“Chester, I’d prefer a glass of iced tea, extra ice,” Nicole reminded him.
Whatever he wanted to say, he bit it back and motioned to Ava, who stood at the door, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
“How are you doing, Ava?” Cecilia inquired. Her smile and friendliness cleared the tension.
“Very well, thank you, Miss Cecilia,” Ava answered before she scurried away.
“You needn’t wait, Chester. We’ll serve ourselves once my iced tea arrives,” Nicole instructed.
He clearly didn’t like being dismissed and departed reluctantly after checking on the teapots several times.
“Have I broken some custom by banishing him from the room?” Nicole asked when she and Cecilia were alone.
“Suppose you have? This house is yours now to do with as you wish.” Cecilia drew her chair closer to the table. “I’m glad he left. Chester is the most efficient butler you could ask for, but it limits one’s conversation to have him around. That man knows everything that goes on around this island. Not that I think of him as a gossip, but he does get around.” She helped herself to a slice of homemade cranberry bread.
“He seems to like being in charge,” Nicole observed. “I met his wife briefly when I arrived and haven’t seen her since. Do they have any children?”
“A daughter named Lucia,” Cecilia told her. “She lived here for a while, but she and Caroline had some sort of misunderstanding and she left suddenly without a good-bye. I doubt the Greys ever hear from her.” Her smile, like Michael’s, was warm and friendly. Nicole blushed; he only looked that way after nearly kissing her. “Don’t let Chester intimidate you.”
“Did he intimidate Grandmother?”
“Caroline Alexander? Never! No one intimidated your grandmother,” Cecilia said in surprise. “I forgot for a moment that you never met her. She was truly a great lady. No one got away with anything with her, except perhaps Ellis Sadler; she had a soft spot for him. And he adored her, although I don’t believe she returned the intensity of his feelings. But he had a way of charming her that she responded to, and it’s my opinion that he managed to keep a powerful spotlight on Robert’s weaknesses and failures. Did you know your cousin or uncle well?”
“No, neither of them. Did Kirkland have many weaknesses?” Nicole wished she’d met her cousin. She’d always wanted to know her entire family and had never understood what had torn them apart.
“Who among us doesn’t?” Cecilia answered. “I’d hate to have someone pointing out my flaws all the time.”
“But why would Ellis want to discredit my cousin? What would he gain by doing that?”
“Ellis might have thought Caroline would make Kirkland heir, since no one knew about you until the reading of the will. More than likely, though, he just wanted to cause trouble. I’ve always thought he enjoys stirring up problems for others for his own amusement. His eyes sparkle when he gets a front seat to witness the fallout. There are people like that, you know.”
Nicole remembered Ellis’s remarks about Michael. He’d been trying, she realized, to turn her against Michael. Now she wondered if he’d had a specific reason to cause trouble by telling her about Michael’s refusal to marry her and if there was even any truth to the claim.
“One thing I have to say for Chester,” Cecilia admitted. “He knew Kirkland’s faults and always covered for him. It must have been out of affection because he had nothing to gain by it. Kirkland certainly never had an extra cent to bribe him with. Caroline gave him a generous allowance, but money seemed to burn a hole in his pocket. You can see why she wouldn’t have wanted to leave her estate to her grandson. She could be generous, but she didn’t believe in squandering anything.”
“I can’t help but wonder…” Nicole started off tentatively. “I’ve heard about a first will, so maybe she did want everything to go to him?”
“That doesn’t matter. Kirkland is dead and left no heirs. Your grandmother adored him, you know; she raised him after his father died. She tried to instill discipline in him, but he rebelled at every turn. She worried about the type of girl he might marry someday, and she didn’t like that he seemed to be attracted to strippers…” She broke off. “Curious, isn’t it, the attraction some men can feel toward a certain kind of woman?” Teacup suspended, Cecilia’s eyes roamed the garden below. Nicole wondered if she was reliving her own romantic experiences.
Chester appeared at the door with Nicole’s glass of iced tea. “Mr. Templeton,” he announced and stood aside to allow the tall blond man to enter.
“Greg?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “What in the world are you doing here?”
“Nicole, darling! I missed you, so I followed you all the way to Starfish Island because I want us to reconcile.” He swept into the room, a hint of “what are you going to do about it” in his declaration. “In fact, I’m going to marry you.” He raised an eyebrow at Nicole, stroking the scraggly hair on his upper lip that wasn’t quite a mustache, his forefinger none too steady.
They stared at one another as if turned to stone, but the spell hadn’t penetrated Nicole’s mind. Her thoughts raced. “Gregory Templeton, you have a bizarre sense of humor,” she declared, trying to make light of the awkward personal moment taking place in front of her new neighbor. “I would never marry you.”
In her memory, she heard Michael’s laughing voice saying, “Perhaps Caroline Alexander did leave you a husband.” She knew this wasn’t what Grandmother had in mind.
She wanted to wipe the smug look off Greg’s face. She needed to make it clear that she had no interest in falling back into his arms and that they would never get back together.
Cecilia discretely cleared her throat, setting her cranberry bread down on her small plate. “Perhaps I should give you two a moment alone?”
Nicole cringed and glared at Greg before turning to Cecilia. “I’m so sorry. Where are my manners? Cecilia, this is Greg Templeton; Greg, Cecilia. And, no, please don’t go anywhere. This conversation is over,” she said, looking pointedly at her ex. Though she was shaking with anger, she made herself speak calmly so Greg wouldn’t know how rattled she was. “Apparently, Greg, you haven’t heard that among my grandmother’s bequests to me was a fiancé. I intend to accept him, along with the rest of the property. This estate is just too big to handle alone.” Her face burned with the big lie, but her fingers gripping the sides of her chair were ice cold.
“I hope I’m not too late?” Michael asked from the threshold. He stood looking from one to another, smiling and handsome in casual shorts and a shirt.
Had he heard her crazy announcement? Would he think she’d taken his laughing statement seriously?
“It’s a surprise to find you here, Templeton,” Michael said, drawing a chair up next to Nicole’s. His voice suggested neutrality, but she sensed he loathed the man and wondered how in the heck they’d ever met.
Greg dropped into a chair with a speed that suggested weakening of the knees; the situation was apparently more than he’d bargained for.
Even the unflappable Chester stammered as he said, “I’ll bring more hot water and bread.”
“Excuse me, Chester,” Nicole said before he could get to the door. She looked at Michael. “What would you like to drink—and you, Greg?”
Michael gave her a big smile. “I’ll have beer, Chester.”
“Me too,” Greg said. Chester straightened and nodded, his eyes shooting darts. He gestured for Ava to leave, but planted himself inside the door. Greg turned back to Nicole. “I believe I need some clarification,” he announced with an attempt at a light touch.
“I think it has been completely clarified,” Nicole countered. “You made a rather dramatic uninvited entrance and started talking about marriage. I’m telling you now that marriage to you is out of the question. I don’t want you. I want someone else.”
That brought Greg to his feet, fair cheeks turning dark red, blue eyes narrowed in anger. “Our interests matched up just fine a few weeks ag
o, when we spent every night together. Or are you going to lie to yourself and forget that you love me?”
“You over-exaggerate our relationship,” Nicole declared. “You’ve apparently forgotten the last night we spent together, when I told you that I never wanted to see you again and the reason why.”
“I can’t believe that’s the way you really feel about us.”
“I think I expressed myself perfectly.”
“Nicole, you don’t mean it.” His eyes probed hers, his voice tender. “You don’t fool me. I don’t believe this fiancé business. This is something you’ve dreamed up to keep me at arm’s length. Nicole, it isn’t me you’re afraid of, but yourself.”
“Of all the arrogant—” she started.
Greg cut her off. He turned to Michael and said, his voice dripping with anger, “Just where the hell did you come from? I suppose I have you to thank for this brush-off, Edwards? You interfered in my life once before, and you’re damn well not going to do it again.”
“On the contrary,” Michael said, his eyes hard blue dots, “I didn’t know that you and Nicole had met. But if I had, I certainly would’ve warned her.”
Greg rushed to speak, as though fearing what would come next. “Don’t think I’ll give up on what I want so easily, Nicole. You’ll be seeing a lot of me.” He turned and stomped out.
Nicole let out a rush of air, running her fingers through her curls. “I’m so embarrassed you had to see that. I don’t know what’s come over him. Let’s hope that’s the last I see of him, despite his bravado.” But she knew Greg would be back, which made her nauseous. She chewed the corner of lip, unable to let go of the question of how exactly Michael knew Gregory.
Ava chose that moment to return with a tray of drinks, which Chester took from her and set on the table. Even then, he didn’t leave the room, presumably so he could continue listening in.
“What’s this about a fiancé left to you by Caroline? Are you sure that isn’t something Ellis dreamed up?” Michael asked.
Nicole shook her head. “I’m responsible for that startling announcement. I faked the fiancé as an emergency invention to get rid of Greg. I met him several months ago and enjoyed his company for a short time, but for several reasons, I decided not to see him again and told him so. Now you know the whole story.”
“I wonder if I do,” Michael responded, staring at her. “But it will have to do for the present. Will you go to dinner with me tonight? Join the Edwards family at the Beach Club?”
“Thank you, but I’ve already accepted an invitation from Ellis Sadler. Same place.”
“Guess I’m out of luck.” He looked briefly angry but then assumed a neutral expression.
She wished Michael had asked first. She wondered what he thought of her. He had, after all, spend quite a lot of time watching her on Caroline’s behalf, according to his own account.
“I’d like your undivided attention,” Cecilia said, breaking the silence. “I have about a half-dozen projects, and I’d like to interest you in at least one.”
“I’m a pushover for an interesting project, especially anything to do with animals. I noticed Grandmother was on the board of the local animal shelter, and I’d like to continue helping out,” Nicole said, hoping a change of subject would dispel the gloom left behind by Greg.
“I hope you’ll like my first suggestion. Michael and I want to throw a party to introduce you to everyone on the island. How about two weeks from now? I’ll check my calendar for a date and let you know. Would you like that?”
“I love parties,” Nicole said. “I hope your other propositions are just as exciting as this one.”
“That’s enough for now, Cecilia.” Michael stood up. “Give Nicole time to get settled. We should go.”
“Okay, Michael.” Cecilia rose. For a moment, she hesitated, and the color in her face deepened. “Nicole, I hope the fact that we witnessed what happened between you and your friend won’t bother you.”
Nicole shook her head. “I told Greg long before I left Santa Fe that I never wanted to see him again. Let’s forget about him. Tell me what I should wear tonight.”
“Dressy-casual. The women tend to dress to impress more than the men.” Cecilia caught Nicole’s hand in hers. “I’m going to love having you for a neighbor. Life is going to be a lot more interesting.”
“I agree with that.” Michael winked at her. “Come on, Cecilia.”
Nicole accompanied them to the entry. Looking at the bare floor reminded her… “I haven’t been able to figure out why this area doesn’t have a rug when the rest of the house is covered with beautiful area rugs.”
“Caroline went out very little in the last few years of her life,” Michael explained. “It amused her to sit in the library and try to figure out from the sound of the footsteps who was coming.”
Nicole listened to the tap, tap of Cecilia’s heels as she headed for the front door and the rubbery sound of Michael’s boat shoes as they walked away.
Nicole returned to the atrium and stopped—she heard footsteps. Were Cecilia and Michael returning for something they’d forgotten?
Voices. Had they met someone on the way out? Please, not Greg. She wouldn’t put it past him to return, and she’d had all she could take this afternoon. Where was Chester? Then she heard a car start up. She crossed the room to the terrace and barely missed colliding with Michael.
He caught her hands and drew her into the library, pressing her up against the wall. “Alone at last. If only for a few minutes.” His whisper came in puffs. “Quick, before Chester comes back. I want to talk to you about the break-in here at the house.”
Chapter Five
“DID YOU FIND out anything new?” Nicole demanded.
“Calm down,” Michael said, leaning closer. “I don’t have all the facts—mostly theories. What I need is your help. Here comes Chester, and he looks mad. Be on guard with him. Do you mind if I stay to listen in?”
“He won’t say anything in front of you.”
“True. I’ll just make sure he doesn’t see me.” Michael slipped behind a decorative bamboo screen in the corner.
“I’ve come to remove the tray, Miss Alexander,” Chester announced as he entered the room.
Nicole made an effort to control her emotions in front of him. She glanced at where Michael stood, relieved to see he was completely hidden. “Chester, I’m having dinner out tonight.”
He nodded and left.
Michael slid out from behind the screen, looking annoyed. “I wanted to take you to dinner. “
“I didn’t know that when Ellis invited me to the Beach Club, which I’m apparently a member of. It’s just a friendly dinner.”
“I’ll rescue you from Ellis and introduce you around.” He looked out the open door to make sure no one lurked in the hallway, then closed it softly.
“I’ve been told Chester has an uncanny knack for knowing everything. Is a closed door enough?” she asked.
“He does indeed. I’d be surprised if he didn’t already know about you being followed.” Michael ran his fingers around her lips, staring at them. “Remember,” he said, “walls have ears. I’d bet these walls are hiding plenty of secrets. If it should leak out that I’m onto something, the trail might go cold. I have to go now; Jake’s coming by before dinner.” He withdrew, his eyes clouding over. “We’ll talk later. Save a dance for me.”
“Not bad news?” she asked.
“Just some business problems we need to discuss.”
“Are they serious?” She wondered why she even cared and realized she wanted to know everything about him.
“I hope they won’t be. Don’t worry, my expertise lies in problem-solving,” he said with confidence. “Edwards Inc. stands for more than just making money, and we have a family name to protect. See you tonight.” He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips, his hands wrapped in her hair. “Don’t accept any more dates without checking with me first.”
She laughed, a shiver running
down her spine from the feel of his warm lips against hers. “Does the same apply to you?”
He pulled her against his body. “I’ll have my assistant send you a copy of my schedule in the morning,” he whispered against her lips.
Nicole tried to keep her legs steady as she accompanied him to the front door. She listened to the sound of his feet as they walked across the tile. The moment the door closed, Chester appeared out of nowhere.
“May I have a word with you, Miss Alexander?”
She knew trouble loomed; the infamous vein in his temple was throbbing. “Certainly, Chester.” She walked into the library.
He followed and cleared his throat. “I understand you’ve moved into Mrs. Alexander’s rooms. Don’t you think you should have consulted me first?”
Anger reddened Nicole’s cheeks. Her emerald eyes met his squarely. “Just why should I have consulted you, Chester?” she demanded, emphasizing the I. “This is my house now. You and your wife work for me and are here to carry out my wishes, not to tell me what to do or how it is to be done. The moment you presume to dictate to me, you both can leave.”
“You can’t discharge us.”
She stared, mesmerized by the vein in his temple, which had rapidly increased its throbbing, and took a deep breath to control a nervous laugh. “Grandmother’s will provided for you and your wife very generously, and I understand that the money is to be made available soon. The two of you can live quite comfortably anywhere you choose.”
“Does that mean we’re fired?” he sputtered.
“As long as you remember that I make all the decisions, I’m sure we can live together in peace.” She would prefer to have the Greys leave now but lacked the courage for that showdown. She didn’t need or want an overbearing butler; she could live in three rooms of this house and be quite happy.
Starfish Island Page 5