"I couldn't sleep," Gaby said. "Too wired, I guess."
"Nervous, dear? You know, I think you have a marvelous opportunity tomorrow."
Gaby lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. "I'm as prepared as I can be. I think. I don't know…" She sighed a little. "I wanted to do well when I came here, but between my experience in Paris and then not doing very well in the warm-up, I wasn't really sure if I'd even be here more than a day or two. I halfexpected to be home by now, getting ready for the hard-court season."
"And look what you've done with yourself," Aurora said proudly. She hadn't quite bargained on just how involved she'd ended up being with the Fontaines and Tess, but she wouldn't trade a moment of it. It had been one of her more entertaining adventures in London in ages. And the excitement wasn't over yet.
Gaby's eyes lit up a little. "I know." The corners of her mouth curved. "I can hardly believe it." She sat up, leaned forward. "Now that I'm in the round of sixteen, I really want to make it to the quarterfinals."
"Why settle for stopping there?"
Gaby laughed nervously and twisted her hands together in her lap. "If I let myself think too far ahead, I get scared. Not scared of losing, so much as scared of wanting it so badly… and then losing. I mean, I know I've already done better than I should, given my experience and ranking—"
"Which will shoot up quite nicely after this fortnight," Aurora reminded her.
Gaby bounced a little in her seat. "I know." But her fingers were still locked together in a death grip. "It's just… I've gotten a chance to know what it feels like to win, and…" The one-shoulder shrug again, the impudent, excited grin. "I like it."
Aurora laughed. "Why of course you do, dear. It's a good bet you have a few grand-slam trophies in your future. But you've a long career ahead of you. Pacing is everything, darling,"
Gaby slumped back again, let out a long breath. "I know, I know. Everyone keeps telling me." She stared into the fire.
Aurora watched her, wondered what was really on her mind. She had no doubt it was partly the excitement of the tournament that had driven her out of bed to wander the hallways… but she suspected there was more to it than that. So she bided her time, And after a few, long minutes, her patience was rewarded.
"Tess looked really great tonight, didn't she?" Gaby said, flicking at the tasseled silk fringe that lined the arm cover of the chair. "Do you know what party she was invited to? I checked her room, she's still not back yet."
"I believe it was something sponsored by one of the networks covering the event."
Gaby's brows furrowed in thought. "She's been invited into the commentating booth a couple times now."
"Yes, she has." Aurora was beginning to see where this was going. "I think she brings a little pizzazz to that particular venue."
Gaby didn't say anything for a moment, then blurted, "Don't you think she and Max look good together?"
Now that one took Aurora a little bit by surprise. She suspected Gaby was concerned about losing Tess after this week, but she had no idea those kind of thoughts were going on in the teenager's mind. "In what way do you mean? You do realize the magazines and papers are just having a little fun with them. It's nothing."
"That's what they say," Gaby said, a hint of impatience creeping into her tone. "But anyone who knows anything can see they like each other."
Aurora took a considering look at Gaby. She might appear to be a typical, self-absorbed teenager, but apparently she was paying attention to something other than her own world. "They bicker constantly," Aurora responded, curious to see what kind of foundation Gaby had for her observation. Could it be her womanly intuition was as precociously developed as her athletic skills?
"I know they do," she said, "but I think with them it's almost a kind of flirting."
Aurora wanted to believe that, too, but still wasn't quite certain it wasn't wishful thinking on her part, If they would just settle down long enough to see that their differences were actually what would make them so strong and good for each other, who knew what could happen? She'd thought getting them in closer quarters would allow nature to simply take its course, but Wexley House was a veritable ocean of space and she'd yet to see any of her carefully laid plans come to fruition.
So much so she'd called Vivian and bribed her into coming to one of Gaby's matches under the pretense of watching her play, but mostly to see what her more finely tuned romance radar had to say. A total mistake, as it had turned out. First, she should have known Vivian wouldn't be able to pass up the chance to wear something totally outlandish and inappropriate. But to make matters worse, rather than use her radar to help Aurora determine the romance potential between Max and Tess… Vivian had used it for her own personal detection devices.
Aurora supposed she should have known better than to unleash Vivi on the unsuspecting and often stuffy, upper-class Wimbledon members. She was still trying to block images of Vivian flirting outrageously with a gentleman there representing one of the banks sponsoring the Championships—a man easily half her age—by asking him if he'd like to pick one of her strawberries, for goodness sake! Aurora stifled a renewed shudder at the memory.
"Don't you think they'd make a good couple, Aurora?" Gaby asked, drawing her from her thoughts.
Something about the way Gaby asked had Aurora reconsidering the teenager's altruistic intentions. "I don't know, dear. I haven't given it much thought." A complete falsehood, of course, but it wouldn't do to raise the girl's hopes. Especially when Aurora wasn't certain exactly what Gabrielle was hoping for. Or why.
Gaby slouched farther down in the chair and let her long legs stretch out in front of her. The way she repeatedly tapped her toes together belied her otherwise relaxed pose. Something was niggling at her. "I guess I was just thinking that, you know, with me almost being eighteen…"
Aurora dipped her chin to keep Gaby from seeing her smile. Only a sixteen-and-a-half-year-old would think she was "almost eighteen." Oh, to be young and foolish again… She caught herself. As opposed to what, Aurora, being old and foolish?
"Max needs to get more of a life. I mean, he's with me on tour and that won't change even as I get older, so I was thinking, you know, what kind of life can he have and all? And then there's Tess, who's retired and can travel and do whatever she wants…"
The light began to dawn. "Such as coaching, you mean?"
Gaby looked over at Aurora, and there was such yearning in her young face it made Aurora's heart squeeze a little. "She's so good at it. I mean, she's hardly doing that much with me, but I totally get what she's asking me to do. It's like we think the same, we see the court the same. And my game is already so improved. And that's not all. She's smart about everything about the tour, too. She's helped me a ton with doing interviews and showing me how to work the press."
So earnest, so determined, Aurora thought. "I know she has." Much to Max's distress. "So, maybe you're thinking that if Tess and Max were romantically involved, she'd stick around as your coach?"
Now she ducked her chin ever so slightly. "You think I'm being horribly selfish, I know," She glanced up through impossibly thick lashes Aurora would have killed for at any age. "But wouldn't it be a win-win for everybody?"
Aurora let out a gentle laugh. "I suppose so. But you can't really force these things on people." No one knew that better than she did.
Gaby exhaled on a long sigh and let her feet fall to their sides, limp. "I know. It's just… well, I mean, I'd love to have Tess coaching me. Because, duh, who wouldn't? But I was also kind of thinking, hoping sort of, that if they'd get a life with each other, maybe I could have one, too."
Ah ha. So the plot thickened further. "Meaning what, dear?"
Try as she might have, Gaby was unable to squash the bloom of pink that blossomed on her cheeks. And when she looked up again, there was a sparkle in her eyes that Aurora hadn't seen before, but well recognized. It was the juvenile version of the same sort of spark Aurora had been hoping to see in Max's and Tess's eyes. Instead, the
closest she'd come to seeing that kind of twinkle was with Vivi yesterday. Right before she'd asked a perfect stranger to pluck her fruit.
"Nothing, really," she said.
A complete falsehood, Aurora knew, but didn't call her on it. "Did you want to get out and see more of London? Perhaps we can talk to Max about staying on a few days after the tournament. Get some serious shopping in, see a show."
"I've been getting out and about a little, but thank you," she said politely. She looked like she was going to say more, then thought better of it and fell silent.
Aurora nudged a little. "What is it you do want, then?"
Gaby paused, then looked at her. "Freedom."
"You can't really be thinking you should tackle the city alone and unchaperoned?"
She scuffed her toes into the oriental rug. "I wouldn't be completely alone." Her voice was so soft Aurora barely heard her.
"So," Aurora said, treading carefully, "can I take it someone has caught your fancy?"
A hot blush stained Gaby's cheeks, and quite prettily, Aurora thought, Oh, Max, poor boy, you are in for some trouble now.
"Is he another player?"
After a few moments, Gaby nodded, then covered her face with her hands and drummed her heels on the floor.
"That good, hmm?"
When she took her hands down, the smile creasing her lovely young face was big and broad and so delightful, Aurora spent a moment wondering if maybe she shouldn't be getting her own… uh, fruit plucked, more often these days. Ah, the magical powers of young love.
"He's nineteen. From Belgium. He's in the top fifty and drives his own Porsche." She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. "And he has the most amazing accent."
Aurora sighed a little, even as all her internal warning bells began to clang. She'd have to decide what to do about this, whether to tell Max. Or perhaps Tess. Someone had to keep an even closer eye on the young girl. She was positively glowing, swimming in an ocean of hormones, all virtually screaming for attention. And Aurora was quite certain it wouldn't take much persuasion from the young Belgian to distract Gabrielle from her real mission here in London.
Which begged the question… "So, how did you meet—I'm sorry, what is his name?"
"Ranee." Another little swoon. "I met him coming out of the press room after the second round. We've only spoken a few times, but Aurora, he is just so heavenly. And I know he's interested. He asked me to go for a ride sometime!"
Oh, Aurora just bet he had. Dear, dear, this was a bit of a dilemma.
"But Max is always hovering and I can hardly get two feet away without him tugging the leash." Her eyes widened. "Maybe you could talk to him? I've thought about asking Tess to help me, but she's not around much, other than for training sessions and the matches."
Aurora wasn't sure Tess wouldn't have helped her out, either. Although she did seem rather intent on keeping Gaby focused on the tournament. Still… Max would have had a complete meltdown if that came to pass. It was better all around that Gaby had come to her this evening. And yet, as she looked at Gaby's big, beseeching eyes, she found herself wondering just how she'd gotten herself into this predicament?
Gently, so she didn't discourage Gaby from opening up to her, she said, "Well, you've got a very big match tomorrow. You need to stay focused on that—"
"I am, but that doesn't mean I can't—"
Aurora lifted one hand, setting her bracelets to jingling. "You stay focused on the reason you came to London. Yes, you've already accomplished an enormous victory here, but your work isn't done yet. You've worked hard for this chance. And if you're as much like Tess as we all think you are, you will always regret allowing yourself to be distracted and not giving each match your full attention. Your young man won't disappear just because you've got other things on your agenda besides him. And if he does, well, c'est la vie."
When Gaby didn't say anything right away, Aurora continued. "Perhaps I can have a talk with Max, as well. Once you reach the end of your run here, showing your maturity with poise and dedication, perhaps I can persuade him to give you a little space." She lifted her hand again to squelch the squeal of delight she saw was forthcoming. "I'm not saying he'll let you roam the streets of London, but we could always entertain your young man here at Wexley, perhaps let you take the Glass Slipper limo out for a limited ride through town." She smiled. "I'm sure I'll come up with something that will suit you both."
She could see Gaby was torn. The young girl obviously thought she was wise enough, and mature enough, to handle a more serious, unattended date. But she was smart enough not to thwart the only hand that was presently feeding her what she wanted most. "Oh, Aurora, thank you." With a burst of energy Aurora would have loved to bottle and sell, Gaby leaped from the chair and leaned down to give her a big hug. "I really, really appreciate it. You really are my fairy godmother."
"You're welcome, dear," Aurora said, hugging her back, enjoying the moment despite some lingering misgivings. "Now, perhaps you should think about getting back to your rooms and settling in for the night. If Tess comes in while I'm still up, I'll tell her you asked about her. I'm sure she'll tell you about anything exciting on your drive over to the grounds tomorrow."
Gaby all but skipped from the room. Aurora sat back and sighed, somewhat exhausted just from being that close to so much energy packed into one young girl. "Oh, Max, darling," she murmured to the room at large, "you really are going to have your work cut out for you with that one."
She picked up her reading glasses and slipped them back on, but her mind refused to stay on the pages of the book.
Nothing was going remotely as she'd planned, But she hadn't become the successful businesswoman she had by being rigid and uninspired. So Max and Tess weren't falling all over each other. Initially she'd simply wanted Tess to find her path to her financial solvency. And on that score, it appeared that through her liaison with the Fontaines she might indeed find that solution. Though perhaps not in the way Aurora had envisioned. Tess was in hot demand again, and Aurora had no doubt she'd find some way to capitalize on it.
However, Aurora had spent enough time with Tess over the past several weeks to know for certain that she was at a much bigger crossroad in her life than one predicated by financial circumstance. Another endorsement deal wouldn't fix what Aurora was beginning to see was the bigger problem. What was Tess Hamilton going to do with the rest of her life? Even if she invested well and modified her living expenses accordingly, she'd been too hungry, too focused, and far too competitive as a professional tennis player to be remotely satisfied with sitting back on her laurels and living off the spoils of her successes.
Gaby had raved about Tess's abilities as a coach. Mentor. What have you. The press was all abuzz with speculation as to why Tess had taken on the young phenom, though she'd yet to see anyone speculate on the money angle. Which had been a shock, really. But perhaps Tess was seen as being so obscenely successful, it simply didn't occur to anyone to dig in that direction. Besides, Tess had cleverly maintained a very high profile about the whole thing, steering the media juggernaut to her best advantage the entire time.
Of course, that whole business with the possible romantic link to Max had been quite the timely media distraction. Aurora paused in her thoughts, and she slid her glasses off her nose. "No. She wouldn't have." She slid them back on. Surely Tess hadn't intentionally created that entire thing for her own purposes? Toying with Max privately was one thing. He was a grown man, after all, and from what she'd seen, perfectly capable of holding his own with Tess. Making it more the pity that their love match wasn't real. But surely Tess hadn't been using Max or Gaby as some sort of promotional shill. Things had certainly moved in that direction, but Aurora would like to think that it all hadn't been a calculated move on Tess's part. More a serendipitous benefit from her agreeing to help out with Gaby in the first place.
Of course, Gaby was doing quite well, so whatever the case, Tess had more than kept up her end of the bargain she'
d made with the Fontaines, regardless of any ulterior motive. Aurora sighed and slid her glasses off for the last time, closing her book, too, for good measure. If only Tess could see what was so plainly evident to Aurora. She stood, and because no one was around to notice, took a moment to massage her aching hip. Getting old was a stone-cold bitch, as Vivian was wont to say.
But it would be an even colder day before Aurora was too old to play fairy godmother She hadn't come this far to give up now. Tess might need a bit more of her godmotherly skills than most, but one way or the other, they were all going to live happily ever after. She walked with a soft limp toward the library door. "Even if it kills me, dammit."
Chapter 20
"That's the way to do it, Bobby!" Tess leaped up from her seat, as did Andrea next to her, both of them pumping their fists in the air.
Andrea threw her arms around Tess. "I can't believe it! We're in the quarterfinals!"
Grinning from ear to ear as Bobby and his doubles partner, Tim, saluted the wildly cheering crowd, Tess enthusiastically hugged Andrea back. "Not a bad wedding present, huh? A nice shiny championship trophy?"
"Whoa, don't get ahead of yourself," Andrea said, laughing nervously, but giddy with the excitement of the moment.
The energy in the stands was off the charts, especially for doubles play. It had been a tough, tight, five-set match against the two Australians, ranked fourth in the world, but Bobby and Tim had prevailed in the end.
"So, are you coming out to dinner with us tonight?" Andrea asked, still a bit breathless.
"I wish I could, but with the rain delay this morning, Gaby's match won't go on until late this afternoon, if at all. I'm going to stick around here."
Andrea's expression shifted to a knowing smile, but she didn't say anything.
"What?" Tess asked, holding onto the rail in front of her as the two of them were jostled by the exiting fans. They'd wait until the stands had emptied a little before exiting. Tess tended to cause a bit of a stir, so security had asked her to arrive after matches began and leave after most of the crowd had left. It was that or hire private security, something she'd never been thrilled about and didn't intend to start now—even if she'd had the money to fund a payroll, which of course she didn't.
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