A Gentleman's Bargain

by Patricia Waddell

  “It will,” Claire admitted. “Thank you."

  They walked inside together, but this time Garrett didn't touch her. He didn't trust himself not to kiss her again. His body was used to having what it wanted and it wanted Claire.

  While his new fiancée was recovering from the splendid shock of her first kiss and Garrett was trying to regain his self-control, Grams tucked herself back into bed and drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.

  Chapter Seven

  Garrett was still brooding over his unexpected reaction to a simple kiss when he came downstairs later that evening. Dressed in black evening wear and a crisp shirt with gold studs, he walked into the parlor to say good night to his grandmother.

  “Where do you think you're going?” he asked as he surveyed her gown and formal jewelry.

  “To the Beltons’ ball, of course,” Grams told him. “I've been cooped up in this house for weeks. A few hours out won't kill me.” Garrett scowled, but Grams kept smiling. “Do sit down. And stop frowning. I'll have Henry bring me home early."

  Garrett didn't sit down and he didn't stop frowning. He poured himself a short brandy and told his grandmother in no-uncertain terms that she was to spend the evening resting.

  “I've rested until I'm bored,” she retorted. “Besides, Dr. Baldwin will be there. If I feel ill, you can fetch him to my side. Now, stop worrying and tell me about my future granddaughter-in-law. Does her brother know you're planning to marry?"

  “No,” Garrett said. “He had already left the city by the time Claire arrived. She's going to write him, of course. I have no reason to assume that he will oppose the marriage."

  “He'd be crazy if he did,” Grams replied smugly. “You're the best catch in the city."

  Garrett smiled as he reminded himself that he was supposed to be in love. “As long as Claire agrees with you, I'm a happy man."

  He was about to reiterate that his grandmother should forego the excitement and stress of a large party when Claire appeared in the doorway. Her gown was the exact color of the emerald ring he'd slipped on her finger earlier in the day. The full satin skirt had a scalloped hem, held in place with black rosettes. A black lace panel trimmed in black ostrich feathers gave the gown a unique elegance. The bodice was fitted and cut low enough to be fashionable without being overly revealing. Her hair was pinned up in a stylish cluster of curls. Once again the cameo was pinned to a black velvet ribbon, circling her pale throat. Small jet earrings dangled from her ears. The effect was enough to keep Garrett staring as Claire moved into the room.

  “You look absolutely lovely, my dear.” Grams supplied the words Garrett was thinking. “Come sit by me. I'm in need of an ally. My grandson is determined to banish me to my room and I refuse to go."

  Claire gave Garrett an awkward smile. He was still looking at her and she became self-conscious of the gown the dressmaker had delivered a few hours ago. It was much lower cut than the gowns she was used to wearing and she could feel the heat of his gaze on her upper body. Her mind raced back to the moment in the garden when he'd kissed her and Claire prayed that she wouldn't blush. She was supposed to be a sophisticated young lady.

  “Are you sure the party won't be too much for you?” Claire asked Grams, covering her thoughts with a cool façade.

  “I'm sure,” the older lady replied. “And I have every intention of being present when Garrett announces your engagement."

  Garrett gave his grandmother a cursory frown. “Two hours and not a minute longer. I'll have Henry wait with the carriage."

  Grams laughed. “That was easier than I thought it would be.” She reached out and patted Claire's hand. “In case you don't know, my grandson can be quite stubborn."

  “So I've noticed,” Claire said, remembering the way Garrett had talked her into taking on the role of his fiancée. “What he doesn't know is that I've got a stubborn streak of my own."

  Grams looked at Garrett. “I think you've met your match, young man. And not a moment too soon,” she added before turning back to Claire. “I'm thrilled about the engagement, my dear. Absolutely thrilled."

  Garrett wished he could say the same thing as he listened to Grams begin a conversation with Claire. He should be happy that his grandmother was preparing her for the deluge of people she'd be meeting in a short while, but he couldn't seem to free his thoughts. Claire had a grip on his mind and Garrett didn't like it. He glanced at the graceful curves of her body and the soft swell of her breasts, sheathed in emerald satin and black lace. He couldn't shake the memory of how she'd felt in his arms, the scent of her, the taste of her lovely pink mouth. She was as innocent as a rosebud and she was making his body ache all the way to his bones. He recalled Christopher's warning that Claire could be expensive and Garrett finally realized that his friend hadn't been talking about money. Trapped between unrequited desire and the knowledge that he couldn't seduce a virgin, Garrett began to admit the cost of his folly. Like it or not, he'd have to bear the sexual discomfort and make the best of a bad situation.

  Concealing the nervousness that lay beneath her calm exterior, Claire listened while Grams Monroe told her what to expect from the cream of San Francisco society. She'd been to enough social functions to know that her manners and demeanor would pass a stringent test. She wasn't worried about being accepted as a social equal. It was knowing that she was going to be the center of attention that had Claire's stomach knotted like a fisherman's net.

  The knots tightened into a painful lump a short time later when Garrett helped Claire down from the carriage. The Beltons’ home lacked the elegance of the one she'd just left, but what it lacked in style, it made up for in size.

  “Breathe, before you faint,” Garrett whispered as he stepped alongside her. Grams was still in the carriage and he didn't want her to overhear the exchange of words.

  The teasing quality of his tone belied the concerned look on his face and Claire managed a smile. “Now I know what Daniel must have felt like before he walked into the lion's den,” she whispered back. “I feel numb."

  Unwittingly, Claire moved closer to Garrett. His presence was a strange form of security. Once she stepped inside the Beltons’ mansion, she was going to drown in a sea of strangers. The shyness she'd thought she'd mastered as a child came rushing back and for a moment Claire considered fleeing like a convicted criminal. What in God's name had made her think she could do something like this? It wasn't like her to be devious or deceptive in her actions. If she allowed Garrett to introduce her as his fiancée, she'd be an out-and-out liar.

  “This isn't the time for second thoughts,” he said in a low, gruff tone. “Grams saw me give you the engagement ring. There's no going back now."

  Claire blanched at having her mind read so expertly. She was about to tell Garrett as much when he turned around to help his grandmother exit the carriage. Claire sucked in a deep breath, knowing Garrett was right. She was in too deep to undo the damage now.

  A few moments later, a stiffly dressed butler opened the front door and they stepped inside. Claire looked around the large foyer. What she could see of the house said more attention had been given to expense than tasteful décor.

  A robust woman in a dark maroon dress and several ropes of pearls came rushing their way. Fat curled around the woman's neck like white sausages and her hands were heavy with jewels. Our hostess, Claire decided. As the introductions were made, she felt the woman's dislike as strongly as she felt the subtle touch of Garrett's hand at her elbow. It was apparent that Mrs. Belton wasn't happy with an uninvited guest. The awkwardness of the situation stretched like a taut bow for seconds and Claire feared that the overweight matron might actually ask her to leave. Fortunately, the arrival of Mr. Belton kept that from happening.

  “Good to see you, Theodora,” the older banker said, giving Grams an affectionate peck on the cheek. “Dr. Baldwin told me to expect you. I'm glad to see you looking so well."

  Henry Belton was such a contrast to his wife that Claire almost laughed
. His voice was soft and his body was long and lanky. His dark hair had a sprinkling of gray at the temples and his eyes looked weary, as if he'd grown tired of life a long time ago.

  “And who is this?” he asked, turning to Claire.

  “Henry, may I introduce Miss Claire Aldrich,” Garrett said, sounding very proud.

  “Miss Aldrich,” Mr. Belton said, smiling as he made a quick appraisal of the situation. It was obvious that he was accustomed to his wife's rudeness and an expert at rescuing the victims of her snobbery. “Welcome to our home. I hope you enjoy the party."

  “I intend to make sure she does,” Garrett said with a rakish smile. “If you'll excuse us, I need to speak with Christopher."

  The sound of stringed instruments drifted through the open doors of the house as he led Claire toward the music. She felt anxiety snaking through her body as they entered the ballroom.

  “You're holding your breath again,” Garrett whispered as he escorted her around the edge of the overpopulated room. “Smile."

  “Do hush,” Claire rebuked him. “This is hard enough without you snapping at my heels."

  Garrett chuckled softly before draping his arm around her waist and swishing her off onto the dance floor. “Relax, sweetheart,” he said as he guided her to the music. “You're supposed to love me, remember."

  At the moment, Claire couldn't remember her own name. Being in Garrett's arms again, innocently this time, was too reminiscent of the way he'd touched her in the garden. She followed his graceful movements instinctively, the way she'd followed his lead in the garden when he'd molded his mouth to hers and taught her just how intimate two people could touch each other with only their lips doing the touching.

  A fire leaped in Garrett's blood as he swirled Claire around the room. His arms tightened around her narrow waist until she was too close for polite dancing, but he didn't care. The feel of her suited him for the moment and he justified it by telling himself that a man in love would naturally hold the woman he loved a bit too closely.

  Claire glanced around her, noting that several of the guests had stopped dancing to watch them. Her nervousness returned and she pressed lightly against Garrett's palm to let him know that they were drawing attention. His hold didn't relax. She looked up at him and their eyes met. The world around them melted away. There was the vague sound of music and the heat of Garrett's hand. There was the shiver of sensation traveling up and down Claire's spine and the searching quality of Garrett's silvery gaze as he looked down at her. His eyes lingered on her mouth and Claire relived their kisses all over again. She could feel his eyes the same way she could feel the heat of his hand at the small of her back, burning her through layers of fabric. She suddenly felt weak and her insides quivered with an odd yearning.

  Garrett watched Claire as he flexed his fingers around the curve of her back, massaging her ever so slightly. She responded to his touch like a cat being stroked and he stifled a groan. What was she thinking? Moments ago she'd been nervous and stiff and now ... now she was relaxing in his arms and looking like ... a woman caught in the throes of love. He smiled. Of course, she was being paid to look that way. Garrett wasn't sure he liked her playing the role so convincingly. He allowed his gaze to linger on her mouth, then let it slide slowly down to her breasts, hidden by expensive satin. He suppressed the primitive urge to drag her out of the room and into the moonlight, to strip her naked, to touch her until the desire throbbing in his body was a thing of the past.

  The music ended. Garrett hesitated a moment before releasing Claire. The room filled with the hum of conversation as he led her toward a serving table filled with silver trays of tasty food and glasses of champagne punch. Christopher Landauer materialized out of the crowd. He flashed Claire a smile before introducing the young lady at his side.

  “Belinda, I'd like you to meet Miss Aldrich. Claire, this is Belinda Belton, the daughter of our host and hostess."

  Claire was glad to see that Belinda Belton favored her father instead of her mother. She was slender and immaculately dressed. She had a pretty little face under curly brown hair, fashioned in an elegant coiffure.

  “Miss Aldrich.” Belinda acknowledged her with a slight smile before shifting her attention to Garrett. “I saw your grandmother. I'm pleased that she's feeling better."

  Polite conversation was exchanged, but Claire got the distinct impression it was what wasn't being said that mattered most. Christopher was smiling too smugly and Belinda seemed uncomfortable. They were joined by another couple. More introductions were made and before too long, Claire felt the momentary security she'd experienced while dancing with Garrett fade away. The names she'd read in the paper began to have faces; lawyers, railroad tycoons, city officials and their wives. Although everyone she met was well mannered and polite in their speech, she knew she was being measured for approval. The gentlemen weren't as obvious in their scrutiny as the women. She was surveyed from head to toe by several pair of jealous eyes and Claire knew that half the women in the room had set their caps for Garrett.

  He didn't leave her side for a moment. She was certain that he wanted to make sure she didn't say or do the wrong thing and upset his well-planned scheme. When Christopher invited her to dance, Garrett allowed it, but he didn't looked pleased.

  “Since you're here, I assume all went well with Grams,” Christopher said once they were on the dance floor.

  “As well as can be expected,” Claire said, feeling awkward that Garrett's partner was aware of her role. She wasn't entirely sure she liked the man. He was handsome enough, but there was something about him, something that pricked at Claire's sense of well-being.

  She reminded herself that Christopher was Garrett's best friend, and as such would know him better than most. If she was smart, she'd use that to her advantage. The more she knew about Garrett, the safer she'd be from the feelings he ignited with little more than a glance.

  “Grams is all that matters, at least to Garrett,” Christopher replied, then gave her a wicked smile. “My friend stepped on our hostess's toes this evening when he showed up with a lovely lady on his arm. Ada Belton had other plans,” he added, still smiling.

  Claire gave him a puzzled look.

  “Belinda,” he said matter-of-factly, “Ada Belton has been planning their marriage for the last two years. A merger of banks and bedrooms, you might say."

  Claire wasn't sure what to say. She didn't know anyone in the room, including the man she was pretending to be in love with. The only place she'd ever called home was thousands of miles away. Suddenly, she realized that she'd always been an outsider. She could count her close friends on one hand and have fingers left over—her mother, Donald, and Elizabeth Shurman. Donald was the only one left alive and she didn't have the vaguest idea where her brother was. She was a stranger to the city and the people. The realization of just how alone she really was hit Claire like a runaway train. She stumbled ever so slightly but Christopher was too much of a gentleman to remark on it. The music ended and she stepped back, searching the room for an exit.

  She needed a moment to herself. A moment to calm the fear that was washing over her like a tidal wave. What if she couldn't find Donald? What if ... The possibilities swarmed around in her head as Claire turned to find Garrett behind her. He was joined by a man in his later years, balding with square rimless spectacles and a well-trimmed beard.

  “Claire, this is Dr. Baldwin,” Garrett said. “Chester, this is Miss Claire Aldrich.” Garrett reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her gently to his side. “Claire is our houseguest and she's also given me the great pleasure of agreeing to be my wife."

  The people standing nearby overheard Garrett's announcement and went into silent shock. Christopher grinned from ear to ear and Belinda Belton seemed to let out a small sigh of relief. Dr. Baldwin's smile was contagious as he leaned over Claire's hand.

  “May I be the first to congratulate you, Miss Aldrich. Garrett's one of the finest men I know. She's lovely,�
� he finished, looking at Garrett. “I'm sure your grandmother's health improved instantly. Happiness can be a miraculous tonic."

  “She's pleased,” Garrett said modestly. “But not as much as I am,” he added, looking at Claire with perfectly feigned affection. “Grams is in the parlor. Why don't you check on her for me while I escort my fiancée outside for some fresh air. It's unusually warm tonight."

  The news of their engagement rippled through the room like a wave cresting on a beach. Claire could feel people staring at her in amazement as Garrett led her toward a pair of French doors. She was too busy trying to look calmly in love to notice that Garrett was smiling with smug satisfaction.

  “The worst part is over,” he announced as a servant appeared out of nowhere to open the door. “We'll spend a few minutes outside while the gossips attend to business."

  The garden beyond the ballroom was a carpet of neatly trimmed shrubs and dark grass. The light from the house gave the stone patio a yellowish appearance until it faded just beyond the walkway and the garden began a maze of shadows and vague floral images that eventually became unrecognizable. Garrett released her arm and Claire walked to the railing, staring at nothing in particular as she tried to focus her thoughts. Her employer seemed pleased with himself. Too pleased.

  “Mr. Landauer told me that Mrs. Belton had hopes of a marriage between Belinda and yourself,” Claire said.

  Garrett laughed. The sound was rich and deep and totally male. Claire felt it rack across her nerve endings. Her composure wasn't going to last much longer. She had to suffer people gawking at her, the touch of Garrett's hands when they danced, and now she had to wonder if she'd inadvertently caused Belinda Belton's heart to be broken. It was too much.

  “Mrs. Belton's hopes and my reality are two different things,” he told Claire. “I told you, I have no intentions of marrying anyone. Especially Belinda Belton. She's a shy church mouse. I scare her to death."