A Winter's Secret (A Winter's Tale Book 4)

by Kristi Tailor

  “Will do.”

  “I’m going to let you three catch up . . . I want to look for my family. I’m sure they’re wondering why I haven’t made my way to them yet.”

  “I can look for them with you,” Nicholas offered, already grabbing hold of her right hand. “I don’t mind.”

  Charlotte withdrew her small hand from his larger one. “No,” she shook her head, rejecting his offer. “Catch up with your brother and sister. I’ll manage.”

  Nicholas frowned. “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely,” she said, forcing a quick smile. “Rebecca it was really good to finally meet you. Caleb . . . it’s always a pleasure,” she laughed softly, and then turning on her heels quickly walked away from them.

  “She’s exquisite,” Rebecca said as Charlotte disappeared into the crowd. “I’m really happy for you, Nicholas. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No thanks necessary. I mean it . . . Caleb and I have experienced what true freedom feels like outside of Spencer Elliot’s shadow and Muffy’s never ending tantrums. We’ve had the opportunity to simply live and not have to worry about the drama that comes with the Elliot name, and while we’ve escaped their thumb−you’ve readily dealt with it.”

  “Your happiness is important to me just as mine is to you,” Nicholas smiled at his sister.

  “We aren’t fools, Nicholas. Both Caleb and I know that you stick around to keep the attention away from us. With you here, mom and dad have at least one of us to manipulate and control. You’ve made the ultimate sacrifice so that Caleb and I can live in peace. You’re a good brother.”

  Nicholas frowned. His silver eyes regarded his siblings seriously. “You’re making me out to be some kind of martyr, and I am nothing of the sort. I like New York . . . so I stayed. It has nothing to do with either of you.”

  “Okay,” Rebecca said, recognizing the lie when she heard it. “Right.”

  Caleb raised an amused brow. “Absolutely. New York is your city. Living here your entire life in such close proximity to Spencer and Muffy’s madness has everything to do with you and nothing to do with us. Got it.”

  Rebecca laughed. “Still, it is good to be back in the city. I’ve missed the air. It’s lethargic being back in Manhattan around all of mom and dad’s friends. So many people . . . so much misery.”

  “The air in Chicago isn’t satisfying?” Nicholas asked.

  Rebecca shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe it’s not the air I miss, but my two incredibly handsome brothers. You do realize this is the first time the three of us have been in the same room at the same time in I don’t know . . . three or four years? God, it’s been such a long time, too long.”

  “I haven’t thought about it,” Caleb grimaced as the reality of his sister’s words sank in. “We’ve got to do better.”

  Nodding in agreement, Rebecca sighed. “I agree. We all have to put in the effort to stay in touch.”

  Nicholas silently contemplated her words. Rebecca was right, they haven’t been together in a long time and with their track record it would probably be some time before such an occurrence happened again. So, what better time to plead his case than, now? Nicholas’ gaze met that of his siblings, his expression was a serious one. “I haven’t been completely truthful with either of you. In all honesty, if I didn’t need your assistance with the facilitation of my plan, I would completely leave you out of it. But as it turns out I need support from both of you.”

  “Support? Plan?” Rebecca repeated, tasting the words. “This is new, Nicholas Elliot asking for help.”

  “Caleb Elliot! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Lily Sullivan gushed from the left of them, unapologetically interrupting their conversation. “Mitch, isn’t he a sight to behold?”

  Caleb’s mouth twitched in agitation. He recognized the irritating voice instantly, after all, a voice like Lily Sullivan’s was impossible to forget. Turning his head, he met the judgmental stares of his parents’ friends Lily and Mitch Sullivan. Politely, he nodded his head to acknowledge their acknowledgement of him. “Mitch. Lily,” he said, age old etiquette ever- present. His parents would be proud.

  “Well, well, well,” Mitch said jeeringly. “The prodigal son has returned, finally. I’m sure your parents were pleasantly surprised to see you.”

  Caleb met the older man’s sapphire gaze with a steady resolve. “You know them better than I do, so I’ll take your word for it.”

  Mitch’s already thin lips pressed tightly together. He had never been too fond of Caleb’s disposition, but out of respect for his relationship with Spencer, he found a way to tolerate the insolent boy’s temperament.

  “Our apologies for Blithe’s absence,” Lily said, bringing the Elliot siblings attention back to her. “She regrets not being able to make it, but she is still healing after her ordeal. Such an ugly ordeal, I can hardly speak about it.”

  “What happened to Blithe?” Rebecca asked.

  “She was in a car accident some weeks back. She is finally home from the hospital, thank God. Still, she needs to take it easy for a while longer.”

  “My condolences,” Rebecca said. “Tell Blithe that I am hoping for a speedy recovery.”

  “Certainly,” Lily smiled. “It has truly been a pleasure seeing the three of you together. Blithe would have been tickled pink. She enjoyed being a part of your little clan,” she mused, laughing softly, almost to herself. “Muffy must be thrilled to have all of you together again. I’m sure she is beyond thrilled, certainly. Well, we won’t keep you from speaking to other guests.” Forcing a smile, Lily added, “Congratulations, Nicholas. Your wife is something else. But then− both you and your brother have always had unique taste.”

  “Compliments,” Mitch muttered, unenthusiastically, obviously still put off by Caleb’s impoliteness. Extending his arm to his wife, Mitch said, “Come Lily, let’s find our table.”

  “Assholes,” Caleb said, shaking his head. “We are surrounded by hundreds of assholes. No wonder the air feels so thick.”

  “Nicholas, before Mr. and Mrs. Prick interrupted, you were in the middle of asking for our support . . . I’m very curious about what we could offer you?” Rebecca probed.

  Nicholas’ bright silver eyes met his sister’s penetrating greys and then his brother’s deep blues. It was now, or never. It was true, he needed them, both of them. “Your presence,” he explained in short, offering no explanation. “For now, that will suffice.”

  Caleb and Rebecca both stared at Nicholas with looks of confusion. “Our presence?” Rebecca asked.

  “Yes. Stay in town for a few days.”

  There was something behind Nicholas’ tone that made Rebecca uneasy. “Why? Is everything okay?”

  “If I could have everyone’s attention for a moment,” Spencer Elliot said from the front of the hall. Though his voice was low in pitch, it held an ageless authority that easily captured the attention of the room. Aside from a few whispered voices the hall fell silent as all eyes turned to face the man whose very presence commanded respect. With the exception of the Toutant family, not one person on the guest list could say with complete honesty that Spencer Elliot had not played a pivotal part in their company’s success. Nor could one deny that he had been an active benefactor for one endeavor or another. As the sole Founder and CEO of Plotus Cosmetics, the man was established and a force to be reckoned with in the business world. His achievements warranted esteem from all who knew him.

  Standing on the stage with the jazz band a reasonable distance behind him, Spencer spoke into the microphone with a sophistication unparallel to most. “First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for coming out to support my family on such an occasion. My wife and I could not be more delighted to celebrate our youngest son, Nicholas, and his wife, Charlotte. She is a gift, one that I know Nicholas will treasure− one that our family will certainly treasure.”

  “What a joke,” Caleb said under his breath. Shaking his
head disapprovingly, he leaned into Nicholas. “Do not trust a word that comes out of his mouth. He is up to something . . . I can feel it. And you know as well as I do that everything he says, every decision he makes is the antecedent to an ulterior motive.”

  While Nicholas’ silver gaze remained fastened on his father, his quick mind analyzed his brother’s theory. Nodding his head in acknowledgement to his brother’s words, Nicholas remained silent. Caleb wasn’t saying anything Nicholas didn’t already know. Their father could assume innocence until the day he died, his charisma and feigned sincerity could easily win over any crowd. All− but the exception of his children were fooled. The man could not be trusted.

  “And while their marriage is truly a reason to celebrate, I am beside myself with happiness to announce even more satisfying news,” Spencer said, smiling brightly. “After years of being away, Nicholas has returned to Plotus Cosmetics, accepting the role as COO, and the task of overseeing the development of the company’s European Expansion Project.”

  Rebecca gasped. The sound harsh and penetrative in the still room. “Nicholas. Please tell me that he’s lying?” she sighed.

  Nicholas fixed his piercing greys on his sister, silently answering her question with a look she was all too familiar with, a look meant to intimidate and obstruct any further thought of continuing the conversation. A look that to Nicholas’ dismay never worked on either of his siblings.

  “Nicholas, no,” she cried softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t. You were free from him . . . from them.”

  Nicholas’ hard expression held resolve as he turned away from Rebecca to give his father his undivided attention once more. There was nothing he could offer her at that time, not an explanation, not an excuse, nothing. It wasn’t the right time, nor was it the right place for such a conversation to be had. For his plan to be successfully executed, he had to stick to the path he had been pushed onto, even if that meant making his siblings temporarily uncomfortable.

  “Words cannot express what it means to have my son back within the walls of the company that I’ve spent a life- time fostering. Plotus Cosmetics has been my life’s work, and now my son will continue my legacy, building and harvesting new teams with fresh innovative ideas that will advance Plotus Cosmetics to a realm of its own. So, if everyone would raise their glasses, I would like to raise a toast to my son, Nicholas, and to his wife, Charlotte, for their newly formed union. Nicholas, my boy, you’re finally back where you belong.” Raising his champagne glass above his head, Spencer smiled at the hundreds staring back at him with stunned expressions before bringing the glass to his thin lips.

  News of Nicholas’ return to his family’s company no doubt came as a surprise to most. The Elliot’s were one of the few Royal Families left in New York, with the recession crippling a multitude of corporations and the country’s continuous decline in entrepreneurship, the numbers in Upper Manhattan’s elite social groups were steadily on the decline. The smaller these exclusive groups became, the more attention the remaining families received. Rumors spread quickly and were impossible to contain once they were released.

  Scandal after scandal traveled through the Upper East Side giving the multitudes much to talk about, but hardly ever destroying reputations. For as much as gossip spread about the Elliot’s and their children, their wealth spread even wider and so, alleged truths became fruitless allegations and seemingly truthful speculations were counted as nothing more than cheap buzzes. Still, however insignificant the rumors were, no one forgot the tension Caleb and Nicholas brought to the Elliot name when they left their father’s company, for they didn’t just leave their father’s keeping, but their blue- blood lifestyles as well. Generations of noble breeding and titled responsibilities that accompanied their name, they had walked away from. Hundreds of years of aristocratic entitlement, thrown away for the sake of freedom− to live their own lives.

  Turning to his right, Spencer handed the microphone to the saxophonist a few feet behind him. Bending down, he spoke softly to the other man for several seconds, his voice so hushed that no one made out his words and then he exited the stage. The saxophonist waited until Spencer was once more amongst guests before clearing his throat into the microphone to gain the attention of the room. “Per Mr. Elliot’s request, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Elliot should make their way to the lobby at this time. While Mr. Elliot convenes with the happy couple, he hopes that you all will continue to make merry until dinner is served. Thank you.”

  Caleb pulled Nicholas into an embrace before he had a chance to walk away. “What are you up to?” he whispered into his brother’s ear. “You’re hiding something from me.”

  “I’ll explain everything when the time is right,” Nicholas answered him, his voice low. Pulling out of Caleb’s hold, Nicholas’ mercury gaze moved from face to face, brightening only when he spotted Charlotte making her way to him. His face was an un-readable mask, but his eyes spoke so many thoughts− so clearly.

  Charlotte fought to hide the blush working its way to her cheeks as fire spread through her body at the intensity of his stare. Nicholas openly gaped at her, his silvers caressing her body, undressing her in front of so many strangers.

  “Nicholas,” Spencer said once he reached his son. “You’re needed in the lobby. You can take an interlude from your siblings for business sake.” Offering a slight nod to his other two children, he walked past them with little regard.

  “Sir,” Nicholas responded as Spencer walked past him. Extending his hand to Charlotte, he patiently waited for her to reach him before escorting her toward the lobby.

  “We don’t keep things from one another,” Caleb called from behind him.

  “Later,” Nicholas promised. “We’ll talk later.” It was an assurance that fell on deaf ears. Words tossed up and lost in the gaiety of the guests, who had once again began to dance about the room to the jazz quartet as laughter and conversation filled the space once more.

  Chapter Twenty- Two

  The lobby was bright, a vast contrast to the dimly lit hall. Quickly squeezing her eyes shut, Charlotte blinked several times to adjust her vision to the intensity of the glare emanating from the long line of chandeliers. To the right of the ballroom’s now closed wooden doors was a small cherry oak desk that hadn’t been there when they had arrived not even an hour earlier. Behind the desk sat a heavyset man in a black suit, with salt and pepper hair and telling lines deeply set into his olive colored face. Charlotte looked from the older man to Spencer and then back again. She didn’t recognize the man, but then again, why would she? She was surrounded by strangers, strangers who had little interest in her, or her marriage.

  Meeting his father’s gaze, Nicholas frowned. “What’s this about?”

  “I invited Stoffer here to take care of a business matter. It shouldn’t take long. Stoffer, what do you think, ten minutes, tops?”

  “Ten minutes, tops,” Stoffer Sharp agreed. “I’ll have you back with your guests in no time.” Reaching into his navy- blue leather briefcase, he withdrew a folder and extended it to Charlotte. “All I need is your signature and initials on the highlighted sections of the form.”

  Before Charlotte could take the file into her keeping, Nicholas interceded, taking the folder out of Stoffer’s stumpy white hands and into his own. Opening the dossier, his molten gaze traveled across the first page of the thick packet, his eyes making a quick read of the legal document. “Seriously?” he scoffed, suddenly irritated. “Is this really necessary?”

  “If she’s going to marry into this family, I’d say that it’s absolutely necessary.”

  “She is married into this family, present tense. She’s already married into this family, God help her. For several months now, she’s been my wife and hasn’t asked for anything at the expense of the Elliot name.”

  “Regardless, it is necessary that we take proper precautions. No disrespect to Charlotte, or her family, but they bring nothing to the table. They have nothing to lose, you on t
he other hand, you have everything to lose. And if you lack the sense to think straight because you are too emotionally invested into this woman, I will see to it myself that you are protected.”

  Nicholas’ hard silver gaze met his father’s deep blues. “It’s an insult to my wife and to my marriage.”

  “It’s protection for you and the future I’ve spent my life building for our family. You wanted to marry Charlotte, fine. Congratulations, you married her. Now, take the responsible next step to protect yourself in case things do not work out as planned.”

  Charlotte’s arched brows drew together as her mind worked to understand the meaning behind the sudden tension. What does he want me to sign? She wondered. Trying unsuccessfully to steal a glimpse at the document in Nicholas’ now shaking hand, she asked, “What is it?”

  “A prenup,” Nicholas answered her. His hard mercury stare never leaving his father’s calm face. Spencer was the epitome of tranquil, completely unfrazzled by his son’s growing anger.

  “Oh,” Charlotte mumbled, embarrassed. Does he think that I married Nicholas because of his money? Is that what they all think? That I am a materialistic gold digger who wants to take half of what he owns? Sighing, Charlotte gave Nicholas’ arm a light squeeze. “Let me see it.”

  “You’re not signing anything,” Nicholas bit through clenched teeth. “What I have is yours and what you have is mine. That’s what being married means.” Crumpling the papers in his fist, he tossed them to the floor. “This is the limit to my patience.”

  “Your limit?” Spencer laughed softly. “And what of my patience? First your brother with the Oriental stewardess and now you . . . I’ve been more than reasonable. Your mother and I have chosen to support your decision to marry beneath you, beneath our family. We have welcomed Charlotte and her family into our lives without argument and we will continue to keep our peace on the matter. But, when it comes to my fortune, my assets, everything I have spent a life- time earning, I will not remain silent. She will sign the prenup.”