“How is it my fault?”
“I don’t have time to detail all the ways you’ve let me down, Dana.” Vienna glanced behind her. More guests were arriving, some carrying umbrellas, several looking a bit damp around the edges.
“We have a dinner to deal with. I’ll go see to Claire. You can...” She looked around the room. Ben had taken Claire to their table, sitting with her, gently chafing her hands between his. Claire was looking at him with teary eyes, hunched in her chair. I felt bad for her. It was no fun sitting in a wet dress, especially in front of family and friends.
“You can try to be unobtrusive and start seating the guests. Where is your cart?”
“It’s around the side, I think. Nate probably parked it beneath the portico.”
“Nate? Why on earth would Mr. Carter be driving a cart?” Before I could answer, she shook her head. “Never mind. I really am not in the mood to hear why. I’m assuming your cart is functional. I’m taking Claire to her villa so she can change.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll take care of things here.” I took a step, but Vienna grabbed my arm again.
“And stop bothering Ben. You’ve been hovering around him, making a nuisance of yourself. He hasn’t got time to be paying any attention to you. You’re distracting him and he’s not paying enough attention to Claire because of it. You’re in serious jeopardy of losing your job.”
I turned back to Vienna. I’d take the blame for the dress not arriving; take the blame for her cart dying. I’d even take the blame for the rain. But I wasn’t going to take the blame for bothering Ben or for Ben’s possible lack of attention to Claire. And I’d risk losing my job over this.
“Vienna, enough. Ben is an adult and perfectly capable of choosing who he talks to. And that’s all...we’ve just talked.” I felt a flush creeping up my cheeks and prayed that for once, I could pull off a lie.
Apparently it worked, or else Vienna was just too astounded that I’d actually spoken up for myself. She let go of my arm, drew herself up and walked away. I watched her, hand on Claire’s shoulder, bending down to whisper in her ear. Ben let go of Claire’s hands and Vienna drew the girl away, presumably to take her to her villa.
Mrs. Latham was standing stiffly off one side and I decided I might as well tackle the difficult one first. Apparently she was going to solider through the evening with damp clothes. I walked over to her, pasting my working girl smile on my face.
“Mrs. Latham, would you like to be seated? Perhaps I can get you a drink as well?” The kitchen staff was just finishing setting up the buffet and the waitresses were moving among the tables, pouring water.
Mrs. Latham looked at me for a long moment. I thought she might not answer me, but she eventually nodded her head, imperceptibly, but it was a nod.
“I’ll seat myself, but I will take the drink.”
I caught the eye of the nearest waitress and she came over, taking Mrs. Latham’s order. I managed to hide a smile; she’d ordered straight whiskey, top shelf, and a double.
“Sophie, Nate, would you like to be seated?” I’d made my way across the room to the grandparents, who’d been standing off to the side, watching the little drama that had unfolded before them.
“Yes, dear. Thank you.” Sophie hooked her arm through mine and I smiled. Her hand on my arm was a far cry from the death grip with which Vienna had grabbed me, but she still impressed me with her strength. I steered them to their seats, waiting while Nate held Sophie’s chair, enjoying watching them together, as she smiled up at him. A server approached and began explain the dinner selections, asking them what they’d like to drink.
I glanced at the door as another group came in, laughing, oblivious to the rain. It was Alex and the groomsmen, along with most of the bridesmaids. I’d place a bet they’d stopped somewhere and had a few drinks, guessing by the flushed faces and giggles among the girls. From what I’d heard from Ben about Alex, that seemed like his style.
“Everything okay?”
Ben was behind me, watching his friends. I looked up at him and then turned away, feigning a great interest in the seating chart in my hands.
I was torn between heeding Vienna’s warning and running away, or answering his question. “Everything’s fine.”
“Really?” There was a challenge in that one word, an unspoken question, and I knew he’d wait for an answer.
I turned back. “No, not really. Vienna isn’t happy with me, or my performance. She blames me for just about everything that’s going wrong.”
As soon as I said them, I wanted to take back the words. They sounded childish and petulant. Ben’s brows drew together in a look of concern.
“I can speak to her. As far as I’m concerned...”
I reached out, hand on his arm. “No, please don’t. That will just make things worse. I’m fine, really. You don’t need to worry about this, or me.”
“But you’re doing a fantastic job. I should talk to Vienna.”
I smiled. “I don’t think you’re the person Vienna would want to hear from right now. She thinks I distract you from whatever it is I distract you from.”
Ben’s scowl deepened. “This isn’t fair, Dana. Really.”
“Just let it go for now, okay? Please? Tomorrow this will all be over with...” I winced. “Rewind that last bit. What I mean is...”
Ben shook his head. “I know what you mean. For you, this will be over. The job, I mean.” He looked down at my hand, where it rested on his arm, and put his hand over mine.
“You’ve been more help to me than you’ll know, Dana. Really. I...last night...it was... well...I wanted to say thank you.”
I held his gaze. “You’re welcome. For whatever it was I did.” I’d kissed him, kissed someone else’s groom. I was pretty sure that wasn’t what I was being thanked for.
More guests were coming in and I heard someone calling Ben’s name. It was Nigel and he was bearing down on us, a wide smile on his cherubic face. I slid my hand from beneath Ben’s, clutching my seating chart like a shield.
“Listen, Ben, I need to get back to work. Thanks for wanting to help, but Vienna is my boss...I may not agree with her, but she’s the one paying me.”
I couldn’t read the look on Ben’s face as I turned away. Maybe it was disappointment. I remembered Sophie’s explanation about Ben and the white knight syndrome. Maybe this was his way of dealing with women, find something he thought they needed help with and charge in and fix everything.
The bridal party made their way to the head table so I gathered up the next group by the door, helping aunts and uncles and cousins find their places. They were all named, or married to, a Carter or Prentiss, which, I learned, was Mrs. Carter’s maiden name. I felt sorry for Claire, not having anyone here except her mother and her bridesmaids. It made me wonder who those girls were, how she came to choose them to be here for the most important day of her life.
At some point Vienna had brought Claire back to the villa. Claire was wearing a new dress, a pale yellow shift with a lace shawl, her hair pulled up in a twist on her head. She looked fashionable and chic, but somehow deflated. I watched Ben take her arm, leading her to her seat. He held the chair for her, and kissed the top of her head after she sat down. Her hand immediately went to her hair, smoothing it down.
She pushed the small vase of flowers away from her place setting with a look of disgust and it struck me. The dress that had gotten wet must have been carefully chosen for tonight. The swirling colors of that dress had perfectly matched the flowers on the tables.
I wondered if this meant the whole evening was ruined for her, if she would pull herself out of this funk and enjoy herself. She was pouting, answering Ben’s questions without looking up at him, her words muttered into her lap. He leaned down, his fingers on her chin, trying to turn her face toward him but she would only look at the table.
“Wow...you look amazing. Much better in this than in that jacket and pants outfit.”
I turned and found Alex standin
g behind me. He grabbed my hand and spun me in a circle, whistling softly. The blush I felt started somewhere around my toes and quickly worked its way to my hairline. It had been a long time since anyone, other than Vienna, had spent this much time scrutinizing me in a dress, especially this dress. But in this case, the look was open appreciation.
“Thanks. I...”
There was the sudden crash and boom of thunder and a brilliant flash of light. I jumped. The lights flickered once, twice, and then went out. There was a moment of stunned silence before the noise level in the room rose, chaotic voices swirling around us. I stumbled forward, losing my balance. Alex grabbed my arm, pulling me against him.
“Stand still, at least till your eyes adjust to the darkness.” I felt his arm around my waist, holding me tight.
“The storm must have really picked up.”
“Ben thought it would, at least going by what the guys at the terminal said. But I’m not sure they were expecting this.”
“If I could have your attention, please.” I recognized Nigel’s voice, stern and commanding, coming from the front of the room.
“If everyone will remain where you are. The staff will be bringing lanterns out in a moment.” As he spoke, the waitresses appeared, each carrying battery operated lanterns. They made a strangely eerie procession line through the room, setting the lights on the tables.
“Those of you still standing, please take a seat. There’s no reason for us not to enjoy this wonderful dinner.”
The guests standing moved to sit down, taking the closest available seats. So much for the seating chart I still held in my hands.
“Come on. You’re with me.” Alex still had his arm around my waist and he pulled me with him toward the head table.
I pulled back, making him turn around. “Oh, no. I can’t. I’m not a guest...”
“You’re my guest. Come on.”
And that was how I ended up sitting at the head table, between Alex and another groomsman, whose name I didn’t catch in the excited buzz of family and friends that rose around me.
“Why is there an empty chair?” I had to repeat myself before Alex heard me. He leaned over, his lips brushing my ear, tickling the tendrils of hair by my check.
“Finley is entertaining in his room this evening.” Alex pointed toward the other end of the table. There was an empty chair on the bridesmaid’s side.
“Oh. I see.” I wasn’t sure if anyone else had noticed earlier and now that the lights were out, if any one would. I shook my head; I knew better. Claire would notice, and so would Vienna.
I looked out across the rest of the room, searching for Vienna. I expected to feel her hand on my shoulder, yanking me out of my chair and firing me on the spot, in front of everyone. At the very least I expected static and her sharp voice in my ear. I tapped my mic, but even the static was gone. Maybe it was the storm, or something else, that caused interference, but it appeared that, for the time being at least, I was unnoticed.
At least until Ben spotted me. He leaned forward, past Alex, and smiled. I smiled back and then, behind him, Claire leaned forward even further. I briefly caught her glare before I quickly sat back, fastening my gaze straight ahead. I was pretty sure she wasn’t expecting to see the assistant wedding planner at her head table. And I was pretty sure she didn’t like having me here.
I saw Nigel walked toward the head table, coming to stand behind Ben and Claire, a champagne flute in his hand. The servers were quietly moving through the room, filling glasses with champagne.
“Let’s all raise our glasses to Claire and Ben.” He held his glass aloft. “To their health and happiness. May this be the only storm on their horizon and all their days from now on be fair.”
I clinked glasses with Alex and the man on the other side and took a sip. I know nothing about champagne but this was wonderful, fizzy and light, and it tickled my tongue. I took another sip, enjoying the sensation as I settled into my chair. Nigel was speaking again.
“We had planned a buffet service, but with the lights out, I feel it’s a bit risky for all of you to be walking around with plates of food. So, our servers will be coming round to your tables, explaining what we have and retrieving it for you. So, please, enjoy yourselves.”
The staff moved with practiced efficiency between the tables and the excited voices around me slowly died down. I looked around again and did a double take.
Somehow, in all the confusion, Mrs. Latham had ended up at the same table with Sophie and Nate. I was pretty sure that wasn’t where she’d wanted to sit at all. The major focus of the reseating effort had been to get Mrs. Latham as far away from Sophie and Nate as possible. I sighed. I was pretty sure Vienna would decide I’d had something to do with this as well.
The staff started with the head table first and I’d asked just for fish and some salad. Presently a server appeared with a portion of fish, beautifully topped with vibrantly colored salsa, and a small salad. She set the plate in front of me and I took an experimental sniff. It smelled wonderful, and I realized, again, I was starving.
I dove into the fish, which was rich and buttery, the topping a mango salsa that was deceptively sweet but packed a spicy punch. I think I may have moaned, but I didn’t care. This was heaven. It was the first real meal I’d had since I’d arrived.
Alex kept up a steady chatter throughout the meal. He was charming and funny, very funny. I found myself laughing more than I had in days.
My plate was almost clean when it happened. I heard Vienna’s voice behind me, hissing my name. I looked down at my plate, speared the last delicate morsel of fish and put it my mouth before I turned around.
Vienna was standing in the shadows, waving at me frantically. I turned to Alex, resting my hand on his briefly.
“I have to go. Thanks for kidnapping me.” I pushed my chair away from the table.
“Really?” He glanced toward Vienna. “Hey, thanks for keeping me company. You’re a lot prettier than Finley.” He took my hand, holding me in place.
“Maybe later we can get together. Tomorrow, after the wedding?”
I nodded. “Maybe. I’ll see. I have to go.”
In a gallant gesture, Alex rose, kissed my hand and bowed deeply. “Till tomorrow then.”
I wasn’t sure I’d even be on the island tomorrow, and if I was, I wasn’t certain Vienna would let me within a hundred yards of the ceremony. He let me go and I sighed. Romantic guys always get to me.
Vienna stood in the shadows, arms crossed. I couldn’t see, but I was pretty sure she was tapping her foot. There really was no excuse for eating at the head table, other than this whole wedding was turning into something other anything anyone had planned.
“I can explain.” I stopped, out of habit, expecting the raised hand telling me to stop. The silence between us stretched on.
“Well, I’m waiting.”
“It was Alex, the best man. There was an empty spot at the table and...he was just being nice.”
“ ‘Nice’? I see how he looks at you. And all the hand kissing and...whatever that was.” The permanent scowl Vienna seemed to wear deepened.
“You know, I think I finally have you figured out, Dana.”
“Figured out?” It was my turn to scowl.
“What you’re really after.” Vienna looked like she’d discovered a secret, a dirty little secret she couldn’t wait to tell.
“You’re here looking for a husband, someone with money. I should have guessed as much. It’s why you were so eager for me to hire you.”
The blood left my face and my hands started to shake. Words that I knew I’d regret bubbled up inside of me. I bit my lip, clenched my fists and tried in vain to count to ten. I got as far as three.
“Vienna, you’re the one who hired me! I wasn’t begging for a job. I’m happy to have it...or I was. But I didn’t look for you, you called me.”
“Then explain why you’re so popular, either tagging along behind the groom, or now, this flirting with the best ma
n. Alex Bradshaw is worth almost as much as Ben. You’d have a tidy little life if you snagged him. Coming from your background, I’m sure he’s just what your mother told you to look for.”
The blood that had left my face rushed back, heat burning my cheeks.
“You leave my mother out of this. And where I’m from. How dare you? I took this job because it’s a step up, not a step to a marrying a rich guy. But if this is what it’s like, then forget it. I’ve had enough.” I spun on my heel, took two steps and then turned back to Vienna.
“And the reason I’m popular? I’m nice. I listen to people. But most of all, I’m nice. You’re not nice, Vienna. Not at all.”
Vienna sputtered something as I walked away and I assumed the words ‘you’re fired’ were included in her tirade. But right now I’d had enough of Vienna. I headed toward one of the side doors to the room, the only thing to get in my cart and get to my room. I’d deal with the fallout from this in the morning. And probably end up hitching a ride back to New York with Ben’s family...or Alex.
The rain was coming down in sheets, some of it being blown sideways. My dress was instantly soaked, clinging to me, wrapping around my legs. The heels were next to worthless in the wet grass and I took them off, running barefoot to my cart.
I sat on the wet seat, reaching for the key. It took a minute of fumbling to realize there was no key in the cart. I sat back, blowing out a sigh. Vienna used my cart and she must have taken the key. There were other carts lined up alongside the building and I debated taking one, but that would mean someone else would have to walk in the rain.
I had climbed back out of the cart when I heard someone call my name. I peered through the rain at the figure on the porch waving at me. My heart did a little thump, thinking it was Ben, or Alex. But then I recognized the man in the rain slicker. It was James.
“Here, Dana. Come with me.”
He held a second rain slicker and helped me shrug into it. It was obviously a duplicate of James’s; it came down to my knees and the sleeves covered my hands. But it was some protection against the rain and wind.
Seduction in the Sun: Adult Romance Box Set (9 Sizzling Tales with BBW, Billionaires, Bad Boys, and Alpha Males) Page 26