No wonder he was so perturbed by Alice.
Could she blame a man used to perfection for smarting in the ugly face of normal life?
“Come on. Let’s get inside and meet the folks.”
Gabe carried Alice inside while Harper followed cautiously behind, Finn holding on to her hand tightly. She winked down at him as they entered the stately hallway. He didn’t need to know that she was overwhelmed by the sheer size and width of the balcony across the first floor, or the intricate detail in the decorative marble floor.
“Oh, darling, you made it!”
The low sound of a well-bred voice resounded through the hallway. Coming from what looked like the doorway to a large kitchen in the back, a slim woman probably in her mid-sixties appeared in the foyer. Dressed casually, her well-tailored slacks, sweater and pearls just screamed old money. Harper had met and charmed many a family like this during her school days; she had no qualms about doing so today. She knew she was bright and intelligent and had no agenda as far as their son’s money was concerned. There was no reason for them to dislike her.
Nonetheless she picked Finn up and held his sturdy, warm body next to her.
“Mom, this is Harper Green and her son Finn.” Gabe turned to her after he had kissed his mother’s cheek. His hand rested lightly at the base of Harper’s back. “Harper, my mother, Vivien Stahl.”
Harper shook the woman’s hand. She was very well-preserved, with glowing skin and a great figure. She had her son’s blonde good looks but translucent blue eyes that seemed to miss nothing. “It’s so nice of you to invite us this weekend,” Harper told her sincerely. “The house is absolutely beautiful.”
“We couldn’t be happier you’re here. I can’t remember the last time my son invited someone civilised to stay.” Her tone was teasing but Gabe’s dry look told her this was probably a sore topic with his mother. “And this boy...” Vivien touched a manicured hand to Finn’s cheek. “Aren’t you a handsome little thing? You’re just adorable. I think we’re going to good friends, you and I.”
Finn, unusually shy, smiled at her and then wriggled in Harper’s arms to be let down.
“Why don’t you get the kids settled in their room,” Vivien urged. “Gabe told me they want to share.” One of her shapely brows lifted. “I presumed the adults were happy with separate rooms, but if that’s not the case-”
“Gabe’s my lawyer,” Harper cut in, feeling her heart begin to thud in her chest. “Well, not exactly, but we’re...”
“We’re not sleeping together, mother,” Gabe filled in laconically.
“Okay. Then I’ve chosen the perfect rooms for you.” Vivien was unflustered. “Harper, I’ve put you in the yellow room facing the sea. It’s Jayne’s room when she’s here, but I hate to see it empty when it’s such a happy room.”
“ Jayne’s my younger sister,” Gabe told her as they took the sweeping staircase.
“I’ve put Gabe next door, and the kids are in the room opposite. So you’re both nearby if there are any nocturnal upsets.” The emphasis Vivien placed on the final phrase suggested she fully expected there to be issues. Harper had noticed that Alice lagged behind, clasping her father’s hand passively. Vivien seemed so charming that the dynamic between the grandmother and granddaughter seemed totally at odds with what Harper would have expected.
They had lunch in the conservatory. Gabe’s father was a tall, handsome man, dark, and with the same smiling eyes as his son. Like his wife he was well-spoken, charming and obviously missed nothing. Vivien had attended Brown and she was thrilled to discuss her alma mater in great detail. They talked about the patent case for a while and both showed genuine interest in Harper’s career. She was in the middle of explaining to them how she had started up her first studio when Alice started crying.
Gabe stood up and crossed to his daughter’s side,
Could she blame a man used to perfection for smarting in the ugly face of normal life?
“Come on. Let’s get inside and meet the folks.”
Gabe carried Alice inside while Harper followed cautiously behind, Finn holding on to her hand tightly. She winked down at him as they entered the stately hallway. He didn’t need to know that she was overwhelmed by the sheer size and width of the balcony across the first floor, or the intricate detail in the decorative marble floor.
“Oh, darling, you made it!”
The low sound of a well-bred voice resounded through the hallway. Coming from what looked like the doorway to a large kitchen in the back, a slim woman probably in her mid-sixties appeared in the foyer. Dressed casually, her well-tailored slacks, sweater and pearls just screamed old money. Harper had met and charmed many a family like this during her school days; she had no qualms about doing so today. She knew she was bright and intelligent and had no agenda as far as their son’s money was concerned. There was no reason for them to dislike her.
Nonetheless she picked Finn up and held his sturdy, warm body next to her.
“Mom, this is Harper Green and her son Finn.” Gabe turned to her after he had kissed his mother’s cheek. His hand rested lightly at the base of Harper’s back. “Harper, my mother, Vivien Stahl.”
Harper shook the woman’s hand. She was very well-preserved, with glowing skin and a great figure. She had her son’s blonde good looks but translucent blue eyes that seemed to miss nothing. “It’s so nice of you to invite us this weekend,” Harper told her sincerely. “The house is absolutely beautiful.”
“We couldn’t be happier you’re here. I can’t remember the last time my son invited someone civilised to stay.” Her tone was teasing but Gabe’s dry look told her this was probably a sore topic with his mother. “And this boy...” Vivien touched a manicured hand to Finn’s cheek. “Aren’t you a handsome little thing? You’re just adorable. I think we’re going to good friends, you and I.”
Finn, unusually shy, smiled at her and then wriggled in Harper’s arms to be let down.
“Why don’t you get the kids settled in their room,” Vivien urged. “Gabe told me they want to share.” One of her shapely brows lifted. “I presumed the adults were happy with separate rooms, but if that’s not the case-”
“Gabe’s my lawyer,” Harper cut in, feeling her heart begin to thud in her chest. “Well, not exactly, but we’re...”
“We’re not sleeping together, mother,” Gabe filled in laconically.
“Okay. Then I’ve chosen the perfect rooms for you.” Vivien was unflustered. “Harper, I’ve put you in the yellow room facing the sea. It’s Jayne’s room when she’s here, but I hate to see it empty when it’s such a happy room.”
“ Jayne’s my younger sister,” Gabe told her as they took the sweeping staircase.
“I’ve put Gabe next door, and the kids are in the room opposite. So you’re both nearby if there are any nocturnal upsets.” The emphasis Vivien placed on the final phrase suggested she fully expected there to be issues. Harper had noticed that Alice lagged behind, clasping her father’s hand passively. Vivien seemed so charming that the dynamic between the grandmother and granddaughter seemed totally at odds with what Harper would have expected.
They had lunch in the conservatory. Gabe’s father was a tall, handsome man, dark, and with the same smiling eyes as his son. Like his wife he was well-spoken, charming and obviously missed nothing. Vivien had attended Brown and she was thrilled to discuss her alma mater in great detail. They talked about the patent case for a while and both showed genuine interest in Harper’s career. She was in the middle of explaining to them how she had started up her first studio when Alice started crying.
Gabe stood up and crossed to his daughter’s side,
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