by Meg Lacey
She stepped away from him, her expression winter ice, even as her eyes remained dark, hot and turbulent. “From now on, here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll try this engagement plan we agreed on”—she shrugged giving him a chilly smile— “maybe we’ll even try to get Jackson and Lorianne together, then—”
“No, forget that. Really dumb id—” He stopped as Raven held up her hand like a traffic cop.
“When the roads are clear, I’ll go my way, you go yours and that completely ends our involvement.” She lifted her hand as he tried to speak again, giving him a fierce smile as she stepped back, artificial gaiety in her eyes. “Who knows? The entire situation might even be fun. My father told me to enjoy life, remember? So I will.”
“Raven, I—”
Ignoring him, she pushed her way through the stall door, stalking toward the entrance. At the loud thump of the barn doors closing, Nicholas finally moved, hurrying into the aisle to look after her.
His emotions and his loins were still in an uproar. He was unable to comprehend what had just happened; but he didn’t think it worked out in his favor. He felt like the man who’d just conquered a mountain only to see a range of higher ones beyond.
Nicholas looked over at Oscar, who was studying him with a sympathetic expression. Nicholas exhaled some of his frustration.
“Women.”
Oscar snorted and tossed his mane.
Chapter Seven
Nana’s eyes were bright as she observed the scene in the drawing room much later that evening. On one side was Nicholas and Raven, both dark, daring and dramatic as they whispered in what seemed loving tones. On the other was Jackson and Lorianne, their blond hair shining as bright as their envy of the two dark angels in their midst. Jackson’s hunger was focused on Raven, but as he noticed Lorianne staring at Nicholas, his face clouded for a moment. His glare back to Nicholas took on an added tone.
Nana smiled.
Sometimes all anyone needs is a good hint and push in the right direction, she thought, also thanking God that J.R. and Margaret weren’t there to act as wet blankets and spoil the fun. Putting aside all pretense of reading, she picked up her glass of wine and settled back to watch the show.
“What are you doing?” Jackson said to Lorianne.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re practically drooling.”
Lorianne sent him an annoyed look. “I am not.”
“You are, too. You’re watching Nicholas as if you’re starving to death and he’s the last éclair.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
He bunched his fists. “I’m not. I can see when a woman is interested. And you’re interested.”
“Who wouldn’t be? He’s not too hard on the eyes.”
“I haven’t noticed.”
Lorianne gave an unladylike snort. “That’s because you’re so focused on Raven that you can’t see two feet in front of you, much less see what’s beneath your feet.”
“She’s hot. Do you blame me?”
“Yes. You’re an idiot.”
With a stunned expression, Jackson turned to face her. “What’s the matter with you lately? You’ve never spoken to me like this before.”
“Perhaps I woke up.”
“What’s that mean?”
Lorianne hunched her shoulder. “I’m not your adoring little childhood friend who’s always hanging around anymore.”
Jackson stared at her. “You’ll always be my childhood friend.”
“Oh damn you, Jackson.”
“What? What did I say?”
“Do you ever think of me as a woman?”
“Huh? Well…”
“Never mind,” Lorianne snapped. “I can see you don’t. She’s right, I’ll have to change all that.”
“Who’s right? Where are you going?”
Lorianne ignored him as she rose to her feet and gingerly made her way to the CD player on the other side of the room. She looked through the music selections and made her choice. A dreamy sensual tune whispered into the room. With a glare at Jackson, she strolled over to Nicholas and Raven.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she said to the two of them with an insincere smile as she extended her hand, “but would you like to dance, Nicholas?”
Raven stopped in mid-speak as she stared at Lorianne, while Nicholas’s eyebrows practically disappeared into his hair. “Lorianne? I thought you’d hurt your knee. Do you think you should be dancing?”
“It’s fine. I had an icepack, some anti-swelling tablets and a good long soak in a warm bath. I think a bit of exercise would keep it from getting stiff.”
“Then,” Nicholas said, with a quick glance at Raven before taking Lorianne’s hand, “I’m happy to oblige.”
“Oh, that’s right, don’t mind me,” Raven muttered as Nicholas drew Lorianne into his arms and started moving to the music.
Nana smiled as Lorianne moved closer to Nicholas’s long lean form. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing when Lorianne threw a triumphant smile over Nicholas’s shoulder at a steamed Raven, who was obviously wondering what Lorianne was up to.
Lorianne was up to seduction.
This afternoon, after a brief talk with Nana, Lorianne had decided that the only way to make Jackson ever look at her was to force the situation. Left to himself, he’d never know she existed as a woman. Besides, flirting with Nicholas sure wasn’t a hardship. The man put the yum in yummy. She smiled up at him, not sure of her next step but willing to give it a go. She was a Sterling and Sterlings were not quitters. She stumbled when he flashed a smile back at her.
“Oops, sorry,” she said, peeling herself off his feet. “That was your toe, I’ll bet.”
“No problem. I’ve got nine more.”
Lorianne giggled. “Good thing.”
A smile glinted in Nicholas’s eyes. “That means you’ll be doing that again?”
“Probably,” Lorianne confessed.
“Then I’ll consider that a blanket apology,” he said.
Lorianne gasped when he gathered her close for an unexpected whirl. Regaining her breath, she said, “My parents despaired of my ballroom skills. I am much better at superficial conversation and putting people at ease than performing on the dance floor.”
“Relax. You’re doing fine.”
“So are you.”
Nicholas chuckled. “No lingering effects from the accident this afternoon?”
“Headache’s gone and I’ll probably ache all over tomorrow, but not now.”
“It’s a good thing the marsh slowed the sleigh or you might not have gotten off so easily.” He glanced over Lorianne’s head. “Either one of you.”
“I know,” she said, following his gaze to see Jackson glaring in their direction. Without warning her heart did a quick pitty-pat. “But the incident has opened my eyes to some things.”
“What sort of things?”
“Oh, things I didn’t realize before.”
“Such as?”
“Such as—Jackson’s an immature idiot.”
Nicholas laughed. “You won’t get an argument from me.”
“But the thing is, I didn’t realize it before. I grew up worshipping the ground he walked on. It’s taken quite a bit to see how fallible he is.”
“We’re all fallible, Lorianne.”
“Yes I know. I’m not looking for Mr. Perfect. I know that’s a myth.”
“What are you looking for?”
“Maturity.”
The answer seemed to surprise Nicholas. “And how do you define that?”
“Insight, I guess. Knowing when something is good for you and when it isn’t.”
“I gather you’re talking about Raven?”
Lorianne could feel her blush rising. “Not exactly.”
“No?” Nicholas persisted.
“It’s more about Jackson. I can see why a man would fall in love with Raven. She’s everything exciting dreams are made of.”
“That she is,” Nicholas
agreed.
“But a woman like that isn’t just for anybody. She needs more than average. Not that Jackson is average, but he sure isn’t…” you. She trailed off, uncomfortable and self-conscious with what she’d almost said.
“Isn’t what?” Nicholas prodded.
“Uh…right for her in the long run.”
“I’d have to agree there.”
“But you are,” she blurted.
Nicholas looked down at her. “Are what?”
“Right for her.”
He smiled. “Since we’re engaged, that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“If you were really engaged, yes it would be.”
“Didn’t you see her ring?” Nicholas asked.
Lorianne met his wary gaze, with a determined and knowing one. “People tend to overlook me most of the time. That gives me a huge advantage.”
“Such as?”
“I see things others might not. Like you and Raven aren’t involved, but you and J.R. are.”
“Uh-huh,” Nicholas said. “And what about that ‘Raven and I are right for each other’ comment?”
Lorianne met Nicholas’s razor-sharp gaze without flinching. “You are. But I don’t think either of you know it, much less want to admit it.”
Nicholas blinked. “What else do you see?”
“That Jackson has a class A crush on Raven. He’s not in love with her, but he doesn’t know that.”
Nicholas took a closer look at her. “He doesn’t?”
“No. He’s dazzled, flattered and overwhelmed. Jackson might have money and move in power circles, but underneath he’s a bit naive. He was pretty sheltered by his mother and bullied by his father. He’s never experienced anyone like Raven.”
Nicholas smiled. “Not many have.”
“I know. That’s why he thinks he loves her and insists on marrying her.”
“And what about you, Lorianne? Are you in love with Jackson?”
“I’ve loved him all my life,” she said simply. “That doesn’t mean I don’t know he’s acting like an idiot. I’ve just never called him on it before.” She glanced over at Raven, who was now joined by Jackson. “Raven never had any intention of marrying him and was totally floored by the situation she’d walked into. I got that before you even came along and she forced you into the mix.”
“No one forces me to do anything.”
At his defensive reaction, Lorianne sent him an amused look. “I’m sure that’s true in most cases. I’ll bet Raven manages to do so anyway.”
“Raven and I have had a complicated history,” he said, glancing over her head, “a sort of approach-avoidance relationship.”
“At least it’s got more heat than the relationship I have with Jackson. Ours is kind of sanitary and adolescent. He’s better at patting my head than my behind, if you know what I mean.”
Nicholas laughed down at her, attracting the attention of both Raven and Jackson. “Obviously he has no clue what you’re about, does he?”
“None. I’ve always been careful not to show my—‘pushy’ side, I guess you’d say. But there’s too much at stake now. It’s time for him to wake up. That’s why I need your help.”
“In what way?”
“I need you to pay attention to me. Pretend you find me attractive. Maybe you could have a fight with Raven and then turn to me to make her jealous. At the same time Jackson could get jealous too.”
Nicholas stared down at her, then asked, “Were you in the barn earlier?”
“Yes. When we hitched up the sleigh.”
“I mean later, after we came back. When I was grooming the horses.”
Lorianne’s brows snapped together. “No, I was tucked up in bed with icepacks and a heating pad, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right. Still, it’s a damn funny coincidence.”
“What is?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “Never mind. So you want me to flirt with you so Raven gets jealous? What makes you think that will work? That Jackson won’t take advantage of it and go after her?”
“I’ve seen the way she watches you. The way she’s watching you now. She’s well and truly fried that we’re dancing together.”
“Maybe she’s just a good actress.”
“She probably is, but I don’t think that’s it.”
“So you’re banking on Raven being jealous enough that she’ll cut Jackson dead? And Jackson will turn to you?”
“Not exactly, but sort of.” Actually, she expected Raven would grab Nicholas for real. Jackson would have to accept the truth of her loving Nicholas, even if Raven didn’t know it now, thus leaving the way open for her to step in with Jackson and eventually convince him that they belong together. She bit her lip. When she played it back in her mind, the whole thing sounded absurd.
“That’s a pretty big gamble, Lorianne.”
“Yes, I know.” She smiled, a bit uncertain. “But when it really matters, you have to put up or shut up. No matter how risky it is.”
Raven and Jackson, who’d joined her, watched the dancing couple.
“What do you make of that?” Jackson asked, jerking a thumb at Lorianne and Nicholas.
Raven shrugged when she wanted to bare her teeth. “What am I supposed to make of it?”
“He’s dancing with Lorianne.”
“I know. She asked him.”
“That’s not right.”
Raven’s brows arched curiously. “Why not?”
“’Cause Lorianne doesn’t just waltz up to someone and ask them to dance.”
“Newsflash—just happened.”
“Yes.” Jackson frowned, watching the other couple for a moment before shaking himself like a dog coming out of a river. “So that leaves us to amuse ourselves. What would you like to do?”
Her eyes still on the other couple, she threw a zinger over her shoulder. “Just don’t suggest a sleigh ride.”
Jackson grinned. “Don’t worry. How about a fresh drink instead?”
“Good.” She needed a drink to cool down since she’d started steaming as soon as Lorianne slipped both arms around Nicholas’s neck and pulled his head down to hers.
“Then we’ll have a game of pool.”
“Hmm?” she asked, her mind suddenly busy with thoughts of boiling Lorianne in oil, then throwing her to wild boars. What the hell was wrong with her? She didn’t want Nicholas, so why did she care what Lorianne did or didn’t do? And why should she care that Nicholas was cuddling her in his arms under the pretense of dancing with her?
“Pool, I said.”
“It’s too cold to swim.”
He chuckled, shaking her shoulder to capture her attention. “Pool, pool cues, little round, colored balls.”
She turned back to him. “Oh, pool! Okay, that sounds good.” Plus, she wouldn’t have to watch Lorianne cooing to Nicholas. Who knew the woman had it in her? All the time acting as if she was too sweet to need dessert and here she was trying to spread chocolate syrup all over Nicholas. Raven frowned. Boy did she have everyone fooled. Even Nicholas from the look of it. He was practically salivating over the woman, making a complete idiot of himself. She didn’t care. She just didn’t like to lose. No, she didn’t care, not one damn bit.
“Here you are, Raven.” Jackson handed her a new glass of wine and then led her toward the door. Raven couldn’t help but glance back at Nicholas, who hadn’t even noticed she was leaving. Her temper flamed. Sliding her arm through Jackson’s, she plastered herself against his side and forced a tinkling laugh that carried above the music. “What do you say to a game of strip pool, darling? It’s such fun.”
Still seated in her chair as if she was watching a performance, Nana grinned as Nicholas first swore over Raven’s outrageous comment, then declared, “She’s playing strip pool over my dead body. Come on, Lorianne, we’re going to join the fun.”
As Nicholas dragged Lorianne from the room in the wake of the other couple, Nana finally let her laughter escape. She hadn’t had so much fu
n in years. She lifted her glass high to toast her dead husband, missing him now more than ever. “Here’s to you, my love. May they enjoy all of the pain and glory we’ve known.” She drank deeply before putting her head back with a soft sigh. A life without love is no life at all.
In the billiards room, Raven and Jackson were just chalking the tip of their cue sticks when Nicholas, and a somewhat-breathless Lorianne, appeared in the doorway.
“Mind if we join you?” Nicholas said, sending Raven a hard stare as he pulled Lorianne into the room behind him.
Raven arched a brow. “I thought you were dancing.”
“It wouldn’t be good for Lorianne to push her luck after her mishap this morning.” He looked back at Lorianne. “Isn’t that right?”
“Um…yes, my knee was getting a bit tired.”
“Then you should have stayed sitting instead of galloping over the dance floor,” Jackson snapped, handing Lorianne a pool cue.
“First, it was a regular floor, not a dance floor, and second, I wasn’t galloping, I was gliding. Nicholas is a wonderful dancer.”
Jackson sent Nicholas a quick resentful look. “I’m sure.”
“He’s one of those people who does everything well. Don’t you think, Raven?”
“In his opinion, yes he does.”
“And what about in yours, sweetheart?” Nicholas asked Raven, his voice as smooth as a double Dutch chocolate sundae.
“You have some talents, I suppose.”
“Remind me to show you a few more,” he warned with a smile. “Now, Jackson, what do you say we play a game? Me and Lorianne against you and Raven.”
“You want a foursome for strip pool, darling?“ Raven chuckled. “I had no idea you were such a voyeur.”
Nicholas glared at her. “Regular pool will do for tonight, sweetheart. Stripping’s more fun in twos, I believe.”
Raven gave in at his glinting glare. “Ah well, perhaps another time, Jackson.”
A slightly sulky Jackson focused all of his attention on aligning the triangle and racking up the balls for the breaking shot.
“Who goes first?” Lorianne asked. “Should we draw straws?”
Jackson looked over at her. “Do you have any straws?”
Lorianne giggled a bit nervously. “No, I don’t. I guess that would be a problem, wouldn’t it?”