Belinda by Peggy Webb Page A

tune. They were playing a shaky but enthusiastic rendition of
“Yankee Doodle.”
    As he listened to the music, a part of his
mind was occupied with the things Belinda had said. She was a very
wise woman. And he had set himself up as her teacher. The wonderful
irony was that it appeared
he
was the one learning most of
the lessons.
    He was both amused and proud. With raw
material like that, there was no telling what he could
accomplish.
    The children finished their song; then
everybody had dessert. When it was time for the children’s baths
and bed, they kissed him goodnight, then Belinda took their hands
and excused herself.
    She was halfway across the room before Reeve
spoke. “Belinda.” She paused, glancing over her shoulder. “I’d like
to see you after you’ve tucked the children in.”
    “In your office?”
    “No. Here.”
    “Certainly.” She nodded and left the room,
the children in tow.
    After they had gone, closing the door behind
them, Quincy settled back into her chair and gave Reeve a sassy
grin.
    “What was that for, Quincy?”
    “You like her, don’t you?”
    “She’s the best nanny I’ve ever had.”
    “I’m not talkin’ about nannies. I’m talkin’
personal.”
    “Sometimes you talk too much, Quincy.”
    “I’m seein’ developments, and I’m likin’ what
I see.”
    “If you’re putting two and two together and
getting
family
, you can get that thought out of your
mind.”
    “I’m not sayin’ what I’m puttin’ together.”
Quincy grinned.
    “Good.” Reeve gave his faithful old
housekeeper what he considered his best I’m-the-boss look. Because
she was not the least bit impressed, he added, “My relationship
with Belinda Diamond is strictly business—and that’s all it’s ever
going to be. I don’t intend to lose a good nanny.”
    “No, indeedy.” Chuckling, Quincy rose
laboriously from her chair. “I’m goin’ to bed.” She lumbered across
the room, then turned for one last comment. “Sure does get
lonesome, just one in a bed.”
    Reeve declined to comment. He knew Quincy
would have the last word, anyway.
    He sat in his chair for a moment after Quincy
had gone, smiling to himself. His gift was tucked in the
entertainment center, out of sight. He glanced around the den and
suddenly decided,
Why not?
    He put a good blues CD on the stereo, took
out a bottle of wine and turned the lights down low. Then he sat
down in his chair to wait for Belinda Diamond.

Chapter Six
    After the children were settled into their
beds, Belinda made her way back down the vast hallway toward the
den where Reeve waited. What in the world did he want to see her
about? Had she done something wrong?
    No use expecting the worst, she told herself.
Then she lifted her chin and tried to think positively. Maybe he
wanted another dance lesson.
    She eased open the den door, expecting to see
the lights blazing just the way she’d left them. Instead, she had
to stand in the doorway and adjust her eyes to the gloom.
    “Reeve?”
    “Over here.”
    He was still in the chair where she had left
him, but he had been a busy man since she’d been gone. Soft blues
music filled the room, and in the semidarkness she spotted two
crystal wine goblets on the coffee table, catching the
lamplight.
    “Well, I’ll be...” she said as she walked
into the room.
    “Please close the door behind you.”
    She eased the door shut, then she stood
uncertainly.
    Reeve stood up, tall and handsome and formal.
“Won’t you please sit down, Belinda?”
    She wasn’t about to be intimidated by
circumstances. If there was one thing she’d learned from the
friends she’d made at Camp Piomingo so many years ago it was
stand your ground.
Walking so her skirts would swish, she
made her way to the sofa.
    “Don’t mind if I do.” Once she was seated,
she leaned back, kicked off one shoe and tucked her leg under her.
“My, my. How good it is to relax after a long hot summer day.”
    Reeve chuckled as he sat back down.