A Kept Woman

by New Dawning Books

  Derek picked up the two suitcases. “I’ll put your luggage in the car.”

  “I can’t believe we’re going,” Kathy said to her daughter.

  “There are a lot of things in this relationship that I can’t believe Mom. It’s a fairy tale come true.”

  An hour and a half later they were airborne. The pilot had switched off the seatbelt light and Hali, the flight attendant, had offered everyone a drink. Derek picked up the plane’s cell phone and proceeded to dial. “Good afternoon Mrs. Templeton.”

  “Mr. Davenport. Have you returned?” His secretary’s voice was pleasant, and always professional.

  “Almost. I’ll be arriving about nine. Could you please have the limo waiting for me? I have three guests. A couple of quick jobs before you go home. I need a limo for my guests for the weekend, Davis to prepare supper tomorrow for four, no…make it six.”

  “Full serving staff? Should I call Mason? How about Lawrence Heydon for some entertainment?”

  An efficient personal secretary was one of the most important assets in a prosperous conglomerate. “Yes on all three counts. Please call the Broadway One, and arrange the penthouse for two nights.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “How is everything at the office? Do I still own the company?”

  Mrs. Templeton’s soft laughter was her response.

  “Are you a grandmother yet?”

  “No. At her last appointment, Katrina’s doctor said it should be another two weeks. I don’t know if I can hold on that long.”

  “I think that’s it for now. Have a good weekend. I should be in Monday.” He hung up the telephone and returned his attention to Arianne’s parents. “Everything is arranged. Now we can relax and chat.”

  “Since we have such a short time to get to know you, can I ask how you two met?” Kathy sipped her champagne while Arianne explained the prearranged story.

  “My next question is why do we have such a short time to get to know you? I sound like such a nosy parker,” Kathy said.

  “As I explained to Ron there is something I wish to ask him but he can’t answer until he knows me.”

  Kathy’s hand covered the smile on her lips. “Can we…uh?” She waved her hand around the interior of the plane.

  “Sure go explore. You can’t cause any trouble. All the important buttons and dials are up in the cockpit. The attendant’s name is Hali and my pilot is Captain Dylan.”

  Ron stood up, started to walk then turned to Derek. “May I go up and check out the cockpit? Or is there some FAA rule?”

  “Hali. Please take Ron up and introduce him to Dylan. Thank-you.” Once everyone had wandered away Derek picked up the telephone and dialed.

  “Trevor, Davenport here. Yes, I’ll be back to work Monday. I need you to prepare some papers.”

  Arianne headed toward the cockpit shaking her head and smiling to herself. Derek was off his vacation. Davenport was back at work.

  As the plane neared the airport, Arianne and her mother returned to their seats across from Derek.

  “Where’s Ron?” asked Kathy

  Derek chuckled. “Do I even need to ask, he’s probably landing the plane.”

  Kathy looked towards the shut cockpit door. A shadow of concern passed over her face.

  “Dylan’s a flight school instructor when he’s not flying me around the world. He thinks everyone on the planet should know how to fly a plane.”

  “Can you fly?” asked Arianne.

  He threw back his head and laughed. “No. Dylan’s figured out if he teaches me he’d be out of a job.”

  With a gentle bump the plane landed and taxied next to the waiting car. As Derek led the way down the stairs, Caroline Davenport stepped out of the car. “Hello Mother.” He kissed her cheek. “What brings you here? Welcoming me back home.”

  She looked past her son at the others exiting the plane. “Confirming a suspicion.”

  “What suspicion? Or would that be, which suspicion?”

  “I told you to take the woman of your dreams down to the islands with you and I wanted to see who it was you took. Since everyone I know is still here in the city that left only one person.”

  “Hello Mrs. Davenport, how are you?”

  “Good evening Arianne.” Stepping past her, Caroline stretched out her hand. “You must be Arianne’s parents. I’m Caroline Davenport, Derek’s mother.”

  “Your mother doesn’t like me, “Arianne’s voice was low.

  Derek whispered in her ear. “I like you.”

  The chauffeur held the car door open and everyone slipped inside. “Broadway One, please.”

  Caroline brushed her hand across Derek’s cheek. “You are looking much healthier than when I shooed you away. More color in your skin, a healthy shine in those eyes. Men,” She turned to Arianne’s mother. “They work themselves into an early grave. The company will fall apart if they aren’t there every minute of every day.”

  The brightly lit skyline distracted Kathy and held her attention for the remainder of the trip. When the limousine pulled up and stopped, the hotel doorman opened the car door.

  “Will you join us tomorrow?” Derek asked his mother, “Davis will be preparing a supper. It’s important.”

  “Yes, dear, I will free up my calendar.”

  “Thank-you. You take the limo home then send him back, please. All of our luggage is in the trunk.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you when we have plans. May I have my cell phone back?”

  She opened her purse and handed it to him.

  “Good night Mom.”

  While they talked, the limousine driver had placed Arianne’s parent’s luggage at the front desk and returned to the car.

  Derek entered the front lobby, walked past the registration line to the waiting manager. “Good evening Mr. Davenport. Everything is arranged. That’s the luggage?” He snapped his fingers.

  As two bellboys scurried over, Derek led Arianne and her parents to the elevator. “Penthouse,” he told the bellboy closest to the buttons.

  The ride to the top apartment was swift and quiet. Kathy wandered around wide-eyed, hand over her mouth. “I never thought I’d ever stay…I sound so small town.”

  The intense smile on her mother’s face made Arianne reach up and kiss Derek’s cheek. “You are going to make a great son-in-law.”

  After settling Ron and Kathy into the penthouse suite, the limousine returned to drive Arianne to her apartment. As she started to exit the car, Derek touched her shoulder. “You sure about this?”

  “Yes, I think we both need our own beds and some time to let things settle. I’m exhausted from today and I think I just need to crash.” She brushed a soft kiss across his lips. “I’ll miss you.”

  He caught her head and pulled her mouth back to his. Her lips parted and his tongue found hers. The heat began to rise in both of them. They broke apart with a gasp. “I love you, Arianne.”

  She smiled and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “I know, I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice and I feel it when you make love with me.” She opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk, blew a kiss at Derek and watched the limousine drive away.

  Although sad with the decision, Derek understood her need of a night alone to rest and to collect her thoughts. He probably needed the same. Tomorrow was going to be hectic.

  Chapter Seventeen

  At nine fifteen a.m., Arianne’s telephone woke her from a light morning sleep. “Hello.”

  Derek’s low voice made Arianne’s pussy tingle with delight. “It’s lonely over here. I never noticed how large this bed is.”

  “I missed you, too.” She yawned. “Didn’t get as much sleep as I’d hoped, Taylor wouldn’t stop asking questions. He’s so excited for me. And my moving out is not a problem. He and Richard, that’s his boyfriend, have been talking about sharing a place. So I guess everything is going to work out wonderfully for everyone. Any plans for today?”

  Derek vaguely discussed his mornin
g appointments and helped Arianne settle her plans. “I’ll meet you in the restaurant at noon. I’ll make a reservation.”

  “Do you think we’ll need one?”

  “Needing one isn’t what matters. Your importance goes up if you have a reservation. It’ll be in my name. Say I’m unavoidably detained if you get there before me. Still got your credit card.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well it’s yours, so good ahead and use it. Buy your mother something ridiculously expensive. It’s later than I thought. See you at noon. Goodbye.”

  “Bye.” Arianne managed to squeak the word in before the dial tone hummed in her ear.

  After a morning of shopping and sightseeing both Arianne and her parents were happy to settle into the comfortable chairs of the restaurant. A moment later Derek’s mother arrived, whispered to the hostess and approached their table. “Good afternoon.”

  “Hello, again Caroline,” said Arianne’s father.

  Derek’s mother smiled. “What have you been doing this morning? Seeing the sights?”

  Arianne explained that they’d driven past Derek’s office tower, the UN and Ground Zero and had walked up Broadway.

  “As I presume I have one last chance, I feel the need to say something.” A waitress approached the table, but scurried away after a warning glance from Caroline. She continued, “I suppose, as Derek’s mother, I must be the devil’s advocate here. This isn’t personal Arianne, just brutal reality. As I understand what I haven’t been told, Derek wishes to propose to you.”

  Arianne nodded.

  “Has he explained how hopeless this is? You do not fit into our world. You are the square peg trying to get into a round hole. You can attempt to fit in, but you will make numerous blunders in an unforgiving society. To your face we will be charming, but behind your back we will be ruthless. You will have no friends. Your old friends will feel uncomfortable around you because of your new wealth and your new friends…well they won’t truly be friends. Many people had hoped for their daughter or niece to become Mrs. Derek Davenport. They will not take kindly to your usurpation of the position.”

  Caroline turned her charm toward Arianne’s parents. “You are her parents. You understand the world my son lives in. You must realize that your daughter will not be happy trying to live that life. Business tycoons are never home. They work long hours. Travel extensively. They have numerous affairs. It is not the idyllic lifestyle that…well the romantic concept of the lifestyle is highly exaggerated. Think very seriously of everything that I have said. Oh, here is Derek. I wish to steal him away for one moment.” Caroline rose, slipped her arm into Derek’s and steered him from the restaurant and into the limousine.

  “What is it, Mother?” Derek asked, after the door had been closed and the privacy divider raised.

  “I want you to think before you do anything.”

  “I have thought.”

  “What do you know about this girl? She may be nothing more than a gold digger.”

  “She didn’t seek me out. I went looking for her. Let me be as crude and blunt as possible. I have screwed a lot of women. I want this one.”

  The bitterness in her voice had a razor sharp edge. “The sex won’t keep the marriage together forever.”

  “I understand. And it isn’t all about sex. She’s real. She’s uninhibited. She’s—” He paused to try and collect the millions of thoughts racing through his mind. “The first moment I saw her—I didn’t even know who she was yet—something went snap. I tried to ignore her. But the gnawing inside got unbearable.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I understand your fears, but I am making the right choice. And I give you complete permission to kick my butt if I start turning into Dad. But I need your support. I know she is going to be a lost lamb to the wolves, but if Caroline Davenport is there at her side then her future acceptance is assured.” He ran his fingers through his hair and ended with. “I guess my only defense is simply that I love her. I have been in lust before, but this is love. When we are apart, I have this ache right here.” He tapped his chest.

  Caroline placed her hand on her son’s. “I know you love her. I’ve known for a long time. Is she the right woman for you?”

  “Yes.”

  “No hesitations? No doubts?”

  His answer was instant and emphatic. “None.”

  A contented smiled crossed Caroline’s face. “Then I will support her and will offer my blessing of this union. My baby is getting married.”

  Derek kissed her cheek. “Thank-you.”

  “But I have already spoken to them about the impossibility of this marriage.”

  “I assumed you would so now I am going in to do damage control. See you this evening.” Derek strode into the restaurant.

  As Derek walked over to the table, he could read the sad fear on Arianne’s face. He leaned down and kissed her. “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I know, but—” He placed a finger on her lips.

  “No buts,” he said as he sat.

  “Yes there is a but. Your mother…well everything she said is true.”

  “But the truth has more than one side. She spoke the truth from where she stands. Your truths will be different. It will take a bit of adjusting, but due to the simple fact that you will be Mrs. Arianne Davenport you will be accepted. You wanted to teach underprivileged children to paint and draw. Well now, you’ll have the financial backing to do it, and you’ll find people who would love to help. That’s where you will begin making your friends and contacts.”

  Kathy’s forehead crinkled with confusion. “Why the rush to get married? We asked Arianne and she says she’s not pregnant.”

  “Right now she’s vulnerable. If we do the year-long engagement that gives…let’s say a jealous competitor time to attempt some very unsubtle sabotage.”

  “But if the relationship is true then it will stand the test,” suggested Ron.

  Derek shook his head, caught Arianne’s eye and smiled. “I don’t want to deal with the problems. People will start rumors. Arianne and I will have a terrible fight. The engagement will get called off. We’ll have to make up. Everyone’s nerves will get frayed. I want to avoid all that. In the security of a marriage we can deal with the problems knowing we are committed to each other. I’m not an impulsive man. I rarely take a step without checking for consequences. This marriage is right. I know that to the very depths of my soul. I love your daughter and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.” He paused to let his sentiments sink in. Standing he said, “I am going to leave. Talk to your daughter. Let her help you understand. Bring all your doubts and questions to supper.” Bending over he kissed her cheek.

  As he started to leave, Arianne put out her hand and stopped him. “I love you.”

  “Of that Arianne, I have no doubt. I’ll pick you up about seven thirty.” Nodding to her parents, he continued, “See you this evening. Enjoy your lunch. But save room for supper. Davis is has promised me a gastronomic fantasy.” With that, Derek left.

  * * * *

  The limousine ride was tense while everyone tried to appear relaxed and full of amiable chatter. “Is there nothing more handsome than a man in a tuxedo?” Arianne whispered to her mother.

  “I imagine that one is equally handsome out of his tuxedo,” her mother whispered back. Two excited giggles interrupted Derek and Ron’s conversation.

  The doorman opened the door the moment the car stopped. Everyone followed Derek into the elevator and up to his apartment. They stepped through the wood paneled foyer into the main living room.

  A middle-aged man in an immaculate black suit stood straighter and nodded his head. “Good evening, Mr. Davenport. Miss Arianne. Mr. Ron and Ms. Kathy Walker.”

  “Good evening Mason. Everything ready?”

  As the butler collected coats and purses. “All arrangements have been made, although one party has not RSVP’d. Shall I bring drinks into the living room?”

  Derek indicated the direction with hand. �
�Yes, please.”

  Arianne led the way.

  Gail entered to assist. After hanging up the last coat, Gail smiled at her employer. “Good evening Mr. Davenport. You are looking wonderfully relaxed.”

  “Hi, Gail. You don’t have to be so formal. Ron, Kathy, this is my former nanny and now my housekeeper, Gail. These are Arianne’s parents.”

  “A pleasure to meet you both. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate. Mr. Davenport is a bit lacking in understanding feminine curiosity. For example a tour of the apartment?”

  “Yes, please,” said Arianne.

  “What you haven’t been here?” asked her mother as they followed Gail across the living room and into the conservatory.

  “Once and that was for a very brief time. I only saw two rooms. At the time I thought it was Buckingham Palace, but now I can see I was wrong. It’s grander than that.”

  When they returned to the living room, Arianne was overwhelmed and lost. “This place is huge! You have your own pool.” The soft chords of Mozart filled the room. She turned her head. “And you have your own piano player.”

  “Heydon plays with the Philharmonic. He entertains when I have special guests. It’s more relaxing than pre-recorded music. He does take requests. But not tips.”

  “Mrs. Caroline Davenport,” the butler announced. Greetings were expressed and everyone sat, listened to the music and chatted while enticing smells emanated from Derek’s kitchen.

  The butler silently strode into the room. “Dinner is served.”

  Derek looked at his watch and sighed. “This way.”

  Looking at the six empty seats around the dining room table, Caroline caught her breath. She turned to Derek. “You didn’t!”

  Indicating with hand, Derek said, “Ron, Kathy you may sit there. Mother.” He held her chair and as she sat. Holding out his arm, he escorted Arianne to the opposite end of the long table.

  “Mr. Davenport.” The butler’s announcement caused everyone’s head to turn.

  “Hello Caroline. You are looking splendid this evening.”

  “Good evening John.”

  He stepped up to Derek and Arianne. “And you must be my future daughter-in-law, Arianne. John Davenport. I see my son decided to leave my arrival as a surprise.”