place.
The discreet click of heels echoed in the corridor.
“Thomas, darling.” Desiree entered the room, resplendent in an ice-blue dress that emphasized the color of her eyes while the deep neckline emphasized her lovely assets. She was desirable while managing to convey a subtle “hands off” message.
Not really your type.
He forced a small smile as she walked toward him with runway precision, reaching up to kiss him and run her tongue suggestively along the seam of his lips. “It’s been too long, Thomas. Maybe tonight…” She let the words hang between them as she turned to survey the table. “Ah, perfect.”
“Perfect, indeed, Desiree,” Alistair said as he crossed the room to bestow a courtly kiss on her hand. “It is such a pleasure to have a woman of your impeccable taste presiding over the table.”
As Alistair and Desiree discussed the intricate dinner plans, Thomas walked to the side bar to pour a glass of scotch, already tired of their inane banter. Man, what he would give for a hamburger with all the trimmings right now! He was quietly observing his father and Desiree when he sensed a presence. His eyes were drawn to the doorway.
Maggie.
The dark red dress was perfect for her, complementing her slight form, from the close-fitting bodice to the wraparound skirt that flared gracefully at her hips before falling in gentle folds just above her knees. He had been very particular about the color when he spoke with the gardener, whose wife knew the shop owner on a nearby island, and he was pleased with how the color emphasized her gypsy eyes.
Her hairstyle should have been unattractive, pulled so severely back from her face, but instead it gave her an ethereal quality, as though she might be too fragile for this world. He ran his palm along his jaw. She was incredible.
He became aware that conversation on the other side of the room had stopped and tore his eyes from Maggie to observe his father and Desiree. Desiree’s eyes narrowed in disapproval, her lips pursing as though she’d swallowed something sour. Although he supposed it was rather bad of him, he found her response amusing.
His father’s response, however, amused him not at all. Alistair stared at Maggie with an appreciation wholly inappropriate for a man his age to show a young woman. The sight both angered and concerned Thomas.
“Mindy, oh, forgive me, Maggie, how”—Desiree paused delicately—“how charming you look.” The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees. “Where in the world did you find that adorable frock ?”
With a tentative look at Alistair, Maggie inhaled before replying. “It was delivered to my room earlier today…”
“I had it delivered it to her.” Thomas smiled at his father and fiancée. “After all, we couldn’t have her join us for dinner wearing her work clothes.” Seeing the stunned looks on their faces, he added a little shudder to emphasize their shared revulsion for the hideous nanny uniform. Only Maggie appeared to find him amusing. He might actually enjoy this formal dinner after all.
Desiree walked deliberately over to pat his cheek. “How terribly thoughtful of you, dear. However did you find the time in your busy schedule?”
By now ice practically dripped from her words. He decided he’d better dial down his enthusiasm.
“I asked one of the staff to have something delivered.” No one needed to know about his growing friendship with the gardener. “You know I…” He looked over her head at Maggie and stopped when he found Maggie’s attention focused on Alistair. Alistair was smiling at her, raising his glass in a silent toast. All earlier traces of her amusement had disappeared.
“You what, dear?”
Forcing his attention back to Desiree, he favored her with a smile. If he intended to get answers out of this dinner, he needed to lighten the mood. “I…oh, nothing. How about a drink?”
As he prepared everyone’s drinks, Alistair approached Maggie.
The discreet click of heels echoed in the corridor.
“Thomas, darling.” Desiree entered the room, resplendent in an ice-blue dress that emphasized the color of her eyes while the deep neckline emphasized her lovely assets. She was desirable while managing to convey a subtle “hands off” message.
Not really your type.
He forced a small smile as she walked toward him with runway precision, reaching up to kiss him and run her tongue suggestively along the seam of his lips. “It’s been too long, Thomas. Maybe tonight…” She let the words hang between them as she turned to survey the table. “Ah, perfect.”
“Perfect, indeed, Desiree,” Alistair said as he crossed the room to bestow a courtly kiss on her hand. “It is such a pleasure to have a woman of your impeccable taste presiding over the table.”
As Alistair and Desiree discussed the intricate dinner plans, Thomas walked to the side bar to pour a glass of scotch, already tired of their inane banter. Man, what he would give for a hamburger with all the trimmings right now! He was quietly observing his father and Desiree when he sensed a presence. His eyes were drawn to the doorway.
Maggie.
The dark red dress was perfect for her, complementing her slight form, from the close-fitting bodice to the wraparound skirt that flared gracefully at her hips before falling in gentle folds just above her knees. He had been very particular about the color when he spoke with the gardener, whose wife knew the shop owner on a nearby island, and he was pleased with how the color emphasized her gypsy eyes.
Her hairstyle should have been unattractive, pulled so severely back from her face, but instead it gave her an ethereal quality, as though she might be too fragile for this world. He ran his palm along his jaw. She was incredible.
He became aware that conversation on the other side of the room had stopped and tore his eyes from Maggie to observe his father and Desiree. Desiree’s eyes narrowed in disapproval, her lips pursing as though she’d swallowed something sour. Although he supposed it was rather bad of him, he found her response amusing.
His father’s response, however, amused him not at all. Alistair stared at Maggie with an appreciation wholly inappropriate for a man his age to show a young woman. The sight both angered and concerned Thomas.
“Mindy, oh, forgive me, Maggie, how”—Desiree paused delicately—“how charming you look.” The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees. “Where in the world did you find that adorable frock ?”
With a tentative look at Alistair, Maggie inhaled before replying. “It was delivered to my room earlier today…”
“I had it delivered it to her.” Thomas smiled at his father and fiancée. “After all, we couldn’t have her join us for dinner wearing her work clothes.” Seeing the stunned looks on their faces, he added a little shudder to emphasize their shared revulsion for the hideous nanny uniform. Only Maggie appeared to find him amusing. He might actually enjoy this formal dinner after all.
Desiree walked deliberately over to pat his cheek. “How terribly thoughtful of you, dear. However did you find the time in your busy schedule?”
By now ice practically dripped from her words. He decided he’d better dial down his enthusiasm.
“I asked one of the staff to have something delivered.” No one needed to know about his growing friendship with the gardener. “You know I…” He looked over her head at Maggie and stopped when he found Maggie’s attention focused on Alistair. Alistair was smiling at her, raising his glass in a silent toast. All earlier traces of her amusement had disappeared.
“You what, dear?”
Forcing his attention back to Desiree, he favored her with a smile. If he intended to get answers out of this dinner, he needed to lighten the mood. “I…oh, nothing. How about a drink?”
As he prepared everyone’s drinks, Alistair approached Maggie.
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