Janet began to clear up and then went to get a duvet to cover Crawford where he lay asleep on the couch.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Dorothy had had a little too much champagne. She could see her mother was as high as a kite in one corner, still standing but becoming more vacuous in expression by the minute. Dorothy prayed silently, she had heard the story of the parish bazaar and hoped her mother would do nothing outrageous. Dorothy pursed her lips thinking her mother really was becoming impossible.
Jeremy fussed over all the guests. It seemed to Dorothy as if Jeremy was working from one end of the room and David was covering the same route in reverse. Dorothy was standing near a flowerpot; drink in hand, taking everything in. True to her nature she was frowning like a disapproving school prefect. She found herself frowning at the noisy enjoyment of a group of young people in one corner.
She shook herself. Young? No younger than she was. Dorothy forced herself to join them. This she achieved by standing at the edge of the group and smiling at their inanities.
From the corner of her eye she watched the rest of the party. She had to hand it to Jeremy and David. They were true performers, handling their guests with calm and ease. Dorothy began to wish Jeremy would come and pay attention to her. She was amazed at his personality. Alone with her he would be submissive and would appear weak. In this situation it was as if someone had thrown a switch and he was in business mode, all competence, charm and humour. It frightened her and she wondered if she would ever truly control him.
Her heart sank as she saw David was circulating in the direction of her group. David frightened her even more. He was so handsome and charming. Tall and thin with sensitive but strong features he carried himself with poise and confidence. His eyes embraced everyone and he had a wonderful rounded voice that dominated any conversation effortlessly. Charm personified, she thought, what a waste he’s gay.
Dorothy and David had only had a few minutes perfunctory conversation earlier, before others joined them and he seemed somehow to be spirited away to greet new arrivals.
David joined the group. “Having a good time, Ladies and Gentlemen,” he asked in a mocking laughing voice.
Everyone smiled or laughed and soon he had the group engaged in a light-hearted banter. He was very camp, talking about ‘his frocks’ with Oohs and Aahs and foppish gestures. But his wit was sharp, intelligent and keen and he soon had them all in stitches.
Then, expertly, effortlessly, David took Dorothy by the elbow and led her away from the group, leaving them smiling in his wake. He took her back aside to the large flowerpot where she had previously been standing. A waiter came in response to a raised eyebrow with two glasses of Champagne.
“So you are Dorothy,” he said, his eyes, which had seemed pleasant and amused had taken on a hard glint and bored into her.
“Yes, I’m Dorothy, nice to meet you David,” she said as pleasantly as she could muster.
“You wish to take my Jeremy away, I believe,” he smiled a tight smile. Dorothy could feel his physical presence and he seemed somehow to look down into her. He had a light mannish perfume, an expensive aftershave? A perfume, she decided.
“Jeremy and I have fallen in love” she said simply.
“Then why do you beat him?” he asked in his polite clipped English accent.
Dorothy flushed and looked around, embarrassed. No one appeared to have overheard.
“I’ll thank you to keep your nose out of Jeremy and my personal affairs,” she said tartly.
“I am a part of Jeremy’s personal affairs,” he corrected.
“I believe you are talking history” Dorothy said and walked away from him.
David watched her go, his composure unruffled. Reasonable childbearing hips, he thought. Then he shrugged but his eyes narrowed, a formidable opponent, this Dorothy, he concluded. Then he smiled and joined the next group.
His thoughts were buzzing thinking; of course she does not really know Jeremy. It is much too early. Too early for Dorothy to know how smoothly Jeremy could manipulate people. It needed intelligence and a sense of humour to stay above Jeremy. She would never have what they had, he hoped.
Then Jeremy did it. David stared, he guessed something was coming but he could not believe it was happening. He gripped his glass and set his face outwardly pleasant.
Jeremy was standing on a chair. Too much fucking Champagne, David thought.
“Ladies and Gentlemen!” Jeremy said, in a loud pleasant voice.
Slowly silence descended as he waited for their attention.
“Dorothy,” Jeremy called.
Pink with embarrassment, Dorothy went to Jeremy’s side.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Jeremy announced. “Dorothy O’Byrne and myself wish to announce our engagement.”
Immediately there was uproar. Glasses were recharged for toasts. Ann O’Byrne dropped her glass in stunned amazement. Her daughter Dorothy, the bitch had finally got herself a man and a nice one at that! Ann’s mouth hung open in surprise.
Michael O’Byrne recovered first and grabbing Ann by the arm he steered her to Jeremy and Dorothy’s side.
“To the happy couple,” he announced and everyone drank a toast.
Michael and Ann enthusiastically congratulated them both and then they were swept aside as the remainder of the gathering pressed up to shake Jeremy’s hand and kiss Dorothy in congratulation. Most of the people at the party were strangers to both Jeremy and Dorothy but in high excitement they accepted congratulations and kisses from all concerned.
In the excitement it was a long time before anyone noticed that David had retired to bed. Self conscious he had pleaded Jet lag to one or two near him and then disappeared. The Party continued unabated.
Michael gave Dorothy a hug. “Dorothy, Mother and I will go shortly.”
“O.K. Dad” Dorothy agreed. “Jeremy and David will come down during the weekend at my invitation. Is that all right? They know about other business but I’d like them to come to mother’s party and stay overnight.”
“No problem Dorothy, just be available for the AF discussions. We’ll need a good part of the afternoon.”
“Perhaps you’d better get Mom?”
“Will do,” Michael said and went to extract her from a group at the far side of the room.
“Dorothy,” Jeremy smiled and came back to her. “Sorry about the shock, no time like the present.”
“It was a lovely surprise Jeremy,” Dorothy smiled and Jeremy put his arm around her. “My parent will go shortly, they are quite overcome at the news.”
“Dorothy, I’m quite overcome by the excitement of the day.”
“Where did David get to?” Dorothy asked.
“I think David has retired, jet lag. Do you mind if I let you go with your parents and see you tomorrow, I’m whacked and I have to see this party out to the end. It will be all hours.”
Dorothy was disappointed, but she managed a smile.
“We have hired a Mercedes,” Jeremy added cheerfully. “We will arrive in style tomorrow.”
Before Dorothy could say more her father arrived back with Ann.
“Must set the wedding date. Have a big day,” Michael began cheerfully.
As father of the bride he expected to pay for the wedding.
“I’ll throw a good bash for my daughter, you’ll see.”
Dorothy saw the panic rise in Jeremy’s eyes.
“It will be a small wedding dad. I’m too old in the tooth for the full regalia,” she instinctively intervened. “We’ll arrange something, probably in Rome. A lot of couples get married in Rome.”
Dorothy could see from Jeremy’s reaction that she had hit a right note.
“Great” Jeremy said. “We can honeymoon on our yacht, ‘the Blue Frock’”
“You have a yacht?” Ann was very impressed.
“Usually at San Tropez or Monaco, but we can get it down to Rome I’m sure. It’s supposed to be ocean going and Rome is just a bit down the Med.�
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Jeremy was delighted. He did not want a wedding in Dublin where he would have to invite all his poor relations. He would be able to fly his immediate family to Rome. His mother would fly if he set it up. They were all madly religious. The chance to see the Pope in the Vatican would be enough incentive for his mother. Of course he would do them proud and naturally pick up all the bills.
Dorothy’s head was in a spin. Earlier in the day Jeremy’s horse Trapper had romped home. Jeremy seemed to take it all for granted. Then the party, she loved the extravagance. Her family was wealthy but they were not extravagant. They kept a few horses dogs, not to mention servants, but they lived a steady life without extravagance.
Now she’d discovered Jeremy had a Yacht in the Mediterranean. God, she wondered would her knees give way.
“Come along dear, don’t stand there with your mouth open. You will need your beauty sleep. Say goodnight to your young man. It is time to go home.”
Dorothy looked at her mother and her heart softened. She needed her mother now. And her mother seemed to have risen to the excitement of the occasion.
Dorothy took her arm.
“Come along mother. We will all get some sleep. I’ll come home to the house tonight. I want to be sure everything is in order for tomorrow.”
Jeremy had wandered to say goodnight to two of his guests. He came back and he pecked her cheek.
“We have to go Jeremy. I want to get mother to bed and I need to go home to make sure everything is shipshape.”
“Excellent.”
“I know Jeremy, we have just got engaged, and maybe I should stay?”
Jeremy laughed.
“We have all our lives to be together Dorothy, do the right thing. David and I will be down tomorrow, never fear. We’ll give the Merc a whirl. Goodnight Mrs. O’Byrne,” he added to Ann who smiled but looked tired. Dorothy could sense her battery was running low.
“Goodnight Jeremy,” Ann said.
Michael shook Jeremy’s hand. “Rome will suit the tax situation,” he said heartily with a hint of a wink. “I expect to spend some time abroad in the next few years.”
The O’Byrne’s made their way out. Jeremy watched them go and gave a little wave. Nice family he thought. He could relate to Michael. The mother seemed a bit fragile but friendly, maybe a bit inclined to lose concentration.
Then Jeremy was swept back into the party.
“Good of you to come with us dear, but should you stay with your fiancée?” Michael asked as they went down in the lift.
“You can see Dad. Jeremy has a lot on his plate. It’s complicated. I’ll wait until he comes down on the weekend. Now he has announced our engagement I can relax for a bit.”
“What about the ring dearest?” her mother asked.
“I’m sure Jeremy will look after that,” Dorothy said firmly. “I think he jumped the gun a bit with the announcement. I would have liked to have things a bit more organized. But I’m glad he took the ball on the hop. We’ll put it in the Irish Times shortly.”
“Very well dear,” Ann said dubiously.
Michael went for the car.
“I hope Peter is all right,” Ann said as they waited, “he ought to have come to the party.”
Dorothy said no more and when her mother fell asleep on the journey home, Dorothy turned her thoughts to the future and the wedding in Rome.
Jeremy was careful not to get too drunk. He wanted to stay on top of things.
He had invited Paul, the young architect he had so disgracefully dined with, and his wife Angela, to the races and the party afterwards. However in the rush of events he had failed to meet up with them other than a brief moment when he had arrived at the races. Jeremy remembered Paul now and sought him out. He found them in a quiet alcove.
“Paul, how are you,” Jeremy greeted effusively. “I must apologies for my behaviour the night we met. I’m afraid I was a bit stressed and a bit drunk. Lot on the plate that day. I am sorry I left you in such dubious circumstances. I assume you managed to cope.”
“Oh think nothing of it we all have a bash now and then,” Paul laughed, actually flattered to have been remembered and to have received an apology.
“And please introduce me to your darling wife.”
“Oh yes. Angela.”
“Angela, charming name. I hope you are enjoying yourself?” Jeremy cut across him.
“Thank you for the invitation,” she said with a smile
“And thank you Jeremy for supporting our investment project, you won’t regret it,” Paul added.
Jeremy laughed.
“I hope not Paul. I always invest on the basis of my faith in the people involved. I have faith in you Paul.”
When Jeremy moved on they were in great form and Paul felt ready to forgive all previous trespasses and to do his utmost not to disappoint and to make the investment project a success.
Elaine the public relations executive was still working hard to keep the press happy. Jeremy’s announcement of his engagement had made her job easy. They now had a great line, including a win in a horse race plus a touch of romance, with which to write up the opening of the new Fashion shop. Nonetheless Elaine made sure the small press corps covering the event was well-fed and watered with plenty alcohol. At this stage of the evening they were very happy indeed.
“This little do will make all the social pages in the press and magazines, not to mention probably the sporting pages,” she said with a laugh when Jeremy floated over to check things out.
“Good, it’s the sort of publicity we need to create the right climate for the new store,” Jeremy said with satisfaction.
In the following discussion Jeremy got himself up to date and satisfied that progress with the shop was on target.
“The builders are here somewhere, at the party. Last I saw them they seemed to be having a great celebration over the far corner would you like to meet them?” Elaine offered.
“Spare me,” Jeremy said and used this as a cue to begin to move on.
“As far as I know everything will be ready on time.” Elaine offered.
“Good” Jeremy said eyes wandering around the room seeking out his next port of call. The group had thinned a little but those remaining were in high spirits.
“We were all very surprised and delighted that you announced your engagement sir,” Elaine said, filling in the silence.
“Why, very surprised?”
Elaine looked around and whispered, “There was as strong rumour that you, and your partner David, were... well partners in every sense. That is…”
She began to stammer and then recovered her courage and met Jeremy’s eye, “that you were both gay?”
Jeremy smiled and she looked worried. Had she said the wrong thing to the client?
“And now?” he asked crisply.
“Clearly not,” Elaine said, sensing she was on dangerous ground.
“Good,” Jeremy replied.
Elaine breathed a sigh of relief. Her client seemed happy with progress.
“You need a break now,” Jeremy said, and taking her hand he took her to the lift. Without a word he took her down and out into the street.
They walked together, Elaine looking at him appraisingly but going along with the game and saying nothing. He turned into a paved public square near the hotel.
“What are we doing sir?” she asked.
“Bear with me a minute, I want to prove a point.”
Elaine stood with a half smile. Looking at her in the moonlight Jeremy decided she was a beauty in her own way.
“Sit on the wall,” he said, referring to the small dividing wall.
She looked at him. “All right.”
He helped her sit but she had to put her arms to his neck to avoid losing her balance. He put a hand behind her knee and lifted her leg along his hip.
“Don’t let me fall,” she whispered. His hands slid along her smooth legs and her other leg came up on his other side without urging, and now she had an am
used look in her eye.
“Ohh,” she said suddenly as he thrust. “Does that seem gay to you?” he asked his voice a little choked.
“I’m not sure,” she smiled, “move it up and down a little. And you better be wearing a condom.”
Later when they returned to the party Elaine was feeling pleased with herself. She loved good shag and it had been hellish getting everything organized.
Jeremy was in high humour and Elaine was caught in his infectious gaiety. Her laughter pealed happily and she wondered why Dorothy was not around to keep an eye on him.
Jeremy was still wondering at his newfound powers. He felt a powerful energy that had been suppressed by anxiety had somehow been released. He decided he would pray for guidance and forgiveness, but maybe it would be tomorrow. Good idea, he thought, to keep a condom in the wallet. It was it seemed, so easy to fall from grace.
Chapter thirty-eight
As Michael drove up to the gatehouse all the lights were out.
“Hopefully Ann-Marie is at home in her bed,” Michael remarked.
Twisted Love and Money Page 26