Judith Stacy by The One Month Marriage

asked.
    “I, uh…” Brandon gaped at her, trying to remember.
    “You wanted to talk with me?”
    Brandon rubbed his forehead. “Yes. Yes, I did.” He cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. “How much longer before my study will be finished? That little room by the kitchen is intolerable.”
    “Let’s go have a look,” Jana said, and took off down the hallway again, leaving Brandon to trail after her.
    The sound of hammers and saws greeted them as they drew closer to the study, this wing of the house in even more disarray than before, it seemed to Brandon.
    He stopped at the entrance to the parlor. Inside, a dozen workmen balanced on scaffolds and ladders went about their jobs. But to Brandon, something was amiss.
    “Weren’t these men farther along on this job yesterday? ” he asked.
    At his elbow, Jana nodded. “Yes. But I changed my mind. I decided I didn’t want the walls removed. I told the workers to put them up again.”
    “Put them up again?”
    “And I don’t want the floor lowered either,” Jana said. “I decided to raise the ceiling instead.”
    “Raise the ceiling?” Brandon’s eyes widened. “But there’s another story over it. You can’t just—”
    “I’ve changed my mind about your study, too.”
    A thread of hope flickered in Brandon’s chest. “Does that mean you’re not making it pink?”
    “I don’t know what I was thinking,” Jana mused, waving her hand to dismiss the entire idea.
    “Thank God,” Brandon mumbled.
    “I’ve decided now to make it yellow.”
    “Yellow?”
    “Yes. Pale yellow. A shade somewhere between sunflower and goldenrod,” she said, touching her chin thoughtfully. “With a mural depicting bunnies with fluffy tails amid a field of pansies.”
    Brandon’s shoulders sagged. “Let me guess. The workmen had to start—”
    “—over. Yes.” Jana gazed up at him. “I don’t want to ask them to rush. I want your study to be just perfect for you, Brandon. No matter how long it takes.”
    “But, Jana—”
    “Do talk with the gardeners before you leave,” Jana said. “I’ll see you tonight at supper.”
    “We’re not having guests again, are we?”
    “Of course,” Jana announced. “You needn’t worry, Brandon, I’m committed to establishing our rightful presence in the city’s social scene.”
    He watched as she walked away, her bustle bobbing down the hallway. “Where are you going?” he called.
    She paused and glanced back. “I have a full day of luncheons, teas and social calls.”
    “But—”
    “Do be on time tonight,” she said, then turned and walked away.
    A little groan slipped through Brandon’s lips as the sight of Jana’s bobbing bustle disappeared around the corner. Unwanted supper guests. New meals. The house under construction. And a yellow study—with bunnies. The massive disruption of his schedule, his solitude, his accustomed surroundings. Jana was making his life miserable.
    And still, he wanted her.

Chapter Nine
    A nother woman. Just what he needed today.
    Brandon entered his office and spotted Leona Albright, resplendent in ivory and gold, languishing on the settee across the room.
    At least this woman didn’t torment him, unlike the one he’d left at home this morning.
    “Brandon, dear, is this some sort of ruse you’re attempting?” Leona asked. “Coming in late? Trying to make people think all sorts of delicious things about your morning activities at home?”
    He pushed the door closed and dropped his satchel on his desk. “How is it that the most intimate details of my life have become public knowledge?”
    “One only has to look at the scowl on your face, dear, to see what is—or isn’t—going on.”
    Brandon turned to her. “Is that why you’re here? To spread more rumors?”
    The playful grin disappeared from Leona’s face. “Brandon, you know that I—of all people—would never do that.”
    A pang of guilt twisted his gut. Yes, he knew that. And he was ashamed of himself