A Gentleman’s Offer (11 page)

“I am already. Nate, you don’t have to do much more.”

He flashed a rueful smile. “Except say goodbye to Bernard.”

“Yes. Except that.”

Bernard was sad to see them go and urged them to stay longer, but Nate refused. “She has events to attend in the States.”

When Yvette left to use the restroom, Bernard said, “I’m happy to see that you’ve finally placed your cake in the oven. She’s glowing.”

Nate groaned. “You need another saying.”

“You told her everything, no?”

“No.”

Bernard’s good humor vanished. “She cares about you. You will break her heart. You must tell her the truth.”

“No.”

“Why not? Are you afraid that she’ll leave you or afraid that she’ll stay? Have you spoken to your father? Or Kim?”

Nate shoved his hands in his pockets and shook his head. “I won’t hurt her, I promise. I know what she wants.”

Yvette returned, forcing Bernard to remain silent. He sighed, then hugged Nate goodbye. “I hope I will see you again soon.” He turned to Yvette. “And you must try to look out for him and make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble.”

“I will do my best.”

Nate walked to the door. “I’ll tell Aunt Penny and Cathleen you said ‘hello.’”

“Yes,” Bernard said and waved goodbye as though he’d never see them again.

W
hen they returned back to his sister’s apartment, they spent the first three days locked away.

“We can’t stay in bed forever,” Yvette said.

Nate lay on his stomach as she rubbed his back, which he had come to enjoy. Yvette found that he was a lot like James—protective, loyal and eager to please. Fortunately, he didn’t snore. “I can,” he mumbled.

“I can’t ignore the phone calls. Your aunt called and so did Estelle.”

“I said we have jet lag.”

“Jet lag ends eventually.”

“Hmm.”

“Plus I have that function I’m supposed to take Queen to, remember?”

“It’s a stupid dog birthday party.”

“That your sister wants you to attend. Would you like to tell her that you didn’t go?”

He sat up reluctantly. “No, but just wait. After attending a few parties here, you’re going to wish you’d listened to me.”

One thing Yvette did miss was getting a chance to call the shop and make sure things were going okay. She had so much she wanted to tell Lewis and Madlyn, but that would have to wait.

“It took me three days to decide on the trim,” Mrs. Reynolds explained, examining a crocheted placemat on the buffet, not picking up on Yvette’s expression.

It had taken Yvette only two seconds to decide the woman was a bore. Fortunately, the house made up for it. Last year it had been featured in
Architectural Digest
and it still looked photo-worthy. Over the past week, Yvette had readjusted to Michigan time and had become adept at social chat. After the meeting at Ellen’s she’d been given an official stamp of approval, and by disappearing to France for a week, returning and not talking to anyone, interest in her only grew so that when she finally emerged from her self-induced exile, her social calendar was filled with invites. There was the Needwoods’ pet party where King and Queen dressed in costumes, the Hasbringer’s charity auction where she only took Queen and now Ms. Reynolds’s Spring Fling. Each event was grander than the last.

Yvette walked out to the garden where organza draped metal chairs, green silk cloth covered the tables and fire lanterns hung from the trees.

Nate handed her a glass. “Bored yet?”

“No.” She sipped her drink. “Hmm. Delicious. You’re a pro at this valet thing. Have you ever thought of a new line of work?”

He shook his head, his gaze roaming over her body. “I only like pleasing you.”

“You’re very good.”

“I learn fast.”

He also never left her side. Like a shadow he was always there, but never in her way. She was never without a chair, her food was perfect, her clothes perfect. The satin dress with matching shoes, pearl dinner bag and elegant opal earrings she wore had been laid out for her; all she had to do was show up and enjoy herself. But that didn’t stop her from wanting more. She knew it was a short-term affair, but as the days passed sadness entered. How would she say goodbye? She glanced at Nate and watched as his dark eyes scanned the crowd. She rested a light hand on his arm. “I wish you would relax. You’re my valet, not my bodyguard.”

Nate tried to smile, but failed. He couldn’t relax. It wasn’t her fault. Yvette was easy to look after. She never requested anything frivolous. She was always enthusiastic and never complained. No matter how boring the conversation, or tedious the evening, she always returned to the apartment with a smile on her face.

He watched her even when he didn’t want to. He couldn’t help himself. She was beautiful, engaging and real. She cast a magical spell over everyone she met. She was like a breath of fresh air breezing through a room choked with expensive perfume and overinflated egos. He could see how the other women watched her. Some with admiration, others suspicion, and yet others with jealousy. Nate thought about the dangerous waters into which he’d thrown her.

He knew something was going on. Yvette had been slighted but was too innocent to notice the cool replies and smug glances. But Nate knew and felt them intently. It started with the Needwood party. Somehow they discovered that they didn’t have enough plates for all the guests and to cover up the mistake, and to help save the reputation of the catering company, Yvette pretended to have already eaten and went home hungry that night. Although the dogs ate well. Nate ended up stopping at a diner to get some food. At the Hasbringer’s there weren’t enough chairs. Yvette ended up sitting on a stool at the children’s table. Yvette was unaware of these mishaps but Nate knew the community was sending a message. One evening as he waited outside by the limos, a group of chauffeurs confirmed his suspicions.

“It’s that new young one they can’t stand,” he overheard one say.

“Yeah, trying to get in with them,” another added.

“They’re teaching the poor girl a lesson and she doesn’t even know it.”

A third piped up. “She’s donated a bunch of money to two organizations that aren’t even real.”

“She’s just a rich sucker,” the first chauffer said, then they all laughed.

Nate didn’t find it funny at all. The game would end tonight. He waited to see what minor error would occur. He didn’t have to wait long.

“Oh, no,” Mrs. Reynolds exclaimed, as though a catastrophe was eminent.

“What is it?” Yvette asked.

“The bartender can’t make it. All the guests will be here soon and it will just be awful.”

“Perhaps you could call another company.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Didn’t you use to bartend, my dear?”

“Only for a while,” Yvette said, a little stunned that she had that information.

She smiled. “A while is better than nothing. Would you mind?” She gestured to the bar.

She handed Nate her glass. “I suppose I could—”

Nate took the glass and Yvette’s arm. “No, you couldn’t.” He turned. “We’re leaving. Now.”

Yvette stared at him. “But I don’t mind.”

“I do.” He shuttled her into the house and found where the housekeeper had taken their coats.

Yvette looked at him, confused. “What’s this all about?”

“Wait here.”

“But—” He left before she could finish.

Yvette stood in the hall, stunned, then she heard a loud scream. She raced to the living room and saw Mrs. Reynolds, her face nearly the color of a pomegranate. “What is this?” she demanded, pointing to the floor. “My antique wood floor is destroyed. You stupid, stupid girl!”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Reynolds,” the maid replied. She was a young girl, with ebony skin and short-cropped hair. Yvette looked at the floor, but didn’t see anything.

“There is an enormous scratch!”

The girl stood paralyzed. “Perhaps a rug—”

“A rug! Maybe I should just install carpeting and forget the whole thing.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I don’t care. Do you know what I will have to do to replace this? I can’t believe you couldn’t move a simple couch without damaging my floors. How many times do I have to tell you to use the utmost care?”

“But I—”

“Shut up!” She took off one of her shoes and threw it at the young woman. Fortunately, she was used to Mrs. Reynolds’s outbursts and knew to duck. Unfortunately, Yvette didn’t have that knowledge and the high heel grazed her face. She stumbled back in shock, a stinging sensation spreading on her cheek. She gingerly touched her fingers to her face and when she pulled them away she saw blood.

Mrs. Reynolds covered her mouth. “Oh, Yvette, I’m sorry, I was not aiming at you. I wanted to…”

Nate marched back into the room, hearing the commotion. “What’s going on here?”

“There was a minor accident,” Mrs. Reynolds said, dismissing him.

But Nate assessed the situation quickly seeing Mrs. Reynolds barefoot and the shoe near Yvette. “You’ll hear from our lawyer.” He adjusted Yvette’s coat and dabbed the small trickle of blood with a napkin he grabbed off a nearby table. Mrs. Reynolds was aghast that he was using one of her possessions.

Mrs. Reynolds sniffed in disdain. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’ve never found the charge of assault and battery ridiculous,” Nate said softly.

She blinked uneasy. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional. I wasn’t aiming at Yvette. It was that wretched creature.” She pointed in the direction of Ayo, the maid, who stood frozen in place.

“What can I do?”

“You and your friends can stop playing games. The next time there are not enough plates or chairs, or you need to hurt someone, you’ll hear from me. Do I make myself clear?”

“I’m truly sorry,” Mrs. Reynolds said.

“I expect you to prove it.” He turned to Ayo. “Where is your first-aid kit?”

“In the closet. I’ll go get it.”

“Perhaps you should sit down,” Mrs. Reynolds said, trying to be nice. She motioned to the butler, who was standing off to the side, to assist them.

Nate shot her an ugly look. “Go back and deal with your bartender crisis. I’ll take care of her.” He led Yvette to a cushion.

“No,” Mrs. Reynolds cried. “Don’t sit on those they’re—”

Nate spun around, his voice terse. “What?”

She stumbled back, touching her necklace with nervous fingers. “Nothing.” She hurried away.

Yvette looked at the pristine couch and hesitated. “Perhaps we should go into the bathroom. I would hate to bleed on anything and ruin it.”

Nate gently pushed her down. “I don’t care if you bleed over everything in this damn room. You’re the purest thing in here.” He moved her hand and looked at her cheek. “For a superficial cut you shouldn’t be bleeding this much.”

“It will clot soon.”

Nate looked around impatiently. “Where
is
that girl?”

“It’s a large house.”

“I don’t care.”

“Nate, your temper.”

“I don’t have a temper.”

“I found it,” Ayo called from the doorway.

Nate held out his hand, annoyed. “Please don’t run. Take your time.”

Ayo ran forward, unused to a valet speaking with such command.

“Thank you,” Yvette said when Nate failed to say so.

“I need some water,” he said. “And I want it cold.”

Ayo placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t take orders from—”

“You will take them from me.”

“Nate—” Yvette warned.

Ayo folded her arms. “I don’t listen to men who are on their knees.”

Nate rose to his feet; Yvette grabbed his hand and stepped into his view. Unfortunately, he was taller and looked over her head. She grabbed his chin. “I’m still bleeding.”

He blinked and she could see him gathering himself. It wasn’t like him to lose control.

“That’s right,” Ayo said with a sneer. “Take your orders.”

Yvette squeezed his hand. She could feel him trembling but he didn’t turn.

“You’ve trained him well.”

Yvette could feel her own temper thinning, but decided to use the tone she used with surly clients. She knew it was better to soothe than argue. “Please. I could really use some water.”

It worked. All signs of anger disappeared and Ayo nodded. “Okay,” she said, then left.

Yvette shook her head and sat back down. “With an attitude like that it’s no wonder she gets shoes thrown at her.”

Nate didn’t smile. “I wouldn’t have missed her.” He opened the first-aid kit and cut a piece of gauze. “I shouldn’t have done this. I shouldn’t have brought you into this.”

“It’s okay.”

He glanced up at her. “No, you don’t know.”

“Yes, I do. I know about the forgotten dish and not enough chairs and now the missing bartender.”

He looked at her, stunned. “But you never let on.”

“I was mocked all through middle and high school remember? I know all about being slighted. But I don’t care. I’ve met some wonderful people. I’ve seen wonderful things. Those who don’t want me around never will, but they can’t stop me from enjoying myself. It’s Leonard White all over again.”

He placed the gauze on her cheek. She winced. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Who’s Leonard White?”

“A guy I briefly dated. He was attractive and athletic. We were quite a pair until I discovered he’d dated ‘mush mouth,’ that’s what I was called, on a dare. When I found out we broke up. He ended up missing me more than I missed him. I told you before I don’t invest in people.”

“You don’t expect them to treat you fairly?”

She shrugged. “Sure. You’ll notice I’m not upset but you are. You’re used to people treating you a certain way. Personally, I’m surprised. I’m surprised I’m even here. I’m even more surprised that people care that much about me, or are that interested in who I am to engage in silly games.”

“Hmm.”

She tapped him on the shoulder and playfully scolded him. “But you’re going to blow our cover if you don’t behave.”

“What?”

“Remember. I’m the society lady. You’re the valet. You can’t start giving orders.”

He let out an audible sigh. “I get protective when it comes to you.”

“You’ll spoil me.”

His serious gaze captured hers. “Impossible.”

Ayo returned. “Here’s your water.” She handed it to Yvette.

“What’s your name?” Nate asked.

The maid resumed her aggressive stance. “Why do you want to know?”

“Because I’d like to apologize. I’m sorry about before. I shouldn’t have been impatient with you.”

Her arms fell to her sides in shock. Then, in a barely audible voice she said, “That’s all right.”

“No, it’s not. I behaved badly.” He turned to Yvette. “Come. Let me take you home.”

“You can’t be leaving!” a voice boomed.

They both turned and saw Ellen coming through the door. She tossed her coat at Ayo and held her hand out to Yvette. “I’ve been looking forward to speaking with you again. My goodness, what happened to your face? Never mind, I already know. Everyone’s been witness to Lily’s tantrums.”

“We were getting ready to leave,” Nate said.

“But you’ve just changed your mind.” She took Yvette’s arm and looked at Nate. “I’ll take care of her from now on. Go and do what your type usually does, but don’t roam too far.”

Yvette sent Nate a helpless look as Ellen led her away. “I see you have a little bulldog.” She patted Yvette’s sleeve. “It’s not a complaint, just an observation. I need you to do me a favor. The speaker for the Care for Animals charity had a family emergency to deal with and I would love you, if you agree, to replace her.”