Heroes Live Forever (Knights in Time) (46 page)

Ian and Miranda eloped to France the weekend they went to Weymouth Hall. The day they returned, he moved into Badger Manor. Alex was their first guest as a couple.

After dinner, Ian and Alex retired to the drawing room.

“I read your History Alive program is getting renewed.” Alex bent to light a cigar.

“Yes, the ratings are excellent.”

Miranda wiped her hands on a towel and joined the men but only half-listened as they talked. She had a plan to introduce Alex to her best friend, Shakira. She just needed the opportunity to present it.

Earlier in the week, she'd broached the subject with Ian over coffee while he read the London Times.

“Forget it. Alex has more women than a dog has fleas.”

“I heard that same cliché about you.”

“We’re not talking about me.”

The paper snapped to attention and Ian buried his nose in the financial section.

Miranda rejected the opinion. Men have no vision about some things. Shakira could use a knight in shining armor in her life, and Alex could stand to meet a nice girl, for once. She told Ian as much.

He lowered the paper long enough to laugh and inform her, "If there's one thing Alex has no use for, or interest in, it’s a nice girl."

Ian was a lost cause. She didn’t waste more breath trying to convince him. She schemed, knew the time had to be right. To succeed, Alex had to be in a receptive mood. Since he was a great lover of wine, women, and food, she waited until after dinner to execute her plan. A nice meal, then a good cognac, Miranda figured he'd be, at least, half way amenable.

The men nursed their brandies, puffing away.

"Alex,” Miranda smiled the sweetest smile as he looked over, “why don't you come with us this weekend? A friend of mine is playing at a small club not far from here. She's interesting and a lot of fun. I think you'd enjoy meeting her. Miranda ignored Ian’s disapproving look.

"What do you mean she's playing at a small club?” Alex nonchalantly flicked his ashes. “Is she an entertainer?"

"Yes, she's the second lead guitar in a weekend band. They perform at local clubs. Shake, my friend, is a barrister by profession." Before Miranda could describe Shakira in more detail, Alex shook his head and reached for his brandy.

"Absolutely not. I listen to grubby little rock bands all week long. I'm not spending my off time listening to yet another. It’ll turn into a mini-audition." His steady, unblinking stare emphasized he'd brook no argument.

Miranda pretended not to notice and presented her friend’s case. "I told you she's a barrister. The band is a hobby. Honestly."

"No. No way. She says the band is a hobby. They all say that until they meet me. Then dreams of being a rock star fill their heads." Alex picked Miranda's hand up and kissed the back of her fingers. "I appreciate the offer though. Please keep me in mind for any of your other friends who aren't musicians."

Ian interrupted as Miranda opened her mouth to make one more plea. "The subject is closed."

She glared at her husband and left to make herself a drink.

Alex cringed at the idea of another blind date. He’d gone on three in his life and that was three too many. He trusted Miranda’s judgment up to a point. But he found out the hard way, women never see their girlfriends in the same way men do. Not to mention, her friend was called ‘Shake.’ What kind of name is that? Bouncers in sleazy Soho clubs are called, ‘Shake.’

Ian met her friend and said she was pretty and smart. A good recommendation, Alex conceded. It wasn’t enough to overlook her participation in some kind of garage band. He could imagine what the band was like. A bunch of chicks with silly New Age names...Karma, or Destiny, or Shake, who played bad cover versions of good songs. Alex downed the finger of brandy left in his glass and poured himself another.

****

The next morning, Alex drove back to Badger Manor. He and Ian left to join a mutual friend and some local riders for a game of polo. They played two matches and then went on to the Bird Cage pub for lunch before returning to Ian and Miranda’s.

Ian hopped out of the car to manually open the gates of his curved drive.

A black Jaguar, classic early 1970’s, V-12 model XKE, in mint condition sat farther up the driveway and caught Alex’s appreciative interest.

Alex’s attention switched when Miranda and another woman came out the front door carrying shopping bags. The two talked as the woman loaded the Jag’s trunk and then went to the driver's door. Tall and long legged, she dressed in tight jeans and a little white tee shirt. Razor straight hair hung to the middle of her back. Large, movie star style sunglasses covered her eyes.

She looked familiar.

The blue-black hair, the shape of her face, the height, Alex removed his sunglasses, squinting, he tried to place where he knew her from. Then, he remembered. He hopped out and hurried up the gravel drive as she climbed into the car.

"Is something wrong?" Ian called after him.

"No." Alex spun as he answered and walked backwards a few steps. Behind him the Jag’s engine started, followed by the crunch of stones. When he turned, the car had pulled away toward the far gate.

He caught up with Miranda.

“Who's your friend?" he asked.

Miranda continued toward the house, "My girlfriend, Shakira. You know, the one I tried to introduce you to."

“That’s Shake?”

Miranda nodded.

“Shakira what?”

“Constantine.”

Shakira Constantine
. At last, he had a name for the mysterious lady he’d danced with at the charity ball, a brief dance which was regrettably interrupted. She disappeared from the event before he had the chance to speak with her.

“Why do you ask?” Miranda said in a sugary, sweet voice feigning ignorance.

Alex graced Miranda with his most charming grin. "Perhaps I was a bit hasty. When and where is her band playing next?"

"Tomorrow night, did you want to go?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

The End