by Shirley Wine
‘So Dad told me. He also mentioned he’d broached the idea of you supporting the Cambridge branch.’
‘He did, and I assured him I’d consider doing so when this brouhaha has died down.’ She nibbled on her lower lip.
Keir nodded, his expression thoughtful. ‘He also suggested it’s time we took this fight to the press.’
‘How can we do that?’ Victoria placed the fine china teacup in its saucer with great care.
‘Dad is Chairman of the Breeders Association and as such, he is the host for the dinner tonight. The Country Club is a great venue and is usually sold out for these occasions. Dad asked us to join him and Muriel.’
Victoria stared at Keir, shocked. The idea of having dinner with Muriel in front of a crowd of strangers was about as appealing as chomping on raw liver.
‘Logan and Piper are also going.’ Keir’s intense gaze never wavered.
‘I thought Logan and Piper had split up?’
Keir turned his hand in an indecisive gesture. ‘They’re off and on, and at the moment it’s on. Dad thinks that a public show of family solidarity will help us weather this storm, and Logan and I both agree with him. Are you up for it?’
Good question. If she accompanied Keir to this function, they were sure to be the cynosure of attention and that thought was enough to bring her out in hives. ‘Do you think it will work?’
‘It can’t hurt any. We certainly can’t remain holed up here forever.’
‘What about Connor?’
‘I’ll ask Mrs T to sit for us if you’re happy with that arrangement.’
‘Sure, she’s a darling.’
Victoria had grown to like the warm, motherly Canadian and knew why Keir trusted the woman.
‘She’s been with me a long time.’ Keir put his cup and saucer back on the tray, taking hers and doing the same, before he sat beside her on the sofa. ‘She never hesitated to accompany me back to New Zealand. She’s a widow without any family.’
‘She’s certainly taken to Connor and he adores her.’ She nibbled her lower lip. ‘I take it this dinner is a black tie affair?’
‘It is.’ He caught her hand in his. ‘And you’ll definitely need a new gown.’
Victoria frowned at this. ‘The gowns I wore at Darkhaven escaped being trashed at my apartment.’
‘I realise that.’ He squeezed her hand, giving it a little shake. ‘But tonight I insist you wear a new gown.’
‘Why?’ Her chin came up.
‘Because there will be a lot of the same people present tonight who were at Darkhaven. If we’re going to pull this off, it’s important that you dress in something these people have never seen before. Believe me, if you don’t then it will be noticed.’
‘And that would defeat the purpose.’
‘Precisely. I recalled you mentioning your gown was from An’Ville and I contacted her. She had your details on file and has sent over several gowns in your size for you to choose from.’
‘Thank you.’ She hesitated a moment then asked, ‘Will Davina be there?’
It was his turn to hesitate. ‘I asked Dad the same question and he didn’t know, but he was going to find out. Will it worry you if she is?’
‘I could ask you the same question, but I guess we’ll have to meet her sometime.’
‘Why not cross that bridge when we come to it?’ He gave her hand another little shake and took a ring box from his suit coat pocket. ‘There’s one other detail we’ve overlooked. I bought this for you.’
He flicked it open to reveal a ring with a single luminous golden stone set in an intricate, chased gold setting.
Keir caught her hand and slipped the ring onto her ring finger, then he lifted her hand and held it beside her eyes. ‘I thought so. It’s the exact colour of your eyes.’
Heat surged through her at the expression in his eyes. She twisted her hand and a shaft of sunlight caught the gem, and it sparkled like radiant gold. ‘It’s so beautiful. What’s the stone?’
The simple yet elegant setting suited her small hand. And it was so different to the cold, ostentatious diamond in the ring he’d given Davina.
‘It’s a canary diamond. Do you like it?’
‘I’d have to be very hard to please not to like it.’
‘But …’
Victoria knew he’d caught her ambivalence. ‘I’m happy to have an engagement ring and a new gown,’ she said quietly. ‘But I don’t need or expect you to shower me with expensive gifts.’
‘I know.’ He smiled, a finger stroking down her cheek, his dark eyes slumberous. ‘And that’s probably the reason I enjoy giving you some.’
Victoria mulled over his words as she dressed for dinner.
The gowns were stunning.
All of them suited her and all were very much to her taste. Had Keir personally chosen them or had An’Ville selected what she’d considered suitable? At last, she chose one in a muted pink and moss green abstract pattern and discovered it lifted her very mediocre looks to a new level.
She took considerable care with her hair, creating an elaborate French pleat that she secured with an old-fashioned hair glide she’d inherited from her mother. As she picked up the treasured piece, Victoria was thankful all over again for the impulse that had seen her take her jewellery box to Darkhaven.
Her mother’s china hadn’t fared so well.
She secured the pin and studied her reflection. The style was sleek and elegant without being too severe, and it gave her at least the appearance of poise.
And I’ll sure as hell need poise if I’m to pull this dinner off successfully.
She slipped her feet into a sleek pair of high-heeled slingback black suede shoes that gave her much needed height.
Victoria shivered as she recalled the look in Keir’s eyes when she’d told him he didn’t need to buy her, and she studied the ring again, enchanted by its simple elegance.
How did Keir know exactly what she would like?
She found it disturbing that he understood her so well on one level and yet remained so suspicious where it counted most.
A knock at the door broke her troubled thoughts.
‘Coming.’ She opened the door to Keir.
His dark suit, white evening shirt and black bow tie gave him a sartorial elegance that set her pulse racing. He was so handsome. His sable hair gleamed in the overhead light and suddenly she was struggling to draw breath.
Desire clawed at her and her knees went weak.
‘You look stunning.’ His chocolate eyes glittered with appreciation. ‘I thought that colour would suit you.’
That answered her earlier question about who had chosen the gowns. ‘So do you.’
He stepped closer and pulled a long, slender box from his pocket, laid it on the dresser and flicked it open. She gasped when she saw the canary diamond pendant set in chased gold and suspended on a delicate chain nestled on the satin liner.
‘Turn around,’ he said, his voice husky as he picked up the delicate jewel.
Speechless, Victoria obeyed and she watched him in the mirror as he fastened it around her throat.
‘It’s beautiful.’ She looked into his eyes in the mirror. ‘Thank you.’
‘Ready to face the curious?’
She trembled at the thought. Would she ever be ready for such a terrifying ordeal? Their gazes met and something in his expression steadied her shaken nerves.
They looked like the proverbial beautiful couple, and in her innermost heart she wished it was so. She wondered what she needed to do before he trusted her without reserve.
She nodded and picked up a warm wrap.
Keir took it from her and placed it around her shoulders, dropping a kiss on the back of her neck. Fire raced through her at the gossamer touch of those heated lips against her skin.
Nerves twisted Victoria in knots as their car glided to a halt beneath the portico of The Country Club. Light streamed from floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows, and through them she could see into the vast atrium and w
hat seemed like hundreds of people gathered in groups talking and laughing.
She’d often driven past the building, but she’d never stepped inside the exclusive club. Her pulse raced, her mouth went dry and nerves jittered in her stomach.
I don’t think I can do this.
Valets stepped forward and opened their car’s doors, and as she stepped out onto the flagstones, Victoria knew it was too late to draw back. She experienced an eerie sense of deja vu, the same sensation that had assailed her moments before that first fateful meeting with Keir at Darkhaven.
Keir handed the car keys to a valet and walked around the car to her side. With a solicitous hand under her elbow, he escorted her up the wide stone steps.
A steward stepped forward.
Keir handed him an ornately embossed card and after a thorough scrutiny the man indicated that they enter.
Victoria gained the impression of high, timbered ceilings and ornate chandeliers, but it was the intense hush as they stood poised at the top of the shallow flight of stairs that made her heart beat like that of a panicked bird.
Keir whispered in her ear. ‘Smile, sweetheart, they’re not a lynch mob.’
That’s easy for him to say.
She managed a shallow breath, but it did little to calm her nerves. She glanced up at Keir and saw the devilish twinkle in his eye.
He’s actually enjoying the sensation we’re creating.
She wished she possessed a fraction of his sangfroid, as she was too aware of being the focus of attention as he guided her down the steps and into the room. Perfectly poised, he acknowledged with a smile and a nod everyone who caught his eye.
A waiter stepped forward with a tray and Keir took two glasses of champagne.
Victoria took hers and gulped a mouthful, the cool, fresh burst of flavour easing her parched throat.
Caine emerged from the crush to greet them, Muriel half a step behind her husband.
‘Victoria, Keir.’ The men shook hands. ‘We’re so glad you could make it.’
One look at Muriel and Victoria thought, scratch that. The woman was here under duress.
Victoria never offered her hand. Why risk a very public snub. For certain someone would have a cell phone and would just love to capture such a telling moment. As far as Victoria was concerned the curious already had too much to whisper over.
Caine turned to her and she relaxed a little when she saw the twinkle in his eye. She realised he too was enjoying confounding the curious. He caught her shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘You look beautiful, my dear.’
‘Thank you.’ Relief and gratitude eased her apprehension and she heard people murmuring as she kissed his cheek in return.
‘And how’s my little grandson?’ Caine’s hands tightened on hers.
‘As full of fun and devilment as always, but Mrs Teague has his company tonight.’ Victoria kept her attention focused on their party, not risking so much as a glance at their audience.
They moved in a group towards the table reserved for dignitaries.
Victoria heard whispers follow their progress and with a determined effort she kept her smile in place. The firm pressure and warmth of Keir’s hand on the small of her back steadied her nerves. As they reached their table, Logan and Piper greeted her.
Victoria covertly studied the younger woman. Piper was very subdued and her green eyes shadowed, Logan much the same. Was their relationship in trouble because Logan had escorted Victoria to Darkhaven?
‘Keir’s a lucky man,’ Logan whispered, winking as she sat in the chair Keir held for her.
Keir sat on her right and the chairman for Riding for the Disabled on her left, a placement that ensured Muriel was not within speaking distance. Only then did Victoria relax.
Once the guests of the main table were seated, other guests gravitated to their seats and only then did Victoria allow her glance to skim across the crowd. To her relief she saw no sign of Davina.
Piper leaned past Keir and whispered to Victoria, ‘She’s not here.’
Relief left Victoria light-headed.
Maybe, just maybe they could emerge from this debacle with their dignity intact. Now, surrounded by Keir’s family, Victoria tried to relax and enjoy the superb meal of New Zealand lamb. After dinner and before the speeches, the band on the raised dais tuned their instruments and started to play. The lilting music had her tapping a toe to the rhythm.
Logan stood up. ‘Would you like to dance?’ Seeing Keir’s frown he added hastily, ‘For old times’ sake.’
Victoria accepted and Logan escorted her onto the dance floor. As he twirled her in the dance, she was very conscious of Keir’s gaze even as she knew Logan was ensuring them a few moments of privacy.
‘Have you set up a meeting?’
He twirled her in a corner turn, using the dance to lean close to her ear. ‘Can you slip away tomorrow afternoon?’
‘I’ll manage.’
‘Be at the Turf Bar in The Wanderer’s Tavern at one. He will meet you there.’
Victoria nodded and Logan danced her around the floor, his brow creased in a frown. ‘I don’t like this. You haven’t told Keir?’
‘No. And I don’t intend to.’ She managed a strained smile. ‘This is something I need to do myself.’
‘That guy’s a real shady character. You be careful.’
‘Yes, grandad,’ she mocked, laughing softly. ‘Believe me, cautious is now my second name. Besides, he owes me a favour.’
Logan studied her keenly and gave a start as Keir tapped him on the shoulder. ‘I want to dance with my fiancée.’
Logan gave way gracefully, sweeping Piper into his arms and waltzing away.
Keir, with a finesse she had to admire, gathered her close in a possessive hold and smoothly joined the other dancers. ‘It would never do to let the gossiping tabbies think we’ve fallen out,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘Or that you’re pining for my brother.’
‘There was never a chance of that,’ she said, taking a quick, shallow breath as she looked up at him through her lashes.
‘Witch.’ His harshly indrawn breath was warm in her ear as his arms tightened fractionally.
She was left in little doubt that he was as aroused by their closeness as she was, and without thinking it to death she leaned forward and rested her face against his shoulder as he twirled her around the dance floor.
‘What were you and Logan discussing so earnestly?’
She came back to earth with a thud, and she managed to suppress a guilty start. If Keir guessed what she was plotting he’d pitch a fit and refuse to let her keep the assignation.
‘We were just catching up.’
‘Was he grilling you about me?’
Oh, the male ego.
Victoria chuckled. ‘Logan’s feeling more than a little bit guilty. It would never do to let him off the hook too easily.’
Keir continued to twirl her around the floor, their steps matching perfectly. ‘As long as you’re not hatching some plot.’
‘Would I do that?’
‘In a heartbeat,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘But I don’t want you taking any unnecessary risks.’
She pulled back and looked up at him. ‘I can look after myself. I’m not some hothouse flower you need to keep sheltered and protected.’
‘I realise that, but your face is now far too familiar to people you don’t know, and that my dear, makes you very vulnerable.’ Keir’s grip on her hand tightened as he cradled it against his chest, and she glanced up at him through the veil of her lashes as the music ended.
Was she courting unnecessary danger by arranging an assignation with Dan Smales?
No. He was no stranger, and Victoria intended to reclaim their lives. If anyone could find a way to silence Davina Strathmore and her objectionable father, he could.
As Keir escorted her from the dance floor and back to their table, she was hyperaware of his nearness. His firm, possessive hand on the small of her back, his stature and aloof ex
pression were more than enough to shelter her from the blatant curiosity.
It may be shallow and vain, but Victoria revelled in her changed status.
Keir knew what he was about—ensuring she wore a new gown and the diamonds certainly helped cement her place in this milieu.
‘We’ve really set the tabbies on their ears tonight,’ he murmured in her ear as he pulled out the chair for her to sit on. ‘Don’t look now, but Muriel is glaring at us both.’
Victoria leaned toward him so she was closer and not overheard. ‘She’s not spoken one word to either of us.’
‘I honestly didn’t think Dad could pull it off.’
‘This is Caine’s doing?’
She watched his glance skim across the other diners. ‘It is. He said he would ensure Muriel attended, and he was adamant that she wouldn’t embarrass either you or me.’
Victoria gave him another veiled glance. ‘How could he do that?’
Keir leaned closer, his head touching hers. ‘I suspect Dad threatened her as he did the day of Connor’s accident.’
Victoria’s eyes widened and her head jerked in surprise.
‘You were too worried to pick up on the byplay, but I suspect their marriage is seriously on the rocks.’
Victoria looked at the others in their group. Caine was in earnest discussion with another stables owner and Muriel sat to one side, aloof and isolated. Victoria guessed Keir was right.
Logan and Piper were talking and laughing with another young couple Victoria didn’t know. ‘Logan and Piper seem to be happier.’
Keir frowned as he studied his brother. ‘Don’t be fooled by his surface charm. Logan uses it to cover very deep emotions.’
Startled, Victoria considered this observation and knew Keir was right. Keir’s ability to read people was one more facet of his character that surprised her.
Caine came to the podium and tapped his wineglass.
Conversation dwindled and people gravitated to their seats for the official part of the evening. As Victoria listened to the speeches, she was hyperaware of the warm, possessive touch of Keir’s hand on the nape of her neck.
Afterwards, the evening wound down and as they mingled with the other guests, Keir never strayed so much as an inch from her side, one hand always touching her, a clear signal to all present that they were a couple.