Dying To Marry

by Janelle Taylor

  “Thank you,” she said, taking it from him. She was glad to have something to do with her hands.

  “You look beautiful,” he whispered. “I hope you don’t mind my saying that.”

  She felt herself blush. Just say thank you, she ordered herself. But her mouth felt as though it were stuffed with cotton. She smiled shyly instead, and he smiled back.

  “Can you bring me up to date on where you are suspect-wise?” Holly asked, mostly to have something to say. He hadn’t made a point of talking to her when he’d come by Lizzie’s to discuss the case. He seemed to be trying to avoid her.

  Holly cleared her throat. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to know who your top suspect is, so that I can pay close attention to him or her tonight. Or perhaps we could begin with the top two—we could each take one—surreptitiously follow them around, listen to their conversations.”

  “I thought we’d begin with a glass of champagne,” Jake said, clinking his glass with hers.

  Holly felt her cheeks pinken. She was so aware of him standing next to her, his masculinity. She could smell just a hint of his soap, a hint of his aftershave.

  He was in love with you in high school ...

  Was it true? Had this gorgeous man really loved her?

  “You promised me my first dance, Jake Boone,” came a seductive, feminine voice.

  Holly and Jake turned to find Pru Dunhill in a skintight, low-cut, short black dress. Somehow, she managed to look elegantly sexy, instead of inappropriate. With her long blond hair and blue eyes, Pru’s angelic beauty was offset by the severity of the black, and she made a dazzling picture.

  Pru took Jake’s hand and put it to her waist. “Lead me around the floor,” she purred.

  “Sorry, Pru, but I’m in the middle of something,” Jake said.

  Pru stared at Holly with one of her famous dirty looks. “I’m sure your friend here—what was your name, dear? I believe we met at the reunion, but I’m at a loss ...”

  Holly stared at her, stunned at how outwardly obnoxious she was. Perhaps Jake was right about Pru; she was so forthright, it seemed uncharacteristic of her to skulk around, leaving notes and scratching cars and hiding behind Bettina’s Bridal to hurl a stone. Holly could imagine Pru Dunhill standing right in front of someone with a stone in her hand. She could also imagine her sending an obnoxious letter to Gayle’s boss.

  “Her name is Holly Morrow,” Jake said.

  She caught the impatience in his voice, that old disdain for Pru. Or was it impatience at being with me, disdain for me, when perhaps there was something going on between him and Pru, as unbelievable as that was. Perhaps he didn’t like her, but she was stunning and she sure did come on to him in a very strong sexual way. Maybe ...

  Holly well recalled seeing the two of them together on the train platform. Granted, Pru had been all over Jake, not the other way around. But still, maybe they slept together, casually.

  Jake Boone doesn’t do anything casually, said a voice from somewhere inside her. He’s not sleeping with Pru Dunhill.

  Pru shot Holly a cold smile. “Ah, that’s right. Holly Morrow. It’s a shame for you that cousins aren’t considered ‘family’ by marriage. Lizzie will be a Dunhill, of course, by name and marriage, if not pedigree. But you won’t be. It doesn’t work that way. Sorry, hon.”

  If Holly hadn’t been exposed to Pru Dunhill from the age of eleven, she would not believe what had just come out of her venomous mouth. The woman was despicable, there was no other way around it.

  “Pru, what makes you think Holly is the least bit interested in whether or not she is or isn’t a part of the Dunhill family?”

  “Isn’t,” Pru assured them. “And please, who wouldn’t want to be a part of the Dunhill empire?”

  Holly stifled a laugh. Surprised that she could laugh at Pru, Holly realized that the woman had lost the power to hurt her, to have an impact on her self-esteem or worth as a person. Pru never had, not really, but she had managed to hurt Holly, more at the injustice at being treated badly than at anything Pru actually said. Holly had always been proud of her name and she always would be.

  “Come, Jake,” Pru said, trailing a finger up his chest to his lips. “Come dance with me.”

  “Pru, I’m talking to Holly,” he said, stepping back from her.

  “Holly must be used to waiting around,” Pru said. “Of course she doesn’t mind if I steal you for one little dance.”

  “Actually, I do mind,” Holly said, surprising herself again. She blushed and glanced down. She wasn’t quite sure how that had come across. She felt Jake’s eyes on her.

  “Why, Holly, I didn’t know you cared,” he said somewhat teasingly.

  But there was the edge of something dark in his voice. A hint of sarcasm.

  “As a matter of fact, Pru,” Jake said, “I’m surprised you’re interested in dancing with anyone other than your new boyfriend.”

  Yes! Holly thought, impressed by Jake’s good use of the opportunity to slyly confront Pru.

  The blood drained from Pru’s face and she took a small step back. “What are you talking about? I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m not even dating anyone right now.”

  “Oh?” Jake said innocently. “I thought I saw you having something of a lover’s spat.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Pru said. “You must have me mistaken with someone else.”

  “You’re difficult to mistake, Pru,” Jake said.

  Pru glanced at Jake, yet not angrily, Holly noticed. Instead, Pru seemed ... nervous. Very nervous.

  “Well, either you need to get those gorgeous eyes of yours checked, Jake Boone, or you’re not as good a private investigator as you think.”

  “So you weren’t having an argument with a man during the reunion?” Jake asked.

  The color returned to Pru’s cheeks. Hot red spots. “I most certainly was not. In fact, I had the time of my life at the reunion.”

  “Well, that’s interesting,” Jake said. “Because I’d bet my life it was you I saw.”

  Holly held her breath. Had Jake baited her to the point that she’d crack?

  “Now, now, Jakie,” Pru said, reaching two slender hands toward his neck. She tugged on his tie. “I—”

  “Pru! There you are!” Arianna said, grabbing Pru’s hand. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Wait till you see what Clarissa Leedwill is wearing! You can see her thong underwear through her gown!”

  Whatever Pru had been about to say about Jake and his life had been forgotten. But Holly would bet her life that Pru had been about to retort with a thinly veiled warning.

  “So sorry to interrupt your little reunion,” Pru said to Jake. “Come find me when you’re through rehashing old boring times,” she added with a press against him, before flitting away.

  Holly rolled her eyes. “Not too subtle, is she?”

  “She’s the opposite of subtle,” Jake said, leading Holly to an empty space by a wall. “Which is why, despite what we saw, my gut says she’s not our gal. I’m not saying she’s not high on the list—she is—but my gut says she’s not the one.”

  “Then why was she arguing with a strange man in the woods during the reunion?” Holly asked.

  “Maybe it really was a lover’s spat,” Jake said. “I hadn’t considered that, actually.”

  Holly shook her head. “But she said she wasn’t even dating anyone.”

  Jake let out a deep breath. “I’m more confused about Pru than I was five minutes ago. I expected her to say, ‘You caught me, Jake Boone. My new man and I sneaked off into the woods for a private moment, but then we got into a little lover’s quarrel. Everything’s peachy now, of course.’ But she didn’t say that. In fact, she denied she was dating anyone. Denied having a fight with anyone the night of the reunion. Why?”

  “Why, is right,” Holly said. “She could have covered her butt, pretended that the man she hired to hurt Lizzie and her bridal party is no one other than her new boyfriend.”
/>   “I’ll need to trail her,” Jake said. “It’s the only way I’ll find out who the man is. And when I find out who he is, I can pressure him into revealing something.”

  Holly nodded. “I’ll keep an eye on her tonight.”

  “Holly—” Jake began.

  “Just an eye,” Holly said. “I’m not talking about becoming an amateur sleuth. Who knows—perhaps our mystery man will show up here tonight.”

  Jake nodded. “Another thing I don’t understand is her motive. If she is our gal, why? She doesn’t have a super strong motive. She might not want Lizzie as a sister-in-law, but it wouldn’t personally affect her.”

  “But it would personally affect Victoria Dunhill,” Holly pointed out. “Lizzie marrying into the family, her only son—”

  The sound of a bell ringing interrupted Holly. She craned her neck around a group of people in front of her and Jake. Victoria Dunhill stood in the center of the room, bell in hand.

  “Attention, please,” Mrs. Dunhill called, her peach sequins glittering in the dim light. “Thank you all so much for coming to celebrate the engagement of my son Dylan to the woman of his choice”—she emphasized choice—“Miss Lizbeth Morrow.” She gestured at the couple, who stood arm in arm nearby, to join her.

  Dylan took Lizzie’s hand, brought it to his lips, kissed it, and then gallantly led her to his mother. To the wolves, Holly couldn’t help but think.

  After a round of applause, Dylan held up a hand. “Thank you all so much for helping us celebrate our incredible happiness,” he said. “For the first time in my life, I am absolutely madly and truly in love, and I’m honored that the woman of my dreams, my beautiful, sweet Lizzie, has consented to marry me.”

  There were some ahs and cheers and claps, and also stony faces and silences. Holly tried to pay attention to who was stony, but there were too many and too many Holly didn’t recognize. She glanced around for Pru and found the woman standing in a far corner with Arianna, whispering and laughing and pointing. Suddenly, Pru joined her family in the center. She whispered something in Lizzie’s ear, and Lizzie turned bright red, her eyes full of panic.

  Oh, no. What did Pru say to Lizzie? Should I go see what’s wrong? Holly wondered.

  Before Holly could move, Lizzie began backing her way through the crowd, against the wall, heading for the exit. Everyone was staring at her.

  “Lizzie?” Dylan said. “What’s wrong?”

  Beet red, Lizzie continued backing out of the room. “I’ll be right back, sweetie.”

  Dylan signaled the band to continue playing, and once music filled the room, everyone went back to talking, drinking, and dancing.

  Holly glanced at Pru, who was smiling. Arianna slithered next to Pru, and they high-fived each other.

  Oh, God. What had Pru said to Lizzie?

  Holly rushed after Lizzie and found her standing against a wall in the foyer outside the ballroom, asking a maid where the powder room was.

  “Lizzie!” Holly called, hurrying to her. “What’s wrong?”

  “I need to get to the bathroom right away!” Lizzie said, tears in her eyes. “Pru said my dress split up the back and that you could see my thong!”

  Holly stood behind Lizzie as the maid directed them to the powder room. She locked the door, then checked Lizzie’s dress. “Lizzie, there is nothing wrong with your dress. It’s not split. It’s not even torn. It’s absolutely fine.”

  “What?” Lizzie said, trying to get a good glimpse of her back in the mirror. “Are you sure?”

  “It’s in as perfect condition as it was when you left your house,” Holly assured her.

  “Then why would Pru—” Lizzie stopped and closed her eyes. “Oh, that’s right. She was just having a little fun by ruining my engagement party for me, right in the middle of my future mother-in-law’s toast to me and Dylan.” She burst into tears, then wiped them away angrily.

  “You know what, Liz? You’re not going to let that immature, spiteful person ruin anything for you. You’re going to go back in there, tell Mrs. Dunhill exactly what happened and that Pru was mistaken about your dress, and that she should feel free to continue on with her toast.”

  Lizzie took a deep breath, collected herself, and nodded. “You’re right, Holly. I’m not going to let Pru’s immaturity ruin my night. My money’s on her for our culprit,” Lizzie added. “She’s the only person close to the family who hasn’t asked how Flea’s doing.”

  “That’s because she doesn’t care about anyone but herself,” Holly said. “But Jake doesn’t think Pru is the one, and I’m beginning to think he’s right. Pru is so outward in her animosity. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’d sneak around to get her way.”

  “I guess that makes sense,” Lizzie said. “Oh, I just hope nothing goes wrong tonight. I don’t even kid myself anymore about being welcomed into the family—I just want the night to pass in a civilized way.”

  It was a shame that that was the best Lizzie could ask for herself. But given what Holly had seen of the family so far, her cousin was being realistic.

  Holly stood behind Lizzie and smiled at her reflection. “Let’s go back out there and show these people who owns this town!”

  “Yeah!” Lizzie exclaimed, smiling. “Oh, Hol, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You’ll never have to find out,” Holly said. “C’mon. That handsome fiancé of yours is probably going crazy wondering what was wrong.”

  Indeed, Dylan was pacing in front of the bathroom, and he was all over Lizzie the moment she exited. She assured him she was all right, that she thought her dress had split open, and had been mortified until she checked it out.

  “Is that what Pru whispered to you?” Dylan asked.

  “Forget it, Dylan,” Lizzie said, kissing him on the cheek. “It’s no big deal. Maybe she thought it had split for some reason. The lighting ...”

  Dylan shook his head. “I’ll never understand my sister.” He slung an arm around Lizzie. “Don’t worry about Pru. She’ll come around. When she gets to know you, Lizzie, she’ll love you like I do. And if she doesn’t get to know you, well, then it’s her loss.”

  Holly had to admit she liked Dylan. The more she got to know him, the more she liked him.

  “I’ve been on the lookout for your mom, Lizzie, but I haven’t seen her,” Dylan said. “She is coming, isn’t she?”

  “Your mother personally invited Mom by telephone,” Lizzie said. “So she knows where and when. I’m also surprised she’s not here yet.” She glanced at her watch. “She’s an hour late. I hope everything’s all—”

  “Lizzie, I’m sure your mom’s fine,” Dylan said. “She’s probably just delayed at the bar or in deciding what to wear.”

  Aunt Louise had two good dresses—one slightly fancier than the other, and Holly knew her aunt would choose the fancier one, a lovely royal blue that accentuated her bright blue eyes. She wasn’t delayed in getting dressed. Which meant ...

  Oh, God. Why hadn’t they insisted Holly’s mother come with them in the limo? Mrs. Morrow had determined to drive herself—she was nervous about meeting the Dunhills as her in-laws-to-be, and she wanted to get ready at her own pace and drive herself the five minutes Up Hill to the mansion. Maybe something had happened. Maybe the culprit had gotten to Aunt Louise!

  “I’m sure she’s fine,” Dylan said, but Holly caught the worry in his tone. So did Lizzie. Dylan handed her his cell phone. “Call her.”

  Lizzie punched in the numbers. “Mom? Is everything all right?” She listened and relief came over her features and shoulders. “We were so worried! We expected you an hour ago.” She listened again. “No, the party’s not starting at nine o’clock—it’s ending at nine. The party started at seven!”

  A two-hour discrepancy? Had Mrs. Dunhill told Lizzie’s mother the party was starting at nine o’clock?

  “Mom, you must have misunderstood Mrs. Dunhill. Why would she tell you nine o’clock when she herself was the one who decided the party wo
uld start at seven?”

  Holly let out a harsh breath. She could answer that question.

  “I’m sure Mrs. Dunhill meant seven, too, Mom,” Lizzie was saying, but the truth of what had happened was in the tears she was trying to blink back. “Well, it’s only a two-hour party, and if you’re just getting ready now, you’ll get here when it’s ending.”

  “We’ll extend the party, Lizzie,” Dylan said.

  Lizzie shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. “Mom, why don’t we set up a lunch, you and me and Dylan and his mother. Yes, for next week. I know, I’m sorry, too. No, no, Mom, it’s okay.”

  Holly watched Lizzie try to hold on to her composure as she and her mother talked a bit more and then hung up. “Lizzie? I’m sure it was a misunderstanding. Let’s all go back in and enjoy ourselves.”

  “Enjoy myself?” Lizzie repeated. “My sister-in-law-to-be hates my guts, and my mother-in-law-to-be personally invited my mother to show up when her daughter’s engagement party was ending. I don’t think I can enjoy myself.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Dylan growled. “What the hell is wrong with my family!”

  “You’re marrying me,” Lizzie said. “That’s what’s wrong with them.”

  “Let’s go back in there and talk to my mother right now,” Dylan said. “A little two on one. We’ll see how she likes being taken away from the party she’s throwing.”

  “Actually, she already left,” said Jake.

  Holly, Dylan and Lizzie turned around to find Jake, the faint remnants of a pink kiss on his cheek. Gee, I wonder whose lips left that, Holly thought sarcastically.

  “I’ve been unable to find Mrs. Dunhill for the past fifteen minutes,” Jake said. “And no one has seen her.”

  “Great, she couldn’t stand being at our engagement party,” Lizzie said.

  “Lizzie!”

  Lizzie whirled around at her mother’s voice. “Mom! You got here so fast!”

  “I wouldn’t miss my baby’s engagement party for the world,” Mrs. Morrow said. She looked lovely in her blue dress. “Oh, how beautiful you and Holly look. Where’s Gayle? Flirting with a handsome man, I assume.”

  Lizzie wrapped her mother into a hug. She was clearly so overjoyed that her mother had come, Pru Dunhill’s antics and Mrs. Dunhill’s whereabouts were forgotten. Lizzie and Dylan offered Mrs. Morrow an arm each, and they led her into the ballroom.