Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [49]
It seemed that everyone had forgotten about that promise—possibly including Alex. She wondered what they would think if they knew that Christy had not forgotten it and intended to hold Alex to it.
Marilyn took a sip of her coffee. She had a feeling that things were about to get real interesting.
Chapter 14
Two hours later all the brothers except for Ashton had been bid on and awarded to some happy sister. Excitement and anticipation rippled through the audience more so than ever before. Conversations broke off as the room became quiet, almost deathly still.
Netherland was seated at the head table next to Syneda. She glanced around the room noticing the expressions of anticipation on a number of women’s faces, especially Angela Meadows. Rumor had it that Angela was willing to give up just about her last penny to spend a weekend with Ashton, and Netherland had no intentions of letting the woman do that.
“This is the moment I understand many of you sisters have been waiting for, our final brother, Brother Number Ten, Marine Colonel Ashton Sinclair,” Trask said as he looked out upon the audience and into all the eager feminine faces.
“From Colonel Sinclair’s bio you can see that he is a thirty-five-year-old Oklahoman and a graduate of Georgetown University. Presently, he is a colonel in the United States Marine Corps and takes their motto, ‘Always Faithful,’ very seriously.”
Trask glanced around the room. “I’m sure most of you are familiar with the marines’ slogan of ‘Looking for a few good men.’ Well, Colonel Sinclair is definitely one of them. A former member of the Marine Corps’ Force Recon Unit, he has been awarded numerous medals of bravery for his part in protecting our country and preserving peace. The lucky lady who makes the highest bid for Colonel Sinclair gets to spend a weekend with him in New Orleans.”
Trask’s smile widened. “I present to some, and introduce to others, the brother of the hour, Colonel Ashton Sinclair of the United States Marine Corps.”
To Netherland’s way of thinking the lights seemed to dim as all eyes focused on Ashton, who seemed to miraculously appear on stage, although she knew his entry was done by some sort of special effects to make it appear that way.
Her breath, like that of every woman present, caught in her throat. Standing before them was the most handsome spit-and-polished marine she had ever seen. With hair flowing past his shoulders underneath his military hat, he was dressed in an officer’s evening dress uniform, which consisted of a dress blue waistcoat and pants with a scarlet cummerbund—complete with ceremonial sword. Moving with stiff-spine precision he walked toward the front of the stage. When he came to a stop, he reached across his body with his right hand and withdrew his sword from its scabbard. The lights seemed to hit the gleaming, polished metal and radiate off every individual in the place as he raised it high.
It was a powerful stance that brought tears to Netherland’s eyes. Ashton was definitely making a statement. He was making it absolutely clear that whatever woman chose him tonight would not only be choosing Ashton Sinclair the man, but also Ashton Sinclair the marine. She wiped her eyes when he lowered the sword slowly to hold by his side.
The room erupted in an uproar, mass pandemonium, as the women started screaming, hollering and giving Ashton a standing ovation. Women loved men in uniform, and there was no doubt that he was the top prize for the evening and, judging from the buzzing and whispers going around the room, it was clear that women who hadn’t thought to bid before were now seriously considering doing so.
Trask had to rap his gavel on the podium for several long minutes to regain order. Netherland nervously bit her lips. Coming up with the highest bid wouldn’t be as easy as she thought.