The Billionaire's Bride

Chapter 4

When Cassie accompanied Lady Dubois downstairs for breakfast, the entire hotel was buzzing with gossip. Everyone was saying something different about the wedding that was scheduled for the afternoon. Some said there had been a fight and the wedding was canceled, others were saying that the couple had eloped and ran off, some were saying that family was putting a stop to the union and others were saying that there never was going to be a wedding.

Everyone had a different theory and their own 'eyewitness' accounts of what they'd seen occur, and the staff wasn't giving anything away. Nobody actually knew what was going on, but everyone was talking as though they had the inside scoop.

"I'm not surprised it's called off" a woman was telling Lady Dubois as they ate their breakfast. "That little hussy was nothing but a gold-digger."

"Well, she certainly did work her way through several gentleman, even just in the time we've been here" replied Lady Dubois to her friend.

"I heard that he's going to lose everything!" The woman whispered secretively. "They say he needed to get married in order to get his control of the business, and without a wife he'll lose it all."

"That seems unlikely" Lady Dubois said shrewdly, "I can understand maybe not getting his promotion, but he's too smart of a man to have tied everything up to lose it over this sort of squabble."

"Yes, that does seem more realistic" the woman conceded. "Poor thing, how foolish for him to have picked that Leslie woman, of all the women here. So many better choices he could have made."

At that Lady Dubois nodded her head in agreement, but didn't say anything. She seemed to be thinking about something, and kept sneaking glances at her young silent companion as she thought.

"Why don't you take some time to yourself this afternoon, Cassie" Lady Dubois offered after the breakfast meal had concluded. "I'm sorry I haven't been more thoughtful of your loss. You should take some time."

"I'm ok, it isn't necessary" Cassie replied. "I can do whatever you need me to today."

"Well, I have some personal things to attend to, and will probably be in my room writing letters most of the morning. So I won't need anything for several hours. You do whatever you'd like, I shouldn't need anything before lunch time."

"Ok, thank you" Cassie said. She appreciated Lady Dubois and her understanding. She was a quirky woman, and a demanding employer with high expectations, but she was also compassionate, and Cassie had found her to be a very thoughtful employer.

After dismissing Cassie for the morning, Lady Dubois found a staff member and had them deliver a note to Jack Carson's room, and then she returned to her own room to wait.

Jack was taking some pain killers for the pounding headache he had, when he heard the gentle tap at his door, followed by a note being slid under the door. He walked over and picked it up wearily. He didn't want to face the day or deal with anything that lay ahead of him.

Jack took the note out of the envelope and read the enclosed,

Dear Mr. Carson,

I am Lady Dubois, you may have heard of my, my cousin is Lord Bentley and I am well-known within the Highwater Circle, of which I know you are a member. I will get straight to the point, as I know you are a busy man. As you are probably aware, most people at the hotel have heard of your engagement as well as the unfortunate likely canceling of the ceremony. If I understand correctly, there could be some loss for you, if the wedding doesn't take place and I have a proposal for you that might be of interest. If I'm mistaken, please ignore my invitation, but if you are interested in what I have to say, I will be in my quarters, room 719 until noon. We can discuss my proposal there, undisturbed.

Thoughtfully Yours,

Lady Dubois

Jack rubbed his temple with his fingers, wishing he could take back everything that had happened in the last week. He had heard of Lady Dubois and knew her to be both clever and prominent among many of his friends. Nobody could really say anything bad about her, but several of his friends in one way or another seemed to be indebted to her somehow. He had never anticipated that he too would be invited to partake in one of her ventures.

He took a drink from his minibar and swallowed it in one gulp as he considered what to do. He didn't want to face anything right now, but as this woman had helped others out of 'sticky' situations, maybe she would be able to help him, and he was willing to at least hear what she had to say, so he put on some clean clothes and made his way to her room.

As he approached, he saw the same petite young woman from the elevator the night before. Her long black hair was tightly wrapped into a bun at the base of her neck and she was wearing the same simple style of dress she had worn every time he'd seen her. She had always dressed conservative and plain, but it couldn't hide the shapeliness of her figure. She gave him a quick glance, the sadness still present in her eyes, before she slipped into what was apparently her room, the door closing behind her as she entered.

Jack reached Lady Dubois room and gently knocked on the door. It was opened almost immediately by the Lady herself, and she ushered him into the sitting area of her suite and offered him something to drink before sitting down to talk.