Say You Love Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

life.
    He was still gazing at the necklace and dreaming of the happiness ahead when his mother tapped on the study door as she opened it. "Michael, I want you to—" she began, then stopped short. Too late, Michael put the necklace back in the box.
    "What do you have there?" she asked, hurrying to the desk. "Let me see. Is it Jacie's present? You told me you were having something made in Atlanta."
    Michael braced himself. He had hesitated to show it to her, dreading her reaction. Reluctantly, he opened the box.
    Olivia gasped and sank into the nearest chair. The piece was decidedly finer and more expensive than any of her own jewelry.
    "I designed it myself," Michael told her.
    "I think this is far too extravagant for a birthday gift," she commented archly.
    "It's more than that," he said evenly.
    Their gazes locked, each challenging. Finally Olivia said, "I think it's too soon, Michael."
    "Father has been dead two years, Mother." He got up and went to put the necklace back in the safe. "I've waited long enough. I'm going to ask Jacie to marry me at the party. She can set the wedding date any time she wants. The sooner the better, as far as I'm concerned.
    "I know you don't approve of her," he added coolly, "but I love her. I always have and always will."
    "I just worry about what people will say, Michael. I'm afraid she won't settle down after you're married. The Blake name is highly respected, and—"
    "And what?" he flared. "What are you trying to say, Mother? There has never been a breath of scandal about Jacie. True, she's mischievous now and then, but always she is a lady."
    "She was not behaving like a lady when she rode that horse, using a man's saddle no less, and tried to jump that hurdle. Not only did she nearly get herself killed, but she brought back terrible memories." Olivia blinked and dabbed at her eyes with the lace handkerchief she plucked from her sleeve.
    "She meant no harm."
    "I expect you to honor your father's decree that jumping is forbidden at Red Oakes. And another thing, people are already talking about her and that old fool Indian. That's why I came in here to see you. I want you to forbid her to see him. Why doesn't the law do something about him, anyway?
    "I mean it," she said waspishly as she stood to leave. "You put a stop to it. You tell her if she is going to be a Blake, she can start behaving like one by not associating with savages."
    Michael could only stare after her as she headed for the door. He was not about to reveal that Jacie was quite stubborn about her friendship with Mehlonga.
    Olivia turned. "One more thing. You will need to send a carriage to Atlanta to meet the morning train from Charleston."
    "And who is coming from Charleston, Mother?" As if he didn't know.
    "Why, Cousin Verena and Cousin Elyse, of course. You didn't think they would miss a party at Red Oakes, did you?"
    "I didn't want them here. I intentionally left their names off the list."
    "And I intentionally included them. They always look forward to visiting."
    "They don't know when to leave. We have a wedding to plan, and I don't need Verena interfering. She always puts her nose in family business."
    "Verena adores you. She'll want to share all the excitement."
    Michael was about to protest but his mother breezed out the door, effectively ending the conversation. He slumped in his chair, miserable.
    He did not mind being around Elyse. She was nearly his age and sweet and charming. If not for his losing his heart to Jacie all those years ago, maybe he would have given serious consideration to marrying Elyse. They got on well together, and he hoped she and Jacie would be good friends.
    It was Elyse's mother, Verena, first cousin to his father, that Michael did not particularly enjoy being around. She always sided with his mother in any dispute, especially one concerning him, and he knew once she heard about Jacie's friendship with an Indian, she would be openly critical.
    But there was no more time to brood over