Page 34 of The Rented Bride

“Your grandfather. He’s in the dining room with Annie and Celina.”

“Dammit,” he muttered. “Come on.” He grasped her arm and hurried from the room.

“He found me earlier, asked me to have dinner with him,” Cassie blurted. “I didn’t know how to say no.”

Trent nodded. “Granddad can be persistent.” Trent met her gaze, eyes intense. “Thank you.”

They entered the dining room. Annie sat to James’ left with an arm around him. He coughed, one trembling hand on the table.

Trent rushed across the room and dropped onto one knee beside him. “Granddad.”

His grandfather waved him off. “Don’t reprimand me. I wanted dinner, to visit with Cassie, and now I want my birthday cake and champagne.”

“Champagne—” Trent began, but stopped when Ace rolled a large table into the room. Candles covered the top of a four-tier cake. Blue and white icing in the cross pattern of the Scottish flag surrounded each tier. The Scottish theme had been Cassie’s idea. A second cart followed with filled champagne glasses. Champagne hadn’t been part of her plan.

A tremor rippled through her stomach.

James.

A bagpiper entered and the pipes blared a rendition of Happy Birthday. Guests in the dining room gathered round. Others drifted in from the ballroom. The final notes rang out and guests applauded. James covered his heart. Someone who didn’t understand the nature of his condition might have taken the gesture as heartfelt appreciation.

Trent pulled him into a hug, whispering something in his ear. James shook his head.

Trent pulled back, his mouth pinched into a tight line, and said, “We are not doing this now.”

Dread simmered in Cassie’s gut. Not doing what now?

James started to rise. Trent jumped up and grasped the older man’s arm as he rose.

“Ace,” James called. “Bring me a glass of that champagne, then pass it around.”

The chef picked up one of the glasses and brought it to him.

“Thank ye, lad,” James said. “And thank you, everyone.” He spoke loudly. “It’s late and my grandson is forcing this old man to bed. But before I go, I want to congratulate him and his future bride, Cassandra Adams. Come here, lass.”

Cassie froze.

“Come along, lass,” he coaxed. “It’s all right.”

She looked at Trent. His eyes pleaded for her to go along with the farce. She forced her legs to move. When she reached James, he pulled her into a bear hug that made her want to cry.

He pulled back, a broad smile across his face. “Welcome to the family, lass.”

The crowd cheered.

“Trent, where is her ring?” James demanded.

“Ring?” Trent repeated.

Cassie’s heart thundered.

“You’ve been planning to make this announcement for three weeks,” James said. “I know you, lad. You have a ring.”

Trent looked at Cassie. She gave her head a single shake. Don’t you dare, she thought.

Time slowed as he reached inside his pocket and withdrew a small, velvet box.

Cassie gasped in unison with another cheer from the crowd when Trent opened the box. The biggest diamond she’d ever seen shimmered in the chandelier light.