“That’s wonderful!” Michelle exclaimed.
“Are you really pleased?” Evelyn looked at her searchingly.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’ll have a fabulous place to visit,” Michelle joked, to hide her emotion.
“How about you?” Lucky asked his nephew. “Jonathan?” He frowned when the younger man didn’t answer immediately.
“What?” Jonathan was staring at Michelle. “Oh...of course I’m pleased. I’m delighted for both of you.”
“We hoped you would be.” Lucky’s frown disappeared.
“When is the happy event?” Jonathan asked.
“As soon as possible. At my age you don’t make long-range plans.” Lucky chuckled.
“Don’t talk like that,” Evelyn said reprovingly. “You’re still a young man.”
“If I am, it’s due to you.” He gazed at her tenderly.
“When are you getting married?” Michelle asked. “And where?” She was glad she had left her plans for returning to work so open-ended when she last spoke with her boss.
“The wedding will take place in New York in about a month,” Evelyn said.
“So soon!” Michelle gasped.
“Lucky doesn’t believe in long engagements.” Her mother laughed.
“I’d settle for a quiet ceremony in a judge’s chambers,” he said. “The quicker the better, but I don’t want to cheat Evie out of her day in the spotlight.”
“It isn’t that,” she protested. “I just want you to meet all of my friends and family.”
“I know, darlin’, and it’s fine with me,” he said fondly.
Michelle seized the opportunity that had been presented to her. “There will be a lot to do in a very short space of time. Fortunately I can make some preliminary arrangements for you when I go home tomorrow.”
“You can’t leave now!” Evelyn exclaimed.
“I can’t think of a better time. You two certainly don’t need me around.”
“I do. I was counting on you to go shopping with me for my wedding dress. You’re the one who knows about clothes.”
“You’ve always had good fashion sense, Mother.”
“A wedding dress is different. What do I know about those?”
“As much as I do,” Michelle answered dryly.
“It’s not just shopping. I need you to help me make up a guest list. What if I forget one of the relatives? People are always so touchy about invitations. Your aunt Blanche didn’t talk to her cousin for a year because she wasn’t invited to her wedding.”
“Anne was married in Japan where Uncle Donald was stationed at an air force base!” Michelle exclaimed. “Blanche wouldn’t have gone anyway.”
“It didn’t stop her from holding a grudge.”
“Your mother really wants you to be here,” Lucky said. “And I do, too. Since we both want her to be happy, don’t you think you could manage a few more days here?”
“I suppose so,” Michelle answered reluctantly. How could she refuse when he was so good to her mother?
“Splendid! Then it’s all settled.”
A short time later Michelle said, “It’s been a long, eventful day. If you’ll all excuse me, I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll go with you,” Evelyn said. “I’ve had a pretty exciting day myself.”
But when they got upstairs she came into Michelle’s room and closed the door. “Do you honestly feel comfortable with this?” She watched her daughter’s face intently.
“I’m really thrilled for you, Mother,” Michelle answered truthfully. “I know how sad you’ve been since Dad died. I think it’s wonderful that you were able to find someone again.”
“It doesn’t mean that I love your father any less. He was my first love, and there will never be anyone like him. My feelings for Lucky are different. It isn’t young love, but it’s awfully nice. He’s warm and funny. We enjoy each other’s company. Can you understand that?”
“It sounds so nice and peaceful.” Michelle sighed unconsciously.
“I wouldn’t exactly describe it that way.” Evelyn laughed. “Besides, you’re too young to want peace. At your age you should be looking for a man who makes your heart race and your knees feel like spaghetti.”
“What happens when you find him and he feels like that about somebody else?”
“Surely you’re not still moping around after Stuart? I can’t believe you were truly in love with him. I think just your pride was hurt.”
“You’re probably right,” Michelle answered indifferently. “But men are all alike.”
“Nonsense! You can’t let one bad experience make you cynical. What you need is a real man. Somebody who doesn’t need to romance every woman in sight to prove his masculinity. Someone like Jonathan,” Evelyn added casually.
“Boy, are you ever a lousy judge of character! He collects women like other men collect stamps.”
“I don’t believe that,” Evelyn protested.
“You should have heard the messages on his answering machine when he got home from Shorehaven. No wonder he’s so spoiled.”
“I never thought of Jonathan as spoiled. I think he’s perfectly charming.”
“You and the rest of the female population,” Michelle replied curtly. She knew she was being unfair to Jonathan, but she didn’t want to discuss him. “If you don’t mind, Mother, I’d like to go to bed. I’m awfully tired.”
“Yes, I imagine you must be after such a big day.” Evelyn hesitated at the door. “If you really dislike Jonathan, I’ll ask Lucky not to include him in any of our plans while you’re here.”
“I might disapprove of some things about him, but I don’t actually dislike him,” Michelle said quickly. “You needn’t say anything to Lucky. I wouldn’t want to offend him after he’s been so nice to me.”
“But if you’re going to be uncomfortable.” Evelyn paused delicately.
“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“In that case, I won’t bother mentioning it to Lucky. Good night, dear. Get a good night’s sleep.”
Evelyn went down the hall to her own room, smiling wryly. “Young love,” she murmured. “It’s wonderful, but I wouldn’t want to go through it again.”
Nobody was around but Manuel when Michelle went downstairs the next morning. He was taking away the wilted flowers and replacing them with the fresh bouquets the house was always filled with.
“Good morning, Manuel,” she called to him. “Where is everybody?”
He didn’t give her his usual sunny smile. “Mr. Richfield and your mother went out,” he answered, almost curtly.
Michelle was puzzled, but she figured he was concentrating on his task. “Do you know when they’ll be back?”
“They didn’t say, and it wasn’t my place to ask.”
“Is anything wrong, Manuel?” she asked tentatively.
“Not yet,” he muttered. Before she could question him, he asked, “Where would you like to have breakfast, Miss Lacey, in the dining room or the sunroom?”
“The sunroom will be fine, but I only want juice and coffee.”
“I will serve it to you there,” he said formally.
What could be wrong with him, she wondered? He never called them by their last names. It was always, Mr. Lucky, or Miss Michelle. Maybe he had an argument with one of the staff, she decided, dismissing the matter.
Jonathan came in while she was having coffee and reading the morning newspaper. He looked very authoritative in a summer suit and a shirt and tie. But his manner this morning wasn’t the distant one she’d come to dread.
After giving her a smile and a friendly greeting, he said, “Is there any more coffee in that pot? I could use a cup.”
“I’m afraid it’s lukewarm by now,” she said. “But you’re welcome to it.”
“Thanks, but I’ll have Manuel bring a fresh pot.” Jonathan tugged on the bellpull to summon the man. “Is Lucky around?” he asked.
“No, he and Mother went out. I don’t know where, or wh
en they’ll be back.”
“I hope they’re not gone for the day. I really do have business to discuss with Lucky today,” he said wryly.
When Manuel answered the bell, Jonathan repeated his question about Lucky’s whereabouts.
Manuel wasn’t any warmer toward Jonathan. After he’d gone to get a fresh pot of coffee, Jonathan asked, “What’s the matter with Manuel? He usually loves to hang around and talk to everyone like one of the guests. The problem most of the time is getting rid of him.”
“He’s been with your uncle a long time, hasn’t he?”
“For years. Manuel is more than a servant. He started out as Lucky’s valet, but he really runs the place now. I don’t know what my uncle would do without him—or vice versa.”
A short time later, Evelyn and Lucky returned.
“Did you forget that I was coming over with the Broderick contract for you to sign?” Jonathan asked his uncle. “It’s a good thing one of us in this family pays attention to business,” he joked.
“Sorry, Jonathan, I did forget about it,” Lucky said. “But I had something more important to do.”
“Where did you go?” Michelle asked her mother. “You didn’t leave me a note, and Manuel only knew that you went out.”
“Show them,” Lucky told Evelyn, smiling broadly.
She held out her left hand. On the third finger was a huge emerald solitaire with a V of sparkling diamonds on each side. “Lucky took me to his jeweler.”
“I was going to pick out a ring and surprise her with it,” he said. “But I was afraid I might get something she didn’t like.”
“I don’t know why you took me along. You didn’t approve of any of my selections,” she teased.
“You picked out little bitty keepsake rings,” he said scornfully. “I wanted you to have something nice.”
“I’d say you got your wish.” Michelle whistled. “It looks like a traffic light. Next time you’ll have to buy her a ruby so she’ll have a matching set, stop and go.”
“That’s a great idea. Now I won’t have to wonder what to get for our first anniversary,” Lucky said.
“I hope you’re not serious!” Evelyn said. “This is more than enough.”
“You’ve heard that old saying, you can’t be too rich or too thin. My version is, a woman can never have too much jewelry,” Michelle quipped. She didn’t notice that Jonathan wasn’t laughing along with the rest of them.
While they were chatting, Manuel came in to clear away the coffee service.
“Show Manuel your little bauble,” Lucky told Evelyn. She held out her hand. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
After a quick glance, Manuel’s austerity deepened. “Very nice, Mrs. Lacey.”
“Is that all you can say?” Lucky complained. “I’m officially engaged now. Where are the congratulations and good wishes?”
“I’m sure you’ll be very happy together,” Manuel said stiffly.
“What the devil is wrong with you?” Lucky gave him a perplexed look. “Are you worried that there will be a lot of extra work? Hire more help if you need it.”
“That won’t be my responsibility anymore,” Manuel answered without expression.
Evelyn began to get a glimmering of what was wrong. “This house couldn’t run without you, Manuel. I certainly wouldn’t know what to do. I hope you’re not thinking of leaving us.”
Strong emotion finally broke through the man’s rigid control. “Things won’t be the same around here. You’ll want to bring in your own people. I understand that, but there won’t be enough for me to do.” He drew himself up proudly. “I don’t stay where I’m not needed. I don’t take charity.”
“That’s absolutely—” Lucky began, but Evelyn held out a hand to silence him.
“You’re the one who would be doing me a favor,” she told Manuel earnestly. “I can’t run this household. I wouldn’t know who to call if the garbage disposal stopped working, or how to hire a new housemaid if one of them quit. I don’t know how you handle so many different jobs. It’s a real talent.”
“Well...you sort of learn as you go along. I wasn’t hired to do all the things I do around here. I was only supposed to be Mr. Lucky’s gentleman’s gentleman. But when I saw the way people were taking advantage of him, I couldn’t let them get away with it.”
“You see? That’s what I mean. Tradespeople walk all over me. When they present an outrageous bill, I don’t know what to do but pay it.”
Manuel came over to lean against a table next to her. “That’s a big mistake. They pad their bills because they think nobody will notice. You gotta call them on it.”
“That’s easy for you to say. I hope if you ever do leave, you’ll give us at least four or five years notice.” Evelyn laughed merrily.
“Okay, you got yourself a deal, boss,” he answered happily.
“We’ll be having an early lunch out by the pool today, Manuel,” Lucky said. “Maybe you’d better tell Bessie to get started.”
When the man had gone, Lucky said to Evelyn, “I never realized Manuel was feeling insecure. You handled him beautifully.”
“Everybody needs their ego stroked now and then.” She smiled. “But Manuel really is indispensable. I couldn’t run a house this size. The very idea is daunting.”
“That’s the difference between us.” Michelle grinned. “It wouldn’t take me long to get used to a big house and an eye-popping ring.”
Evelyn held out her hand to admire the emerald. “It really is gorgeous. I can’t wait to show it to Marian. She’s my best friend in New York,” she explained to the two men.
“And you can show it to my friends, too,” Lucky said. “We’ll give a big engagement party. I want you to meet everybody.”
“I hope they’ll like me.”
“If they don’t, we’ll make new friends.” His laughter turned to tenderness as he lifted her hand and kissed it. “How could anybody help loving you?”
Michelle’s eyes were misty at their obvious devotion. She glanced at Jonathan, but he was lost in thought.
“I want you to invite all your friends, too, Jonathan,” Lucky said.
“It’s your party, not mine,” his nephew objected.
“This has been a second home to your friends since they were in knee pants. I’ve watched them all grow up. Besides, it’s a chance for Michelle to get to meet everybody, too. She’ll be here a lot, I hope.”
“As often as I’m asked,” she said, without meaning it. Michelle was delighted for her mother, but she had no intention of intruding on her life.
“You’re uncharacteristically quiet, Jonathan,” Lucky remarked. “Is there something on your mind?”
“Yes, the Broderick contract. You still haven’t signed it.” Jonathan mustered a smile. “You’re a great inventor, but a lousy businessman.”
“Okay, okay, come into my study and I’ll sign the blasted thing,” Lucky grumbled. “You’re a slave driver. At your age you ought to be less interested in business, and more interested in girls.”
Lucky didn’t realize he had nothing to worry about, Michelle thought sardonically.
Chapter Nine
After lunch on the patio beside the pool, Lucky returned to the subject of the party. “I think black tie would make it more festive, don’t you, Evie?”
“Whatever you like, darling,” she answered. “Although, Michelle and I don’t have any evening clothes with us.”
“That’s one of the nice things about Miami. We have lots of stores,” he said.
“When were you planning to have this party?” Michelle asked. “I said I’d help with arrangements for the wedding, but I can’t stay indefinitely.”
“Then we’ll have it next week. Is that soon enough for you?” Lucky asked.
“You can’t have a big party on such short notice,” Evelyn protested.
“Sure, I can. I’ll just have my secretary phone everyone instead of having invitations printed and mailed. That’s more sensible, anyway. Then we�
��ll know immediately how many people are coming.”
“It isn’t just the invitations. You’ll have to hire caterers and discuss a menu with them, and you’ll probably want to have music. That means hiring musicians. You don’t know how many things there are to do for as fancy a party as you have in mind.”
“I have a good catering firm that takes care of everything. I’ve used them for years. They bring the food, help, flowers, the works. I just tell them how many people to prepare for.”
“You let them choose the menu?” Evelyn asked.
“I always have, but you can do it if you like.” Lucky looked at her in sudden concern. “I don’t want you to feel I’m taking over your domain. I just want you to relax and have a good time at your party.”
She smiled tenderly at him. “You dear man. How could I object to being so pampered?”
“All right then, I’ll begin making up the list. You start to work on yours, too,” he told his nephew.
“Later,” Jonathan answered, without opening his eyes or moving off a chaise. He looked the picture of relaxation. He’d removed his tie and jacket and rolled up his shirtsleeves.
“No, now!” Lucky insisted. “You’re always after me to get things done.”
“How often do I succeed?” Jonathan grumbled, but he sat up and took the paper and pen his uncle handed him.
After watching them both fill pages of paper with names, Evelyn said, “If even half of those people accept, it’s going to be a large party.”
“Most of my friends will be here,” Lucky said. “I don’t know about Jonathan’s.”
His nephew looked up and smiled. “They never miss a party—especially one of yours.”
“I won’t know anybody, except for Ashleigh and Carter,” Michelle remarked casually.
Jonathan looked at her without expression. “You want me to invite Carter?”
“I don’t care one way or the other. I just assumed you would. Isn’t he a friend of yours?”
“I suppose you could call him that, although we don’t see much of each other.”
“Then I guess the only person I’ll know will be Ashleigh,” Michelle said. “You are inviting her, aren’t you?”
Lucky In Love (Harlequin Special Edition) Page 17