Colorado Billionaires Boxed Set (The Wedding Wager, The Wedding Hazard, The Wedding Venture)

by Regina Duke

  Elsa lifted a slender hand to shake Alistair’s. “Mr. Mays. How nice of you to be on time.”

  “Always prompt, Madam.” He shook her hand. “May I present my employer, Mr. Jason Darby.”

  Jason shook her hand but his gaze remained fixed on Darius.

  Alistair continued, “May I ask who this gentleman is? Our meeting was supposed to be a private one.”

  “Darius is an old friend of the family. After you dropped me off last night, he called me and we chatted for a while. He thought— That is, I invited him to join us.”

  Jason bristled. “That is out of the question.”

  Darius smirked. “Can’t handle a little competition?”

  Jason took a step forward, fists clenched.

  Alistair touched his sleeve. “Sir. Perhaps it’s better this way. I suggest we adjourn to a booth in Il Vaccaro and have our conversation there.”

  Darius’ tone was contemptuous. “The restaurant isn’t open this early.”

  Reese McAvoy appeared in the door of his office behind the front desk. His bushy eyebrows and gap-toothed smile made Jason feel much more in control. Jason waved to Reese, and a moment later his hand was being pumped in a jovial greeting.

  “Mr. Darby! So good to see you again. Alistair explained that you’d need a quiet place to talk, sir. So come right this way.” He led the four of them past the velvet rope blocking the entrance to the darkened restaurant. He led them to the back, reached into a booth and turned on the wall lamp over the table. The rest of the place was deserted and very quiet. “Will this be sufficient, sir?”

  “This is perfect,” said Jason. “Thank you, Reese.”

  “Perhaps some refreshment? I’ll bring it myself.” He looked from one to the other expectantly.

  At last, Elsa said softly, “Well, if it’s not too much trouble, coffee would be nice.”

  Darius said, “I’ll have a beer.”

  Jason noticed that his request was met by a faint moue of disapproval from Elsa. “Three coffees and a beer, Reese.”

  They settled into the booth. Elsa slid in, and Darius sat beside her. Jason took a seat opposite them. He glanced up at Alistair.

  “If you don’t mind, sir, I’ll stand. All that driving yesterday.” He made a tiny gesture indicating his back.

  Jason suppressed a smile. In front of this duo, he used no nicknames. “Certainly, Alistair.”

  Alistair filled the air with simple chatter about the weather as they waited for Reese to return and leave them again to their privacy. Everyone agreed that October in Colorado could be chilly, and that the weather could change at any moment.

  Once Reese set their coffees on the table and opened and poured Darius’ beer, he tucked his tray under one arm and said, “Mr. Darby, if you need anything at all, press this button and I’ll come right in.” He handed Jason a small remote control.

  “Thanks again, Reese.”

  Alone at last, Jason spoke to Elsa. “I know this has been a whirlwind trip for you, Mrs. Winn.”

  “Please call me Elsa.” It looked like she was about to say more, but cut herself off. She looked distinctly uncomfortable.

  “All right. Elsa. I wanted to be sure you were here for the announcement of my engagement to Vicky.”

  Darius made a rude noise.

  Jason glared at him. “You have something to say? Out with it.”

  “I’ve already explained to Elsa that you and Vicky were involved long before she arrived here. You had to be. Otherwise, how could your relationship proceed so quickly?”

  Jason leaned back in the booth. He’d been worried that Darius had some clandestine relationship with Gloria, one that might have given him information about Dolores’ will or Jason’s recent arrival in Colorado. Alistair had been right. Letting Darius sit in was not a mistake at all. It could prove to be the man’s undoing.

  Jason kept his voice even and looked at Elsa, not Darius, when he spoke. “Did he also tell you that he walked into my grandmother’s mansion when she was home alone, set off all the security alarms, and only avoided facing charges because of my good will? Did he also tell you why he came? To complain to the Board of Governors of the J and T Piano Competition because he lost, fair and square, to a very talented young woman?”

  Darius’ expression proved he hadn’t told her any of that.

  Elsa seemed to draw strength from Jason’s revelations. “Darius, you led me to believe that my daughter was somehow drifting into a life of sin and degradation. And yet you did these things?”

  Darius turned a hand over, but had clearly lost his edge with Elsa. “I went into the house because I had an appointment with the donor’s personal assistant.”

  Jason interjected, “Who has since been fired.”

  “The door wasn’t locked,” said Darius.

  “Did you mention being stopped by the local police for stalking Vicky and her friend?”

  Elsa’s eyes widened, and she scooted away from Darius in the booth.

  “Or that you were going to keep her computer because it had software on it that you wanted for yourself? That you broke up with her the night before the biggest competition of her life to ensure that she wouldn’t be able to compete against you?”

  Elsa’s outrage emerged as a soft explosion of breath. “She told me you did that, but I couldn’t believe my ears. Oh, my poor girl. Darius, you should leave. Now. And don’t call me again.”

  Darius glared at Jason through narrowed eyes. He stood and picked his beer up from the table. “You rich people do whatever you want. Dangle prize money in front of artists and we have to pour our hearts out on the stage, hoping for a chance to play a major concert venue. I outplayed everyone in that competition. I deserved to win.”

  Elsa was shaking. “And what about Vicky’s heart?”

  “Collateral damage.”

  Jason stood so abruptly that Darius jumped backward. Through clenched teeth, Jason seethed, “You should definitely leave.”

  Darius took a moment to assess Jason, then cast a glance at Alistair. “Of course. Two against one.” He snorted, turned on his heel, and left.

  Jason didn’t return to the booth until Darius was out of sight. He sat down slowly. “Forgive me for losing my temper,” he said to Elsa.

  She leaned back against the booth and suddenly looked all in. “Thank you very much. He insisted on coming. After your man Alistair explained things to me in Longmont and I agreed to come, I knew I was wrong to believe Darius over Vicky. But a lifetime of habit—” She paused. “My husband is also a strong presence.” She studied her lap for a few moments. At last she said, “I owe Vicky an apology.”

  Jason smiled at her. “I’m sure she’ll forgive you. Things have been wild here, what with my grandmother’s declining condition. Vicky has been helping me every minute. She told me she learned how to deal with Gran’s mental state because she watched you coping with your own mother’s health for years.”

  Elsa put her hands on the table and leaned forward. “Your grandmother has dementia?”

  “She’s having confusion in the mornings. She thinks I’m my father, for instance. But after lunch, she seems fine.”

  “Well, if I learned anything with my mother, it was that many conditions in the elderly can produce confusion from time to time. And people’s memories do deteriorate as they age. Have you spoken to your mother’s doctor?”

  “Not yet. It’s on the list of things to do.”

  Elsa nodded. “She might be forgetting to take a medication. Or she might be taking one she doesn’t need. Or she might be in a deep depression.”

  Jason looked up at Alistair. “September has always been a difficult month for her.” To Elsa, “My parents died in September, fifteen years ago.”

  “And to her, it probably feels like yesterday,” said Elsa sadly. “Jason, my advice to you is don’t be hasty with regard to your grandmother. Have her surroundings changed lately?”

  “She’s been living at home, but the personal assistant
I mentioned had fired almost the entire staff. I suspect she was trying to isolate Gran, to gain more and more control of the family assets.”

  “So she would have had a motivation to contribute to your grandmother’s confusion.”

  Jason’s brows rose. “Yes. You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you. I’ll have my legal team add that to their investigation.”

  Elsa smiled for the first time since emerging from the hotel elevator. “You seem like such a caring and decent young man. I think Vicky’s a very lucky woman.” She glanced from one to the other. “When can I see her?”

  Jason and Alistair exchanged conspiratorial glances. Then Jason said to Elsa, “We’re hoping to surprise her by having you show up at the engagement party. Would you mind waiting until then?”

  “I have nothing suitable to wear.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Jason. “A close friend of mine owns a specialty boutique. Alistair will take care of any and all expenses. I’ve asked him to take you shopping while I handle some party details here.”

  Elsa clearly didn’t know how to react. “You mean, pay for my party dress?”

  Jason said, “Of course. Vicky and I will be married before the end of the year. You’ll be family. I love buying gifts for family. Please allow me that pleasure.”

  “Well, when you put it that way, I suppose it would be the thing to do.” She pulled her purse close and scooted gracefully out of the booth. “I just hope when I show up at the party, Vicky doesn’t break off your engagement.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  Vicky felt like Cinderella waiting for her pumpkin coach as she stood beneath the portico in her ball gown. Mina hadn’t been kidding when she said the girls in the back room had been working on some gowns. She doubted that Marie Antoinette ever looked as good as she did in her party dress. Mina brought long white gloves to go with the gown, but Vicky’s fingers were half an inch longer than the gloves, so she left them on her bed. She thought she’d be riding with Mrs. Darby, but it turned out that the grande dame of the household expected her own private coach. As promised, Jason had returned just in time to tell Vicky how beautiful she looked before chauffeuring his grandmother away in her yellow Rolls.

  Mrs. Johnson and Grace kept Vicky company.

  “Don’t worry, dear,” said Grace, her own gown obviously the result of one of Mina’s flights of fancy. “Alistair is bringing the other Rolls around for us. It’s my favorite anyway. It’s very elegant.”

  Vicky decided Grace’s description was an understatement. And while she sat quietly in the back seat trying to keep her gown from wrinkling, Grace was opening every cabinet, seeing how many channels the TV picked up, and taste testing various sodas and sparkling waters.

  Alistair drove without comment, never speaking unless spoken to.

  Vicky felt very important, and in the same instant realized that much of that feeling was born of Alistair’s comportment around her. If others treat you with great respect and deference, you can’t help but feel important. She smiled and stared out the curtained window of the Rolls. Grace rattled on beside her, and Vicky smiled wider. No wonder Jason was firmly rooted in terra firma. With Grace basically raising him, he didn’t stand a chance of floating too high in the clouds.

  The last ten minutes of the trip were the slowest as the Rolls moved sedately in a line of other very expensive cars, each delivering guests to the ball.

  “I never knew there were so many rich people in Eagle’s Toe.”

  Grace fairly twinkled. She made Vicky think of a fairy godmother in her sparkly dress. She was pouring a lime colored drink into a champagne glass. “Most of the invitations go out of town. Only fifty or so are local. Some of the guests come from the East Coast for Dolores’ parties.” She sipped at her drink and hiccuped. “Excuse me. It’s the bubbles. They tickle my nose.”

  At last their turn came at the entrance. Jason was there to open the door. He helped Grace out, kissed her cheek, and handed her off to Thor Garrison, who was dressed as a knight of the Round Table.

  Vicky extended her hand for Jason to assist her out of the car, but instead he got in and sat facing her.

  “You look fantastic,” he said softly.

  Vicky blushed. “Grace put my hair up. You don’t think it makes my neck look too bare, do you?”

  “Definitely too bare,” said Jason seriously. He was dressed all in black and a strip of black cloth was draped around his neck. “But I can fix that.” He opened a compartment in the cabinetry behind the front seat and lifted out a familiar looking banker’s bag. “These should help.” He unzipped the bag to reveal his mother’s diamond and emerald jewelry. A moment later, the six-tiered choker was fastened around Vicky’s throat and the pendant earrings with their fat emeralds and tiny diamonds were a perfect compliment for the tones of her dress.

  Jason said softly, “The very first time I saw your green eyes, I wanted to put emeralds on you. Let’s not forget the bracelet.” He fastened it around her wrist. Then, staring into her eyes, he said, “Beautiful. You make them come alive.”

  Vicky was stunned. “But these were your mother’s. I couldn’t presume—”

  “You’re not. Looking at you now, I know in my heart this was meant to be. Wear them like you were born to them.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.

  Vicky’s breath caught. She pressed her lips against his and laid a hand against his neck. Her fingers found the black band of cloth. Without moving her lips from his, she murmured, “What’s this?”

  Jason ended the kiss reluctantly. “Remember where we left off, okay? I have to host this party.” He took the band of cloth and wrapped it around his head, masking his eyes.

  Vicky clapped with delight. “You’re Zorro!”

  Jason grinned at her. “Why not? Son of a wealthy family, returns in time of trouble, and dons a mask to save the day. That’s me.” He held up a finger. “One more little detail.” He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket. “Open it.”

  Vicky’s heart danced as she lifted the tiny lid. The ring was almost too big for its box. A brilliant emerald surrounded by small diamonds, it mirrored the pattern of her earrings, necklace and bracelet.

  “I told you this morning I had a few things to do,” said Jason. “Retrieving this from the safe deposit box was one of them. It was made to match the set, but my dad never got to give it to my mother. It’s never been worn. Gran put it away for me to give to my bride someday. Do you like it?”

  Vicky’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Don’t cry,” whispered Jason. “If your makeup runs, you’ll have to wear my mask, and it would look funny with your dress.”

  Vicky laughed.

  Jason pulled a tissue from a drawer in the cabinet and dabbed her tears away. Then he slipped the ring on her finger. “It wasn’t created as an engagement ring, but I think it makes a nice one.”

  He nudged the door open. “Come on. People are lining up to meet my fiancée.”

  By the time Vicky had gathered her skirts, Alistair had come around the car and was holding the door for them.

  Inside the hall, Vicky was overwhelmed by the number of beautiful people milling about, laughing and chatting. The room had high ceilings and the decor hinted at Halloween, but it was more splash and dazzle than ghosts and goblins.

  She tried to remember names and faces, but after the first thirty couples, she gave up and concentrated on smiling. By the time they made their way around the room an hour had passed and several waiters had plied them with drinks and appetizers. Vicky found herself with a full plate in one hand and a glass in the other.

  “Do you think we could sit for a while?”

  “My sentiments exactly. We’ve got a table right over there.” Jason steered her to a round table with a colorful decoration and lamps. Vicky noticed that Dolores seemed vibrant and mentally sharp tonight. She was engaged in conversation with a woman dressed as a Spanish dancer with castanets in one hand and a large black f
an in the other.

  Jason guided her into the chair next to the Spanish dancer. Vicky was relieved to set her glass and plate down. Then Jason leaned across Vicky to speak to the other woman. “Buenas noches, mamacita.”

  The Spanish dancer turned toward Jason and said to Vicky, “What a lovely dress, Victoria. Are you going to show me your engagement ring?”

  “Mother!”

  Elsa Winn gave her daughter a quick hug. As she did so, she whispered in her ear, “I approve completely of your fiancé and his family.”

  “Wow.” Vicky wanted to say something clever but nothing else would come.

  Elsa patted her hand. “Do close your mouth, dear. We are not fish.”

  Vicky laughed. “Thanks, mom. For a moment there, I thought some Halloween bodysnatcher had taken you over. I’m so glad it’s really you.”

  Jason cocked an eyebrow. “Do I have to separate you two?”

  Vicky squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Jason. This is a wonderful surprise.”

  Elsa looked pleased, then turned back to her conversation with Dolores.

  Vicky noticed that Mina floated nearby in a lovely dress and a feathered mask. When she had a chance, she waved her over.

  “What are you supposed to be?”

  Mina ran her fingers over her feathers and said, “A mother hen.” She lifted an apron flap and revealed three stuffed yellow chicks in plastic egg shells.

  Before Vicky could congratulate Mina on her clever costume, Dolores piped up. “Vicky, I want everyone to know what a talented daughter-in-law I’m going to have. Play something for me.”

  Vicky looked to Jason. He gave a tiny shrug, leaving it up to her.

  She knew she couldn’t disappoint her future mother-in-law. She reminded herself that her audience was not a panel of judges. She took a deep breath and recalled the moment of freedom she’d felt when she realized that by marrying Jason, she would never again feel forced to perform. That sense of liberation calmed her butterflies. In a corner of the hall, on the stage where the disc jockey was about to take a break, two spot lights shone down on a pair of baby grand pianos and Reese McAvoy was tapping the microphone to see if it was live.