Truth and Circumstances

by Myrna Parks

  At the foot of the stairs, Beth decided to take the shortcut to the breakfast area. She turned right, walked briskly across the length of the entranceway. Down a long corridor, with Carter on her heels, Beth walked through the swinging doors that led into the long, narrow butler’s pantry. The room, lined with glass-fronted cabinets, held her family’s china, goblets, and silver serving pieces.

  Good, no servants. As she reached for the pocket door that opened into the breakfast room, she heard her father’s commanding voice. “I believe this marriage of Beth’s is one of the most impulsive and foolish things she’s ever done. However, it will be up to us, as her family, to lend support when things don’t work out.”

  Beth took a step backward. When she felt Carter’s solid chest behind her, she stopped. His hands came up, clasping her shoulders with a steadying grip.

  Alexis’s voice echoed loudly as she responded, “Did you notice Carter’s ring finger? He’s not wearing a wedding band. Also, at no time did I see one single affectionate glance or lingering touch, which you would expect to view in any newly-married couple.”

  “Some men are not comfortable displaying their feelings, especially in front of strangers,” Peter inserted defensively.

  “They hardly looked at each other. Beth is such a child. Do you think she may have gotten herself into trouble?” Alexis chided.

  Father responded, “If that be the case, then I predict this Phillips guy will be gone before the ink is dry on their marriage certificate.”

  Beth brought both hands up to her face and pressed them against her flaming cheeks. She wanted to turn around and get out of there, to get as far away from her critical relatives as she could. Before she could move, to her horror, Beth heard her mother’s soft voice. “Alexis, dearest, I fear I’ve dropped my spoon. I sent the maid upstairs to fetch my eyeglasses. Will you please obtain another utensil from the pantry?”

  Panic-stricken, Beth pivoted on her heels, running straight into Carter’s strong arms. He looked down at her. Beth heard the door opening behind her. With a suddenness that struck her silent, Carter pulled her hard against him, lowered his head and touched his lips to hers in a kiss that was slow, lingering, and devastating.

  Beth knew instinctively Carter was acting his part, saving her from another painfully embarrassing moment. However, she found herself responding with a tender longing that surprised her. The intensity of his kiss increased until Beth, lost in the sweet sensation of the moment, forgot where she was.

  Alexis cleared her throat. “Ah-um…”

  Slowly Carter released her. Beth leaned weakly against his solid frame.

  Carter spoke to Alexis over the top of Beth’s head. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. You know how it is...” He grinned, keeping his arms loosely around Beth.

  With Carter’s kiss still fresh on her lips and the scent his aftershave infused in her nostrils, Beth glanced shyly over her shoulder.

  Alexis responded with a teasing snicker that somehow didn’t ring true. “Yes, of course. There’s nothing more entertaining than finding a pair of newlyweds in your pantry.”

  With a flash of insight, Beth wondered if Alexis had ever allowed Lon to muss her lipstick. For the first time in her life, Beth thought she detected a look of envy in her sister’s skillfully lined, thickly lashed, perfectly brown eyes.

  Chapter Six

  All throughout breakfast, Carter played his part like a consummate actor. He held Beth’s hand, pulled out her chair, touched her cheek, and smiled into her eyes. She knew his behavior wasn’t real and his primary motivation was pity for her and dislike of her family. However, each time he looked at her, she could feel her heart flutter in her stomach.

  When the meal was over and they finally made their escape, Beth felt embarrassed and nervous. All the way downtown, she talked in rapid succession about everything in general and nothing in particular, avoiding the one topic that dominated every beat of her heart — the kiss.

  Carter listened to her prattle, smiled occasionally, and nodded at appropriate intervals, but she could tell by his vacant look that his mind was elsewhere.

  Just before they reached their downtown exit, Carter said, “I’ll drop you off and park the car. What time is your final class today?”

  Beth reached inside her briefcase, her trembling fingers quickly closed around the small spiral notebook where she had penned her schedule. She glanced at her notes. “I should finish at five o’clock.”

  “What about the evening seminar? I believe Arthur Hunt is speaking tonight. Do you plan to return?”

  “The only speech I came to hear will be on Friday night. What about you? Do you want to stay?”

  “After spending the entire day closeted inside a classroom, I’d rather spend my evening elsewhere.”

  “Then I’ll see you—”

  “In the lobby at 5:15.”

  “Oh... okay.” She had assumed she’d see him at lunch.

  He glanced in her direction. A small frown puckered his brow. “I promised Eric, the friend I’d planned to stay with this week, that I’d meet him for lunch. You’ll be all right, won’t you?”

  “Of course!” Beth exclaimed defensively. “I’m not a child.”

  Carter remained silent as he turned the automobile onto the appropriate street, his attention focused on the merging traffic.

  Beth swallowed her disappointment. Of course, she could eat by herself. She would have been alone, anyway...

  As the professor eased her father’s sports car close to the curb, Beth gathered her belongings. When the vehicle slid smoothly to a halt, Carter jokingly inquired, “Did you remember to bring your identification badge?”

  “What a silly question,” Beth retorted as she opened the door. “You sound just like my father.” With a smirk, she slammed the door before he could parley a reply.

  She walked toward the entrance with a grin that suddenly melted like dewdrops in the desert. Where had she put that badge? Groping feverishly inside her handbag, Beth sighed audibly into the wind when her hand encountered the prized, plastic rectangle. She wondered why everyone treated her like a feeble-brained female.

  ****

  Just before noon, Carter handed his menu to the server, a college-aged boy with short red hair, and a long lanky frame that pulled him down into a premature stoop. “I’ll have the club sandwich with a cup of black coffee.”

  Eric Pearsall sat across the table from Carter. The architect, whose shoulder-length brown hair made him look as if he should spend his days with a brush in one hand and an artist’s palette in the other, studied his menu and then ordered the special.

  When the waiter departed, Eric leaned back. “Tell me everything about this girl.”

  “I explained the situation over the phone yesterday.”

  “You recited some tale about meeting a damsel in distress on the airplane. I just assumed you weren’t alone and couldn’t talk about the real reason you stood us up — and by the way, Maggie is furious with you. She worked for a week on our guestroom. She had that bedroom white-glove clean. She even bought new sheets for our undeserving guest who did not appear. As if that were not enough, she cooked all day, making her mother’s recipe of Swedish meatballs, only to get a brush-off phone call from you at the last minute."

  “I feel like a jerk. Tell Maggie I’ll make it up to her. I’ll send her flowers. May I treat you two to dinner tonight? Where is Maggie’s favorite restaurant?”

  “Now you’re beginning to think like a real married man.” Eric whipped out his cell phone, punched a few numbers, and placed the phone to his ear.

  While Eric talked to his wife, Carter gazed around the pub-style café, trying not to eavesdrop. The smell of fresh baked bread, hot cheese, and French fried onion-rings made his stomach rumble in anticipation.

  Eric returned the phone to his pocket. “Maggie says she prefers yellow roses. She forgives you. And you’re in luck. Since our larder is full, and she loves to cook, she insists on preparing dinner for
you. We’ll expect you at seven o’clock tonight.”

  “I’ll have to bring Beth.”

  “No problem. We have enough meatballs in the freezer to last a month.”

  “If you’re certain Maggie won’t mind? Perhaps you should call her back. Beth’s family might think it strange if I visited friends without taking my new bride.”

  Eric chuckled and shook his head. “You’re not falling for this girl, are you?”

  Carter laughed, not wanting to confess his impulsive kiss, or how shockingly unprepared he had been for the effect it had on him. “I only met her yesterday. Beth is one of those women who instantly bring out the protector in a man. I find myself instinctively trying to rescue her from every situation.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting the woman who can pull you into a scheme such as this.”

  “I’m not a fool. Beth isn’t some cunning designer out to entrap me.”

  “Be careful. A situation like this could quickly get out of hand,” Eric warned.

  “I know what I’m doing.”

  “And what do you think might happen if this girl learns the truth about —”

  “I’m not the one telling lies.”

  ****

  Carter knew something was terribly amiss as soon as their eyes locked in the lobby. Beth’s face was pale and her lips trembled when she attempted to smile. He reached for her briefcase. Holding it firmly in one hand, he steered her gingerly out of doors.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, anxiously examining her face in the sunlight.

  “Nothing.” She gulped. “How was your day?”

  “Long.” He led her down to the traffic crosswalk, and together, they crossed the street. He decided not to pursue the subject, certain she’d tell him soon enough.

  Inside the car, as he fastened his seatbelt and inserted the key in the ignition, he casually remarked, “When I lunched with Eric Pearsall today, he invited us to dinner tonight.”

  An absent-minded, “That’s nice,” was the only response he received.

  “Will your folks mind if we dine out?”

  Beth just shook her head without further comment.

  “Anticipating my visit, Maggie went to a lot of trouble. I feel obligated. I hope you don’t mind?” He eased the car into the crowded streets.

  “What time is dinner?”

  “Seven o’clock. I could call and change the time if that’s too early.”

  “Seven is fine.” Beth closed her eyes. Leaning her head back, she remained as motionless as a mannequin during the remainder of the drive.

  Carter had an uneasy feeling, but said nothing. With his hands firmly gripping the smooth surface of the wheel, he concentrated on safely maneuvering the vehicle through rush hour traffic. When he finally eased the convertible through the tall iron gates, Beth lifted her head. She smoothed her skirt and then checked her face in the visor mirror.

  Carter followed Beth upstairs. As soon as they were inside the bedroom, he tossed her briefcase onto the thick-padded chair beside the door and faced her squarely. “Okay, let’s have it.”

  Slowly turning, Beth met his stare with a wide-eyed gaze.

  Carter searched her face.

  She took a deep breath. “We have another dinner invitation, for — for tomorrow evening.”

  His dread was growing.

  “Alexis sent me a text message today. It seems Father has invited several close friends and family members over for a small dinner party tomorrow night.”

  An idea began to form that his brain wanted to reject. For several long moments, the two of them stared unblinkingly at each other. Beth’s eyes appeared larger than ever, and he could see the beginnings of unshed tears glittering in their wide, green-eyed depths.

  At last, she whispered the words he didn’t want to hear. “The party is for us. To announce my marriage. You and I are the guests of honor.”

  ****

  Carter stared, glared, and made useless gestures of disbelief with his hands. Wheeling around, he took three full steps before turning back to face her again. Beth remained motionless, with her head down, shoulders hunched, and hands hanging like limp noodles on either side of her body.

  Suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the arrogance of the Ashton family and for his own stupidity in becoming involved in a situation rooted in deception, Carter longed to shout, to yell, to kick the furniture, and to pound on the wall. Instead, he clenched his fists and turned away. With long quick strides, he headed to the bathroom. Making a wide berth around Beth, who refused to look him in the eye, he grabbed the carved, oval door handle and gave it a jerk. Inside the lavatory, he slammed the door so hard the fixtures rattled on the wall.

  The powder room, like the adjoining bedroom, was grand, spacious, and tastefully decorated. Carter seldom lost his temper, but today he felt the need to vent. He had plenty of room to hurl items of clothing across the tile, glass, and granite surfaces as he undressed. Against one wall were twin dark-toned wooden benches with storage space beneath for shoes and slippers. Carter sat down, removed his shoes, and threw them one at a time across the room. As each item hit the door with a heavy thud, he hoped Bethany Ashton was getting a taste of his fury.

  He stepped inside the walk-in shower. Wearing nothing but a gold chain and crucifix, he turned on the taps, adjusted the stream, and stood in the jet-spray of ice-cold water. He made the decision. He’d pack his bags, drive to Eric’s house, and leave Bethany Ashton to face her family and dinner guests all by herself. Why should he put himself out? Why should he care what happened?

  A full ten minutes later, he stepped from the brisk shower, feeling better. He reached for one of the plush bath towels. As he briskly rubbed himself dry, Carter wondered how he had allowed himself to become mixed up in such a hammer-brained fiasco as this.

  Oh, no. I was so full of rage I forgot to pick up anything to change in to. He wrapped the heavy towel around him. With the cloth tucked like a sarong that hung nearly to his ankles, he headed for the door.

  Carter kept himself in shape, working out in the pool in the summer, spending hours on the slopes in the winter; he was tan and fit and proud of his physique. There were droplets of water on his shoulders. He strode confidently into the bedroom, not knowing or caring what Bethany Ashton would think.

  The room was empty. Good riddance. He hoped she was downstairs informing her parents of her grave misconduct. She would bow and scrape, and endure their self-righteous, condescending forgiveness.

  Carter walked around the bed. He opened the drawer of an antique chest and heard a gasp from somewhere behind him. Whirling around, he saw Beth standing framed in the doorway of the walk-in closet. She was clutching a short, black dress in her hands, her face a mirror of prudish horror.

  Carter faced her without flinching.

  Her lips came together in a prim-looking line. With her cheeks blooming hot with color, she spun around, keeping her back straight and rigid. Following one brief surge of guilt and a quick resurrection of anger, Carter walked toward her. He glared at her back, and with his hands on his hips, he ground through his teeth, “What’s wrong, little Miss Prim and Proper! Are you so innocent the sight of a man not fully clothed is disgusting?”

  Beth pivoted suddenly, facing him defiantly. He could see the angry tears gathering in her eyes. “Despite what you and my narrow-minded relatives seem to think of me, I am not one of those silly, weak-willed girls who fall into bed with the first man who pays her a few compliments.” Her chin came up, and she met his gaze head-on. “I’m a virgin. Unlike some people, I don’t wear a token around my neck and pretend to be something I’m not.”

  The muscles in his jaw began to tick. Before he could stop himself, Carter took two steps toward her and said with enough sarcasm to peel paint from the newly decorated walls, “No. You wear your symbol of deceit around your left ring finger.”

  Beth gasped as if he had struck her.

  Face to face, seeing the pain in her eyes, Carter could feel his
rage evaporating. Feeling as though he had just kicked a puppy, he made a move toward her.

  Beth turned away. Her shoulders heaved with silent sobs.

  Carter drew near her, wanting to touch her, to comfort her like a child. Glancing down at his nakedness, he suddenly felt ashamed. He wondered if this was what Adam had experienced when he munched his first apple.

  “Beth, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I was angry and frustrated. I didn’t mean what I said.”

  Beth sniffed. “No, you’re right. I’ve behaved very badly. I should never have lied to Ms. Huxley and Alexis. This is all my fault. None of this would have happened if I had been honest.”

  Gently, he touched her shoulder, wishing he were fully clothed. He could see his clothing hanging just inside the closet. There was no way to retrieve the garments without pushing her aside.

  “Look, I think both of us said things we regret.”

  Beth wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand and nodded.

  “We have plenty of time. Why don’t you take a nice soak in the hot tub? We can talk about this on our way to the Pearsall’s house.”

  Beth nodded again and then quickly scurried past him. When he heard the lavatory door closing behind her, Carter wasted little time in donning his pants and shirt. He sat down on the bench at the foot of the bed. As he pulled on his socks, Carter paused, turned, and glanced at the bed. His good-humor returned and he laughed aloud. It’s just like being married, he decided, except I seem to have all of the pitfalls and none of the perks.

  Chapter Seven

  Beth was grateful for the darkness inside the car. She was relieved Carter could not see her blazing cheeks as he apologized.

  “I fear I haven’t been a good sport,” he said.

  “No! I’m to blame. I’m the one who lied and caused you so much trouble.”

  Carter made no reply for several long moments. Then, as though choosing his words carefully, he replied, “I’ve aided and abetted in deception. Call it guilt by association if you like. We’re in this together.”