by Day Leclaire
“I’m Miss Caruthers with child protective services,” the woman interrupted, pushing past the reverend and stepping boldly forward. She brandished her clipboard like a sword. “I’m your case manager.”
“No. You’re not,” Luc contradicted. “Miss Carstairs is our case manager.”
“Not anymore. I’ve taken over. Her report was so strange — closets and laundry baskets and elopements and so forth —”
“Elopements?” the minister cut in. “Did you say elopements?”
Miss Caruthers nodded emphatically. “Elopements. Poor Miss Carstairs has made such a muddle of everything, they’ve taken her off the case.” She pointed an accusing finger in Luc’s direction. “And it’s all your fault.”
Luc glanced first at Grace, then back at the intruders. “Turn around,” he snapped. “And no peeking.” Hesitantly, they complied and Luc yanked Grace to her feet. Scooping a handful of clothes off the carpet, he tossed a pair of slacks in her direction and pulled on his shirt. Not wasting a single second, she thrust her foot into the pant legs.
“You want to tell me how you got in here?” Luc demanded.
“The door was open,” the reverend replied, in an apologetic voice. His head swiveled toward the clothesstrewn lamp and quickly jerked away again. “Would you mind telling me what elopement this woman is talking about? And what baby?”
Grace grabbed Luc’s arm, as if to physically restrain him. “Don’t say it . . . “ she whimpered — to no avail.
“My elopement,” Luc announced, snagging her bra off the lampshade and tossing it to her. “And Grace’s elopement.”
“You’re married?” the reverend gasped, spinning around. His eyes practically popped out of his head and he whirled away again. “Oh, good heavens.”
“Yes, we’re married,” Luc confirmed.
“No, no!” Grace denied, dressing with a speed she’d never before attempted. “You don’t understand. Just give me a minute to explain!”
Miss Caruthers began scribbling madly and Toni, fed up with being neglected, began to cry. Grace gave serious consideration to crying, as well.
The minister’s gaze seemed drawn to Toni like a magnet. “You have a baby?” he whispered in disbelief.
“No!” Grace shouted.
“Maybe!” Luc shouted louder. “It depends on who you are.” He looked at Grace. “Where’s Stefano’s scorecard? I’m getting confused. Which story do we tell the minister?”
“There isn’t a minister on our damned scorecard!” she practically shrieked.
“Grace!” the minister exclaimed, clearly shocked.
She shut her eyes. “I’m … I’m sorry.” Peeking at Luc, she said, “Did I ever mention that my father is a Methodist minister?”
“No,” he replied dryly. “I don’t believe you did. Let me guess. This is him, right?”
“Bingo.”
“I should warn you that if you aren’t married, there will be dire repercussions,” Miss Caruthers announced.
“May we turn around now?” Reverend Barnes requested.
“Sure. Why not,” Luc agreed. He glanced at Grace. “Your sweater’s on backward.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “It’s a new fashion statement. It’s called ‘caught in the act.’ “
“You two,” Miss Caruthers informed them, “are in deep trouble. I can guarantee there will be serious consequences if we discover you’ve been lying to us. Now are you or are you not married?”
Luc sighed, then forced a smile to his lips. “Now, Miss Caruthers,” he began.
The social worker stumbled backward. “Get away from me, you … you … devil!” She looked at Grace. “This is what happened to Miss Carstairs, isn’t it? We knew something was wrong when she let her hair down and started to wear makeup.”
Grace touched her own loose curls self-consciously. “Yes, he seems to have that effect on women.”
Miss Carstairs drew herself up. “Well, not me! He’s not going to use his charms on me.” She peered at Luc hopefully. “You weren’t going to try your charms, were you?”
Reluctantly, Luc shook his head. “No. I guess not. I believe my charming days are over.”
The social worker struggled to hide her disappointment. “We’ll see what Mrs. Cuthbert has to say about all this. She’s my superior. And I guarantee she won’t be pleased!” Spinning around, she scurried from the room. A minute later, the front door slammed.
With deep dread, Grace glanced at her father. “I bet you’re wondering what’s going on,” she said with a hesitant smile.
CHAPTER TEN
The Great Lie
Day 346 continues to darken — but all is not lost …
“I THINK WHAT’S going on here is painfully obvious,” Reverend Barnes said, with more than a touch of irony.
“Yes … well . . . “ Grace could feel the bright color returning to her cheeks and she scrambled for something innocuous to say. Something to help ease them into the coming conversation — or confrontation. “Gee, Dad. Your being here sure is a surprise.”
“For both of us. I did try and call.”
She stirred uncomfortably. “We kept missing each other.”
“Yes, we did. Now I see why.” He glanced around the room and Grace knew he’d misinterpreted the reason her possessions were so liberally scattered about. “You haven’t been at your apartment recently, have you?”
“No,” she replied, deciding a lengthy explanation wouldn’t help the situation any. “How did you know I was here?”
“When I couldn’t reach you at home, I stopped by your office. A very helpful security guard gave me this address, once I’d convinced him I was your father.”
“Edward,” Grace said with a sigh.
“I believe tbat was his name. Now. I think introductions are in order, don’t you?” He looked pointedly at Luc, who stepped forward.
“Luc Salvatore, Reverend Barnes,” he said, holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Under other circumstances, I might agree with you,” the minister replied, shaking hands.
“I’m sorry about that,” Luc said, though his gaze remained direct and unrepentant. “If the door had been shut properly, we would have all been saved some embarrassment.”
Reverend Barnes chose not to comment. “You’re Grace’s employer, aren’t you?” he asked instead.
“Yes, she’s been with me for almost a year.”
“And is she also your wife?”
Luc shook his head. “No. Not yet.”
“You’ie certain? There seemed to be some doubt a few minutes ago.”
“I’m positive.”
“We’re not married, Dad,” Grace informed him quietly, though Luc’s use of the word “yet” had thrown her. He couldn’t possibly mean what she thought he meant by that, could he?
Her father glanced at her, a concerned frown lining his brow. “Considering what was going on here a few minutes ago, I’m not sure whether to be relieved or dismayed. What about the baby? Whose is it?”
“Toni is my niece,” Luc said. “Grace is staying with me to help with baby-sitting duties. And for the record, our relationship has been regrettably innocent until today.”
“Thank heavens,” Reverend Barnes murmured, his relief palpable.
Before Grace could manage to insert a single word, Luc added, “You should also know that we applied for a marriage license last week.”
Grace closed her eyes and groaned.
Reverend Barnes glanced from one to the other. “You’re engaged?”
Grace glared at Luc, who merely smiled. Oh, he was clever, all right. He’d phrased his announcement very carefully and in such a way that she couldn’t very well deny an engagement, much as she’d like to. What did she say now? That he hadn’t actually proposed? That to the best of her recollection their engagement had come about through barked orders, demands and a certain amount of coercion. That she’d only agreed to marry Luc if push came to shove. If push came to shove? Th
is wasn’t a shove. It ranked more like a bulldozing.
“Yes,” she muttered with ill-concealed resentment, “I agreed to marry him.”
Her father’s eyes narrowed. She knew that look. Many a wayward parishioner had seen it right before they’d broken down and confessed all their sins. “I’m beginning to realize there’s a whole lot about this situation that I don’t know,” he said. “Nor am I sure I want to know. In fact, I’m positive I don’t want to know.” He studied the two of them for a brief instant, and Grace didn’t doubt that he could read the guilt in their faces. At least, he’d be able to read her guilt. Luc managed to look slightly more enigmatic. “I’d like to make a suggestion if I may . . . “ Reverend Barnes announced in a determined voice.
“You want me to make an honest women out of her, is that it?” Luc guessed.
“Yes, I do. Assuming you love my daughter.” He clasped his hands together, the gesture betraying a certain level of nervousness. “Well, do you?”
After a brief hesitation, Luc nodded. “Yes, I love her.”
Satisfied, Reverend Barnes relaxed and turned to Grace, his gaze less severe. “I know you’re ready, willing and able to marry this man. You wouldn’t have allowed … er … matters to progress so far, if you weren’t in love with him. Am I right?”
What could she say to that? “Yes, Dad,” she whispered.
“Then, it’s settled. I suggest you two marry, and marry now. After what I just witnessed, I don’t think that will be any too soon. I suspect it may actually be somewhat too late.”
Luc didn’t even try to hide his satisfaction. And Grace knew why he looked so pleased. By marrying quickly, they had a chance of keeping Toni. “You’ll maary us right away?” he asked.
“If you have the license and the blood test, I have the authority. All you need is a witness.” He looked at Grace. “A dress wouldn’t go amiss, either.”
“A white dress,” Luc stated. “The one you have hanging in the back of the closet should do.”
“Luc, may I speak with you in the bedroom, please?” she requested through gritted teeth. “Dad, you’ll excuse us? I think we need to talk this over before leaping to any hasty decisions.”
Her father nodded and Grace caught hold of Luc’s hand, tugging him toward the guest bedroom. The door had barely closed behind them before her hurt and anger spilled out. “How dare you lie to my father! And … and how dare you agree to marry me!”
“What the hell was I supposed to say? Tell him no, I don’t want to marry your innocent, little girl — I just want to make mad, passionate love to her?”
“At least that would have been honest!”
“No, it wouldn’t have been. I’ve changed my mind about an affair, Grace. I want to marry you.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “You really will do anything to keep that baby.”
He didn’t deny it, not that she would have listened if he had. She turned away and wrapped her arms around her waist.
“Cara . . . “ He came up behind, his hands dropping to her shoulders. “I know what I’m asking is unfair.”
“Not to mention unreasonable, untenable and unethical.”
“That, too. But would it be so bad?”
Jerking free of his grasp, she whirled around. “Be honest for once, Luc. Why are you doing this? Do you really want to marry me, or is this whole charade just to protect Toni?”
“Would you believe me if I said it was for you?”
She shook her head, tears filling her eyes. “No,” she whispered. “How could I, after the extremes you’ve gone to, to keep Toni out of the hands of the authorities. You’ve told so many different stories, tried to con so many people, how do I know this isn’t just one more he to get what you want?”
A muscle leapt in his jaw, and his hands clenched at his sides. “You could try trusting me.”
The words hung between them and Grace shut her eyes, wanting with all her heart to trust him, to believe he loved her, to allow herself to grasp with both hands the joyous possibility that they had a future together. But she’d just spent the past year clinging to a dream that would never materialize. She couldn’t do that again. Because this time it wouldn’t just be her hopes that were crushed, it would be her heart, as well. A tear escaped from the comer of her eye.
“Grace, please. Don’t cry.” He reached out to brush away her tear, but she evaded his touch. “Trust me. It’ll all work out, I promise.”
“You told me that once before and look where it got us.” She searched his face with tear-washed eyes. “I told you I’d have an affair with you. We don’t have to go to such extremes. You don’t have to marry me.” It was almost a plea.
“Yes,” he contradicted, savagely. “I do. We will marry, Grace, even if I have to drag you to the altar.”
“Because of Toni.” It wasn’t a question.
“If that’s the only way to convince you to marry me, then, yes.Because of Toni.”
So, now she had a choice. She could go through with the marriage or she could say no, and it would all be over. She could walk out the door, tell her father the truth and end her involvement with Luc. She never had to see him again if she didn’t want to. Never see him again. Never be touched by him again. Never share another kiss, another laugh. Never be held in his arms or know true love again.
And Toni would be turned over to the authorities.
“Marry me, Grace,” he urged. “I swear you won’t regret it.”
“I already regret it.” She bowed her head, knowing she couldn’t desert Toni, any more than she could explain the true situation to her father. Not when a single yes promised to give her what she wanted most in the world. “Okay, I’ll marry you,” she said, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. ‘
‘But it’s going to be a marriage of convenience. I won’t be your wife in anything but name. I won’t live with you, I won’t work for you and I won’t share your bed. After a few months we’ll have the marriage annulled.”
“You can’t be serious!”
“I’m very serious,” she flashed back. “I was wrong to agree to Dom’s plan. I admit it. But no one was supposed to be hurt. Well, people did get hurt, and I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll do this one last thing for Toni’s sake, and because I’m too much of a coward to tell my father the truth. But once Carina and Pietro return, it ends.”
“I’m not going to argue with you. But understand this . . . “ He caught her by the shoulders, refusing to let go. “Today your father will marry us. And there won’t be an annulment. After a few weeks or a month, once you’ve realized that an annulment is out of the question, we’ll marry again in my church.”
She shook her head. “No!”
He ignored her. “I have a couple of errands to run. It won’t take more than an hour. I’ll call Alessandro and ask him to be our witness.”
“You’re going to invite your family?”
“Just my brother. Dad already thinks we’re married, and I don’t think you want the rest of the rabble here.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Do you?”
“I … I guess not.”
“Get dressed, Grace. I won’t be long.” Then he swept her into his arms and kissed her, a gentle, lingering kiss that promised to make everything right again.
A kiss she didn’t dare trust.
The hour before her wedding passed with frightening speed. After checking to be sure her father didn’t mind watching Toni, she prepared for the ceremony. Pinning her hair in a sophisticated pleat, she applied cosmetics and perfume with a light hand. Finally, she pulled the dress Luc had requested she wear from the closet.
It was a deceptively simple design, a mere slip of a dress, short-sleeved with a scooped neckline, made special by a matching bolero jacket. She lingered in front of the mirror, undecided whether or not to wear her pearl necklace and earrings with it.
A light knock sounded on the door. “Grace?” Luc called, stepping into the room. He stopped short at the sight of her. “Gra
ce . . . “ He whispered her name in a rough, deep voice. “You’re beautiful, miaamorata.” She slowly turned from the mirror and faced him, struggling to hide her nervousness. He looked rather fine, himself, she conceded. He’d dressed in a black suit and snow white dress shirt. Gold cuff links glittered at his wrists and a gold tie tack anchored his red silk tie in place. “Is Alessandro here?” she asked.
“Yes. It’s almost time to start the ceremony.” He approached, a jeweler’s box in his hand. “But first I have something I’d like you to wear. It belonged to my mother, a gift to her from my father — also on their wedding day.”
“Luc-“
He shook his head, holding out the long, narrow box. “You can’t refuse. I won’t allow it.”
Reluctantly, she took the gift and opened it. She gasped. A dainty opal choker lay on a bed of black velvet. “Vivid green and blue sparks mingled with almost every color in the rainbow and blazed outward from the center of each gem. “Fire opals?” she whispered.
“Yes. They were my mother’s birthstone. Let me help you put them on.” He lifted the choker from the box and slipped it around her neck. Then he bent down and pressed his lips to the sloping curve of her shoulder.
“Thank you,” she said in a muffled voice. “You shouldn’t have.”
“I have something else.” With a wicked grin, he leached in his pocket and pulled out a ruffled blue garter, dangling the scrap of silk and lace from his finger. “The opals are something old. This is both new and blue. Would you like me to put this on, as well?”
She couldn’t help smiling. “I can manage, thanks.”
“Which just leaves something borrowed.” His hand dipped into his pocket once again. “I didn’t know if these would suit your taste, so they’re on loan until you decide whether or not you want them.” In his palm nestled a pair of opal earrings, fire opals that perfectly matched the choker.
She shook her head, taking an unthinking step backward. “Oh, Luc … It’s too much.”
He shrugged. “Then, we can return them after the ceremony.”
“Why are you doing this?” she asked anxiously, clasping her hands in front of her. “It isn’t like this will be a real marriage.”