by Girard, Dara
“I can get a second job.”
“It still won’t be enough. We used to be somebody, the revered Duvall sisters, invited to all the parties, had bright futures. But do you know what we are now? Mariella is a bookkeeper at a gallery, she didn’t get to put her accounting degree to use looking after her own money as planned. I’m an administrative assistant at an insurance firm, my liberal arts degree was useless anyway. You’re a lady’s companion. Daniella works part-time as a receptionist, hoping one day to return to college. How far do you think that will take us?” She held up a finger. “I know what you’re going to say. One of us could go back to school. But could we afford the time it would take to get through three to four years and the extra debt? No, this is not an option I would have chosen for myself, but presently our future looks pretty grim and I’ll do anything to change that. Mom emphasized looks and money and I plan to make one of those work to get the other.”
“But freedom is —”
“Costly. If we succeed with this plan, we’ll be all set.”
Isabella glanced at Alex who now stood across the room as a lone dark figure. He looked as if none of the bright festivities touched him. “How could you marry someone who’s so cold?”
Gabby studied him. “I could warm him up a bit.”
“He doesn’t have the highest opinion of us or anyone.”
She turned to Isabella her gaze sharpening. “Did he say something?”
“Many things he shouldn’t have.”
“Like what?”
She didn’t want to repeat his hurtful words. Yes, Gabby loved her desserts, but she was also kind and smart. “He hurt my pride. He said I was a wallflower.”
“Well…”
Isabella made a face. “That’s not the point.”
Gabby smothered a laugh. “You’re right. That wasn’t very nice of him. Did I tell you how pretty you look?”
“You don’t have to.” She looked around. “It doesn’t matter anyway.”
“I’m sorry he hurt your feelings. You deserve better than that.” Gabby squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, Izzy. Once he’s family I’ll make sure he apologizes.”
Alex stifled a yawn while a man as thin as paper and nearly as pale tried to convince him of the benefits of investing in his lawn mower repair company. He nodded absently then a shock of blue caught his eye. It amazed him that in the crowd of rich purples, brilliant reds and exquisite blacks, such an ordinary color should demand his attention. He watched curiously as Isabella marched toward one of the exit doors. What was she up to?
“Excuse me,” he said, cutting the man off in midsentence. Then he followed her.
Chapter 6
“Where are you going?” he called after her. His voice echoed down the hallway despite the sounds from the ballroom.
Isabella spun around, giving him a full view of her dress. Blue suited her. The color complemented her skin, as did the delicate embroidered detailing in spun gold thread around her neck. Her hair sat piled high on her head, held in place with a jeweled hair comb, but a few tendrils had escaped. Alex wondered how they would feel curled around his finger. “Why do you want to know?” she asked.
He shoved a hand in his pocket. “Curiosity. It’s too cold for an evening stroll.” He smiled, an engaging expression that usually made a woman smile back, but Isabella only stared.
“I’m leaving,” she said in a cool tone.
His smile fell. He stared surprised that she showed none of the warmth she’d displayed before. “Alone?”
“My sisters will find their way back in the limo you provided.” She turned and began walking toward the coat check.
He followed as though propelled. “You’re leaving too early. Didn’t you enjoy yourself?”
“As much as I expected to.”
He jumped in front of her. “That’s not an answer.”
She halted before she bumped into him. Alex felt a little regret that she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have minded. She met his gaze. “I found everything very amusing. Excuse me.” She walked around him leaving him with the faint scent of vanilla and orchids.
“At least let me walk you to your car.”
She stopped in front of the coat check and handed in her ticket. “That’s okay.”
“I thought we were old friends.”
She sent him a quiet, superior smile that confused him.
Alex leaned against the wall and studied her unsure of her strange mood. He didn’t understand her composed features with eyes that revealed nothing but a polite acknowledgement of his presence. He also was unsure of why he cared. “I haven’t seen this town in a while,” he said managing a casual tone. “It would be nice to have someone to show me around.”
“Of course.”
“Someone who knows the place well.”
“Yes.” She smiled at the clerk as she retrieved her coat then handed it to Alex. He frowned at being turned into a valet then held it out for her to slip into. He let his fingers brush against the back of her neck, amazed by her soft, warm skin. He reached to touch a loose tendril when she spun around and sent him an odd look. Before he could say anything, the look disappeared and she began buttoning her coat. He liked watching her quick, efficient fingers. She could probably unbutton things just as quickly, the thought made his breathing shallow. What was wrong with him?
He folded his arms. “Are you trying to be obtuse or don’t you want to go out with me?”
Isabella stopped buttoning her coat and looked up at him. “No, I do not want to go out with you.”
He stiffened, for a moment he felt as if his heart had stopped. “You’re turning me down?”
“Yes.” She completed buttoning her coat.
He watched her, stunned. “Why?”
“Let’s just say that I’m not on the market.”
“You’re involved with someone?” he asked doubtfully.
“No, I’m just not interested.” She moved to walk away, but he blocked her path determined to get the answers he wanted.
“Let me understand this.” He paused trying to gather his chaotic thoughts. Her refusal made no sense. “You’re not seeing anyone, but you don’t want to go out with me because…” He stopped, allowing her a chance to fill in the blanks.
She smiled with a patient indulgence that infuriated him. “You really don’t understand?”
He swallowed his gathering anger and said in a tight voice, “No.”
“Come on.” She slipped a warm, slender hand in his and led him to the ballroom as though he were a little boy. Alex didn’t mind the intent, he planned to prove that he was otherwise. She stopped behind a pillar where they could watch everyone undetected. Isabella began to release his hand, but Alex tightened his hold.
She turned to him and narrowed her eyes; he blinked looking innocent. Then she smiled, with the knowing wisdom of a lion watching a kitten trying to outwit it. The expression annoyed Alex, but he still didn’t release her hand. She returned her gaze to the crowd.
“They all look wonderful, don’t they?” she asked.
Alex nodded not trusting himself to speak.
“But do you know what I see?”
He shook his head.
“A group of children bragging about who has the biggest toys and who their friends are.”
He rested his free hand on the pillar, his eyes darkening to onyx. “And you see me as one of those children?”
She kept her gaze on the crowd. “Right now you’re the one with the most toys. Everyone wants to play with you. However, I’m too old for this.” She turned to him and the coldness in her gaze matched his. “Find someone else to play with.” She sent a significant glance at their locked hands.
Alex ignored the hint and smiled cynically. “Life is all about strategy. I’m not sentimental. I’m not a romantic. I’m practical. I’m also rich and handsome. Do you know what that makes me?”
“Arrogant?”
He gripped the pillar a moment then let his fingers relax. “
No,” he said in a cool, controlled tone. “It makes me eligible. It gives me leverage. Trust me, I know. I’ve been without leverage before.”
“This isn’t business.”
“Don’t fool yourself. Everything is business.”
“Relationships are more complicated than that.”
“Only if you let them. People should say what they mean, and mean what they say.”
She stared at him in a thoughtful manner, which made him uncomfortable. He released her hand, but his action only made her examination more intense. “What are you trying to prove?”
“I’m not trying to prove anything.”
“You could live anywhere in the world. Have any woman you want, why did you come back here?”
He glanced away.
“Could it be revenge?” she whispered.
He met her gaze but said nothing.
“You’ve proven your point. You’ve succeeded, we haven’t. Congratulations. But you want something else besides applause.”
He rubbed his chin and forced a light tone, uneasy with how close to the truth she was. “Why do I get the feeling you don’t like me anymore?”
Her gaze searched his face, and for a brief moment sadness entered her eyes, but the emotion quickly disappeared. “Because you’re very clever. You always were.”
Alex watched her leave, taking rein on his temper. He didn’t like being told he was acting childish. He returned to the ballroom annoyed rather than angry. He hated rejection. He hadn’t been rejected in a long time — especially by someone like Izzy. She should be thankful he even considered her. He took a deep breath. Izzy wasn’t important anyway. He didn’t even know why he’d asked her in the first place.
It had been impulsive and he knew better. She had a romantic view of life he couldn’t afford to entertain. He wouldn’t have gotten this far if he did. Ideas were nice in theory, but not in practice. Which was why he was rich, and she was not.
No, Izzy was of no importance to him, Alex convinced himself, erasing the memory of her standing in the hall and the feeling of her slight hand in his. He had plenty of women to choose from, and one in particular was trying very hard to catch his attention and he was more than willing to give it.
“Hello, Mariella,” he said approaching her. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nice to be back here in town.”
“We’re glad to have you back.”
“I’m sure there are many places that have changed.”
She measured him with her eyes. “If you would like a tour, I’d be more than willing to give you one.”
“Thank you. I’ll pick you up.”
“Of course.” She smiled seductively. “You know where I live.”
Velma walked up the stairs of her new home glad that the party was over. Her head continued to ache from the high-pitched squeals of the young women who had shared her limo ride. When had she gotten so old? All she wanted was peace. Once she reached the top of the stairs she walked toward her room and then stopped. One young woman had been conspicuously absent from the ride and she wondered how her evening had been. She knocked on Isabella’s door.
“Come in.”
She entered the sparsely furnished room with posters from around the world on the walls and saw Isabella sitting crossed-legged on her bed wearing jeans and a large T-shirt.
“You look exhausted,” Isabella said, leaping from her bed. “Please sit down.” She went over to her side table where she had a hot pot of tea and four cups with saucers. “My sisters and I usually eat here,” she explained. “I’m sure they’ll have a lot to tell me.” She handed Velma a cup and poured her some lemon-ginger tea she’d just brewed.
Velma held the warm mug, sighed contentedly and took a sip. She briefly shut her eyes. “Mmm, I needed that.” When she opened them she noticed Isabella’s wary gaze. “Is something wrong?”
“Did anything happen?”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “I left early. I was just curious if anything interesting occurred.”
“Not really.”
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Yes, Alex was pleased.”
“I’m sure he was,” she said in an odd tone.
“He doesn’t tell me everything though, I can only guess.”
“I’m sure you understand him perfectly.”
Velma took another sip of her tea then mumbled, “Sometimes I wonder.”
Someone knocked on the door then it swung open and Isabella’s three sisters appeared. “I did it!” Mariella said. “Everything is working out perfectly.” She halted when she saw Velma. “Oh.”
Velma slowly stood. “I was just going. I’m sure you girls have plenty to talk about. Good night.”
Once she was out of hearing, the sisters rushed into the room, shut the door and sat on the bed. “It’s begun,” Mariella said.
Isabella sighed. “What?”
“Our plan,” Gabby said. “Did you forget?”
“I’m trying to, but you keep reminding me.”
“It’s a good plan.”
“And it’s working,” Mariella said. “I’ve got a date with him.”
Isabella nodded impressed. “Fast work.”
“I think I should have gone out with him first,” Gabby said.
Mariella ignored her. “Soon it will be like before. You should have ridden with us in the limo. It was stuffed with drinks and party treats.”
“It’s a shame the drive was so short,” Gabby said.
Daniella piped up. “It also had heated seats and tinted windows.”
Mariella looked pained at her sister’s ignorance. “Limos always have tinted windows.”
Isabella shook her head. “I’m still not sure about this. We really don’t know anything about him.”
Mariella rolled her eyes. “We know enough. It’s a brilliant plan. You’re just upset because it’s not yours. But it will work. Nothing will go wrong.”
Chapter 7
Alex woke up the next morning in a better mood than when he’d gone to bed. He enjoyed a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant called Martha’s. It was usually standing-room only in the morning, but he’d managed to get a seat. “Are the eggs the way you like them?” the owner asked. He was a heavy-set man with pale blue eyes and a blinking habit when he was nervous. He blinked fast now.
Alex grinned, putting the man at ease. “They’re perfect. I’ll be back.”
The owner smiled then hurried away.
“These are the best eggs I’ve ever eaten,” Tony said.
“You say that at every restaurant we go to.”
“My tastes are improving.”
“Or deteriorating.” Alex opened his calendar. “Next month I’ll start some minor repairs on the house. The work with the contractor won’t start until March.”
“Okay.”
“Also, at that time you’ll have two days free for about eight weeks.”
“A reprieve?” He bowed. “Oh, thank you master. And what will you be doing while I enjoy my freedom?”
“Attending this.” He handed him a paper.
Tony read it then frowned. “A course on antiquing?”
“Yes.”
“Do you really need this?”
“No, but I want to learn.”
“But what about the um…” He cleared his throat.
“What?”
“The women.”
He smiled. “Do you think I’ll prove a distraction?”
“It’s happened before.”
“Only once and that was a different scenario.”
“The poor teacher couldn’t get any of the female students to pay attention.”
“I’ll be better behaved this time.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh yes, that reminds me. I have a date.”
“Had you forgotten?”
He ignored him. “With Mariella.”
Tony gave a low whistle. “How did you mana
ge that?”
He held out his wallet. “With this.”
“You paid her?”
Alex put his wallet back and scowled. “No. I have money.”
“You’ll have to be careful.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t take her anywhere that’s more beautiful than she is. She won’t like the competition.”
“Try to be a little interested in what he has to say,” Isabella instructed as she fixed Mariella’s hair for her date. Mariella’s room resembled their mother’s, but unlike hers, it had an ornate bed, the scent of rosemary and mirrors positioned everywhere. No matter wherever one looked they would bump into their own reflection.
“I know how to handle men.”
“Alex is different.”
“Not that different. I notice the way he looks at me. I’ve seen that look many times before.”
Isabella stood back and folded her arms. “His looks can be misinterpreted.”
Mariella stood and checked her reflection. “You have nothing to worry about.” She held up a hand mirror and checked the back of her hair.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” Mariella said.
Isabella left the room then sent her sister a look of warning. “Don’t keep him waiting too long.”
She smiled. “I’ll be worth the wait.”
Isabella shook her head then went downstairs into the sitting room expecting to see Gabby and Daniella entertaining their guest. Instead, she saw Daniella slouched in the couch, her legs stretched out in front of her with her arms folded and her face in a pout.
“Where is he?”
“Gabby took him into the solarium,” Daniella grumbled. “She made me stay here.” She stood and whispered, “It seems she’s started her campaign early.”
“Great. All we need is a tug of war.”
Daniella flashed a sly grin. “Is there anything I can do? I can be very distracting.”
“No, I’ll deal with it.”
Daniella fell back onto the couch. “Nobody ever asks me for help.”
Isabella left her sister to sulk, and went to the solarium. She heard their laughter before she saw them. They made an attractive couple framed in the picturesque window. It displayed the cool blue of the sky, the white of the snow on acres of land that stretched out to a cottage house in the distance. The house had a lot of property that was rarely used, she was sure the Carltons would find a use for it. She felt suddenly depressed, but quickly dismissed it. She took a step back to knock, but Alex turned and saw her before she could disappear behind the corner.