The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  Since she was not satisfied with the results of her search, she decided she would have her firm investigate both brothers. She could not let David know what she really thought of his family—she would play him. The concept bothered her, but not as much as what his brother had done to Elizabeth. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

  “Ms. Lawton, Mr. Darcy of Darcy Enterprises is here for his 1:30 appointment.”

  “Send him in, Ashley.” Cecilia took a deep breath and waited for him to enter. Her defenses were up and her mask firmly in place. She knew him well enough to know he’d ask about the phone calls. David was shrewd. She’d have to make it good, or he would see straight through her. She’d have be spontaneous, but she figured a few tears and a few tender moments would be all it would take until he swallowed her every word like sweet wine going down his throat.

  David strolled through the door and paused, his gaze catching Cecilia’s and holding it. He was going to have an answer before the negotiations started.

  “It’s good to see you, at last. Actually, it’s good to have any contact with you. Why have you been avoiding me, Lawton?”

  She rose abruptly to greet him. “What are you talking about? I haven’t been avoiding you,” she said, confusion creasing her brow.

  Stalking closer, he commanded, “Lawton, don’t give me that. You know damn well what I’m talking about. Why haven’t you returned any of my calls?” Throwing down his note binder, his gaze never faltered, his stare demanding an answer.

  Taken aback, she stammered slightly. “David, I… I haven’t been avoiding you. I have been very busy. An old friend needed my help. Her husband abandoned her and her children. She’s like a sister to me, so I’m afraid I’ve spent all of my time looking after her and her babies. You know how I am when it comes to helpless women and children.”

  David’s chest tightened, his eyes searching hers for the truth. He ached to draw her into his arms and hold her, but he managed to hold his feelings in check. “I left you four messages. You could have at least picked up the phone and talked to me for five minutes.”

  Tears welled in Cecilia’s eyes as she shook her head. Closing the gap between them, she encircled her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “David, I’m so sorry. Yes, I should have called, but I did send you an email. I know you got it because you responded. Please forgive me.”

  Exasperated, but unable to resist, he gave in. “All right. We’ll talk about it later.” His arms slowly crept around her shoulders. He wanted to believe her, but for some reason he instinctively knew she was lying, and yet, he couldn’t help himself as he bent down to catch her lips. Kissing her, he could feel that something had changed. It was a subtle, almost imperceptible change, but there nonetheless. She was lying to him, and he knew it, but there was business to attend to. Later he would decide what, if anything, he would do about it.

  Taking a seat across from her, they began their bargaining. After ninety minutes of renegotiating, they reached an agreement he felt he could accept. Due to bad weather conditions, it was a little more expensive than last year, but it was not unreasonable. David agreed to pay her price plus the usual percentage he’d paid in the past.

  Their business concluded, Cecilia pushed her chair back and looked him straight in the eye. “David, there is one caveat. I need an escort to a formal function I’m hosting tonight. It’s a dinner for the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Daniel was to escort me, but I would really prefer for you to take me.”

  Studying her for several seconds, he tried to assess her true motive. He knew he should turn her down, but in all honesty, he just couldn’t. He felt like challenging her on his suspicions, but instead he cautiously queried. “Cecilia, why do I have the impression that you want something other than the obvious?” He watched her carefully as she replied.

  “Well, of course I do, David. You know how important the preservation of history is to me, especially the history of the Confederacy. Some of the most important people in the South will be here tonight. I need a date who understands how to move in society, and here you are. Besides, you’re much more handsome than Daniel. Help me on this one, and I will forever be in your gratitude.”

  Knowing it wasn’t wise, he surrendered against his better judgment. “All right, Cecilia.”

  “Good! I’ll pick you up at six. The dinner is at seven in the Blue Room of the Lawton Hotel. Still staying at the Planter’s Inn?”

  Her smile was engaging, but her flinty gaze betrayed her. He studied her closely before he answered. “No, I booked a room at the Lawton. I’ll pick you up. If you are staying at your penthouse, I’ll collect you at six-thirty.”

  “The suite it is, then.”

  As David left the building, his mind began to wander. He knew she was lying to him. She didn’t ring him because she didn’t want to—he just didn’t know why. If this was a game, he was no longer interested.

  Mulling over the implications of the evening and the fact that he had allowed her to so easily pull him in, he realized he was once again unable to resist. …What am I thinking? I can’t leave her alone. Damn it, Darcy! If you think about it, she scares the hell out of you! You—the President of Darcy Enterprises and heir to one of the most powerful dynasties in the world, have let a woman get to you…pandering to her every whim… even when you know she’s using you.

  Cecilia smiled to herself as David left her office. She hated being deceptive, and the thought of it pricked her conscience, but she needed information. She had to keep a clear head. Cecilia knew it was a dangerous game she was playing as she thought about the Magnolia Festival and how he had made her feel. She also knew that with very little provocation, she could fall for him and fall hard. This man was not like the others. He was dangerous.

  Picking up the phone, she called the headwaiter at the Lawton Hotel to finalize the arrangements for the evening. “Maddox, be sure to have our finest wine set aside for my personal table tonight... and a bottle of Crown Royal.”

  “As you wish, Ms. Lawton.”

  ~*~

  At the appointed time, Cecilia’s maid let David in and escorted him to the den where he took a seat and waited. When Cecilia entered the room, his chest tightened as he stared, mesmerized by the sight of her. From her slender shoulders left bare by the elegant, black silk strapless evening gown to the luscious length of smooth thigh playing hide-n-seek with the split in the white skirt, he was held spellbound. His eyes finally came to rest on the ample breasts he knew so intimately, fighting the restraint imposed by the gown. She was beautiful. He held no doubts that she was the most stunning woman he’d ever known.

  Cecilia smiled and greeted her maid. “Thank you, Sandy. You may leave for the evening. I won’t need you tonight.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Sandy said as she quickly grabbed her coat and purse and exited the suite.

  “Oh, I forgot. David, will you please help me with this choker?” Her eyes sparkled and danced as she handed him the necklace.

  “No problem at all,” David replied, stepping closer to comply.

  While fastening the necklace, his eyes slowly traced the delicate curve of her neck, following it down to the swell of her breasts. He swallowed hard. He could feel the heat beginning to rise as it crawled up the back of his neck. His lips begged to retrace the line his eyes had followed. The scent of her perfume, the heat of her body, her closeness, all caused his mind to falter. He quickly fastened the necklace and cleared his throat as he stepped away. Suddenly the room had become very hot.

  “You look very nice tonight, David.”

  Cecilia had that look he’d come to know so very well. This was going to be a very long evening. “So do you,” he murmured. He could tell by the glint in her eye that she was well aware of his condition, and that she was enjoying his torment.

  She attended to a few more details, selecting music for later in the evening, arranging scented candles on the tables, and placing a floral arrangement on the coffee t
able. He laughed to himself. He knew exactly what she was doing. After she had completed her last-minute preparations, she was ready to go.

  Amelia Wilkes, the current president of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, South Carolina Chapter, stood in the corner, whispering to her friends when Miss Lawton was announced. Amelia turned and looked up sharply, scrutiny burning in her steel gray eyes as they all detected the man by Cecilia’s side. A long animosity existed between the two women, going as far back as childhood. Many of the bluebloods considered Miss Lawton the most beautiful and wealthiest young heiress in Charleston, and because of Cecilia’s money and position in Charleston’s society, the standing matrons favored her over the other younger women within their circles. The thought of it incensed Amelia.

  “Amy, who is that gentleman with Cecilia?” Cassandra Norwood asked. “I thought she was datin’ Cameron.”

  “Cecilia faithful? Come now,” Amelia mocked.

  Hyacinth Delafonte eyed the couple curiously while stepping a little closer to get a better view. “I’ve seen him with her before. Who is he?”

  “I don’t know, but he sure is a hottie!” Lucinda Armachor giggled.

  Cutting a sharp look to her friends before returning a steadying gaze to the dashing Englishman, Amelia offered, “It’s that Brit she’s been datin’—the one from the Magnolia Ball.”

  “Yes, that’s where I saw him,” Hyacinth said. “They made quite a scene with Cameron. Now I remember.”

  “Oh, I just love a man with a British accent,” Cassandra drawled with her deep Savannah inflections.

  Amelia rolled her eyes.

  “Well,” Cassandra raised a brow, “you have to admit he is good-lookin’ with those dark curls and deep brown eyes, not to mention that regal nose…hmm. He can pick this Georgia peach anytime.”

  “I don’t understand it,” Lucinda asserted. “Cecilia attracts men like bees to a honey pot. She’s no prettier than we are. I wonder what he sees in her.”

  “Oh, hush, Lucy,” Amelia whispered, her thoughts more pleasurably occupied as she slowly eyed the Englishman, taking in his every detail, from the sole of his black Italian wingtips to his dark tousled locks. Mmm…mmm. She breathed deeply. He was tall, dark and handsome—lean and trim, every woman’s dream. Except for the dark hair, he was just like Cameron, distinguished and handsome.

  Amelia narrowed her eyes. It galled her that Cameron preferred Cecilia over her, but if she had something to say about it, she would thwart Cecilia’s plans yet.

  Amelia closed her eyes and shook her head. “Yes,” she murmured, “I suppose he is good lookin’. I too wonder what he sees in Cecilia—that little whore. He couldn’t possibly care anything about her,” Amelia replied, contemplating her next move with a noticeable scowl on her pretty little face. Amelia desired anyone Cecilia was interested in. It was the nature of the beast that existed between them.

  “I see you’re still jealous, Amy darlin’,” Hyacinth simpered with a devilish grin. “You shouldn’t be. You beat her in the last election for presidency of the UDC.” The women snickered and laughed knowingly.

  “Yes, but she has something I want,” Amelia sneered in contempt.

  “What’s that?” Cassandra asked.

  “A man!” Amelia arched a brow as she turned to walk in the direction of Cecilia and her date. Even though Cecilia was Amelia’s archrival and greatest adversary, except for one time during their sophomore year in college where a certain boyfriend was involved, she had never been able to defeat Cecilia in anything. In fact, the only other thing she had ever beaten her in since then was the election for the presidency of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and there was speculation as to whether that had been an honest election.

  As Amelia reached them, a wide grin spread across her features. Cecilia stepped to the left and then to the right, trying to avoid her. Amelia tossed her head and laughed as she moved directly in front of the couple, forcing Cecilia’s recognition.

  “Cecilia, darlin’ aren’t you gonna introduce me?” Amelia curled her lips with glee.

  Cecilia smiled, knowing the game only too well. “Forgive me for forgetting my manners,” she said, turning to David. “David, this is an old acquaintance of mine, Amelia Wilkes.” She wanted to say nemesis, but she held her tongue. “Amelia, darling, this is Mr. David Darcy of—”

  “Pemberley in Derbyshire, England,” David completed with a slight bow, taking Amelia’s offered hand while studying her keenly.

  Cecilia glanced between the two, fully aware of what was taking place.

  “Such a lovely accent, Mr. Darcy. It is so very good to finally meet the mystery man who swept me away last April. Such a shame the dance did not last longer, don’t you agree?”

  “Ah, yes, I remember it well.” David met her stare with a smile.

  Shifting her eyes from David, Amelia returned her attention to Cecilia. “I see you wasted no time replacin’ Cameron as soon as his back is turned. What a pity his intended cannot be faithful.” Amelia glanced at David, flashing a smile meant to kill.

  Cecilia had had enough. Her eyes narrowed. “Amelia Wilkes, I know exactly the game you play, and I’m not playing. So why don’t you eat shit and die! You’re out of your league, darlin’.”

  Glancing from the two women to the gathering crowd, David quickly took control of the situation before another scene could occur. “If you would excuse us, Miss Wilkes, I believe they are about to begin. Cecilia, it’s time to go.” Putting his hand to the small of her back, he escorted Cecilia to the table marked for them.

  Helping her to her seat, he said, “It seems I’m always having to rescue you.” As he took his own chair, he inquired, “Now, why don’t you tell me what that was all about? Who is she?”

  Cecilia hotly retorted, “She’s an old shrew who just happens to be jealous of me and wants whatever she thinks I have, or I should say whomever she thinks I have, which at the moment, just happens to be you.” She raised an eyebrow. “So you had better watch your step unless you prefer her to me.”

  “I thought as much.” …jealously between two women… “So what’s the story behind her, Cameron, and you? Are the two of you back together?”

  Cecilia picked up the bottle of wine and poured a glass for herself and then one for David. “No, Cameron and I are not back together.” Her eyes flashed white-hot. “I don’t remember if I told you what happened between us, but let’s just say that a long time ago he did prefer her to me. She’s hated me since grade school, and the feeling’s mutual.” Cecilia cut her eyes away for a split second, still seething. “She takes every opportunity she can to goad me, and now I see she wants you like she did Cameron before you.” She smiled dryly. “That little remark was meant to embarrass me by attempting to make me look like some sort of faithless wench in your eyes. Surely I don’t have to teach you about women.”

  “No, I’ve begun to learn quite a lot about women lately. Probably the most salient thing I’ve learnt is that they are not to be trusted.” Their eyes locked. “Now, I’d like to know about Cameron and why she made that remark, and more importantly, I want to know the truth about us—I want to know the real reason why you didn’t return my phone calls.” He lifted his glass and slowly sipped his wine.

  “Okay, David.” She broke eye contact and released her breath. “We’ll start with Cameron. He was supposed to be escorting me tonight, but he was called away on a business emergency a few days ago. Daniel agreed to stand in for him, but then you showed up. And since I had much rather spend my time with you, I asked you instead.”

  Taking a sip of wine, she continued. “David, you’re not that naïve,” she chided. “She’s jealous of me, and I might add, Cameron is jealous of you.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “Why do you think?” She slowly savored her wine. “It’s because of me—because I prefer you to him, and David…I’m glad he’s out of town.”

  A rush of heat shot through David, not only because of her words, but al
so because of the soft sensual look in her luminous eyes, but he composed himself and attempted to appear casual. He raised his glass to his lips and took another long slow sip before pressing on. “That’s all very well and good, but you still haven’t answered my last question. Come on, Cecilia. Tell me the truth! Why did you not return my calls, and I don’t want to hear any story about a ‘poor friend’. I want the truth.” Putting his wine glass down, he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair and waited.

  She toyed with a foil-wrapped candy in her fingers. “David, I have been very busy. That is the truth, and I am seriously involved with a friend who needs me very much. Remember when we talked right after you and your brother secured Pemberley?”

  He nodded.

  “We talked for hours about the Central American palm oil from Honduras that you were so eager to secure for Darcy Enterprises. Well, two days later I learned that I would be negotiating that very same contract. I’m a wholesale distributor, whereas you are both a wholesaler and a retailer. At times that makes us competitors, such as then. I thought it unwise to talk, especially since I had signed a clause forbidding me from collaborating with others bidding on the same contract. I mentioned that in the email I sent you in late July. Don’t you remember?”

  David shifted in his chair. “Yes, I do recall that email, but I didn’t see it as a conflict of interest. Nor did I realize until much later that you were vying for exclusive rights to the entire crop. Anyway, I won that contract in early October, so why didn’t you ring me then?”

  “Because of the friend I told you about.” She leaned forward as she inched her hand close to his. “I’ve spent all of my spare time and energy getting her situated, and I knew I would see you in a few weeks. David, I’m very sorry for the miscommunication. I thought you understood. By the way,” she smiled, raising her glass in a toast. “Congratulations on winning.”