Read Online Creighton Manor by Karen Michelle Nutt - Free Book Online Page A

of being Mrs. Creighton. They were never officially promised, nor would they ever have been.”
    Ellery chuckled, a grin plastered to his face. “Violet will be spitting mad when she hears about the nuptials.”
    Gillian met Ellery’s gaze and shook her head. He knew Lotti was in the dark about how the loving couple truly met. Soul mates, indeed . He better keep his mouth shut. If anyone was going to tell her, they would.
    Zachary nudged Ellery to get his attention, giving him a warning look to be quiet. Ellery sighed and mouthed, “Don’t worry.” Good, he wouldn’t give them away, but he couldn’t seem to wipe the silly grin off his face.
    Zachary glanced Gillian’s way and saw the hurt look in her eyes as if he had betrayed her in some way. Surely, she should understand that he had a life before her, but still he felt like a complete heel. “Listen,” he began searching for just the right words to make light of this situation. “I never told Violet I would marry her .” He wondered why he felt the need to defend himself. It wasn’t as if he had been unfaithful to Gillian.
    “No? Well, tell that to Violet,” Ellery added. “Frankly though, I have to say you did so much better for yourself. Violet is beautiful, but that woman is extremely selfish and that temper of hers is downright scary.” He shuddered. “She’d have made your life miserable .”
    “Enough of Violet.” Lotti raised her cane and gently poked Ellery in his midsection to get his attention. “We have a party to plan .”
    Gillian eyed Lotti’s cane before her gaze latched onto Zachary. He had the distinct feeling she’d like to use the cane on him.
    Lotti stood and took her grandson by the arm leading him away from the others. “Come walk me to the door.” Once they were out of hearing range, she turned to him. “Make that appointment right away to have those dresses made. That poor woman cannot be seen in that attire and definitely not with those shoes; they are simply dreadful.” She opened the door but before she left, she turned to Zachary and searched his eyes. “Now that you are married, you are going to give up this endless pursuit of obtaining Creighton Manor, aren’t you?”
    “Lotti …” What could he tell her? He couldn’t let it go. He wanted Creighton Manor more than anything else on this earth. He couldn’t let the manor stay in the hands of Cyrus Locke. It would mean his sister and her husband died in vain. If it were the last thing he did, he would bring Cyrus to his knees, making the man beg him to take the manor off his hands.
    “You don’t have to say more," Lotti said. "I see it in your eyes. You haven’t given up this ridiculous pursuit. Zachary, mark my words, you’ll be sorry one day. You have a charmingly beautiful woman in there. Make a life with her; start a family. It has been far too long since a baby has been around. I am itching to have my hands on a wee one again .” She smiled wanly up at him. “Now give your grandmother a kiss. I have to be going .”
    He leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek. He whispered in her ear, “Slán go fóil.” He looked into his grandmother’s eyes that were so much like his own. They twinkled with amusement.
    “You still remember the Irish words.” She became serious then, a frown lining her brow. “Don’t think you can butter me up Zachary Creighton, with our childhood game we played.” He gave her a look of complete innocence. “Bah!” she said, giving into his charm. She then returned the goodbye. “Slán leat!” Tapping her cane, she turned and went on her way.
    In the mean time, Ellery made himself right at home. He had taken a seat next to Gillian and had her laughing over some ridiculous tale. Zachary almost didn’t want to disturb them. He enjoyed the carefree way Gillian acted with Ellery. Her rich laughter floated to him like a warm caress. He had been with Gillian for a whole day, and all he managed to do is make her incredibly