Tell Me Something Good

by Emery, Lynn

  “I suppose you talked about the art.” Mama Grace picked up Lyrissa’s shoes and placed them in the close She turned back to stare at her, waiting for an answer.

  “Sure. Like I told you, they’ve spread the collection around. Guess rich families are like that.” Lyrissa got out of bed.

  “Careless, with no sense of appreciation for the thin; they own.” Mama Grace eased down onto the bed.

  “They do care, in their own way,” she added quickly.

  “Proud as peacocks. They love to strut in front of everyone else.” Mama Grace clasped her hands tightly together in her lap.

  “I suppose.” Lyrissa searched through her linger drawer.

  “That young man is no different. I can see it in him- arrogance. It’s their most plentiful family legacy.” Mama Grace’s voice was rough with bitterness.

  Lyrissa gazed at her. Deep lines etched her face “Mama, I’m going to try very hard to find the painting But it won’t be easy.”

  “It’s there.”

  “They might have sold it years ago.”

  “They’re unscrupulous, greedy, and a lot of other things. But not stupid.” Mama Grace wore a tight, humorless smile. “Georgina knows she’s holding onto stolen goods.”

  “Maybe so.” Lyrissa shifted uneasily.

  “They’re lying low, hoping the Joubert descendants don’t even know that painting exists. But we do.” Mama Grace’s eyes blazed with the fire of revenge.

  “Noel hasn’t mentioned it. I think he might if I asked.”

  “No!” Mama Grace stood up. “He might get suspicious.”

  “I doubt that,” Lyrissa said with a laugh. “Noel hasn’t paid much attention to his family’s collection.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Noel St. Denis has been into a lot of things, but vintage art isn’t one of them.” Lyrissa bustled around in preparation for getting dressed.

  “No doubt he’s a womanizer like his father and all those St. Denis men before him.” Mama Grace pursed her lips with distaste.

  Lyrissa ignored her jab at his character “He’s a hard- headed businessman type. You know, the one always closing deals.”

  “He seems to know its value well enough. I’d say he’s paid attention to it more than you think,” Mama Grace insisted.

  “You couldn’t look at that collection and not realize it’s worth something.” Lyrissa twisted a small hairbrush in her hands. “He does seem to really appreciate some of it, I mean beyond its worth in money.”

  “I see,” Mama Grace said in a flat tone.

  Lyrissa glanced at her, then away. “What? All I said was...” Her voice trailed off.

  “Sit down for a moment, child.” Mama Grace looked grave as she patted the bedspread.

  “I feel like I’m about to get a spanking,” Lyrissa said with a nervous smile.

  “No, just a reminder of whom you’re dealing with. They’re a breed apart” Mama Grace delivered her verdict with a frown.

  “Come on, that’s so twentieth century,” Lyrissa joked. Or at least she tried to. Mama Grace didn’t smile.

  “It doesn’t matter what century this is.”

  “Yes, but—” Lyrissa stopped at the look her grand-mother gave her.

  “He’s not for you, cher. Noel St Denis will find the ‘right’ girl.” Mama Grace clutched Lyrissa’s hand as though to make the point

  Lyrissa stared at herself in the dresser mirror. She touched the fingertips of one hand to her skin. Could every moment of last night have been an act?

  “You’re beautiful, but he’ll never see it. Not the way he should.”

  Lyrissa closed her eyes against the harsh words. Her body grew hot at the thought of Noel’s arms and legs entwined with hers. Mama Grace could well be right. Noel had beguiled women before her. She thought of Julie Duval. Surely the woman must have some reason to be so jealous. Lyrissa opened her eyes to reality. She looked at her grandmother and smiled.

  “Don’t worry. I’m sticking to the plan,” she said firmly. Both of them, she mused. She would reclaim the painting and keep a firm grip on her heart.

  Mama Grace continued to look at her for a time before she nodded. “Be very careful.”

  “They won’t catch me. Not before we can sue to get the painting back.” Lyrissa started to stand, but Mama Grace stopped her.

  “Your own heart can betray you, cher. It can convince you of the most foolish things,” she said softly.

  “I’ll be okay.”

  Lyrissa tried to sound surer than she felt. She hoped the clear light of day would help. But the words they’d whispered to each other rushed back inside her head as she prepared for work.

  The drive to Miss Georgina’s mansion gave her more time to think. Noel had everything he could want, including his pick of women. Much as it hurt, she had to admit that Mama Grace made sense. Men like Noel always went back to women like Julie. He would not seriously consider bucking his entire family. Lyrissa called up the weight of her experience. That alone helped her gain perspective.

  By the time Rosalie let her in, Lyrissa had herself in hand again. She stubbornly refused to acknowledge the kernel of regret in her stomach.

  “I’m going to enjoy the ride and get off when I’m ready,” she mumbled.

  “What did you say? Had my mind on the grocery list.” Rosalie stared at the paper in her hand.

  “Nothing. How are you?” Lyrissa put on a bright smile.

  “Humph! I could be a whole lot better. Had to deal with her highness already.” Rosalie jerked a thumb to the ceiling.

  “She’s extra cranky today?”

  “Cranky ain’t the half of it, sugar.” Rosalie made a hissing sound through her teeth.

  “Mrs. St. Denis has her ways, but I’ll bet she can be nice sometimes. She can,” Lyrissa asserted, when the woman stared at her wide-eyed.

  “Uh-huh. You don’t mind hanging round here, I guess.”

  “I’ve dealt with more difficult rich folks, trust me.” Rosalie lifted an eyebrow. “Yeah. Speaking of which, Mr. Noel is here. Stopped by on his way to the office.” Lyrissa kept her expression neutral even though her pulse raced. “I’ve got a date with a dusty attic. Hopefully I’ll be out of your hair for good soon.”

  “Sure you don’t want to see him?” Rosalie stared hard at Lyrissa.

  Lyrissa glanced away. “No, don’t need to. Don’t you just love this cool spring weather?”

  “Uh-huh.” Rosalie wore a knowing smile, but said no more. “Go on into the study. I’ll bring you a cup of coffee in a minute.” She took out a pair of reading glasses and looked at the list again.

  Lyrissa nodded and went through the double oak doors. She found a copy of the list of art along with another sheet of paper on the desk. Names and addresses were handwritten in neat print with cryptic notes behind each. Rosalie came back with a tray loaded with a matched server set.

  “Here ya go, darlin’. Miss Georgina is still getting dressed. She can’t move so fast these days—not that I’d let her hear me sayin’ that.” Rosalie chuckled to herself. She set the tray down and poured rich, dark coffee into a cup. Lyrissa accepted it gratefully, inhaling the wonderful aroma.

  “Thanks. She seems to do well for her age,” Lyrissa said and took a sip.

  “Yeah, especially when she’s got a bee up her you- know-what,” Rosalie said in a stage whisper.

  Lyrissa laughed out loud then caught herself. “She’s a very determined lady.”

  Rosalie grinned. “That’s a nice way of puttin’ it. Well, let me go. I gotta get this dinner party organized. The family is comin’ over here Saturday night.”

  “Really?” Lyrissa hurried to delay her exit. “Bet it’s a job planning for all those people.”

  “Won’t be that many, it’s just that they’re so damn picky, picky, picky.”

  “They like getting together, I suppose.” Lyrissa probed gently, searching for insight into what was going on.

  “Not that much, darlin’. I got
a feelin’ this is more family business than pleasure. Somethin’ about the company.”

  “Oh.” Lyrissa wondered if the art were involved. Rosalie’s good-natured voice interrupted her thoughts.

  “Good luck with her highness this morning.” She patted Lyrissa’s shoulder, and then bustled out. “Yell if you need something.”

  “I will,” Lyrissa called back. “Now, what are the chances I can get an invitation?” she murmured as Rosalie disappeared through the doors.

  Noel rubbed his hands together as he stood at the window. Then he walked to the round antique mirror on the wall and gazed at himself. He straightened his shirt collar. His coat and tie were draped over the back of the sofa in his grandmother’s sitting room. Miss Georgina sat at a small antique writing desk. She studied the neatly typed inventory arranged as a table with notations on age, location, and description. Noel glanced at the door several times. Finally he walked to the window again.

  “You and Ms. Rideau need to look at these.” Miss Georgina tapped a finger on the paper.

  “That’s what I’m going to set up today. I’ll call Cousin Augustin and two others,” he replied.

  “Fine.” Miss Georgina shuffled through her files, glasses perched on her nose.

  Noel swung his arms and walked in a circle around a small table. He fiddled with flowers in a vase. A noise made him look up sharply. Seeing no one at the door, he let out a long breath and paced.

  “Noel, take a look at these journals. I’m thinking of contacting the Amistad Center to display them.” Miss Georgina glanced where she thought he was standing.

  “Did you say something?” Noel rubbed his jaw as he stared outside.

  Miss Georgina squinted at him. “What have you done?”

  Noel turned and grinned at her. “I’m not ten years old anymore.”

  “I don’t care how old you are. I know you.”

  “That old bluff won’t work, Grandmother.” He assumed a casual pose to throw her off the scent.

  She gazed at him with a bland expression. “I’ll find out soon enough. Might as well save us both the trouble and confess.”

  Noel laughed easily. “Dealing with the family has you paranoid, cherie.”

  “Mon Dieu!” Miss Georgina burst out with a scowl. “1 swear some of them can be so infuriating!”

  His grandmother launched into a diatribe about her relatives. He sighed with relief that his tactic worked. The last thing he needed was drama about his relationship with Lyrissa. They’d not had a chance to talk it out. His heart hammered at the sweet memory of holding her in his arms. She’d felt so good. His body was still in shock.

  “Wow,” he said to himself.

  “Wow is right! Your Aunt Aline is impossible!” Miss Georgina seemed to vibrate with outrage.

  Noel blinked back to his surroundings. “Huh?”

  “Pay attention. We’ve got serious matters at hand here. I know what you’ve been doing, Noel Phillip.”

  Noel stiffened. “You do?”

  “You’ve been letting this tug of war with Carlton distract you. I thought you two would act like adults and work together.”

  Noel scowled at the mention of his cousin. “Carlton is like a big kid still angry because I took his toy.”

  “Be patient.”

  “I have been and it’s getting old,” Noel retorted.

  Miss Georgina sighed and put down the sheet of paper she held. “I know you have. I also know how much stress you’ve been under, running the company. Being the boss of a family owned business isn’t easy.”

  “The business part is easy. It’s the family part that’s a pain.” Noel wore a grim smile. “But I’ll handle them.”

  “I have no doubt of that. You’re like your grandfather,” she said proudly.

  “I may have to deal with Carlton soon, Grandmother. I won’t tolerate his running to board members behind my back much longer.”

  She nodded. “Do what you have to, son. Just give me fair warning. I’ll have to deal with his parents, you know.” Satisfied with her support, Noel nodded back. “Fair enough.”

  The intercom on the desk phone buzzed. “Miz Rideau is here,” Rosalie said.

  “Thank you, Rosalie. Let’s join her in the study.” Miss Georgina stood. She gazed at him. “Noel?”

  “Yes, sweet one?” Noel put an arm around her shoulder. “What were you thinking about so hard a moment ago? It wasn’t Carlton or the company.” Miss Georgina studied him closely as though she had the answer already.

  “I’m always thinking about business. You know that,” he replied smoothly.

  “Hmm.” She continued to study him. “Who are you dating these days?”

  Noel shook his head in wonder. Georgina St. Denis missed nothing. She could zero in on a target like a fine- tuned guided missile.

  “I’m thirty-two years old. Don’t be nosy.” Noel pecked her on the cheek.

  “I know how old you are, Noel Phillip. It’s time to settle down,” she tossed back at him.

  “Lyrissa is waiting, dear. You can lecture me on that well-worn subject later.” Noel opened the door for her.

  “Don’t think I won’t.” Miss Georgina wore a resolute smile as she walked past him. “I need to talk to Rosalie first. I’ll be there shortly.”

  Noel straightened his tie. “Good.”

  His grandmother’s dark brows came together. “What?” “I’m sure you’re getting the dinner all planned,” Noel replied.

  Miss Georgina looked at him hard. “I won’t be long.”

  “Take your time, sweet Grandmother. I’ll answer any questions Ms. Rideau might have,” he said over his shoulder as he headed down the hall.

  Noel walked in and a blush started at the base of Lyrissa’s spine and spread up. Her face felt hot. He was magnificent in a navy pinstriped Brooks Brothers suit. His broad shoulders filled out the fabric. He had the sleek grace of a powerful athlete and the polish of an old-fashioned Creole gentleman. The memory of being close to him brought back that now familiar tingle.

  “Good morning, Lyrissa,” Noel said, his voice sounding low and intimate.

  She took a deep breath and let it out. “Good morning.”

  “Are you okay?”

  Lyrissa sat ramrod straight and assumed a cool expression. “Of course.”

  “Oh, guess I shouldn’t assume.” Noel tilted his head to one side.

  “Assume what?”

  “That you felt the same rush I did when I saw you just now.” Noel walked across the room and stood in front of the desk where she sat

  “Sorry I didn’t melt into a puddle. I’m sure women do every time you bat those thick eyelashes.” Lyrissa picked up her pen and started writing.

  “So you like my eyelashes, huh?” Noel grinned at her.

  “You’ve got a lot of confidence in your charm, I see.” Lyrissa didn’t look at him.

  “Not with you, lady. You have a delicate way of shooting me right down.” He picked up a crystal paperweight on the desk.

  “Let me guess. You’ve never met anyone like me before. I make you feel like you’ve never felt before with a woman. Blah-blah-blah.” Lyrissa waved a hand in the air.

  Noel laughed softly. He didn’t seem the least bit insulted. “Something like that. Of course I wouldn’t have made it sound so phony.”

  “I’m sure you’ve got it down just right. I told you it’s not necessary to play the game.”

  “I’m not playing a game, Lyrissa,” he said in a quiet, firm tone. “I think you know it, too.”

  Lyrissa couldn’t resist looking up at him. His dark eyes drew her in. She cleared her throat and looked away sharply. “No, I don’t. But it doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes it does. I can show you better than I can tell you.” Lyrissa shivered when she looked at him again. She had to ask. “How?”

  Mrs. St. Denis marched in before he could answer. “Good morning, Ms. Rideau. Sorry I kept you waiting.” “No problem,” Lyrissa said. She shook off the hypnotic
spell he’d put on her.

  Noel leaned forward while his grandmother was still on the other side of the large room. “We’ll talk later,” he whispered. He faced Mrs. St. Denis. “I’ll take Lyrissa around to the relatives. We’ll start soon, as you suggested.”

  “Running a large company requires most of your attention,” Mrs. St. Denis replied.

  “The collection is part of the business equation now and needs my attention.” Noel smiled at Lyrissa.

  “I’ll take Ms. Rideau myself.” His grandmother’s voice held an edge.

  “Don’t tire yourself. You’ve got all kinds of social obligations. The doctor told you not to overdo,” Noel said.

  Lyrissa felt tension in the air. Mrs. St Denis wore a stiff expression. She glanced from Noel to Lyrissa. Noel seemed not to notice. He sat down in one of the heavy chairs facing the desk, totally at ease.

  “He’s so thoughtful. But I’m fine. We can start this week.” Mrs. St Denis put on a tight smile that didn’t include her eyes.

  “I need to know as much about the collection as possible,” Noel replied firmly. “I’ll take care of it”

  They looked at each other for several moments. Lyrissa held her breath at the silent battle of strong wills. Finally Mrs. St Denis gave a slight nod and cleared her throat.

  “Of course you do,” she said.

  Noel stood. He walked over to his grandmother and kissed her cheek. “I’m on my way, sweet. Lyrissa, 111 call you at your office this afternoon. Okay?”

  “Sure. I mean, that’s fine,” Lyrissa stammered when Mrs. St. Denis turned a stony gaze her way.

  “In fact, I think we could start tonight I’m sure Cousin Augustin won’t mind. I talked to him a few days ago,” Noel said without looking at his grandmother. “I hope you’re available.”

  “I think so.” Lyrissa fidgeted with her pen.

  “Why don’t you check your day planner right now?” Noel persisted.

  Lyrissa wanted to strangle him for pushing the issue. She took her planner out of her briefcase. “I’m tied up until three o’clock. I could go alone if you’re busy. Just call Mr. St. Denis.”

  “I’ll make time. This collection is too important. I’ll pick you up around five. You should be through by then, right?”