by Mary Birk
“You are a stunner, my love.”
She twirled. “You like my dress?”
“I love it.” He put his arms around her. “But it would look better on the floor, with you wearing just the jewelry.”
She gave his chest a playful push. “Behave. This dress is staying on for at least two hours.”
Reid helped Anne on with her evening coat while she peppered Sebastian with last minute instructions about Michael.
Finally, Reid opened the front door. “They’ll be fine, Anne. Let’s go, before it’s time to turn around and come right back.”
She nodded. “Thanks for taking care of him, Sebastian. We’ll be home before eleven. I’m like Cinderella, only instead of turning back into the servant girl, I’ll turn into a milk fountain.”
Sebastian said, “We’ll be fine. If he gets restless, I’ll give the lad a dram of whiskey, and let him have a cigar.”
Reid led his laughing wife to the car. Yes, going out might be fun after all.
Claudia MacTavish greeted them with hostessy kisses. “We’re so glad you could come. Sebastian’s got Michael sorted?”
Anne’s eyes sparkled. “They’re having a boys’ night, but I’m sure he’ll be glad for help next week from Tabby. Thanks again for loaning her to us.”
“Yes, well, she’s excited about it.” Claudia’s voice sounded a little exasperated. “Staying at a castle beats our boring house. Good thing she didn’t come when we were still in the townhouse.” She turned to Reid. “Your sister’s not here yet.”
“Pippa’s in town?”
“Darby,” Claudia said. “Didn’t she tell you she’d be here? She rung up to ask if she could crash our party as she’d be in town. She’s bringing some man she’s seeing. An American she met in Italy.”
Anne shot him a look, and he knew she was warning him to behave.
“No, she didn’t tell me.” He kept his voice neutral, taking care not to show his irritation that Darby had the gall to invite herself, knowing full well he and Anne would be there. “I’m going to take this American away to dance right now, if you’ll excuse us?”
“Of course. Have fun.”
Reid leaned toward Anne as they walked away. “I can’t believe Darby would actually be brazen enough to come.”
“I can.”
“If she shows up, we’re leaving.”
“She’s your sister. You need to forgive her.”
“No, I don’t.” The house was crushed full of people, and Reid thought he and Anne could easily avoid seeing Darby if she showed up. If she were stupid enough to try to talk to him, he would make sure she knew that he’d neither forgotten nor forgiven. “No more about my wicked sister. Let’s dance and enjoy ourselves.”
“I’m already enjoying myself. Our first night out without the baby—it feels delicious.”
“So do you.” He drew Anne close and took her slowly around the dance floor, reveling in the touch of her silken hair on his face.
At one point, she whispered, “Look over at the stairs. See that girl there talking to Peter?”
Reid glanced over. A strikingly beautiful young girl was engaged in an intense conversation with his friend. She had a hand on Peter’s arm, and he was nodding. “Who is she?”
“That’s our temporary nanny. Tabby. She’s probably keeping her little charges upstairs during the party.”
“Then what’s she doing down here?” Allison hadn’t exaggerated the girl’s looks.
“Don’t stare.” Anne moved his face back to her with one finger. “Probably something to do with one of the kids. She’s pretty, isn’t she?”
Reid stole another look, but the girl and Peter had gone. He smiled. “Nothing compared to you.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, Lord Reid.”
After several dances, Reid took Anne over to the lavish buffet supper that Claudia and Peter provided. They filled their plates, laughing and talking, and moved away from the buffet table to find a place to sit down.
Anne nodded toward a table that had some empty seats. “There?”
Before he could answer, he felt a pull on his sleeve.
“Hello, Terrence.”
Even though he’d been warned, his sister’s voice caught him by surprise. He turned, and as if in slow motion, he saw Anne also turn, then freeze. But she wasn’t looking at Darby. Her eyes were locked on the face of the man whose arm Darby was holding. An all-too familiar face. Andrew Grainger.
Darby’s face was defiantly smug. “Hello, Anne.” She motioned to her escort. “You both know Andrew.”
Reid directed a curt nod toward Grainger, but the other man’s eyes were on Anne alone. Had she known Grainger would be there? Is that why she’d been so eager to come?
Anne said, “Hello, Andrew. Hello, Darby. What a surprise.”
Reid tried to discern whether she was truly surprised by Grainger’s appearance. Surely with all the texts and calls they exchanged, the man would have mentioned he was going to be in Glasgow. Perhaps he had. Had Anne and he arranged this, so that their meeting would look accidental? But then what the hell was Grainger doing with Darby?
Reid put his plate down on a nearby table, then took Anne’s plate from her hand and placed it on the table beside his own plate.
“If you’ll excuse us, Anne and I were just sitting down to eat.”
Darby’s eyes went from Anne back to Grainger, whose attention hadn’t moved from Anne’s face. “Come on, Andrew. Obviously, Terrence isn’t thrilled to see us. Let’s get some food.” Darby pulled on Grainger’s arm, apparently trying to dislodge him from where he seemed fixed to the floor, but Grainger wouldn’t move.
“Can’t we join them?” Grainger finally took his eyes from Anne, turning first to Darby, then Reid, with a genial smile. “You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
He bloody well did, but Anne said, “Of course not. Get your plates. We’ll hold two seats for you.”
Darby’s face seemed uncertain, but she followed Grainger to the buffet line.
“Did you know they’d be here, Anne?” Reid spoke quietly, his words clipped out from his tightly clenched jaw.
“Of course not.”
“You’ve been trying to get me to make things up with Darby.”
“I’d never plan an ambush.”
“Did you know he was in Scotland?”
“No.”
“He never mentioned it?” Reid couldn’t keep the skepticism from his voice. “As much as the two of you are in contact?”
“I told you, no. Don’t you believe me?”
“It’s a bit of a bloody coincidence.”
Just then, Grainger and Darby returned with their plates. Grainger held out a chair for Darby, who seemed uncertain how to act, now that her surprise had been sprung. After they were seated, Grainger turned his attention once again to Anne.
“How’s life in Scotland?”
“Good,” Anne said.
“And Michael, how’s he doing?”
Reid picked up his wine glass and took a long swallow. Hold your tongue, he silently warned himself. Nothing to be gained by losing your temper.
“Michael’s fine.” Anne put a hand on Reid’s leg under the table in a calming gesture that he both appreciated and resented. “What are you doing here, Andrew? I didn’t even know you and Darby knew each other.”
Darby’s smile was more of a smirk. “We met in Italy at Christmas. In a wonderfully mad coincidence, we were both staying at the same friends’ villa.”
“Seems odd you never mentioned meeting Darby.”
Reid didn’t know what to make of Anne’s annoyed tone, whether she was miffed that Grainger had put them all in an awkward position, or whether she felt possessive, or God forbid, jealous, of Grainger being with Darby?
Grainger looked embarrassed. “I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
Anne’s attitude didn’t soften. “How about, I met your sister-in-law, and we’ll probably see you and Terrence at your husband�
�s friends’ party on Easter?”
Darby gave Grainger an amused look. “I told Andrew that Terrence was a little put out at me, so we decided it might be best to keep our relationship quiet for a while, until Terrence and I had a chance to talk.”
Reid finished his wine, then reached for Anne’s. Better, he thought, to keep his mouth busy drinking, so he didn’t say something scathing.
Anne said, “It would be good for you and Terrence to talk, Darby, but now is not the time.”
Reid polished off Anne’s wine. “As far as I’m concerned, never will be too soon for that talk. If it had been just me you’d tried to hurt, maybe I could stand to be in the same room with you, but I’ll never forgive you for what you did to Anne.”
Grainger looked puzzled. “To Anne? Darby, what’s he talking about?”
“Nothing, Andrew.”
“You didn’t tell him what you did?” Reid thought he could be forgiven for giving Darby some of her own medicine. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“You can’t stand for me to be happy, can you, Terrence?”
“I don’t care if you’re happy or not, so long as you stay away from me and my family. While I’m at it, Andrew, that goes for you, as well. Stay away from my wife, and from Michael. No more phone calls, no more texts, no more emails, no more thoughtful little gifts, and no more showing up where you think there’s even a remote chance we might be.” Reid stood up. “Let’s go, Anne.”
Anne, for once, seemed to know when to be quiet. She let him help her up, and he turned her in the direction of the front door.
Grainger rose from his chair, holding out a staying hand. “Not before you tell me what you’re talking about. What did Darby do to Anne?”
“Ask Darby. She well knows what she did. Always supposing she’d tell the truth, which isn’t likely.”
“What did you do, Darby?”
Darby shook her head, looking close to tears.
Grainger turned to Anne. “What did she do?”
“It doesn’t matter, Andrew.” Anne tried to move Reid forward. “Let’s leave before we cause any more of a scene.”
“I’m not the one who orchestrated this. Darby brought Andrew here deliberately to cause mischief.”
“Come on, Terrence. We don’t want to ruin Claudia and Peter’s party.”
Grainger repeated, “What did she do, Anne?”
“Like Terrence said, ask Darby.” She pulled on Reid’s arm. “If you don’t come with me right now, I’m going home without you.”
Reid shook off her hand. “It bloody well does matter, Anne. She deliberately tried to get you killed. What’s more, she did it knowing you were pregnant.”
“Not now, Terrence. I’m leaving.” Anne began pushing her way through the crowd. Reid, regaining control of his temper, followed, quickly retrieving her evening coat.
In the car, Anne blew out a breath. “That was an unpleasant surprise.”
He shot her a look. “Was it?”
“I told you I didn’t know Darby would be there. Do you think I’m lying?”
“What about Andrew?”
“I couldn’t have been more surprised if the Easter bunny had showed up.”
He grunted. “I would have preferred the Easter bunny.”
She smiled. “Me, too.”
“I meant what I said, though. No more phone calls, no more texts, no more emails. I don’t care how sorry you feel for him.”
She nodded, but he couldn’t let it go.
“Him or me, Anne. Him or me.”
EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 5
Chapter 23
THE MORNING AFTER the party Reid watched Anne sleeping. They hadn’t talked when they got home. He’d hoped Anne would make the first move, that she’d realize he needed her reassurance that seeing Andrew Grainger last night hadn’t given her second thoughts about having chosen him instead of the other man. But apparently preoccupied with her own thoughts, Anne had nursed the baby, then gone to sleep. His earlier fantasy of seeing her naked except for her jewelry had died a quick death. Unable to sleep himself, he’d brooded all night, trying to figure out what to do next.
He didn’t believe for one moment that Andrew Grainger was really in Scotland to be with Darby. Not after the way he’d been looking at Anne. Would he try to see Anne today? Would he ignore Reid’s demand that he have no more contact with Anne? For that matter, would Anne respect his wishes and break off all contact with Andrew Grainger? She certainly didn’t listen to him about other things.
Maybe he should insist they immediately move to Dunbaryn for the next few months, saying it was so she’d could work on the Dunbaryn gardens, and be close to the Loch Etive job if she got it. Grainger wouldn’t have the nerve to try to see Anne at Dunbaryn, and there’d be no way for the man to devise another accidental meeting.
Reid thought about what Harry had said about him trying to keep Anne locked up. Harry was right. Keeping a grown woman locked away wouldn’t keep her from leaving him. Neither would telling Grainger to keep his distance. Staying had to be Anne’s decision, and for it to mean anything, Reid needed to give her the chance to make up her own mind.
He got up, dressed and packed quietly, then went downstairs. Sebastian was sitting at the kitchen island, making notes.
Seeing Reid, Sebastian nodded toward the coffeemaker. “There’s coffee.”
“Thanks.” Reid poured himself a cup. He took a drink of coffee that was too hot, scalding his throat, but didn’t flinch. He found enough of a voice to talk. “I just learned I need to go to Paris. I’ll likely be gone all week. I don’t want to wake up my wife, so I’d appreciate it if you’d give her the message and tell her I’ll leave a note on her desk.”
“Shall I tell her you’ll call her later?”
“No, I’ll be tied up in meetings. I’ll explain it to her in my note.”
He went to Anne’s studio and took a piece of her notepaper.
Although he knew he was making the right decision, he felt a layer of loneliness settle over his heart. He put his coffee cup down on her desk and started to write his note. He kept it simple, told her he would be gone to Paris for the rest of the week, that he was sorry about last evening, that of course she should continue her friendship with Andrew Grainger if that was what she wanted, and, in moment of lunacy, suggested she might want to arrange to meet the other man for dinner while Reid was out of town. He finished by saying he’d be in meetings non-stop and that he probably wouldn’t be able to call.
Then he went to Michael’s room to kiss his sleeping child goodbye.
* * * * *
Allison had just finished brewing the tea and making her toast when she looked up and saw Harry, all dressed for work, come into the kitchen, chipper and full of energy.
“Good morning, Allison. Sleep all right?”
She nodded. Mornings weren’t her thing. She was still in her robe and slippers and felt a little unkempt. At least she’d brushed her hair and teeth in case of an encounter with him.
“All right if I pinch some of your tea? I’ll put the pot to boil again.”
She nodded again. It was too early for conversation.
Harry gestured to one of the cupboards. “I’ve a canister of tea in there. Help yourself whenever you run low. Share and share alike.”
She watched idly as he poured two cups of tea, added milk and sugar to one. Bernice-Siobhan must have stayed over again. She would really have to figure out which name was right so as not to get the little bantam rooster in trouble. Despite her early morning funk, the thought made her smile.
Harry leaned against the counter, taking a drink of his tea. “You’re in a good mood. Did you have a good Easter with your family?”
She shrugged. “Not bad.” She sensed he wanted to ask her about Eddie, and what had happened the other night, but she still didn’t want to talk about it. She doubted she ever would. “My mum baked you a cake. She felt bad you weren’t going to be with your family.” She motioned to the
counter. “It’s a ridiculous bunny-shaped thing, but it’s chocolate.”
His eyes widened in pleasure as he examined the monstrosity. He got a knife, cut a small bite from one of the ears, and popped it into his mouth, then washed it down with tea. “She’s a good cook, your mum.”
“I’ll tell her you said so.”
He grabbed some paper napkins, cut two larger pieces of cake, and balanced the cups of tea. “Breakfast. I’ll be a star.” He looked back, grinned. “If you hurry and get ready, sweetcakes, I’ll give you a ride to work. I’ve got something I want to run by you.”
She jumped up; she wasn’t going to pass up a chance to skip the underground. “Deal. I’ll hurry.”
* * * * *
The front door of the High Street office buzzed. Harry pushed it open, letting Allison go in first. Riding in to work with Harry was much less squished than the underground in rush hour, she thought, and they got some work done on the way.
“Morning, Frank.” Allison dropped her purse at her desk.
“The Superintendent wants to see the two of you.”
Harry gave Frank a questioning look. “What about?”
“Probably a general update. He’s off to Paris for a few days.”
“Something happen? He didn’t have this on his schedule.”
“Not that I know of.”
“He wants to see us right now?”
Frank nodded. “Oscar’s been in there going over the progress on the Von Zandt case, but he’s probably about finished. Knock and go on in.”
“Right.”
Allison was already at Reid’s door. She turned back to Harry, waited for his nod, then knocked. The door opened, and Oscar came out, motioning for them to go in. Allison gave him a what’s-up look. Oscar shook his head slightly, letting them know he was as clueless as they were.