Connor reached into the ice bucket and found a fresh bottle of champagne.
The hovering waiter leaned over. “Mr. O’Flynn, Mr. Mahoney sent you the second bottle of Veuve Clicquot with his compliments.”
From across the room, near the door, where Connor hadn’t seen him, Ed saluted and strolled over.
His ruddy face split in a smile, Ed greeted each woman with flowery gallantry. “It is always a pleasure when you grace our fair city with your presence, Victoria. Your usual two-week visit, I hope.”
Shivering, his mother glanced out the long windows. “If it begins to snow I confess I won’t be able to get back to Palm Beach fast enough.”
“Then let’s hope for a very late Indian summer. I also hope to see all of you at the Service Club Gala on Friday.”
“Tony has assured me we shall have several dance partners on Friday. Do you dance, Mr. Mahoney?” Mugsy asked, finally pulling herself away from Tony, who bore the look of a man under siege. Connor knew the feeling.
“I do indeed, Mrs. Osborn. I hope your dance card is not so full you can’t honor me.”
Looking pleased, Mugsy nodded. “I look forward to dancing with both you and Tony.”
“Until then, ladies, enjoy your week in Chicago.” He leaned down to Connor. “I’ll have those insurance reports you requested done by tomorrow. I’ll deliver the packet personally.”
The burn in his gut hadn’t gone away even after he’d made his decision. Tomorrow he needed to make his next move.
The bell tinkled over the front door at Pandora’s Box and Venus tensed.
Oh, stop hoping it’s Connor, you idiot.
Annoyed beyond belief with herself, Venus strolled out to find a perfectly lovely young woman looking for a birthday present for her mother. She quickly decided on an Elsa Schiaparelli lava rock necklace with staggered rows of shocking pink lava stones suspended from a rhinestone-studded collar circa 1940s. Ten minutes later, she left with her mother’s birthday gift beautifully wrapped.
Now I can go back to my embarrassing preoccupation with Connor.
Really, how could she not be confused by his flat-out refusal to tell her the truth about her father, countered by the look in his eyes telling her he wished he could because…
She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the possibility that the world had gone crazy because she and Connor were actually attracted to each other.
The door opened once more, and resisting the urge to twist her hair in confusion, she rammed her hands into the pockets of her long cashmere sweater.
Head held high, just in case it might be Connor, Venus swept around the brown velvet swagged curtain to the counter.
Maxie swished toward her. “I’m meeting Edward here when he comes with your insurance report. I apologize for arriving early but I couldn’t wait another instant to give you my deepest condolences.”
Disappointed way beyond what she should have been, Venus had to force a smile. “Thank you, Maxie. I confess it’s been grim, but having Ed’s help has been a life-saver. May I get you something to drink while you’re waiting?”
Maxie clutched her hands over her heaving bosom. “You are too kind but no, I’m much too concerned to take a morsel of food or drink. It’s my fondest hope the signed Tess necklace and earrings I admired were not stolen.”
“They’re safe. I’ll get them for you.” Venus hurried back behind the heavy velvet swagged curtain to the shelf where she kept lay-away items. For some reason the thief had missed these treasures.
Listening to Maxie made her think about how some couples seemed to look alike after spending years together. Not Maxie with her big hair and trim but voluptuous body and bald, pudgy Ed, but they sounded so much alike.
Still smiling at the thought, Venus carefully placed the 1980s signed Tess pieces on a felt-lined tray. The milky white opaline, similar in color to opals and pink rhinestone necklace and earrings, glistened up at them.
“Yes, as beautiful as I remember.” Maxie sighed. “I told Edward I wanted to wear the set to the anniversary dinner of our first date. It’s our seventh wonderful year together.” She whipped out her checkbook.
Again the tinkling bell and the door opening filled Venus with a hot eagerness that shocked her to her core.
Rebecca waltzed in, looking ravishing in a cobalt blue dress. The color made her skin glow as if she were lit from within. Beside her strolled her best friend, Kate, in her signature black.
“Hi, darlings,” Rebecca called.
Maxie swung around. “Mrs. Covington-Sumner, I love your column,” she gushed, wringing Rebecca’s fingers. “And Ms. Carmichael, you are a genius.” Maxie rolled her eyes. “I never make an investment without reading your stock tips. And I never miss Rebecca’s television program when you’re on it.”
Kate’s apple cheeks grew positively rosy. “I’m pleased you’ve been helped by my work.”
“Thank you, Maxie. We both truly appreciate your support and so do our sponsors.” Rebecca’s blinding smile seemed to transfix Maxie.
“Speaking of work, I must get back to mine.” Kate nodded toward Venus. “I stopped by to say how sorry I am about your burglary. If I can do anything to help, please let me know.”
“I will, Kate.” Venus blew her a kiss as she slipped out.
Accustomed to Rebecca’s effortless charm in fielding Maxie’s questions about Chicago gossip, Venus kept smiling and finished writing up the receipt for the Tess pieces.
Startled, she gazed down in awe at Maxie’s signature, almost like calligraphy, on her check.
“Wow, Maxie, you have beautiful penmanship.”
She beamed. “I grew up in the Italian neighborhood around Taylor Street. The nuns were adamant about perfect penmanship. Now it’s a hobby of mine.”
“It’s lovely. I had good penmanship once. Now I’m sloppy. I wonder what that says about me.” Rebecca laughed, looking at Maxie’s elegant scroll.
“I took an extended course on handwriting analysis. It would be my honor to do you,” Maxie offered.
“Thank you, but I’d be afraid of what you’d learn about me.” All at once Rebecca swayed, color draining from her cheeks to make her skin blue white. “That’s odd. I feel really lightheaded.”
Concerned, Venus rushed around the counter to urge Rebecca down onto the cream settee. “Did you eat breakfast?”
“Never.” Rebecca looked sheepish. “I know I should but I’m never hungry until lunchtime.”
“Me either.” Maxie smoothed her skin-tight dress over her trim hips. “It’s a struggle to maintain our girlish figures.”
“Well, you need food now.” Happy to do something positive, everyone should eat breakfast, Venus hurried to the small refrigerator in her office alcove and retrieved a small bottle of orange juice. “Here. Drink it.”
Rebecca sipped delicately. “Really, I’m fine. David will be coming to pick me up soon. When I tell him I feel lightheaded he’ll no doubt make me see the doctor. Men!”
She said it with such intense emotion in her voice that Venus got a tight feeling in her chest.
“It’s because he loves you so much,” Venus said, happy for her.
“I know,” Rebecca sighed, her eyes misty. “I’ve never been happier in my life.”
“I’ll wait right here to keep you company until your David arrives.” Maxie plopped down on the settee. “I feel the same way about my Edward. Mark my words, when my Edward arrives he’ll make Venus happy by making everything right for her.”
Again Venus fingered her mermaid talisman, wishing for luck with Ed and torn between hope and dread that Connor might be with him.
Connor glanced at his watch. Why in the hell is Ed taking so long to get those insurance papers to Venus?
Accustomed to making a decision and taking action, he felt uneasy about this one. Thinking of Venus always put him on edge. Now more than ever.
Restless, he headed down the hall to try to get answers from his aunt one last time.
“Aunt Bridget, can we talk?”
She twirled around. For a split second her guard slipped and he saw the pain she’d been trying to hide from him on her face. Then she covered it and smiled, walking toward him.
“Sure. What can I help you with? Business or pleasure? You’re not cancelin’ our weekly Wednesday night pizza date because your mom’s in town, are you? Tony made the crust this morning.”
He shook his head. “Wouldn’t miss it. Tony makes the best pizza on the planet. Maybe tonight we can talk about what’s bothering both of you.”
The look she gave him made him feel ten years old again, knowing he’d screwed up and waiting for the lecture he knew would come.
“Now, Connor, I told you this is a little misunderstandin’ between me and Tony. Nothin’ for you to be concerned about.” She headed toward the door. “Concentrate on Venus’s problems, where you can make a difference. Ed’s ready to head over there. Let me get him for you.”
Connor heard her in the hallway calling to Ed and a minute later he leaned in through the open office door.
“I’m leaving now for Pandora’s Box. I’ve completed my report for Venus.”
“I’m going with you.”
Ed puffed up his chest. “I assure you I will handle this situation with the utmost delicacy.”
“I know you will, but I’m still going with you.” After this latest failed attempt to talk to his aunt, Connor knew he had his job to do whether he liked it or not.
In the small lot around the corner from Pandora’s Box, Connor pulled into a parking space next to Ed. Walking toward the store, he saw a solemn-looking David Sumner help Rebecca into the passenger seat of his Bentley.
By the time Connor reached the car, Rebecca had the window open, waving at him.
He leaned down. “Is everything all right?”
David’s face looked rigid with worry. “Rebecca’s not feeling well.”
She sent David such a blistering smile even Connor felt the heat. “You’re such a worrywart. I’m perfectly fine.” She blew Connor a kiss as David started the car. “I’m sure Venus will be delighted to see both of you.”
Not me, when I ask for what I’ve come here to retrieve.
Venus looked up as the bell jiggled above their heads. Her smile sent a heat wave through him.
Hell, she can’t be happy to see me.
From years in the courtroom he’d learned to read faces, but with her he had a history of guessing wrong.
No question about Maxie. With a cheerful yelp, she sprang up from the settee. “Edward, look, the Tess pieces I wanted for our anniversary dinner are still here.” She held pink and opal-like earrings up to her ears. “I told Venus you would have good news for her, too.”
Glancing between him and Ed, Venus widened her eyes. “Or is the news so bad Connor had to come for moral support?”
“On the contrary, Venus. I have prepared a full report, which I believe will reassure you.”
Venus blinked at the thick folder Ed placed in her hands.
“I’ll help you go through it,” Connor offered, wanting to be alone with her to do what needed to be done.
She hesitated so long that both Maxie and Ed cast him embarrassed looks. He stood his ground and stared unblinking into Venus’s luminous eyes. He saw the second she made her decision.
“Thank you, Connor. I’d appreciate your help.”
He motioned for Ed to get lost.
Looking relieved, Ed gripped Maxie’s arm, moving her toward the door. “Have a good day. We’ll leave you to your task.”
When the door closed behind them, Venus heaved a huge, deep sigh. Her blouse opened with the movement of her breasts and he caught a glimpse of the mermaid.
“This could take some time.” She lifted the thick folder as if she were weighing it in her hands. “I guess we should get to it.”
Guilt ate at his gut but the memory of the tension between Bridget and Tony, plus the look on her face today, bit stronger.
“First, I need to ask you for a favor, Venus.”
Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she seemed to tense. “What is it?”
“I want to buy back my aunt Bridget’s mermaid brooch.”
With a thud, she dropped the folder onto the counter and clutched the brooch in the valley between her breasts. “Why?”
“Because Bridget regrets selling it to you. She wants it back.” It’s a lie, she didn’t say that, but I know it’s true. “It was a gift from Tony,” he added, hoping to cinch the deal.
He might be lousy at reading her, but only a fool couldn’t see she didn’t believe him.
“Oh, my God, this is why you’ve been so nice to me. This is why you swore you wanted to help. You wanted the mermaid brooch back!” She laughed, but it broke at the end in a little gasp.
The disgust in her eyes hit him harder than it should have given their history of confrontation.
“All these years I thought you were totally devoid of the legendary Clayworth charm and here you are the absolute champ. The very best. So good at faking sincerity even I bought it.” She flung back her head and glared into his eyes. “If Bridget really wants the brooch back all she has to do is ask me herself. Now I want you to leave.”
As he always did when his emotions burned too strong to control, Connor felt his defenses snap into place to give nothing away.
“I promised to help you with the insurance papers.”
“I believe you’ve helped me quite enough, thank you very much.”
She marched to the door and flung it open. “Good-bye.” She glared at him, her eyes blazing.
I’ve blown this big-time.
He knew it made sense to leave. She looked too angry to listen to reason and he held his emotions in such tight control he couldn’t identify the feelings churning in his gut.
“Good-bye, Venus. We’ll talk later.”
“I doubt it,” she said before slamming the door behind him.
Walking back to his car, the feeling he couldn’t identify crystallized into regret.
He couldn’t get Venus out of his mind. Hell, even while flirting with a beautiful, desirable woman he’d been thinking of her.
Another emotion surfaced. How many times had he told the kids at the gym that there was no substitute for desire?
Yeah, this hadn’t been his finest hour, but he wasn’t finished. He had every intention of picking his moment and trying again for the brooch and Venus.
Chapter 7
Hot, and a heartbeat later, shivering, Venus watched Connor walk away, replaying over and over in her head why she’d let her anger, no, admit it, my disappointment, get in the way of her plan to use her so-called feminine wiles on him after she’d waited in breathless anticipation for days to do it.
I should have been able to finesse my way through his being a jerk about the brooch to stick with my plan to help Dad.
Instead, the atmosphere when Connor left almost gave her frostbite. Shivering from the cold lump still in her stomach, Venus wrapped her arms around her waist. Only a fool wouldn’t have figured out he was using his charm on her because he wanted something, just as she planned to use her supposed allure for getting information to help her dad.
So much for thinking Connor might be lusting after her. The only lust he felt was for getting back the mermaid brooch.
She pressed her palm against it, feeling its warmth between her breasts. Well, he can’t have it.
She marched back to her office, threw herself onto the desk chair, and stared at her computer screen. There was a new email from Brad. He thought he probably wouldn’t make it to Chicago for the Service Club Gala on Friday night.
She should feel disappointed or even angry at Brad for backing out of their plans, but she only felt relieved. Well, relieved and a little guilty, and it immediately cooled her anger at Connor. Relationships naturally run their courses but she could never see
m to find the right words to end this one with Brad.
She might know everything about jewelry, but obviously she knew nothing about how to deal with men.
Sure, ever since she bloomed early, she’d been fielding jokes and lewd comments about Venus, Goddess of Love, while fending off guys eager to grope her assets. But obviously she still had a thing or two to learn about being persuasive and honest when it really, truly mattered.
Trying to keep busy, Venus dusted all the shelves in the store, vacuumed every inch of the floor, even glanced through the ream of paper Ed had left her, although all the facts, figures, and explanations blurred together. All the while she couldn’t stop beating herself up because in her heart of hearts she knew why she’d never give the brooch to Connor, and it had nothing to do with her father and everything to do with her almost falling for Connor’s fake charm.
Exhausted from confusion and anger, mostly at herself, Venus headed home to come up with a new battle plan. Obviously using their mutual attraction wasn’t an option.
The minute she arrived at her town house she raced to the small loft she’d turned into a jewelry studio. The soft cream carpet and heavy luxurious crimson velvet drapes were like her own private jewel box.
Perching at her work table, surrounded by her personal collection of vintage costume jewelry, made her feel better. There was so much she loved about all these pieces. Their beauty reflected the era they were produced in, when workmanship and sometimes materials were often as good as or better than those used in “real” jewelry.
From the trays placed in careful rows in front of her, she lovingly picked out different pieces of broken vintage jewelry she’d found in her hunts through antique and junk stores.
A diamond and emerald paste gilt metal heart, which had once been part of a twin-hearts-and-bow pin. A silver cupid. A faux ruby serpent with its tail in its mouth.
That represents eternal love.
She dropped it back into the tray.
Realizing all the pieces she’d singled out were hallmarks of love in Victorian jewelry, she put them all back.
All I Want Is You Page 7