“Just wait until you see how adorable she is.”
“There’s still time for me to change my mind about going.”
Scarlett let out a nervous giggle. “I’ll get out of your hair so you can go pack.”
As soon as she left his office, he made a series of phone calls. Most were to staff. Over the past decade, his hedge fund firm had grown immensely, and he’d acquired a stable of highly qualified managers. The last call was to his pilot. The private plane was now used mostly by employees when they needed to meet with an important client. It would be the first time in years that he used it for himself.
A few hours later, he was on the jet headed for New York City. It was the middle of the night when he arrived, but he was awake enough to admire the magnificent skyline. He and Bryony had wanted to explore the city together one day, and Maxi swallowed a bitter pill of regret. Anything he did now would be done alone.
Her image had faded from his mind’s eye, so he needed a picture to remember the vivid color of her eyes and how her left dimple was more pronounced than the other when she smiled. He took her photo out of his wallet and studied it.
She’d been his first and only love. They’d grown up together, both children of very wealthy parents. Her estate bordered his, and they’d spent countless hours roaming the grounds playing games like hide and seek. Those were innocent days when their biggest disappointment was a rainy afternoon because they couldn’t go outside and play. Then the teenage years came, and their love bloomed, although fragile and delicate as the petals of an English rose. Yet somehow it survived, and when they were twenty-three, they married. It was the event of the year. Harte Manor had never looked more spectacular or been more abuzz with people. The only thing missing were his parents. He would’ve given anything to have them there, if only for the day, but their lives had been cut short, and no amount of wishing could bring them back.
Their accident had been the beginning of what Scarlett would come to call the Harte curse. Maxi had no way of knowing that his wedding day, that perfect special day would be the start of a streak of bad luck that haunted him to this very day.
“Sir, your limo has arrived,” the flight attendant said, shifting his thoughts back to the present.
“Thank you.” Maxi stuffed the photo back in his wallet before following her to the exit door. As he headed toward the car, a customs officer checked his passport and stamped it, while a crew member loaded his suitcase into the trunk. Before getting in the limo, he warned, his employee, “Remember, no one is to know I’m here. I don’t plan on staying more than a few days.”
“Understood, sir. I will remind everyone of that.”
As the limousine left the airport, a wave of apprehension swept through him, knotting his stomach. Had he made a mistake coming here? What if he couldn’t pull off this charade?
Maxi cleared his throat and was about to ask the driver to turn around, but the thought of Scarlett in tears stopped him. She’d never forgive him if he broke his promise to her, so he leaned back against the plush leather seat and pushed his desire aside.
His sister’s five-story brownstone townhouse was on the Upper East Side less than a block from Central Park, and when he arrived, a large white longhaired cat with ice-blue eyes greeted him at the door. Tiffany, a lilac-pointed ragdoll, followed him upstairs and into the spare room, watching as he set his bag on the bed. “Don’t get any ideas. This is where I’ll be sleeping, not you.”
The cat continued to watch him as he got changed and then slipped off his wedding band, setting it beside the lamp on the bedside table. He didn’t want to forget to take it off for his meeting tomorrow, so best to do so now while he thought of it. Dale White was single, and Maxi needed to role-play perfectly, leaving no room for errors. However, mixed feelings surged through him. Continuing to wear the ring had been a way of honoring his marriage.
With a heavy heart, he climbed into bed, and a few minutes later, as he was about to drift off to sleep, the cat jumped up beside him and curled into a ball at his feet. “You’re lucky I’m too tired to get up and lock you out of the room. Tomorrow night, though, I’m sleeping alone.”
Tiffany seemed thoroughly unfazed by his threat and began to purr like a motorboat.
“Wish I could be that relaxed,” he said as he adjusted his pillow, “but I have a meeting in Tribeca tomorrow with a wedding planner, and I’m not looking forward to it.”
3
Lizzy drummed her fingers on the desk, not knowing whether she was more annoyed or anxious. Scarlett’s friend should be here any minute now, and the last thing she wanted to do was go over the details of her vision with a guy who knew nothing about weddings. But since that’s what her client wanted, that’s what she had to do. Maybe once she convinced him that everything was under control, he’d go away and leave her alone. That was probably wishful thinking, but she still held out hope that this interference might end after today.
“I have a meeting with a new client,” Emilia announced, poking her head in the door. “I won’t be back until after lunch.”
“Okay,” she replied glumly.
“Don’t look so sad. You’ve handled far worse than this. Besides, Scarlett’s friend is probably a very nice man who doesn’t want to be here anymore than we want him to be.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Of course, I am. Charm the guy and then send him packing.”
Lizzy rolled her eyes. “Count on it!”
A few minutes after Emilia left, the receptionist informed Lizzy that Dale White was waiting to see her.
“Thanks, Ann. I’ll be right out.” Lizzy sucked in a deep breath, slowly blew it out, and then ran her hands over her shirt to smooth out any wrinkles before heading to the waiting room.
Seated on the couch was a big and powerful looking man whose broad shoulders strained against the fabric of his jacket. A shaft of sunlight streamed through the front window, striking his hair and making it gleam like dark gold. He had classically handsome features, and the shadow of his beard intensified his manly aura. There were lines around his mouth and eyes, making it hard to guess his age, but Lizzy had a feeling he might be younger than he appeared.
“Mr. White, I’m Lizzy Sullivan,” she said, extending her hand. When he stood, she guessed him to be over six feet tall.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lizzy. Please, call me Dale,” he replied in a smooth British accent while shaking her hand. His smile was wide, his teeth exceedingly white in his tanned face.
She hadn’t had a preconceived notion of what he’d look like. However, she hadn’t expected a hunk, either. It was a good thing she’d sworn off men. “Why don’t we go into the conference room? I can show you what I have planned for Scarlett’s wedding.”
“I’d like that.” He had an air of authority and the appearance of one who got what he wanted. Dale wasn’t going to be the pushover that she’d hoped he’d be.
As they walked down the long hall, she found the tantalizing smell of his after-shave added to his polished veneer. Lizzy glanced down at his left hand, and as she suspected, it was ringless. Women must flock to him in droves.
When they entered the room, she took a seat at the huge glass table and waited for Dale to sit beside her before opening the laptop. Lizzy had gotten things set up earlier this morning for her meeting with him.
“This is the venue,” she said, clicking on the web page for Rosemont Castle in Port Washington. “Both wedding and reception will be held there.”
“Very nice.”
“I had to pull a lot of strings to get the date Scarlett wanted. They’re usually booked years in advance.”
“I’d like to see it in person if you don’t mind.”
She’d anticipated that he would, so she’d made time for a trip there. “I don’t mind at all. How about we head over after we finish up here?”
“Thank you.”
For the next hour or so, she went over flowers, music, and every little detai
l Scarlett had asked for. “So, as you can see, everything is progressing right on schedule, and knock on wood, I haven’t had any issues so far.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way. Scarlett doesn’t handle stress well.”
That’s an understatement. “It’s normal for there to be little glitches along the way, but come the big day, everything goes off as planned, and the bride and groom have the best day of their life.”
His face darkened with an unreadable emotion. “Is that always the case?”
Her fingers tensed in her lap as she became increasingly uneasy under his scrutiny. “I’ve never had a wedding failure if that’s what you’re asking. My clients are always pleased with my work.”
His features relaxed, and an expression of satisfaction showed in his hazel eyes. “That’s reassuring. Scarlett is very important to me, and her having the wedding of her dreams is my wish as much as it is hers.”
That was quite apparent. Scarlett was lucky to have such a good friend. “Shall we head over to Port Washington now?” Lizzy asked as she turned off the computer.
“I’m ready whenever you are.”
Before leaving Happily Ever After, she informed Ann that she wasn’t sure when she’d be back so not to book any appointments for this afternoon. Once they were settled in her SUV and en route to the castle, Lizzy attempted to get to know a bit about Dale White. “Is this your first trip to New York?”
“I was here once as a child. It was rather overwhelming, and I have to admit it still is.”
“I can understand how people unfamiliar with the city find it difficult to navigate.”
“I’m one of them and can assure you I won’t be walking the streets. I’ll be taking taxis wherever I go.”
Lizzy laughed. “Scarlett’s from Kent. Are you as well?”
“Yes. We’ve known each other for years.”
“Then you must know her brother?”
Intense astonishment touched his face. “You mean Maximillian?” There was a critical tone to his voice. “Why do you ask about him?”
She shrugged. “I was having dinner with some friends last night, and one of them just got back from England. I mentioned Scarlett was there, and that’s how Maxi’s name came up.”
“I have a close relationship with him, as well.” Dale retained his affability, but his eyes darkened, giving her the impression that he didn’t care to discuss that further.
The last thing Lizzy wanted to do was offend Dale, so she changed the subject entirely. They chatted about the weather, sports—of which she had very little knowledge, and food. Now that was a topic she was well versed in, not the cooking part, just the eating. By the time she pulled into the castle’s large gates and onto the brick-paver driveway, her guest seemed relaxed and ready to tour the venue.
Rosemont had the feel of a magnificent European castle with its towering spires and arched doorways. It sat on sixty acres of pristine gardens, meadows, ponds, and woodlands, offering an utterly romantic setting. There were fifty guest rooms and a grand ballroom that could accommodate three hundred people. However, one of the things that Lizzy liked best was that it was a full-service establishment that included staff and culinary team. Those two things alone made Lizzy’s job a lot easier. No need to hire a caterer and wait staff. She did not doubt that Dale would be impressed with the selection of this place.
He didn’t say anything until after she parked the car, and they were walking through the well-manicured grounds that led to the entrance. “This is one hundred percent Scarlett. Very reminiscent of Kent.”
“That’s exactly what she said and why she choose it. If I hadn’t been able to work some magic to book it, she would’ve been very disappointed. Our second choice didn’t even come close.”
“Since she chose not to get married at home, this is indeed a grand alternative.”
“Was getting married at home an option?”
“She didn’t tell you?”
Lizzy shook her head no.
“Her brother offered to have the wedding at Harte Manor, but since her fiancé grew up in New York and has many more family who’ll attend, she felt that’s where it should be.”
A suggestion of annoyance hovered in his eyes, and Lizzy had the feeling there was more to the story than just that. There was something he wasn’t telling her, and she wondered why.
4
“Shall we go in?” Maxi asked, opening the door for Lizzy. She seemed like a lovely woman and a quite pretty one too, but there was only so much information he felt comfortable revealing. And that included not wanting to make known the most important reason why Scarlett wouldn’t hold her wedding at Harte Manor. How could he tell someone he barely knew that his sister believed their family was cursed? To a young woman who tragically lost her parents and then a few years later, her sister-in-law as well, that was the conclusion she’d come to. And he had to admit, despite being quite logical about most things, a tiny part of him wondered if that might be true.
His parents’ marriage had been on the rocks for some time before they decided to take a holiday through Europe as a way to rekindle the romance. How could they have known the train would go off the tracks? And his marriage to Bryony seemed to go downhill right after they said their vows. Whatever the reason, the Harte’s did have a tragic history, and he gave Scarlett credit for being brave enough to take the plunge with Roger. Maybe living a continent away would bring them the happiness they deserved. He certainly hoped it would.
“Let me show you the ballroom first,” Lizzy said upon entering.
They’d only taken a few steps when an older woman with silvery gray hair pulled up in a tight bun came rushing over to them. “Lizzy, it’s nice to see you. I’m so looking forward to the Harte-Cassidy wedding next Saturday.”
“Thank you, Ellen. I am too. This is Dale White,” she said, turning to Maxi. “Scarlett’s close friend. She wanted him to have a look at the venue. I didn’t think you would mind.”
“Not at all.” The older woman smiled at him. “I’m Ellen Sawyer, the general manager of this gorgeous place.”
As he shook her hand, he remarked, “It is quite spectacular. You’re fortunate to get to spend your days here.”
Ellen’s wrinkles deepened when she smiled. “I think so too,” then to Lizzy she added, “You know your way around, so feel free to wander wherever you’d like. If you need me, I’ll be in my office.”
Lizzy pointed out a heart-shaped staircase that would be the perfect frame for couples’ photos and then led him down a hall and into a massive French-style ballroom with a trompe-l’oeil ceiling of painted clouds. “The reception will be in here.”
Maxi looked up at a gigantic chandelier that sparkled like thousands of tiny diamonds. “I think Scarlett made the right choice having her wedding here, rather than Harte Manor. There is no comparison.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“What is there not to like?”
Lizzy’s lovely face lit up when she smiled. There was something very engaging about her, and not just because she was an attractive young woman, but there was a genuineness to her that Maxi hadn’t found in most people.
“The bride and groom, both their immediate families, the wedding parties, and close friends, such as yourself, will be staying in the guest rooms the night before the wedding. Would you like to see them?” she asked.
“That’s not necessary. I’m sure they’re wonderful. I’d much rather see the outside if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” They went through a pair of French doors to a canopied terrace with fabulous ocean views. “Here. Let me show you where the ceremony will be held, provided the weather cooperates. With it being June, we should be okay, but there’s always a private chapel should we need it,” Lizzy said as she headed over to a rose garden.
“This trellis,” she said, pointing to the wooden structure in front of them, “will be adorned with orchids, roses, and heather, similar to the flowers in Scarlett’s bouquet.�
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Maxi thought for a moment as he scanned the area. “Is it possible to move the trellis over to the left a bit, like right about here?” He stood at the spot in question. “This gives both the castle and Long Island Sound as a backdrop.”
Lizzy came to stand beside him. The breeze blew her long silky hair softly around her face, and she pushed it out of her eyes with slim fingers as she studied the view. “You know what, I think you’re right. It’ll be much better over here.”
When her slate-colored eyes locked with his, he was unnerved by the little flutter in his chest. Maybe it was because he hadn’t been in the company of a beautiful woman in a very long time. “I’m glad you agree.”
“I’ll tell Ellen to have it moved.” As they walked back toward the castle, she added, “You have quite an eye. I’m disappointed I didn’t think of that spot myself.”
“Maybe all it took was someone seeing it for the first time,” he modestly replied.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. There’s a great little place about ten minutes away that we could go for lunch.”
With the mention of food, he realized that he hadn’t even had breakfast and was indeed hungry. “That sounds nice.”
They said a quick goodbye to Ellen and then were on their way. “I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen so far,” Maxi said, glancing over at Lizzy as she drove. Her smooth skin glowed with pale gold undertones, and her cheeks were naturally rosy. She had a chin that suggested an iron determination, but an exquisitely dainty nose. Her lips were full and rounded over even teeth, and her thick auburn hair hung in long graceful curves over her shoulders. He guessed her to be about Scarlett’s age, maybe a year or two older. It was hard to tell, as both young women had a youthful exuberance.
“How long have you been a wedding planner?” he asked.
Her voice was velvet-edged. “About four years, but it feels like a lot more. I guess all those twenty-hour days can do that.”
“Well, you certainly don’t look any worse for wear.”
No Time for Intrigue (The No Brides Club Book 13) Page 2