“I just want what’s best for the family. I don’t want to see an impostor sitting in the matrone’s chair.”
My blood was boiling. “And how am I an impostor? Am I illegitimate? Is that what you came here to tell me? Momma slept around? Daddy shooting blanks? What the hell do you want from me?” I heard a noise upstairs, a crash, like a ceramic vase hitting the floor.
“You aren’t alone here? Did I interrupt something? Is that the detective Summer is so impressed with? Or Reed?” He smirked as if he knew something I didn’t. “You can come down,” he called up. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“What do you want, Bray? Why are you here? Anything you have to say to me, I think you’ve already said. I’m willing to let the board decide who’s who.”
“I think you misunderstand me, Avery. You are a Dufresne, just not the right kind.”
“Oh?” I still had no clue what he was talking about.
“You’ve met my wife, Dorothea, haven’t you?”
“Briefly. Is she a Dufresne too?” I was getting impatient with this whole interaction.
“Oh no. She’s a thoroughbred. No mutt blood in her at all. Her family can trace its lineage to the early days of Mobile. Her DNA is as pure as the driven snow. Unlike that of some of the Dufresnes. Taken as a whole, we aren’t that prestigious. But it’s my desire to strengthen our family with the right sort of connections.”
“You’re a Dufresne. How can you be sure you aren’t a mutt too, as you describe us?”
“I said some of us are mutts. I can trace my bloodlines back to Chase and Athena Dufresne. You, my sweet, blue-eyed, blond-headed newscaster, have more in common with the chauffeur than you do with me.”
“You mean I’m of Susanna’s blood?”
“Hers and a few others. So you see, this isn’t your place. Sugar Hill isn’t your place. You have no standing in our family.”
“You mean to tell me that you want to declare me illegitimate because my great-grandmother times whatever happened to be a Serene, a quadroon? What planet are you from? What century do you live in?” I was getting plenty ticked off now. How dare he come here with this puritanical, racist nonsense! He was an idiot! I swung open the front door and said, “Get out! Get out now, Bray. I don’t want to see you here again.”
To my surprise, he ignored the open door and walked right into the parlor.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going? I said get out.”
“You can’t order me out of here. This is mine. It’s all mine, Avery. It’s time for you to leave.”
I glanced up at Susanna’s painting. It was crooked again, by a few inches now. Whatever crashed upstairs must have bumped it out of place. And then I saw him. Ambrose was standing in the corner of the room wearing a white shirt, riding pants and black boots. His dark hair was unbound, and he watched Bray like a hawk. But the little man didn’t seem to notice him.
Dread came over me. As much as Bray deserved to be punished, I couldn’t allow Ambrose to harm him. “Leave, Bray, or I’m calling the police.” I picked up the phone and dialed 911 without waiting for his response.
The operator picked up immediately. “911. What is your emergency?”
“There’s an intruder in my house. Send the police.” Bray stomped out of the room, swearing at me the whole time. He called me a bitch, a bastard and a few other things. Ambrose trailed behind him. He didn’t walk but sort of slid toward him, and still the idiot didn’t see him. I couldn’t get to the door fast enough, and I watched in horror as Bray tumbled down the front steps and the front door slammed behind him.
Then Ambrose slid toward me…
Chapter Nine – Summer Dufresne
Seeing Bray strut around Sugar Hill like he owned the place had angered me beyond anything I could have imagined. The tradition was that any Dufresne could claim sanctuary at the house, but that was a privilege and not one to be abused.
Reed fumed too while Danforth stroked his trimmed white beard thoughtfully, as if this had all been his plan to begin with. But I knew he wasn’t that bright. Not by a long shot. Danforth couldn’t win a game of solitaire, much less play cat and mouse with Bray. Or me.
What really ticked me off was that he’d side with Bray so quickly. But maybe it wasn’t so quickly. I smiled as I watched him sidle up to the cedar bar and ask Dorothea for another gin and tonic. Yeah, that’s what you need, dude. Another drink. And where was the rest of the board? Why was there no uproar when Bray began his tirade?
The actual welcome home party had ended hours ago. This was kind of like a welcome home after party, except only the villains were invited. A few families stayed around for the remaining free food, but the larger party had kindly left.
And when were these Bray sycophants going home? Bray had had the decency to make himself scarce, at least for a little while. The fact he’d left his wife here meant he planned on returning. The airport had probably called to let him know his clothing had been found. What a shame. That old suit suited him.
Children with dirty shoes ran down the hallway. I would be glad to be rid of them, and so would Sugar Hill, I supposed. Funny to think of a place having favorites, but I assumed the old house did.
I spotted Pepper hemmed up with Reed in a corner. She was giving him an earful, but about what? I eased through the small factions of cousins that lingered. What should have been a festive event had turned into a wake. Well, we’d paid for a party, and we’d certainly gotten one. No Dufresne walked out of a Sugar Hill party. I wonder how many of them even noticed that their hostess had left the building earlier. I was glad Reed hadn’t left with her. That would have been too difficult to explain.
Ah, Reed and Avery. I wonder if they know exactly what they’re doing. What would it cost them? I shivered at the thought. At least it wasn’t me. I’d never put myself in a position to have those kinds of regrets. As long as the ring was in power, as long as the Lovely Man was around, disaster would follow. And to think, this time last year he was all I could think about or dream of. How quickly that changed when the ring went to Avery! I hated her for it for a little while, but now? Now I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. I had renounced Ambrose and his seductive nature because I had to. Handsome had been right. My lust for Ambrose would have consumed us all.
And now he was coming to Avery. Of that I was sure. I wasn’t going to abandon her. “What’s the plan, Stan?” I asked Reed as Pepper departed. She didn’t even say goodbye. “Whose side is she on?”
“Avery’s, of course. She sees this for what it is, just a ploy to grab power.”
I sipped my lemonade and dug out a blueberry from the bottom with my straw. I pierced it like I wanted to pierce Bray’s heart. If he had one. I sucked it off the straw and chewed it.
“Does it have teeth? Will his accusation matter?”
He sipped his whiskey and eyed me. Man, he was pretty. Like most Dufresne men, except Bray. “He’s dredging up the Old Matter. He’s a purist. As you can see.”
“But…”
“But Bray isn’t the kind of guy to set up a big play like this and not have something to back him up. Some workaround. Some cheat. He’s got the goods on Avery. I’m just not sure what those goods are, and I suspect she doesn’t either.”
“When are you getting started on this?”
“Tonight.” He plunked his near-empty glass down. “As soon as possible, of course. I’m already behind.”
“Yeah, the sooner the better. Put those interns to work. If you get a chance, go by and check on Avery. I hate thinking of her at Thorn Hill alone.”
He snorted at me. “You’re the one who sent her there. How can you be concerned now?”
“Get this straight, Reed High-and-Mighty Dufresne. I am Avery’s friend. I have no designs on being matrone. I gave that up, and I’m quite happy with that decision. And I didn’t send her there; she wanted to leave. I suggested Thorn Hill because it was the only place she could go. If she abandons all the property, if she goes to a hotel, that’s do
ing nothing but admitting that Bray is right. Now stop giving me crap and get started with what you need to do.”
He gave me a go-to-hell look but nodded before he left. He walked out of Sugar Hill determined to find out what exactly Bray knew. I wanted to know too, and I wasn’t going to wait on my cousin to find the answers.
I decided now was the time to call it a night for this party. I scanned the room again, but Bray was nowhere to be seen. “Dorothea? Where did your husband retreat to?”
“Retreat?” she asked in her nasal voice. She licked her lips nervously, signaling that whatever she was about to tell me was a baldfaced lie. “He’s probably catching up with someone or taking in the scenery. I imagine it’s easy to get lost in a place like this. So…roomy.” More thinly veiled sneering. What was she trying to say? That the house was too big? Too old?
Robin passed by, and I helped her pick up random empty plates that suddenly appeared here and there. Did these people think Sugar Hill was their garbage can? That was enough for me. “Robin, you can go ahead and put the remaining food away. No need to keep y’all here all night. Great job, by the way. Dorothea, please put the cap back on that gin. Danforth has to drive home soon.” She did as I asked, and anyone with half a brain hopped up and began to help clean. I made sure everyone heard me, and the folks who didn’t have a mind to work immediately began saying their goodbyes.
Except for Danforth, who appeared determined to get sloppy drunk after his supposed victory. Idiot. If he got tossed in jail for another DUI, good luck getting Avery to bail him out. I sure as heck wouldn’t.
Thirty minutes later I climbed into my convertible and headed for Highway 90. I knew who could help me. Jamie Richards. Ex-detective, washed-up, tossed-aside Jamie Richards.
I couldn’t explain why I wanted to involve him. Maybe I wanted him to be able to redeem himself. We all needed a little redemption now and then. I knew that all too well. I’d heard he was staying at Parker Place, but I couldn’t figure out what was keeping him in Mobile. I wanted to pretend it was me.
This was such a strange turn of events. Up until the night I renounced Ambrose, I never believed marriage would be in my future. Everyone knew that the matrone’s husband never lived very long. Ambrose, who was bound to the ring and was devilishly jealous, would never allow the object of his ghostly affection to have any lover but him.
But now that I was free from that obstacle, I thought about it more and more. And each time I thought about being married, I saw Jamie beside me. He was the one I wanted, and I was the kind of girl who went for what she wanted.
Ten minutes later I swung into a parking spot and walked up to his apartment. It didn’t take long for him to answer. He looked a little thinner than I remembered, but he obviously wasn’t living like a hermit. He was clean shaven and dressed well. He greeted me with a hug.
“Hi! You by yourself?” And that knocked the wind out of my sails. He glanced over my shoulder, obviously looking for Avery. I hated to be the bearer of bad news, but I wasn’t here to play Cupid.
“Yup. Just little old me. You got a minute?”
“Oh, sure. Come on in.”
He closed the door behind me, and I slid my sunglasses up to the top of my head. My long hair undoubtedly looked wild after my car ride, but hey, a little wild never hurt anyone.
“So what brings you out here? I didn’t think I’d ever see someone as lovely as you on my doorstep.”
His corny compliment caught me off guard. “Thanks, I think. I’d like to talk to you about a business proposal. If you have time for a small case.”
“What makes you think I need work?”
Uh oh. Someone had their feelings on their sleeve.
“Oh, I don’t mean it like that. I was just hoping you could help me. It concerns Avery, actually. I wasn’t sure how much you guys talk…”
“Is she doing well?” His hungry expression let me know that he wasn’t quite over my glamorous cousin. Oh well.
“Yes. Well, she was until my cousin Bray showed up. He’s trying to unseat her as matrone.”
He laughed dryly. “What? I thought only women could hold that role.”
“That’s right, but he’s gunning for her. He showed up today talking about how she’s not qualified. But that’s not the part I need help with.”
“Tell me more.”
“I need to know a little more about my cousin and his new wife than I do. I was hoping you would help me with that. I’ve heard what a capable detective you are, and I thought you might help me. If that’s not a conflict of interest. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with the MPD.” I knew very well he scrubbed out of the program, but I couldn’t let on that I knew it.
“Shoot, no. No conflict at all. In fact, I didn’t even take the job. So I’ve got time.”
Hmm…another lie. “Great! And I would count this as a personal favor, Jamie.”
He grinned, and it was like I was seeing him for the first time. God, he was so charming. Who cares if he’s a little nuts? Aren’t we all?
“Really? What kind of favor?”
“The kind I’d be happy to return if you helped me.”
“Then consider the job taken. Give me all the details you can, and I’ll do the rest. How much turnaround time do I have?”
“Hm…not sure. Is twenty-four hours enough time?”
“It will sure get me started,” he said with an amiable smile.
“Well, I’ll be happy to compensate you. It’s not a freebie job.”
“Even better, but you know why I’m doing this.” He grinned even bigger.
“Um, Avery?”
“No. I’m a man in need of a returned favor.”
That was my cue to leave. I wanted to give him more than a smile, but I had to keep the carrot dangled for a little while longer. “And that’s a favor I’ll be happy to give back. Here’s my card, Jamie. Call me if you think of anything else you need.” I handed it to him and enjoyed feeling the touch of his skin for a few seconds.
I slid my glasses back on and showed myself to the door.
Oh yeah. I was looking forward to this favor.
Chapter Ten – Avery
“Ma’am? Ma’am? Are you there?”
I stared at the phone. I’d forgotten I even had it in my hand. I slowly put it next to my ear and said, “Everything is okay. It was a mistake. I’m sorry.” With the woman’s voice still in my ear, I hung up the phone and continued to stare at the man who had appeared before me. There was no doubt that this was Ambrose, my Ambrose. He slowly gave me a seductive smile, and the sight filled me with both dread and excitement. I realized that I was not afraid of this creature, although part of my mind screamed that I should be.
This is a ghost! He is not real! This can’t be real!
“You can’t be here,” I whispered.
He stepped closer, a lovely smile on his face. He was truly the most beautiful man I had ever seen. As if he knew my thoughts, he smiled even bigger. I did not feel afraid; in fact, I felt something altogether different. He cupped my chin and cheek with his large hand and stroked my bottom lip with his thumb. As he did so, he gazed into my eyes, studying me, searching me. But for what? Before I thought about it, I blurted out, “I am not her. I am not Susanna.” Perhaps if I made him understand, he would leave me be; perhaps if he knew the truth…Yes, he would go—he would go and leave us all alone. But he did not appear to hear me or think it important enough to respond.
He moved even closer. His sexy red mouth was near my ear, and he whispered one word, a word that set me alight.
Avery.
He continued to cup my chin and jaw and with his other hand began to stroke the skin revealed by my open shirt. And how did my shirt get open? It was a surprise, but I did not feel embarrassed, just hungry to have more of him. And that’s all he wanted to do, right? Give me pleasure?
Again I protested, but only softly. “You aren’t real. If I close my eyes right now, you will disappear.” As if to prove my po
int, I closed my eyes briefly. But when I opened them again, Ambrose remained.
And we were now just a few inches from one another, standing face to face. I still did not feel afraid. I stared at him hoping to see some sign, some proof that he truly was a ghost. But the man who stood before me appeared as real as I was, if a little out of place. His skin was smooth, and I could see stubble on his chin. The scent of tobacco was on him too, along with his familiar spicy aroma. I could see the beauty marks on his cheek and neck, and the whiteness of his perfect yet slightly overabundant teeth. I could see each black curled eyelash, and oh my God! Was he breathing? I could see his chest moving, but that couldn’t be right! And what did that prove? What if I was having a hallucination? Perhaps I was dreaming?
But then he touched me. And the touch was a real touch. Made by real hands, living hands.
He lightly stroked the tops of my breasts. And with every touch of his fingers, I wanted him more. Again he whispered in my ear, “Avery.”
Now both of his hands cupped my face, and he was drawing me close. He was going to kiss me. I would feel the press of those bright red lips on mine, and I so wanted to feel them! I had to—or I would die from desire. Yes, I had to. As our lips came together, the door opened. I heard a familiar voice calling me, calling as if I were underwater, and then Ambrose vanished. I stood grasping at the air, wondering where he went. Why would he leave me?
“Avery!” Reed ran toward me, fear on his face. He scooped me up in his arms and held me. Glancing around nervously, he led me out to the adjoining room. “Let’s button you up. What happened in here? I saw Bray tearing out of the driveway—did he attack you? Assault you?”
I buttoned up my shirt with shaking fingers, still not sure how it came to be unbuttoned. “I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me.”
“You’re shaking. Let me get you a blanket or something.”
I didn’t argue. How could I tell Reed that I was shaking with desire for a ghost?
He tossed a chenille throw around my shoulders; I recognized it from the rocker on the back porch. The doorbell rang, and he sighed, obviously frustrated that he had to leave me.
The Sugar Hill Collection Page 42