The Scent of His Woman

by Maggie Pritchard

  Lexie turned, sensing his presence, so he moved into the room, he had changed she noticed, the work clothes were gone now and he was back in a crisp white shirt and dark suit, the only accent of colour was the deep burgundy silk tie.

  ‘Not a bad view is it? Well a car is waiting to take you shopping while I get organised. I just need to meet with a few people for an hour or so and then you will have my undivided attention, I promise. But first let’s sort out that sparkler, shall we? I took the liberty of assuming you would prefer diamonds, but if you would like another stone you only need to say so.’

  Lexie was still trying to assimilate that information when Geth moved to press a button and the apartment door opened to admit a small bustling man dressed in a black suit and carrying a small metal case. It took a moment for the fact that he was cuffed to the case to sink into her brain and it dawned on her that they would be selecting her supposed engagement ring right here and now. The man busied himself unlocking himself from the case and opening it, all the while chatting to Geth as if he knew him well. Then finally turning to Lexie he asked her name.

  ‘Lexie,’ she answered in a daze, ‘my name is Lexie.’

  The little man looked to Geth with a smile.

  ‘Congratulations Sir, Madam we are honoured to be of such special service.’ Then with a flourish the little man opened the box and removed the deep blue velvet

  covering beneath.

  ‘If madam would like to sit here, I think the light will be best here.’

  He indicated she take a seat on the wide chestnut leather sofa. Lexie cold do no

  more than obey, wondering as she did so how many other gifts, for other women had been purchased in this ostentatious way. Then Geth took a seat close beside her and slipped one hand around her waist in an intimate embrace.

  ‘Come Mr. Morley, show us what you have selected and I warn you we expect to be impressed.’

  The next half an hour were the most surreal Lexie had ever experienced, she was made to try on ring after ring. Every type and design she had ever seen or dreamt of, were tried and commented on until her head was spinning. She’d never seen, pink or yellow diamonds, yet here they were, she had no idea there were so many ways to shape or cut the stones, or how many colours of gold or platinum could be used to show them off. It was frightening, but possibly the scariest thing was that there wasn’t a price tag on any of them.

  ‘Geth please, please it’s too much, these, are too much.’

  ‘Sweetheart, we can always ask Mr. Morley to bring another collection if nothing here pleases you.’

  The blatant amusement in his voice told her he was quite aware that was not what she’d meant, but was teasing her, not willing to let her put off deciding which ring to choose. And she was aware that again her lack of sophistication was a source of amusement to him.

  ‘No’ she interjected quickly, not wanting the little man to rush off and bring even more dratted rings.

  ‘No, it’s just that they are all so lovely,’ she shot the little man a smile and then turned to Geth, ’why don’t you chose for me?

  ‘If I may suggest’ Mr. Morley said with an understanding smile.

  ‘Madam has such lovely small hands, the solitaires are a little heavy and high. I think maybe something like this?’

  He unwrapped a small box from the bottom of the selection and opened it, nestling in the midnight velvet was a three stone diamond ring set in rich yellow gold. The three large but not enormous diamonds sparkled up at her like bright stars and Geth could see she really liked it.

  ‘Try is on Cariad.’

  He encouraged and slipped the ring onto her finger as he spoke. Lexie gasped, it was not only a perfect fit, but it was just the perfect ring, sitting delicately on her hand, not too big, or flashy, she realised with a jolt that she really loved it, so much so that giving it back at the end of this charade as she was determined she would, was not going to be as painless as she’d hoped. Pushing that thought to the back of her head she just looked at the two men watching her reaction and said quietly.

  ‘Thank you Mr. Morley this is perfect.’

  Lexie sat, watching as Mr Morley packed up, re-shackled himself to the locked case and left. Then they were alone again and she was at a loss, Geth however seemed in high spirits.

  ‘Well, time for you to hit the shops I think,’ he said cheerily as he opened his wallet and extricated a card. ‘Here’ he said handing it to a bemused Lexie, ‘do your worst’.

  Then when she didn’t react, just sat there holding his plastic looking strained and distinctly unhappy, he hunkered down in front of her, an expression somewhere between incredulity and wry amusement on his face, saying nothing, waiting for her to respond.

  ‘I, I can’t, I don’t know where to shop here, I have no idea what you want me to buy, how you want me to look...’

  She tailed off, her face a picture of misery. Geth was, for once, lost for words, he’d never met a woman who was made unhappy by the thought of melting his plastic, it usually sent any female of his acquaintance into fits of extreme ecstasy!

  ‘How do I want you to look? Now I’m the one who doesn’t understand. Just buy what you like, isn’t that what women do? Maybe you could get a dress for this evening, something nice for the cameras, a little black silk thing is usual, but you decide. As to where, my driver will take you to a couple of places where they will be more than happy to help you spend my money.’ Then she cranked his incredulity up a notch, by getting quickly to her feet and handing him back the card as if it were red hot. ‘

  No, I don’t want your money, I don’t want to shop here or anywhere else with that. You may have the upper hand here but you don’t have the right to make me feel like this, leave me alone!’

  But before he could answer, the sound of the apartment door opening made them both turn as a whirlwind in a red dress burst into the room. Lexie watched as a tall blonde, with corn coloured hair swirling about her head and huge cornflower blue eyes sparkling in a perfect oval face, made her way over to Geth, who having regained his feet strode to meet her. Their voluble greetings were lost on her, as they were uttered in rapid Welsh. What was not lost on her though was the warmth that was evident in their voices as they kissed and hugged. Dear God, was this his latest A-list girlfriend? Though she didn’t actually recognise her, what on earth was going on? It seemed like an eon, but it could only have been a few seconds before the newcomer extricated herself from Geth’s embrace and practically rushed over to Lexie and hugging her continued the voluble chatter, pausing only to change languages.

  ‘Oh, hello, I’m so glad to meet you. I rushed over as soon as Mam rang, Geth is so naughty keeping you a secret, how long have you been together? Where, how did you meet? Come on you must tell me everything. We are going to be such friends. Oh is that your ring? Do let me see.’

  Lexie was bemused, head spinning, at a loss now what to think, when Geth laughing came back to her side.

  ‘Mared, give her a chance to catch up will you? Lexie cariad meet my madcap sister, Mared meet my fiancée, Alexandria Owen.’

  ‘Your sister?’

  Lexie didn’t know whether to be pleased or disappointed, for one brief moment she’d glimpsed freedom, but freedom tinged with an unfamiliar edge of envy as she’d prepared herself to lose out when this gorgeous creature claimed Geth as her own. “Stash that thought” her beleaguered brain commanded, analyse it later, envy, where did that come from? In the meantime it was quite enough to cope with his supercharged sister, who seemed to be completely thrilled at the thought of becoming her sister-in-law and who also seemed to be able to keep up a constant stream of chatter by presumably breathing through her ears!

  ‘Well your timing is spot on for once sis. Lexie needs to go shopping for a short trip we’re planning, and you would be the perfect guide. If anyone knows the shops around here it’s you.’

  ‘Shopping, well I can certainly help there, what fun,’

  Mared laughed as she too
k the card Geth proffered.

  ‘Well I don’t really need this but thanks anyway, are you sure you trust me not to melt it completely, big brother?’

  ‘Just do me a favour and teach Lexie how to spend my money will you, she has a lot to learn in that department. Lexie needs everything for a few days in Montreal, we left in too much of a hurry to pack. Make sure there is at least one little black number as we have a table booked at Le Gavroche for eight. Oh and Mared, remember who has to wear the stuff will you?’

  Laughing his sister caught hold of Lexie by the arm and fairly dragged her to the door, throwing a final remark over her shoulder at her brother.

  ‘Was that your car waiting downstairs too? Goody, I hate driving in London.

  Now,’ she said turning to Lexie, where shall we start? Knightsbridge I think, oh this is going to be such fun.’ I tell you what though if I take you to a little boutique I know where you will get everything you need, that will leave us enough time to pop in at my favourite stylist to tame that mop of curls too. Just let me make a quick phone call to make sure they are expecting us and then we will be all set. Oh you do smell nice, what is that perfume I don’t know that one?’

  Mared kept up her steady stream of chatter as they were driven through the crowded streets. Lexie couldn’t help but be charmed and soon the younger girl’s good humour, proved to be highly infectious and she found herself relaxing and enjoying herself. Who could not she began to realise, enjoy being driven in such luxury, a big limo with every comfort laid on, even the almost cliché champagne!

  As they swept into one of the most exclusive shops Lexie had ever seen she became grateful for Mared and her seemingly bottomless font of knowledge where anything to wear was concerned. Not to mention the fact that the rather intimidating shop staff melted into almost embarrassing obeisance as she was instantly recognised. Lexie doubted very much that she would have been met with such attention had she been alone.

  The boutique was down a side street, tucked quietly away from the expensively elegant hum of celebrated purveyors of couture, that characterized that part of London. From the street outside you would have been forgiven for thinking it was a private building and walking straight past. Once through the elegant glass doors though, one was transported into an Aladdin's cave of designer wonders. Mared seemed to be on first name terms with not only the sales staff but with the designers themselves too. Before Lexie could protest she was whisked away to be measured, before a seemingly never-ending stream of garments were produced for her to try on. None of which were anything like the stuff she usually wore, and of course there was not a price tag in sight. The whole thing made her feel surreal, as if she’d suddenly been transported into a parallel, dressing up doll’s universe. In an effort to regain control she reminded herself that this was no jolly outing, a shopping spree to be enjoyed. This was yet another example of his, of Gethyn Mathias’ way of showing her who was boss. Sending her out to buy such personal things with his money, buy a black dress, he’d dictated, well she thought as an idea dawned. That’s just what she would do, buy black and only black. She would get the essentials, undies etc and three or four little black dresses, so that she was equipped to play the part he insisted on, but no more. Then when this farce was over she would leave them behind, she would take nothing with her from this nothing that she had not bought and paid for herself.

  ‘That’s it, I’ve had enough.’

  Holding out an outstretched arm up she stopped the shop assistant in mid stride. The girl looked confused, her arms full of clothes she just stood there waiting for the next order from this odd little customer. Mared, busy trying to decide between two big soft leather bags, looked up at Lexie’s impassioned plea and rushed over. ‘

  What’s wrong, don’t you like them?’ ‘

  They are all fine, but I have decided that I want to see only black dresses, simple black dresses, nothing else.’

  Mared was incredulous, ‘are you mad, we have big bro’s plastic and permission to melt it and you want black dresses?’

  It took some doing to convince Mared and the shop assistant, but half an hour later they emerged with one small tan leather case into which were packed half a dozen little black dresses, simple clean lined, very expensive designer black dresses but black dresses nevertheless, together with an array of plain silk underwear, black shoes in a range of heel heights, a simple long black silk nightdress and one soft cashmere jacket. Adding three pairs of casual grey trousers and some black shirts she felt equipped for anything. Lexie only made one concession and that was for a simple little beaded silk dress. Lexie had loved it on sight but had been reluctant to try on something that was so obviously very expensive. Still black but much prettier than the others. A thirties style empire line creation decorated with tiny glass beads, it was much more to her taste and she gave in to temptation. When she left she could pay him for this one dress, even if it would break the bank. Mared, though she had no choice about the restricted shopping was unmovable about the hairdressers, or to be more accurate, about the the styling salon and ignoring Lexie’s protest directed the driver to the exclusive outfit she herself used.

  It seemed that hair was just one small part of what the modern woman was expected to attend to, skin, eyes, hand and feet, were also on the list. Lexie bemusedly submitted to all the buffing, polishing, creaming and painting without demur and Mared kept up her good natured stream of advice as they sipped the complimentary champagne. It was only when it came to her hair that Lexie rebelled.

  ‘No, absolutely not’ she protested, ‘I don’t want my hair straightened, or coloured, or anything else. A bit of a trim is all it needs Mared, really it is.’

  But her self appointed style guru would not be put off that easily, and by the time the stylist had finished the ‘bit of a trim’ had morphed into an elegant cut that took off about a third off the length of Lexie’s riotous curls and by some careful layering reduced its bulk by an astonishing amount. The result was a sleeker look that framed Lexie’s face perfectly and even she had to admit, it looked and felt amazing. She was so pleased with the result that she relented and let Mared talk her into having just a few subtle blonde highlights added that just gave a soft, sun-kissed finishing touch. Finally there appeared as if by magic a small vanity case filled with a bewildering array of toiletries and make-up along with all the accoutrements needed to both apply and remove them.

  By early evening they were once again back at Geth’s apartment. Of the man himself there was no sign and Mared wasted no time in her relentless quest to transform her ‘new sister’ as she insisted on calling Lexie. Lexie had staunchly refused to wear any of the clothes they had bought, saying that she would prefer to wait until later to change.

  ‘No, honestly, Mared I need to be comfortable to continue this marathon, I’ll change when we get back and I can take my time to get used to all this.’

  Now she found there was no way out of it.

  ‘Come on sis, Geth will be back soon and I want to surprise him, won’t he be surprised when he sees your new look. You will have to watch him though, he can get really possessive if he thinks anyone is admiring what belongs to him, and let’s face it you are going to wow em all even if all you bought was black!’

  Lexie just couldn’t let that pass, ‘really Mared you are too much, I don’t belong to anyone but myself, and certainly not to any man, including Geth. I’m shocked at such a feudal attitude from a modern woman like you, this is not the dark ages.’

  Mared laughed, ‘just you wait, you will find out just how feudal Welsh males can be, especially my darling brother. Modern women we may be, but I would put money on your new look bringing out the caveman in Geth sooner or later.’

  Lexie smiled an uneasy little smile, ‘that’s enough of that nonsense, come and help me into this dress or I will still be half naked when I should be ready to go out.’

  This dress was strictly a ‘little black number’, being a sleek designer shift in silk with an e
legant square neckline. It hinted at rather than clung to her curves and Lexie felt she had found just the understated look she was aiming at. To finish the look there was a pair of Christian Louboutin antique shoes and a little clutch bag by Celestina, into which Mared popped a lipstick and a small atomizer of her own perfume.

  ‘There, you are all ready. I can’t wait to see the look on big bro’s face when he sees you, it’s going to be magic.’

  At that precise moment a laughing voice called from the hallway.

  ‘Just what sorcery are you two up to now?’

  Lexie froze and turned to face the direction of the disembodied voice, and her breath stilled in her lungs as she waited for him to appear.

  Geth dropped his laptop case onto the small table beside the door before moving to join the girls in the lounge. It had been a trying afternoon, while his staff were as always on top of their game the same could not be said of all other parties to this new venture. Consequently he had spent most of the afternoon on the phone trying to get his opposite number in a certain Canadian multi-national to put a fire under his people to make sure everything was in place in time for the next few days of high powered meetings. As a result he was running late and all he wanted now was to find Lexie in some suitable little black number ready to be seen in public, so that they could enjoy dinner and rise to the publicity his PR staff had arranged. He just hoped Mared had been able to get her into something suitable. Not that he usually minded her clothes, they were part of her personality, quirky. It was just that quirky was not what was needed tonight. With that thought uppermost in his mind Geth rounded the doorpost into his own lounge, stopping dead at the sight that met his eyes.