eyes locked. My body tingled as I touched him, as he gazed at me with those eyes. Our faces moved together, our lips nearly touching, but this time I didn’t stop. I didn’t wait for Jack. I knew what I wanted and I took it. My lips pressed against his lightly at first. Jack’s shock quickly faded as he threw his arms around me, pulling me tightly against his chest. An array of flashes went off as people erupted into chatter.

CHAPTER FORTY

Several weeks later Kate walked down the aisle ahead of me in a plum colored bridesmaid dress with a mammoth bow on her butt and a matching monstrosity on the top of her head. She wore it with grace, as she floated down the aisle of the little clapboard church. I peeked between the doors, watching, my heart fluttering in my chest.

I was wearing an ivory gown adorned with white pearls and lace. It flowed around me like petals on a flower. The bodice hugged me tightly, and laced up in the back. Fabric draped across my shoulders and hundreds of tiny white flowers were woven into my hair.

Leaning back, the wedding planner fanned my train. “Ready, Abby?”

I nodded, beaming at her. The two whitewashed wooden doors slowly opened in front of me as I walked down the aisle to the wedding march. It took every ounce of restraint not to run. The look on Jack’s face was a combination of awe and lust. My heart raced faster and I was certain I walked too fast, nearly kicking the photographer out of the way. Smiling broadly, we said our vows, hand in hand.

The minister said, “I now present you with Mr. and Mrs. Gray.” Jack and I ran down the aisle and outside to where a car waited to take us away. We grinned, running though the paparazzi, not minding their presence. They repaired Jack’s career as fast as they destroyed it over the past few weeks. The auction transferred Jack’s entire fortune to me, demonstrating to the world how much he adored me. Since then, the stories came up over and over again—they couldn’t believe that they missed it. All those years they spent looking for dirt on Jack were wasted, because they saw that the reason for his solitude was that he was madly in love with me. I was the one that got away, and by the time he found me it was too late. I’d taken my vows and he didn’t want to make me fall. Stories appeared calling us the star-crossed lovers that we were.

I dove into the car first, my lacy dress flowing around my ankles. Jack followed, laughing, falling into me. His tuxedo fit him perfectly. The dark charcoal gray made his eyes seem impossibly blue. Giggling, I helped him up, loving the feeling of his hands on my body.

As the driver pulled away, Jack leaned in close. Blue eyes burning, a wicked smile spread across his lips, “I have an idea for a wedding portrait, Mrs. Gray.” He kissed my neck, and I melted in his arms.