A Millionaire for Cinderella (5 page)

“Missing the ceremony isn’t going to diminish what you’ve done for the shelter,” Patience said. “People will still know about your hard work.”

To Patience’s credit, her comment worked. Ana settled back against her pillow, her agitation fading. “Will you accept the award for me?” she asked.

Stuart cringed. The humane society dinner dance was a nightmare of society women and their spouses who made it their mission to offer up single granddaughters to every eligible bachelor who had the misfortune of attending. Those without granddaughters used their time to strong-arm donations. The last time Ana had convinced him to attend, he’d left four figures poorer and with a pocket full of unwanted phone numbers. But the organization was Ana’s pride and joy. Accepting her award was the least he could do.

“Of course I will,” he told her.

His aunt and Patience exchanged an odd look. “What?” he asked.

“I think she meant me,” Patience said.

The blush coloring her cheeks couldn’t be as dark as the one heating his. “Oh. I didn’t...”

“I had no idea you’d be home this week,” his aunt said, her eyes looking deeply apologetic, “and you know how I hate to attend alone.”

“You’re more than welcome to go in my place,” Patience added. “I don’t mind.”

No kidding. Her eyes were practically begging him to say yes, they were so hopeful-looking.

Unable to see the silent exchange, Ana waved the offer away. “Nonsense. You never go out. This is your chance to dress up and have a good time. Stuart will go with you.”

“I will?” The painkillers had to be making Ana loopy again. Take Patience to an event where holding her in his arms would be encouraged? Bad idea.

“Someone has to keep the men from pestering her,” Ana said. “You know how persistent some of those people can be.”

Yes he did. In that sea of gray hair and pearls, Patience was going to stand out like a star. A welcome distraction for every senior man there.

Stuart wasn’t sure if what he felt was jealousy or wariness on their behalf. “Ana’s got a point,” he said. “There is no reason why we shouldn’t go together.”

“See, dear? Stuart’s on board.

He could see the moment Patience accepted her fate. Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly and she nodded. “All right.”

“Good, it’s settled. Stuart will go with you to the dance, then tomorrow you can both fill me in on all the gossip.” Ana relaxed a little more, the smile from earlier returning to her face.

* * *

“If you don’t want to attend together, I’ll understand,” Stuart said when they stepped into the corridor a short while later. “I know Ana backed you into a corner. I’ll be glad to deal with these people on my own.”

Why? Was he trying to do her a favor or did he think she wouldn’t fit in at the society function? Patience had to admit the second question had crossed her mind more than once.

She also had to admit that Ana hadn’t backed her into anything. As soon as she suggested Stuart go along, her entire body broke out in excited tingles. Which, now that she thought about it, was a far bigger problem than not fitting in. Unfortunately...

“It’s too late to back out now. Ana’s expecting a report from both of us.”

Patience wished she could read what was behind Stuart’s long sigh. He ran a hand over his features, and when he finished, the face he revealed was an expressionless mask. “Very well,” he said. “We’ll go, collect her award, and make it an early night. That way, neither of us has to spend more time at this party than necessary.”

Good idea, thought Patience. Less time for her to get into trouble.

So why did she feel disappointed?

CHAPTER FIVE

P
ATIENCE
SMOOTHED
THE
front of her dress, then smoothed it again. Why hadn’t she gone shopping this afternoon when she had the chance? The little black dress she pulled out of the closet was too short, too tight and too tacky. Everything about her screamed
cheap
.

It hadn’t mattered when she’d thought she was attending with Ana. Or maybe it hadn’t mattered
as much
. While naturally she wanted to please Ana, the older woman didn’t make her stomach tumble.

Stuart shouldn’t either, remember?

A knock sounded on her door. “Patience?” So much for not affecting her stomach. The sound of his voice made the butterflies’ wings beat faster.

She draped a scarf around her shoulders, hoping that the draped material might camouflage her cleavage, smoothed her dress one more time and slipped into her pumps.

The heels were way too high. Would anyone notice how banged up her black flats were?

“Patience?”

Face it, she’d look out of place no matter what she wore. Best she could do was wear a smile and hope Stuart wasn’t too horrified by her appearance.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.

Afraid of what she might see in Stuart’s face, she avoided raising her eyes past his torso. That view was intimidating enough as it was. He was in full lawyer mode in a black suit similar to the one she remembered from the emergency room. This time, he finished off the outfit with a blue tie, the color of his eyes. To her embarrassment, Patience noticed her scarf matched. Made them look coordinated.
Like a couple
.

Maybe he wouldn’t notice.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said.

“No worries. It was...worth the wait.” There was an odd hitch to his voice. Mortification, maybe? Still afraid to look up and see, she pretended to pay attention to the steps as they headed downstairs.

“The Landmark isn’t too far from here,” he said. “Would you like to walk or drive?”

Once again, she faced the specter of being in a dark closed space with him. “Would you mind walking? I could use the fresh air.” Anything to get the butterflies to settle down.

“Are you sure?” She didn’t need to ask to know he was referring to her high heels. If only he knew how many hours she’d logged in shoes like these. A few blocks’ walk would be a piece of cake.

The night air was surprisingly comfortable. A gentle breeze greeted them as they stepped onto the stoop. While Stuart locked the door behind them, Patience looked up at the darkening sky. A handful of early stars twinkled hello, and she made a quick wish that the night would turn out all right. Remembering their conversation from the night before, she asked, “How much daylight did we lose today?”

Stuart chuckled. “None, actually. The drop in daylight doesn’t start for a few more days.”

“So yesterday’s explanation was wrong?”

“Generalized. I didn’t realize I was going to be quizzed.”

His hand hovered by the small of her back, guiding her down the steps. Patience made sure to walk quickly so as to avoid contact. “I’m sorry Ana strong-armed you into coming with me.”

“I thought we covered this at the hospital. She strong-armed both of us.”

“Yeah, but still I thought I should apologize. To be honest, I’m surprised you haven’t said anything about the fact she and I were going together. I thought for sure you’d comment on it being part of my agenda.”

“I thought about it, but since I know how badly Ana likes to have someone attend these things with her, ’ll give you a pass.” He flashed a smile. “Don’t get used to it, though.”

Patience added it to her list. Right after “going to parties with Stuart.”

They stopped to wait for the traffic light. “I’ve never been to one of these kinds of events before,” she said, while they waited for the light to change. “Any chance they’ll present Ana’s award early?”

“Nope. They need incentive for people to stick around. How else would they get them liquored up enough to bid on the silent auction items?”

“You ever bid?”

“Are you kidding? Those society women are worse than mob enforcers. You’d be amazed at the stuff they’ve convinced me to bid on. And for how much.”

Patience fought a smile picturing Stuart fending off a parcel of senior citizens. “Did you win?”

“Twice. Once I won a gym membership. That was useful. The other time it was a romantic getaway to Newport, Rhode Island.”

“Romantic weekend, huh?” She fought back the intense curiosity that rose up with his answer. Who was the lucky woman? In her mind, she pictured someone smart and sophisticated and who always wore the perfect outfit. Since his dating life wasn’t her business, she settled for the blandest response she could think of. “At least you won something fun.”

“So my secretary said.”

“You took her on the trip?”

“No, I gave it to her as a bonus. She took her husband.”

There was no need to feel relieved, but she was anyway.

They reached the Landmark just as a limousine pulled to the front door and a couple stepped on to the curb. Seeing the way the woman’s diamond cocktail ring sparkled from a block away, Patience’s palms began to sweat. She was supposed to mingle with these people? What was she going to talk about with them? By the way, what furniture polish does your cleaning lady use?

“Hey, you okay?”

She nodded, and adjusted her scarf. “I’m glad you’re here is all. I’m a little...” Why not admit the truth? “I’m a little out of my league.”

“Why?” he said. “It’s just a lot of people dressed up and showing off.”

A lot of people who hired people like her. No, correction. Who hired cleaning ladies. They wouldn’t let her in the door, let alone hire her, if they knew her story.

“What you should really worry about is whether the chicken will be any good.” His hand molded to the small of her back. The warmth of his touch spread up her spine, giving her courage. It was only for a few hours. She could do this.

The couple they saw were waiting for the elevator when they entered the lobby. It took less than ten seconds for Patience’s confidence to flag. The same amount of time it took for the husband to smile and check out her legs. She wished Stuart’s hand was still on her back. Then she could pretend he was with her by choice, and, by extension, the entire room would think so too. Instead, his fingers barely brushed her as they boarded the elevator.

Ethyl Calloway greeted them at the ballroom door. She was a tall, handsome woman who, like their companion on the elevator, was decorated with expensive jewelry. “Stuart! It’s so good to see you.” She kissed the air by his cheek. “How is Anastasia doing?”

“Much better,” Stuart replied. “Already chomping at the bit to get back to her volunteer schedule. We had to practically tie her to the bed to keep her in the hospital.”

“Well, at her age, it’s best she not push herself too soon.”

Her age? Ethyl wasn’t much younger. The way the corner of Stuart’s mouth was fighting not to smile, he was thinking the same thing. “Knowing Ana, she’ll recover so fast she’ll make the rest of us look lazy,” Patience said.

Ethyl looked over as though she was noticing her for the first time. “Hello—Patty, isn’t it?”

“Patience.”

“Right. Ana mentioned she gave you a ticket. I’m glad you could make it. You’ll be accepting Ana’s award for her, right?” The older woman turned her attention back to Stuart. Actually, she physically turned toward Stuart and, in doing so, turned her back to Patience. Not on purpose, she told herself. Even so, she found herself blocked from the conversation. While Stuart nodded and went over details, she stood awkwardly to the side, smiling at the people who glanced in her direction.

“Lucky us,” Stuart said, once Ethyl freed him from her attentions. “We’re sitting at the front table.”

“What does that mean?” From his sarcasm, she guessed not anything good.

“We get our rubber chicken first.”

“Oh.”

“And we get to sit with Ethyl. Take good notes. Ana’s going to want a blow-by-blow recap.” He pointed across the crowd to a congregation in the corner. “Looks like the bar is over there. I’ll buy you drink.”

They wound their way through the crowd, a difficult task as every ten feet some acquaintance of Ana’s stopped them to ask for a medical update. After one very familiar-looking man inquired, she touched Stuart’s arm. “Was that...?”

“The mayor?” He nodded.

Yep, she was out of her league. Please don’t let me do something stupid

“Wine?” Stuart asked when they finally reached the front of the bar line.

Patience shook her head. “Sparkling water, please.” Alcohol would go straight to her head, and she needed to keep her senses as sharp as possible. Another man walked by and checked out her legs. She gave the hemline a tug, on the off chance she could cover another quarter inch or so.

“You look fine.” Stuart’s breath was gentler than the breeze as he bent close and whispered in her ear. “Just a bunch of people...”

“Dressed up and showing off.” She repeated his lesson for his benefit. Certainly her insides weren’t listening. Her skin crawled, positive she was being evaluated by every person in the room and coming up short. What was that phrase about putting lipstick on a pig?

How she envied Stuart and the effortlessness with which he fit into his world. “I bet you go to a lot of these kinds of parties,” she said to him.

“Only when I absolutely have to. Crowds and parties aren’t really my thing.”

“Really? But you look so at home.” Everyone did, except for her.

“I’ll tell you a secret.” He leaned in close again. Damn, if he didn’t smell better than the flower arrangements. “It helps if you think of all this as one big game,” he said.

Distracted by the way his lips moved when he whispered, Patience nearly missed what Stuart said. “A game?”

“One big contest. Society’s version of who’s the biggest. Everyone’s trying to prove they’re better than the other.”

“You make it sound like the whole room is a big pile of insecurity.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Including you?” she asked, although she couldn’t imagine Stuart ever having a reason to be insecure.

“I’ve had my moments. Hard not to when you’re raised by Theodore Duchenko.” His eyes looked down at the glass in his hand, studying the contents. “My grandfather would make anyone feel insecure. He was what you’d call ‘larger than life.’”

She was beginning to think life under Theodore Duchenko wasn’t much of a picnic. “And step-grandma?”

A shadow crossed his features. It might have been a shadow from one of the people in the crowd, but Patience couldn’t be sure. Whatever it was, the passing left his expression darker than before. “Gloria is a case unto herself.”

What did that mean? Before she could ask, he was steering her toward a group of tables lining the side wall on which were displayed a collection of wrapped baskets, photographs and other items. “The infamous silent auction,” Stuart announced. “Everything a person couldn’t want, dutifully accompanied by a heaping serving of guilt.” He pointed to an easel next to the table where a large poster sat. Above the photograph of a big black Labrador, a caption read, “He’s got so much love to give; if only someone would love him back.” The dog’s big brown eyes grabbed Patience’s heart and squeezed.

“Admit it,” Stuart said. “You want to adopt a puppy now, don’t you. Or at least bid on a membership to the wine-of-the-month club.” Patience took a long drink from her glass. The puppy and the wine weren’t the only things she wanted and couldn’t have.

The two of them spent time reviewing the various items up for auction, with Stuart predicting how much he thought the final bid would be for each one. Despite his sarcastic commentary, he too bid on a few items, including a customized kitty tree for Nigel and, to Patience’s surprise, a braided gold bracelet. “This is for Ana right?” she teased. “Because I’m not sure your assistant’s husband would like you giving his wife jewelry.”

“Who says I wasn’t planning to give the bracelet to you?”

She laughed. Wistful quivers aside, that was hardly likely. “Exactly what you give the girl you don’t trust.”

“You don’t think I would?”

“I think...” His eyes dared her to believe his offer. “I hope you’re joking,” she said.

“You’re not into expensive jewelry?”

Not if it came with strings attached, and that was the only kind of expensive jewelry she knew of. “I think Ana would enjoy the gift more.”

There was something very off-putting about the way he reacted to her response. Rather than laugh or look disappointed, he gave her one of those soul-searching stares.

She was about to ask him if she’d said something wrong when Ethyl Calloway reappeared with a silver-haired gentleman behind her. “This is Bernard Jenkins from WZYV,” she said, stepping in front of Patience—again. “He’s emceeing tonight’s award presentation. Since you’re accepting Anastasia’s award, I thought you two should meet.”

On the emcee’s arm was the most statuesque blonde Patience had ever seen without a stripper pole.

The woman introduced herself as a Natalie Something. “We met last year at the bar’s program on the revised probate laws,” she said, pumping Stuart’s hand with enthusiasm.

“That’s right,” Stuart replied. “You’re with Ropes Prescott. Good to see you again.”

The conversation moved into a mishmash of names and companies Patience didn’t know. She could see why Bernard became a deejay. The man knew how to talk. And talk. Patience put on a pretend smile and used the time to examine the lovely Natalie. Her little black dress was current. In fact, Patience was pretty sure she’d seen a picture of the dress in a fashion magazine last month. The woman knew all the “in” jokes too. Every time she laughed, she would toss her mane of blond curls and let her fingers linger on Stuart’s jacket sleeve. Patience squeezed her glass. She’d wanted to know what kind of woman Stuart would date. She had a pretty good idea now. Her stomach soured.

Meanwhile, Bernard Jenkins gave her a wink.

“Excuse me,” she murmured. Without bothering to see if anyone heard her, she slipped away in search of a few quiet moments in the ladies’ room. The draped tables used for guest check-in were empty save for a solo volunteer who was packing unused papers into a box. She smiled as Patience walked by, the first smile she’d received outside of Stuart’s all night.