Under her lashes, she sized up the man. He wasn’t as tall as Stone, and a little wider in the waist. His hair was blond and his sideburns were too long. “Is that the Vermillion who blacked your eye?”
“Pompous older brother, Vince. Lance is the one I punched and wouldn’t yet be presentable for polite society.” Stone smiled as if pleased then added, “Not that this cut-throat group is what I’d call polite. They might smile and pretend, but they’d knife you in the back if you got between them and a dollar.”
She met his gaze. “Isn’t that true in all businesses? Aren’t you just a little ashamed of your fight?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Not even a little. Lance has had it coming for at least twenty years and made one crack too many. I got fed up with taking the high road. Punching him felt much better.”
From a tray carried by a waiter, Stone grabbed two champagne flutes. “Here you go, my dear fiancée.”
“Don’t make light of Marianne’s goof. She’s complicated our lives.” She sipped the liquid.
He took a large swallow of his. “I could have choked her, but what’s done is done. Best to smile and go along.”
“I am smiling, but on the inside I’d like to throttle her.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Aha, aren’t you the one who disapproves of fighting? Oh, no, I forgot. You’re the one who uses a ledger as a weapon.”
She wished she could hide from his teasing. “Are you ever going to let me live that down?”
He shook his head. “Don’t intend to. Well, let’s join Calvin Lortz and his admirers. I need to sew up this deal.”
She grabbed his arm. “Stone, he isn’t drinking. Shouldn’t we set these down somewhere?”
He froze in place. “You’re right. Now that you mention the fact, don’t think I’ve never seen him drink. Might be a teetotaler. Good catch.” He took her glass and set it with his on a table as they walked by.
He was certainly in an odd mood. Sarcastic yet jovial. She hoped he wouldn’t put his foot in his mouth with Lortz. She knew how important this was to Kincaid Orchards.
Quietly, she said, “Perhaps I can distract Vince Vermillion so you’ll have a chance to talk to Calvin Lortz.” Doing so would be underhanded but she consoled herself with the thought that she was helping Andrew and Stone. Good heavens, she was certainly placating her conscience.
Stone sent her a sober glance. “Don’t let him get you alone. I’m not joking. He’s a cur where women are concerned.”
“I’ll remember. Work fast in case I’m not successful.”
He smiled and his blue eyes twinkled. “I have faith in you. Vince loves pretty women.”
Chapter Ten
Glowing because he’d called her pretty, Patience glided up to the group and eased her way between Vince and Lortz. Stone seized the opportunity to step in also, blocking Vince from Lortz’s view.
She opened her fan and fluttered her eyelashes at her target. “Mr. Vermillion, don’t you live near Destiny?”
He peered down her bodice, but he couldn’t see anything because she fluttered her fan in front of her chest. “Our orchard is about three miles from Kincaid’s and just as large but much more lucrative and well-operated.”
What an arrogant fool. “Oh, how interesting. Please explain in what ways your operation is more efficient.”
He smirked at her. “Not a chance. Don’t want Kincaid knowing our secrets.”
She hid her frustration and appeared shocked. “Well, of course you wouldn’t. Aren’t there some things you can share that aren’t secrets? You know I’m new to the area and I’m trying to learn more about my new home.”
You talk funny. Where you from?”
“Massachusetts.” She didn’t want questions about herself. “Has your family lived in Destiny long?”
“Almost twenty-five years. We helped put this area on the map as an apple growing region. Vermillion Orchards are famous.”
She nodded, and tapped her cheek with her closed fan as she edged him further from Lortz. “I think I’ve heard of your company. Were you at the Apple Blossom Festival? I thought that was such a fun event.”
“Had to be there. My girl won Queen.”
Somehow that came as no surprise. Figured that the snobbish Virginia Winfield would be his sweetheart. “I saw her crowned. She certainly looked lovely on the podium, didn’t she?”
“Dam… er, you’re darn right, she did. Prettiest woman in town.” He leered at her. “You’re right up there, though. Glad you didn’t enter.”
Stone had better be making his case while she kept this conceited idiot busy. “Why thank you, Mr. Vermillion.” She took his arm and edged him a step further from Lortz then let go. “But tell me more about Destiny and your family’s part in its formation.”
“I don’t remember, but Pop said the place was just a crossroads. There were a lot of men pouring in after the War. Pop brought our family ’cause there was nothing left of our home. Mama and us kids had been living with her aunt in Knoxville.”
Putting a bit more space between them, she asked, “Did your father start his orchard immediately?”
“He bought a farm that had a few trees on it. Yessiree, right away he started planting more. Mama made us a garden and grew most of what we needed to eat.”
“What hard work that must have been. When did the shops and other businesses arrive?” She wondered where his father acquired the money to buy their farm. Perhaps he had saved Army pay.
“Stores came gradually. I recall when the mercantile built on and then a butcher shop set up. All those women’s stores are in the past five or ten years.”
“I’m sure the railroad changed life a lot hereabouts.”
“Sure did. Say, you want to step out on the terrace so we can talk without all these people around?”
She gave what she thought was a coquettish giggle. “Mr. Vermillion? You naughty man.” She tapped his arm with her fan, wishing she had a large ledger in her hand instead. “You heard I’m engaged to Stone and I suspect your girl believes you and she are engaged, too.”
He laughed but apparently then noticed how far they were from Lortz. His face turned red. “Hey, you intentionally distracted me so Stone could talk to Lortz.”
She schooled her features to appear shocked and angry. “How can you say such a thing? I’m just trying to learn more about my new home. I thought you could help, but I see you’re not that knowledgeable about Destiny after all.”
He jerked a thumb at his chest. “I know all there is to know about the town and the entire valley. But I’m through with you if talk’s all you have to offer.” He stomped back to push between Stone and Lortz.
Calvin Lortz frowned at him. “Stone and I are conversing, Vince. Please be civil enough to wait until we’ve concluded our discussion.”
Shooting dark looks at her and Stone, he said, “Excuse me. I believe I’ll step out for a smoke.”
Calvin Lortz sent Vince another frown before he turned back to Stone. “Now, you were talking about your varieties.”
Marianne slipped her arm through Patience’s and guided her aside. “You surprised me, dear, but well done. I tried the same with Mr. Madison. Aren’t we the femmes fatales?”
“I feel terrible using my femininity like that, but this is too important to Andrew and Stone not to do what little I can to help.”
“My dear, what’s the point of being an attractive woman if you don’t use it to your advantage? Of course, you used yours to pave the way for Stone, and that’s commendable.”
After the evening ended and they were upstairs on their hallway, Marianne yawned pointedly and excused herself.
Stone opened Patience’s door and let her inside. He was jubilant. “Lortz actually listened to me. He’s interested. If not for you, I’d never have gotten a chance to speak to him. I can’t thank you enough for distracting that jerk Vince.”
He planted a kiss on her mouth.
Her mind told her to pull away, but her arms
wound around his neck and she held on. Their kiss deepened and she felt his tongue probe at her lips. With a gasp, she jerked away.
She stepped back and sank to a chair. “Good heavens, what came over us? This can’t happen.” She touched her lips, missing the touch of his. “No, no, no, this should never have happened.”
He appeared as shocked and brushed his hair off his forehead. “I do apologize. I was… I was so excited I let my high spirits overwhelm me.” After a deep breath, he said, “Good thing we’re engaged.”
“Don’t even joke, Stone. I-I’m to blame too, but that must never happen again.”
“You’re right. We’ll pretend it never occurred. I’ll bid you goodnight.” He turned and fled, pulling the door closed as he left. It opened briefly and his arm slid through, holding the room key. He sort of tossed it, and disappeared, latching the door.
She hurried to lock the door and pressed a finger to her tender mouth. How could she pretend she’d never kissed Stone? She wished she’d never known that Stone’s kiss had been everything she’d dreamed her fiancé’s would be.
Her real fiancé, not her pretend one.
Good heavens, what would Andrew think? She hoped he’d never learn the truth. She’d never tell him. What Stone would do she couldn’t say, but she doubted he’d confess to his father.
Looking at the door that connected her room with Marianne’s, she wondered why the other woman had left Stone alone with her. Wasn’t a chaperone supposed to guard against just this sort of event? Patience recalled that wasn’t the first time Marianne had left them alone.
On the other hand, she and Stone were alone in the office a great deal. Was there any difference? If someone had seen Stone leaving her room, there would be. Only everyone here thought they were engaged, so probably not a great deal would be said. Bothered, she was going to bed if she could get out of this dress without help.
The next day, she and Marianne chose day dresses that coordinated. They went to the meetings, which Patience sometimes found interesting if a little dry. When the meetings adjourned, she and Marianne hurried upstairs to dress for dinner. So far, she’d been able to keep her hair pretty much as Monsieur Phillipe had arranged it.
After they were dressed, she and Marianne helped smooth over one another’s curls. She wore a rose gown while Marianne wore one in dark green.
Marianne said, “You look like a rose. I hope no one compares me to a thorn.” She paused as if waiting for Patience to contradict her.
Doing her duty, Patience said. “No one could. You’re very attractive and I’m sure you’ll have no end of prospective beaus tonight.”
When they went into dinner with Stone in tow, Calvin Lortz signaled to them. “Saved you places at our table.”
Seated across the table from Lortz, Vince appeared as dour as Stone was jubilant.
“Very kind of you.” Stone seated Marianne then Patience before planting himself next to Lortz. “We appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“Wanted to hear more about your plans. What did you think of Harris’ talk today?”
“Interesting and I agree with his concept, but there were a few details he omitted.” Stone went on to outline his points.
Marianne spoke to the gentleman on her other side, so Patience listened to Stone. Since he was dealing with a subject familiar to him, he spoke clearly and impressively. Andrew would be very proud of him, as was she.
After the dinner was over, Stone left her at her door before delivering Marianne at hers.
“Goodnight.” Grateful to avoid temptation, she closed the door to her room. Ah, but she did miss that kiss. She’d dream about his lips on hers just as she had last night.
After the next day’s meetings, she hurried to change from her pale green day dress as she and Marianne prepared for that evening’s ball. “Will food be served?”
“I left an order for room service. We can’t afford to eat wearing these gowns. Both will stain easily.”
After they’d eaten the cold supper delivered by a bellman, they washed their hands.
Patience wore her matching shoes and stepped into her shimmering pale turquoise gown, prettier than anything she’d ever before seen. To think, this belonged to her. She’d write her mother and sister every detail of this conference and this dress.
Marianne fastened her buttons. “You’ve never looked lovelier.”
“I’ve never felt prettier. In this dress any woman would be attractive. I’m still a little uncomfortable with the neckline, but you and Madame Céline undoubtedly know best.”
Marianne smiled. “Trust me, Patience. This will be the most important evening of your life.”
Patience buttoned Marianne’s yellow silk gown. After fastening the jewelry Marianne indicated, they donned their gloves and picked up the evening bags. Patience’s was a crystal beaded pouch with a silver clasp and a silver chain. Her fan shimmered with a peacock feather design.
Marianne handed her a tiara. “I think you should wear this. After all, you look like a princess.”
“I couldn’t. You wear it. It looks far too valuable for me.”
“No, I think you need this to complete your costume. It matches the necklace you’re wearing. It used to be Alice’s and she gave it to me before she died.”
She wanted to wear that tiara so badly, but didn’t think she should. “Oh, but what will Stone think? I don’t want to resurrect bad memories for him.”
“My dear, surely you don’t think a man can tell one headpiece from another? He’ll simply get the entire picture you present and be stunned, as will all the men tonight.”
“Well, if you truly don’t mind, I confess I’d love to. You look so gorgeous you really don’t need anything else to complete your ensemble.”
Marianne laughed. “Ah, there’s hope for you, my dear. You’re learning to be quite the diplomat. I think Andrew will be very pleased.”
“I meant what I said, Marianne. You are a beautiful woman. I see why you prefer yellows, for the color is most complimentary and makes your skin glow.”
Stone’s knock cut short their exchange. “Ladies, I am too stunned to even form a compliment.”
Patience passed by him as he went into the hall. “Marianne said you would be.”
He asked, “You’ve eaten?”
“Marianne was clever enough to have room service bring us a cold plate before we dressed. We didn’t want to chance soiling our gowns.”
“I hope I’m not trampled in the rush to ask for the first dance.”
“Why don’t you ask me for the first? I’m a bit nervous.” she asked.
“Delighted. Are you nervous, Aunt Marianne? ”
“Just watch and if I don’t have a request, step over and claim that dance. I couldn’t stand being a wallflower.”
“There’s no danger either of you will face that fate but I’ll be on guard.” He leaned near Patience. “Remember what I said about Vermillion.”
“I do. I can judge for myself that he’s not a nice person. Thinking we’re engaged and after he told me Virginia Winfield was his girl, he asked me to go out on the terrace with him.”
His face turned red. “I hope you slapped him.”
Calmly, she said, “No. I’m trying create good will for Kincaid Orchards, not cause a scene. I’ve been turning down rude men for many years now and can do so without coming to blows.”
He raised his eyebrows. “So, I’m the only one you’ve struck?”
She tapped him with her fan but she couldn’t keep from grinning. “Yes, and you’d best watch out or life could repeat itself.” She had no intention of revealing her past incidents in Lawrence.
Marianne said, “Come children, the elevator won’t wait for us.”
At the entrance to the ballroom, Stone paused. “My, I’ll certainly attract attention with the two prettiest women in Tacoma on each arm.”
Marianne chuckled. “Little me? Why, I’m just the chaperone.”
He was right and many eyes follow
ed them as they entered.
Calvin Lortz was among them. “Save a dance for an old man?”
Patience smiled up at him. “No, but I’ll save you a dance or two.”
Lortz laughed. “Hear that, Stone, you’ve got a born diplomat here.”
They found seats at one of the tables around the edge of the room. When the music began, Stone stood and extended his hand. “Patience, may I have this dance?”
“I’d be delighted.” She let him lead her to the center where he twirled her around.
“You look like a fairy princess. I see Aunt Marianne loaned you Mother’s tiara to complete the effect.”
She smiled at him, reveling in having his arm around her and her hand in his. “I protested wearing it because I didn’t want to unearth sad memories. She said you wouldn’t recognize it.”
He pulled her the slightest bit closer. “Kind of you, but it doesn’t. Aunt Marianne is a nice person but she underestimates people.”
“I know you disagree, but she’s not a very good chaperone. She’s just along so we appear proper yet she already caused a problem. Sometimes I think she’s pushing us together instead of keeping us apart.”
“Nonsense. As you said, she’s mostly here for show anyway.”
“All right, I’ll concede. After all, we work together without Andrew around much of the time. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to return to a conference, though, since people think I’m marrying you instead of Andrew. They’d be awfully confused.”
“You’re sure they’ll remember?”
She leaned back to look at him. “Stone, Andrew isn’t here. There won’t be any trouble recalling which Kincaid I was engaged to this year.”
The music ended and he escorted her off the dance area. Calvin Lortz met them. “May I have the next dance?”
“I’d be honored, Mr. Lortz.” She offered her hand.
He was a surprisingly good dancer. “I’m quite impressed with young Kincaid. Has a good head on his shoulders. Not like some of these young scoundrels with no respect for anyone. Why, in my day— ”
Patience_Bride of Washington Page 11