A Gentleman’s Offer (8 page)

“Sorry I’m late,” he teased. “Hope you’re still enduring.”

“I am. Where were you?”

“I was speaking to Cathleen. She has a date.”

Yvette sat up. “A date?”

He nodded. “Surprised me, too.”

“What’s his name?”

“Lewis. The guy you were with.” Nate shoved his hands in his pockets. “You don’t look pleased. Hoping to keep him for yourself?” he said in an odd tone.

Yvette chose her words carefully not wanting to say anything bad about his cousin. “No, it’s just that Cathleen doesn’t seem his type.”

He sent her a significant look. “Types change.”

“Not with Lewis.” She shrugged. “Maybe he’s growing up. Cathleen seems really nice.”

“She is and Lewis may help her come out of her shell. She’s desperate for attention and needs to get away from the control of her mother. She’s already starting to show signs of independence.”

“I guess.” She paused. “It’s just—”

“They’re adults. Don’t interfere.”

Yvette looked pensive.

“Yvette,” he warned.

“I won’t.”

He sat beside her. “I have some good news. You have an appointment next weekend. My aunt has extended an invitation to you to attend her weekly social group.”

“Your
aunt?
Are you crazy? Only a week ago I was trimming the toenails of her dog.”

“That’s all forgotten. This will be a great proving ground. If you can survive her friends you can survive anything.”

“Where will you be?”

“Doing my best to stay out of view. You’ll be fine.”

Yvette was fine the first week she got to be a millionaire. She stunned Nate by first establishing a fund at the shelter for homeless people to come in once a year to get free care for their dogs and to provide some form of help for the owners. She also invested in a company she’d overheard one of her clients raving about and put money into Le Chic Hound for newer equipment and more advertising. Madlyn was so thankful she could have kissed her.

Yvette’s spending habits amazed Nate. He had expected her to go out and buy a fancy car (she said hers worked fine), clothes and jewelry (she said she’d do that later) and visit all the top restaurants and high-society hot spots. Instead her first big purchase was for him.

“That’s for me?” he asked, staring at the large black chair.

“Yes, it’s an insomniac’s dream.” She pushed him into the chair. “It folds into a bed, but first let me show you this.” She handed him a helmet with a visor and placed it on his head. A beach image appeared and he heard seagulls. “They promise that it will relax you and send you to sleep. What do you think?”

He thought she was sweet and didn’t want to tell her that he had two at home. “This is great, but you shouldn’t have gone—”

“It’s no problem.”

He lifted an extra helmet. “You should try it, too.”

“No, I—”

He pulled her down next to him and placed her helmet on.

“We’re on a beach,” she said, fascinated.

“And you’re wearing a bikini.”

“No, I’m not.”

“This is my virtual reality.”

“Then you’re wearing—” she stopped.

“What?”

She waved her hand. “Nothing.”

He smiled. “Even better.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Too late, you already said it. Ah, I see it now…oops your bikini top just fell off.”

“Nate.”

“It’s okay, you don’t mind. I don’t mind, either. Now for the bottoms…”

She changed the scene. “Now we’re in the mountains.”

“In a nice log cabin with a large rug and a roaring fire.” With a touch of a button he made the fire brighter and changed the shape of the rug. “And nothing to do but—”

Yvette removed her helmet and stared at him. “You’ve done this before.”

He reluctantly nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

She stood, disappointed. “I should have known I couldn’t get you anything special.”

“I appreciate it, but I don’t want you to think about me. It’s time for you to have fun.”

And that is exactly what Yvette did. She took a helicopter ride over the city, traveled to Montreal to visit her parents and sister and treated them to a live show. She went to an exclusive spa and indulged in almost every treatment, but as the weekend approached her worries began to build. How would she handle Mrs. Kerner’s friends? What would she say?

“Everything will be all right,” Nate said on the drive there. “You have nothing to worry about.”

Y
vette didn’t know what to expect when she entered the grand residence of Ellen Levigne, but Yvette certainly looked like a wealthy heiress. Her hair was pulled back and held in place with two emerald hairpins. She wore a knee-length yellow print dress that showed off her figure and her magnificent legs. As she glanced around, the antiques and hardwood flooring came as no surprise, but what did was the awkward figure standing near the wall.

“Cathleen,” Yvette said with relief. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“I always come. It’s nice to see you again.” Cathleen looked at Nate and started to laugh. “What are you wearing?”

He tugged on the lapels of his jacket. “I’m supposed to be a valet.”

“You look like a chauffer.”

“Today I am.”

“Get rid of the hat.” She reached for it.

He moved away. “I like the hat.”

“Get rid of it anyway. Tell him, Yvette.”

Yvette shook her head. “I’ve tried. He won’t listen.”

Nate looked around. “Where is everyone?”

“They’re outside. I came inside to greet you.”

“Any trouble?”

“Not yet. Mom hasn’t mentioned anything about Yvette yet.”

“That’s good.”

They fell silent, then Cathleen cleared her throat. “I’d like to speak to Yvette alone.”

“Okay. I’ll go find something to do.”

“Go flirt with the kitchen staff, that always keeps the butler busy.”

Nate shook his head, then left. Cathleen looped her arm through Yvette’s as though she wanted to share something private, but when she didn’t speak Yvette said, “Lewis told me the pictures were ready. Did you see them?”

Cathleen blushed. “They were wonderful. Lewis is very talented. You’re very talented, too,” she quickly added.

Yvette brushed the compliment aside. “That’s okay. I don’t need my ego stroked.”

“He’s also very smart. We talked for nearly two hours.” She glanced around, then lowered her voice. “I had to explain to mother that I’d gotten the dates wrong and then gotten lost. I’d never lied to her so much in my life. I also saw him again this week.”

Penny’s voice rang clear in their direction. “Come, Yvette, we can’t have Cathleen monopolizing your time.”

“How did she know I was here?” Yvette asked.

Nate passed them carrying the newspaper and a drink. “Because she can smell fear.”

Cathleen playfully hit him. “Ignore him. She probably heard our footsteps.”

“We’re waiting!” she called.

Yvette gripped Cathleen’s arm. “To the firing squad.”

Cathleen patted her hand. “You’ll be fine.” They both walked toward the women gathered on the patio. The group was smaller than she’d feared. Besides Penny, there were only two other women. One had a long chin oddly balanced by an equally long forehead and the other wore a fitted paisley dress that emphasized a slim physique that defied any evidence of her fifty plus years.

As Yvette drew closer, she could overhear their conversation. Penny’s voice rose above the rest. “Only two weeks ago she was a dog groomer and then came into money.”

“Astounding,” Long Chin said.

Paisley Dress frowned. “So suddenly?”

Penny nodded. “Yes, some relative left her money. I’m looking after her. I knew she was meant for a better life when I first met her. She owns part of Le Chic Hounds, just as a hobby of course. She likes to make sure all aspects of her business are taken care of. That’s the only reason she would ever groom a dog herself.” Penny saw Yvette and smiled. “Ah, and here she is.” She made introductions—Long Chin was Regina Matthews and Paisley Dress was the host, Ellen Levigne—then they fell into chitchat but a few seconds later a small woman carrying a little dog rushed in and sat down breathless. “Have you said anything interesting?” she asked.

“No,” Regina said. “Not yet. We have a visitor.”

The small woman grinned at Yvette. “I’m Estelle Walters.”

“Yvette Coulier.”

“Always nice to see a new face. I knew that there was someone new because I saw a strange man in the corridor. He was sitting reading a newspaper and when he saw me he actually winked. Is he yours?”

Yvette hesitated, unsure what she meant by the statement. “He’s my valet, yes.”

Ellen nodded. “Excellent choice, my dear. I saw him myself. He’s absolutely delicious.”

The three women nodded.

Yvette fiddled with the napkin on her lap suddenly uncomfortable. “Yes, but he’s just my valet.”

“Of course,” Regina said. “I have one myself. I call him my personal assistant.”

Estelle shrugged. “Assistants are nice. I prefer gardeners.” A sly grin touched her mouth. “They know the
lay
of the land and like to tend to details.”

Ellen shook her head. “Nothing beats a personal chef in my opinion. Good in the kitchen and good in bed. That’s all I need.”

Penny hastily spread cheese on a cracker and began eating. “Yvette is sensible like me. When she wants a man she’ll marry him like I did.”

“Yes, Penny, you can marry a man, but that doesn’t prevent you from playing with boys.” Her face spread into a knowing smile. “And if you have one nearby, playtime is easy.”

Cathleen leaned forward. “What kind of play?”

“Drink your tea,” Penny insisted.

Ellen turned to Yvette. “Call him.”

Yvette paused, stunned. “Call him?”

“Yes, your man. Tell him that you need something. I want to check him out. I can always tell what fun you can have with a man, or boy for that matter, by just looking at him.”

Yvette began to stand. “Okay, I’ll get him.”

“Sit down,” Penny said. “We have people for that.”

Ellen rang a bell and her housekeeper appeared. “Tell the young man in the corridor that Ms. Coulier wishes to see him.”

Yvette looked at the group, panicked. “But I don’t need him. What am I supposed to say?”

“You’ll think of something.”

Unfortunately, by the time Nate appeared she still hadn’t come up with a reason to call him. He stopped at the table. “Yes?”

When Penny saw him she nearly jumped out of her seat. “What are you—”

He stopped her with a look. “Is there a problem?” he asked in a smooth, neutral voice. “I’m here to serve Ms. Coulier that’s all.” He looked at Yvette. “What did you need, madam?”

Yvette searched for a reason. “I wanted the chef to know that I don’t want any spices on my food.” The housekeeper arrived with a tray of glasses and more iced tea.

“I already spoke to her. I also made sure that your iced tea is sweetened.” He sent Penny a look. “Some people can afford the extra calories.”

Penny snatched her drink.

Yvette smiled. “Thank you.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

Ellen pressed the tips of her fingers together. “Do you mind if I borrow him for a moment?”

Yvette blinked. “No.”

She smiled at Nate. “Could you get me that shawl over there?” She pointed to a shawl draped over a lounge chair near the pool.

“Of course.” He walked away and the women watched him—for different reasons. Penny frowned, Estelle grinned, Regina looked curious and Ellen looked like a cat eyeing a canary on the edge of a dish of milk.

“Excellent form,” she said.

Penny picked up another cracker. “I don’t think we should have this conversation. He could overhear us.”

“So what?” Regina said. “Then he might show off for us.”

Estelle stroked her dog. “Is it wrong to hope that he’ll trip and fall into the pool?”

Regina began to giggle. “Yes, he’d look even better wet.”

“So what do you think he’s good for?” Yvette asked.

Ellen turned to her and winked. “Everything.”

They burst into laughter.

“Quiet,” Penny said. “He’s coming back.”

The women quickly sobered. Nate returned and draped the shawl on Ellen’s shoulders, lightly touching her skin.

Ellen rested her hand on his. “Thank you, young man.”

“Speaking of young men,” Regina said. “How is that nephew of yours, Penny? What is he up to now?”

Penny sent Nate a stern glance. “I’m not sure.”

“Will you ever let us see a picture of him?”

“He shies away from pictures. My poor brother only has ten or so pictures of him. I believe most of them were taken when he was under the age of twelve.”

Ellen shook her head. “It’s always hard to pin down a troublemaker, but they’re also so interesting. Has Kim been able to—”

Penny cast another glance at Nate, then an accusatory one at Cathleen. “I think it’s best not to talk about him today.”

“But we always do.”

“I’d really rather not.” Penny glanced around desperate for a change in topic, then noticed Estelle’s dog. “Yvette knows a lot about dogs, Estelle.”

Estelle’s face brightened. “Really? That’s wonderful.” She lifted her dog. “What do you think of Lucy’s new ribbons?”

Yvette forced a smile. The poor little dog seemed to be drowning in them. It had a ribbon around both ears and three down its tail. “They suit her.”

“Perfect color,” Nate said.

“You can leave now,” Penny said.

“No, let him stay,” Ellen insisted. “He can sit by me.” She looked at Yvette. “Do you mind?”

Yvette shook her head and looked at Nate, who didn’t seem surprised at all. He was used to drawing attention. “No, that’s fine.” Nate sat down close to her. She made sure his thighs touched hers.

Estelle adjusted one of Lucy’s ribbons. “She’s a teacup poodle. I don’t mean to brag, but she was very expensive.”

Yvette hoped not. One look at the dog and she doubted Estelle had a teacup poodle. First, Lucy was too large in both weight and height and Yvette doubted she was pure bred because her nose was long, when it should have been short.

“Where did you get him?” she asked.

“Through Marshall Post. It’s by appointment only to see pups at his shop. I actually got Lucy at a deal. He’s wonderful.”

“I see.”
Most scam artists were,
Yvette thought, certain that this Mr. Post had swindled the trusting woman.

Cathleen joined in. “I’ve always wanted my own dog. Perhaps—”

“You don’t need a dog,” Penny said. “You have Binky.”

Yvette was eager to meet this man. “I might want a new dog myself. How can I meet him?”

Estelle shook her head. “It won’t be that easy. As I said, he has to invite you.”

“Is there a way you could make an introduction?”

“He’ll be at the Care for Animals charity at the end of the month. Will you be there?”

Yvette glanced at Nate. “I’ll have to check my schedule.”

He nodded. “Yes, you’ll be there.”

Estelle clapped her hands. “Great. I’ll introduce you then, but I can’t guarantee an invitation to him right away. It took me a while.”

Yvette smiled with confidence. “If he’s a man, an introduction will be all I need.”

“You’re not happy,” Nate said, staring at Yvette in the rearview mirror as he drove her home.

She glanced up. “Why do you say that?”

“It’s not like you to be quiet. What’s wrong with Estelle’s dog?”

“How did you guess?”

“I saw the expression on your face when she told you the breed and you seemed very eager to meet the seller. Don’t worry, no one else suspected. I’ve just gotten to know you. So what’s wrong?”

“I think she was scammed. Lucy is definitely not a teacup poodle and if she spent what I think she did, she was ripped off. Lucy’s a mutt that was sold at a pure-bred price. It is a very lucrative business for bogus puppy breeders to sell dogs with false documents. I want to find out who this man is.”

“What will you do if you find him?”

“I’ll think of something. I’ll track him down and expose him.”

“That could be dangerous.”

“I won’t get into any trouble.”

Nate shook his head, unconvinced.

“Besides, I’ll have you there to protect me.” She frowned. “Then again you’ve probably never been in a fight before.”

“I have.”

She blinked surprised. “What were the stakes? A woman?”

“Life and death.”

Her voice cracked. “Oh.”

“I obviously won,” he said in a dry tone.

“Glad to hear it.”

He met her gaze in the mirror. “So I’d be able to protect you.”

Yvette lowered her gaze, feeling both scared and safe at the same time. Yes, she could imagine him being vicious. She stared at his hands as they gripped the steering wheel, she could see him wrapping them around someone’s neck. She’d seen him upset, but she’d never seen him angry and she didn’t want to. She liked him too much and had never felt this comfortable with anyone except her family. “Pull over.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to sit next to you.”

“You don’t sit next to the chauffer.”

“And the chauffer isn’t supposed to argue with his employer.”

Nate sighed and pulled over to the side, allowing Yvette to climb into the front seat. “Stop frowning,” she told him as she buckled her seatbelt.

He checked the traffic, then merged. “I still think it’s a bad idea.”

“What’s wrong with sitting in the front seat?”

“I’m talking about going after Mr. Post.”

“I’ll just ask a few key questions then I’ll call the authorities.”

“You probably won’t have time anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

“Get ready for invites to a number of upcoming events. Those ladies really liked you.”

“So?” She tapped his hat forward. “They liked you, too.”

He pushed his hat back. “I figured that.”

“Cathleen’s right. The hat is silly.” She pulled it off.

He snatched it back and put it on. “I don’t care.”

“Your Aunt was surprised to see you there. Why didn’t you tell her about us?”

“She wouldn’t have approved. I had to catch her off guard.”

“Well, you certainly succeeded.”

“I know, but my aunt isn’t the topic. We’ve entered the next stage of our plan. You’re in. I hope you’re up for all that’s going to happen.”

“I’m up for anything.”

“Good.” He grinned. “Because we’re going to Paris.”