by Emery, Lynn
“Yes, sir,” Andre said.
“Schedule appointments within the next two weeks. Mention the renovations, too.” Noel glanced at Carlton’s tight expression.
“Got it.” Andre made notes then left.
Carlton didn’t stand or follow him out. Instead he stared at Noel. “You couldn’t at least pretend to respect my opinion in front of the employees?” he barked.
“I’m tired of listening to you say the same thing in every meeting. Same song, tenth verse,” Noel said tersely.
“You mean I don’t agree with everything the brilliant Noel says,” Carlton shot back.
“This train is pulling out of the station. Ride or get off!” Noel wore a fierce expression.
“Oh, no. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here right until the day they realize you can’t deliver,” Carlton said coldly. He shoved back his chair, stood, and strode out.
“If he spent as much energy doing his job, we’d all be richer,” Noel retorted.
“Maybe you should be nicer to him,” Julie said. “Carl-ton might cause you real trouble one day.”
Noel waved a hand. “He’ll try to hurt me, but not the business. I’m not worried about him.”
“People will do anything if they’re pushed into a corner.” Julie gazed at him.
“Are we talking about Carlton, Julie?” Noel studied her until she looked away.
“Of course.” She gathered up her copies of the reports and a legal pad. “I’m just saying you shouldn’t forget that family and friends are important, too.”
“Right. I’ll try to remember that.” Noel went into his office.
Julie followed him and closed the connecting door. “You seem out of it these days.”
“I’m juggling ten different business issues on any given day. Guess I’m on edge. But I’m making progress, at least.” He went to his desk and shuffled through a stack of phone messages.
“I’m talking personal now. You put in long days at the office.” Julie came around his desk and put down the papers.
“Don’t worry about me.” Noel pinched the bridge of his nose. “I know when to stop.”
“Do you?”
He glanced at her. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now.”
Julie smiled at him. “I know. Maybe you need to get away for a while. This is the perfect time for a trip to the beach. You know, I have a condo in Crystal Springs, Florida.” “That’s nice of you to offer it to me, but I’m really too tied up at the moment.” Noel pretended to misunderstand the invitation.
“Look, we could make a big push to prepare for a weekend away and—” She massaged his arm as though to soothe him.
“No,” he said gently.
She jerked her hand away. “Don’t make a fool of yourself with that Miss Social Climber!”
“We’ve had this discussion about us.” Noel stared at her steadily. “Let’s not have it again, Julie.”
“No, let’s not,” Julie hissed. She snatched up her files. “I’ve heard the speech. So you’re sleeping with her. You’ll get what you deserve, then.”
“Look, Julie, we’ve known each other too long. Let’s not lose our friendship.” Noel realized instantly that he’d poured gasoline on the flames.
Julie’s eyes flashed. “Perfect, I get the ‘Let’s be friends’ speech,” she yelled.
“I’m not...” Noel walked toward her.
“I’ll find a way to live without you, Noel St. Denis.” Julie’s bottom lip trembled. “In fact, I plan to live very well without you!” She spun and left, slamming his office door behind her.
Noel groaned in frustration. “I’ll just fire everybody and nm the damn place alone,” he muttered.
Minutes later his grandmother came in after a perfunctory knock. “Hello, son. What did you say to Julie? She seems upset.”
“Why assume I’m the cause?” he said irritably.
“Because she came from your office and she’s madly in love with you,” Miss Georgina replied in matter-of-fact tone.
“I don’t think love enters into it with Julie, Grandmother. I’m the perfect mating stock for her, that’s all.” Noel got up and poured them both a cup of coffee from the carafe on his credenza.
“I’ve told you what I think of that kind of attitude. I don’t want to have the same discussion again,” Miss Georgina scolded.
“Good, because I have it memorized.” Noel took a deep breath and let it out. “Now, sweet lady, I’ve got a lot of work today.” Noel used the same blunt manner she used.
“Then I’ll get right to the point. Stop this exhibition. I don’t like it.” Miss Georgina folded her hands in her lap.
“Lyrissa is doing a lot of hard work to make it a class act. She’s got media interested and top art critics excited about seeing the collection.”
“I don’t care. Cancel it.” Miss Georgina wore an inflexible expression.
“Impossible at this stage. We’ve invested too much and invitations have already gone out. We have a lot at stake.”
“More than you know,” she replied gravely.
Noel frowned at her. “Meaning?”
Miss Georgina did not answer him. Instead she rose and went to her late husband’s portrait on the wall. She studied it in silence for a time, and then turned to face Noel again.
“How much does the family name mean to you?” she asked.
“You know the answer to that, Grandmother. But what does that have to do with the show?”
“We can make Tremé Corporation great again without sacrificing family privacy. Lyrissa Rideau doesn’t under-stand and never will. I don’t like the way she’s intruding on us.” She lifted her nose in the air.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We gave her access to the family archives. You knew she needed to search for information on the collection.” Noel smiled indulgently. “Lyrissa has done a fine job and she’s very discreet."
“I don’t agree on either count. I want you to stop her,” Miss Georgina commanded.
“People will definitely talk if we cancel at this point.” Noel got up and crossed to her. “Look, cher, a few dusty old skeletons won’t matter.”
“Noel Phillip, you care more about an affair with that woman than you do about my feelings.”
Noel wrestled with his temper for the third time that morning. He swallowed a tart reply. “Grandmother, tell me what this is really about.”
“I don’t know what you mean. And don’t try to change the subject,” she said stubbornly.
Noel’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t about Lyrissa. You’re hiding something. Don’t withhold information from me, especially if it affects this company.”
“I don’t see why ancient slander should matter, but...” Her voice trailed off as she twisted the leather handle of her purse.
“Out with it,” Noel prompted.
“Some disreputable nobodies accused our ancestors of being less than honest I don’t think digging up that kind of unfounded garbage is necessary,” she said defensively.
He let out a short laugh that made her scowl at him in disapproval, then went back to his desk. “Is that all? Darlin’, I’m afraid no one will be shocked to hear those stories again.”
“I don’t find anything funny about mud being slung on our family reputation!” Miss Georgina said sharply. “Be-sides, there are lurid details you haven’t heard. Lies, of course—but all the same....”
“Such as?”
“Nothing was ever proved,” she blurted out. When Noel continued to stare at her hard, she went on. “There were stories that some of the art was not acquired properly.” “You mean stolen,” he said dryly.
Miss Georgina pretended she hadn’t heard him. “Then there was the matter of an affair your great-great-great- grandmother had with—well, never mind who with. Her husband died after a brief illness and there were filthy whispers. None of it true, of course. And then—”
“Wait a minute!” Noel cut in. “How many skeletons are we talking ab
out here?”
“No one in our family has ever been to jail,” she replied haughtily.
“Sounds like some of them should have been tossed in prison. Damn!” He rubbed his jaw.
His grandmother sat forward with a grim expression on her proud face. “All lies from jealous competitors. There are still people who resent our status. Lyrissa Rideau strikes me as one of those people. All this talk about art history could be just a cover.”
“Lyrissa is only interested in doing research on the art. Remember, we asked her to. She’s not planning to sell our story to the tabloids!”
“Stop thinking with your hormones. That woman has no loyalty to us. She’s gone way beyond doing an appraisal.”
“You’re being silly about this whole thing. Lyrissa hasn’t done anything without my knowledge.”
“Julie can handle the collection from now on. She has the experience. She handled the estate sale when her grandmother died. She says—”
“Julie. I should have guessed she had something to do with this. She’s out of line discussing this with you. I’m going to set her straight.” Noel glared at her.
“You’re being unreasonable in your defense of Lyrissa Rideau.” Miss Georgina stood.
“Don’t question my judgment based on your own prejudices.”
“Noel Phillip, you’ve never spoken to me this way. I know who has inspired this impertinence, too.”
Noel’s eyes narrowed. “The subject is closed, Grand-mother.”
She gazed at him for a time. “I’ll keep the collection out of your hands if you can’t be trusted with it.”
“Do what you have to. I’ve earned the right to be boss around here, damn it! I won’t roll over every time you decide you want to run things.” Noel crossed his arms as he stared her down.
“You’re as stubborn and impossible as your grandfather was, even more in fact. That man hated listening to me even when it was obvious I was right.” Miss Georgina looked at the portrait with a deep frown. “Our parents were happier with our marriage than we ever were,” she said.
Noel was stunned by her admission. “But I thought you were very happy.”
“We had a partnership. We... suited each other in other ways that compensated.” She drew herself up and turned back to Noel. “No romantic notions, Noel Phillip. Does that shock you?”
He shouldn’t have been surprised. After all, most of his relatives had married under the same conditions. After thinking it over a few moments, he shook his head. Suddenly he felt sorry for her. They must have been two lonely people for much of their thirty-year marriage. They’d hidden it well.
“Stop worrying, Grandmére. I’m going to protect the family name and the collection. You really shouldn’t listen to Julie’s wild accusations.” Noel patted her hand to reassure her.
“Speaking of Julie, that girl deserves to be treated bet-ter. She comes from a fine family.” Miss Georgina deftly switched back to his marital prospects.
“Didn’t we just cover marriages based on family preferences?” he said with a slight grin.
“You also have your father’s smart mouth,” she retorted. Still her frown melted into a soft affectionate smile. “I know you’ll do what’s best in the end. I trust your upbringing.”
Noel decided to let that one pass. “Thank you, Grand-mother. I’m going to live up to your trust in me with the company.”
Her light brown eyes narrowed. “Noel Phillip St. Denis, I—”
He kissed her hand. “Now, sweetheart, let me take care of business,” he said with a disarming smile.
“I can take a hint.” Miss Georgina smiled back at him. She turned to leave, then stopped and looked at him. “We’re not every family, son. Don’t forget that.”
Once the door finally closed behind her, Noel went back to his desk. “So much for getting anything done this morning,” he muttered.
Dealing with Carlton, Julie and his grandmother left him feeling cranky and cynical. He needed to clear his head. One by one he rejected his usual methods of working off tension. A workout at the club didn’t appeal to him. He could try to book an appointment with the club’s masseuse instead. No, he wasn’t in the mood. Noel drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair and stared at the telephone on his desk. What was she doing right now? Was she thinking of him?
“What the hell,” he muttered, and dialed Lyrissa’s office number.
Chapter 18
Lyrissa darted sideways glances at Noel as he drove. So much for her declaration not to see him again. Well, she did need to stay close to her family’s painting. Yeah, right!
Noel wore a slate blue Land’s End t-shirt tucked into Tommy Hilfiger designer blue jeans. The cotton knit fabric stretched across his broad chest. More than once she caught herself staring at the muscles that rippled beneath it. His jeans fit snug enough to invite wicked fantasies. She tried to focus on the landscape, but it was no use. The Technicolor visions of their entwined bodies wouldn’t go away. He was her worst nightmare and her deluxe erotic dream come true. God! What had she been thinking to accept this invitation?
His black Montero Sport whizzed down the highway toward Mandeville, a once sleepy town that had been transformed by an influx of wealthy escapees from the
traffic and hustle of New Orleans. As the miles slipped by, leaving the city behind, he visibly relaxed.
“You’re full of surprises.” Lyrissa gazed ahead, too aware of the heat he generated.
He smiled. “Hmm, that sounds like a good thing.”
“I mean, I didn’t see you as a guy who owned an SUV and was into long drives in the country.” She made the mistake of looking at him. He shifted his hips in the leather seat. A sharp ache shot through her pelvis.
“I’m a man of many layers. Not quite as shallow as you thought, huh?”
“I never thought of you as shallow, just a guy with a narrow focus,” she quipped.
When his smile widened, the pleasant itch on the inside of her thighs intensified. Lyrissa swallowed hard and looked away from danger. She squirmed in her seat, hoping it would help. It didn’t.
“Are you okay? You look a little jumpy. I hope you’re not carsick.” Noel put a hand on her knee.
Lyrissa gasped and moved away. She couldn’t be held responsible if he touched her again. “No, no. I’m cool,” she stammered.
“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to start anything.” The sexy curve of his full mouth told a different story.
“What a beautiful day!” Lyrissa blurted out. “I love this weather.”
“Yes, we’ve had lovely weather lately. Though we could use some rain.” Noel grinned at her. “Did that help?”
“Just drive, smart-ass,” she retorted.
Noel laughed out loud at her frown of exasperation. “Let’s both unwind, okay? No pressure of any land.” “Agreed.” Lyrissa willed herself to relax. “Don’t mind
me. I’m stressed from juggling school and work. Too many deadlines.”
Noel sighed in sympathy. “I know exactly what you mean. Some days I’m tempted to book a flight to a Caribbean island and not come back.”
“Conquering the world can wear a brother down,” Lyrissa teased.
He laughed again. “The world is easy. Dealing with my family is what wears a brother down.”
“Well, at least you can see the humor in it.” Lyrissa smiled at him.
“Being thirty miles out of town with you helps,” he said. Noel blinked as though he’d surprised himself with the admission.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
They rode in silence for another ten minutes. The scenery had changed drastically. They drove on the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway. Sunlight reflected on the water causing it to sparkle like diamonds. Boats were scattered around the vast lake. Some drifted lazily while others raced along leaving white foaming wakes behind. Noel took the Mandeville exit.
“Boy, when you said you wanted to get away, you weren’t kidding.” Lyrissa looked around.
“Ever been out on the Tfecunte River in Tickfaw?” Noel changed lanes effortlessly.
“You’re not serious?” She gaped at him.
“Sure. Enjoy the trip.” Noel turned up the music. A driving hip-hop beat thumped through the speakers.
Lyrissa’s mouth fell open even wider. “Who are you and where is the real Noel St. Denis?”
They laughed hard at her joke. An invisible force field dropped. They exchanged an effortless banter about everything except the weather. Noel’s sense of humor went from dry and sophisticated to silly one-liners. Lyrissa laughed so much she didn’t notice the passage of time or miles. Noel parked the Montero at a boat landing. “Here we are,” he announced and swept a hand out. “Okay, I’ll play along. Where are we?”
“The river. Don’t you ever get out of New Orleans?” He shook his head.
“Not often. I’m one of those folks who think nothing important happens outside the city.” Lyrissa grinned back at him.
“Today you’ll expand your view of the state.” He got out and went around to open her door. “Come on, city girl.” Lyrissa threw up both hands. “Like I have a choice. You’ve got me.”
His smile softened into an expression of mischievous seduction. He took her hand as she stepped to the ground. “I like the sound of that?
She blushed. “Behave.”
“I’ll try.” He slammed the door shut.
“Don’t try, do.” Lyrissa didn’t succeed in sounding severe. She couldn’t seem to wipe the silly grin from her face. Her heart skipped when he took her hand as they walked into a store.
A sign that said “Thibeau’s Boat Landing and Cafe” hung above the wide front porch. Small tables were arranged on the weathered cypress porch with a view of the river. Several couples sat nursing soft drinks and enjoying the balmy breeze from the water.
“What can I do for y*all today?” a female voice boomed as they walked through the door.
A tall woman the color of ebony stood behind the counter. Bags of corn chips and other goodies were stacked on either side of the wide surface. At the other end of the room a waitress took orders for food at another counter.