Tell Me Something Good (11 page)

Noel stared at Andre. “Tell us about the
micro-mall development on the West Bank.”

“Right.” The young man stuck out his chest
and gave his report

Finally the meeting ended and the staff filed
out. Carl-ton did not move. He wore a sour expression. Julie
started to leave, but paused when she glanced at Lyrissa.

“Have we met?” Julie asked her.

“Possibly. I graduated from St. Mary’s,”
Lyrissa replied.

“Really? You had a scholarship?”

“No,” Lyrissa said and smiled at her
sweetly.

“Lyrissa works for Taylor Gallery. She’s
appraising the art collection and compiling an extensive history on
it as well.” Noel said.

“I see.” Julie gave Lyrissa her own appraisal
with one sweeping head-to-toe gaze.

“Lyrissa will get to work on the family
papers today,” Miss Georgina nodded to her. “I want to talk to you
and Carlton, Noel.”

“I’ll show Lyrissa to the office I had Eddie
set up.” Noel stood.

“You stay here, Noel. I’ll do that for you,”
Julie said.

“Thank you, dear.” Miss Georgina smiled at
her in appreciation.

Noel thought some message of understanding
had passed between them. He started to assert his will, but decided
against it. His irritation vanished when Lyrissa looked at him with
her smoky topaz eyes. Julie led Lyrissa out of the room and shut
the door with a firm thump. Miss Georgina’s voice yanked him out of
a budding sensuous reverie.

“We need to talk about the board meeting,”
she said.

Noel fought to concentrate as they went over
the agenda.

Lyrissa pretended not to notice the way Julie
glanced at her sideways from time to time. Julie examined her. They
walked through a large office area with six desks arranged around
it. Employees talked on phones and tapped computer keyboards.

“So how long have you known Noel?” Julie
asked.

“1 met him and Mrs. St. Denis only a couple
of weeks ago at Taylor Gallery.”

“I see.” Julie looked straight ahead.

So do I. Lyrissa smiled. Julie saw her as
competition for Noel’s attention. They rounded a corner and
approached a foyer. A pretty young woman sat at a desk outside a
large door leading to another office. Edwina Norcross was etched in
black letters on a brass nameplate that sat on her desk.

“Eddie, this is Lyrissa Rideau.” Julie turned
to Lyrissa. “Eddie is Noel’s secretary.”

“Administrative assistant,” Eddie corrected.
She smiled at Lyrissa and extended her hand as she stood. “Glad to
meet you.”

“Hello.” Lyrissa decided she liked Eddie.

“She’s here to do research and—”

“I know,” Eddie broke in. “Mr. St Denis told
me.” Julie’s expression tightened. “Fine, then get her a few
supplies and take her to Roger’s old office.”

“That office is tiny and way on the other
side, near the janitor’s closet,” Eddie said.

“The quiet will be just the thing for Ms.
Rideau. I’m sure your work requires great concentration. Our office
can get pretty noisy.” Julie’s smile lacked sincerity.

Lyrissa didn’t mind. Distance from Noel would
really help her to concentrate. “Thank you for being so
considerate.”

“Mr. St. Denis told me to let Ms. Rideau use
the office right down the hall,” Eddie said with a lift of one
eyebrow.

“She’s satisfied. Get the supplies.” Julie
stared at Eddie hard.

Eddie’s nostrils flared, but she didn’t
argue. She turned to Lyrissa. “I’ll be right back, Ms. Rideau.”

“Call me Lyrissa, Eddie.” Lyrissa smiled at
her. “And the smaller office really is fine.” She didn’t want the
young woman to suffer Julie’s wrath because of her.

“Okay.” Eddie smiled back at her. The smile
winked off when she glanced at Julie again. She went down the hall
and through a door.

“I appreciate your help. Don’t let me keep
you from your work,” Lyrissa said.

“No problem. Noel will be tied up most of the
day. Call me if you need anything,” Julie replied.

“You’re familiar with the St. Denis family
papers?” “Very. Noel and I practically grew up together.” Julie
wore a possessive expression when she said his name.

Lyrissa put on an innocent smile. “Like
brother and sister. How nice.”

Julie’s eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t say
that.”

Eddie came back with supplies in her arms.
“Here we go, Lyrissa. I’ve got a tape dispenser, stapler, paper
clips, and three legal pads. This should get you started.”

Noel walked up. “Good job, Eddie.”

“Yeah. I’m just going to take her to Roger’s
old office!’ Eddie gave him a look heavy with meaning.

“I thought it would suit her needs better. It
gets so busy at this end,” Julie put in quickly, when he
frowned.

“I think we can keep it quiet enough for a
few days. The office right over here is better. Let me show it to
you, Lyrissa.” Noel started toward her.

“Noel, I need to talk to you,” Julie
said.

“I’ll call you in a few minutes, when I’m
through,” he said, and put a hand under Lyrissa’s elbow. “We put a
file cabinet in it for you.”

Lyrissa looked back at Julie. The thin
woman’s eyes blazed with hostility. “You really don’t have to
disrupt your day. Eddie will show me around.”

“I can spare five minutes. Here we are.” Noel
led her down the hall and opened a door.

Lyrissa stared around in appreciation at the
large room. A wide window let in bright light and gave her a view
of Poydras Boulevard. An oak desk sat in one corner. She went to it
and ran her hand along its smooth surface.

“I’m going to get you a desk set. Let’s make
sure the phone is working.” Noel picked up the receiver. “Yes.
Eddie is going to get you a digital clock radio, too. What kind of
music do you like, by the way?” He sat on the edge of the desk.

“Jazz while I work. Blues or R & B would
make me dance instead of work.” She laughed.

“Nice sound,” Noel murmured.

“You like jazz?”

“I meant your laugh.”

Lyrissa swallowed hard and looked away from
those dangerously gorgeous eyes. “Thanks. I’ll just get set up.” He
stood straight. “Right. Let me know if you need anything at
all.”

“I’m sure Eddie will take good care of me.”
Lyrissa had no intention of calling him. She needed distance from
him or she’d never get anything done.

Eddie came in with a wide, flat storage box.
“Knock, knock. Got this from the vault.”

“Thanks, Eddie.” Noel took the box from her
and placed it on the desk.

“Sure. See you later, Lyrissa.” Eddie left
again.

“There are about twenty of these, I’m afraid.
My ancestors were obsessive record keepers,” Noel said.

Lyrissa smiled with pleasure at the prospect
of seeing the most intimate details of the St Denis family history.
“Lord bless them for it!”

“Only a historian would be happy about
digging through all this.”

“You have no idea.” Lyrissa touched the box
lovingly. Her hopes soared. Somewhere in these papers she’d find
the information she needed.

“I’m glad you’re pleased. Now I’ll get out of
the way.”

Noel started to leave, and then stopped.
“Let’s have lunch. You can tell me all about what you’ve
found.”

“I have plans. Thanks anyway.” Lyrissa lifted
the lid from the box. She removed a large folder with a brown
ribbon tied around it.

“Okay. Maybe another time?” Noel said.

“Maybe,” she answered in a soft voice. She
put the folder down and took a pair of cotton gloves from her
briefcase.

“What are those for?” Noel asked.

“Oil and perspiration from human hands damage
old papers. I want to be extra careful.” Lyrissa slipped them
on.

“Right. Well, like I said, just call me.”

“I’ll be fine. Thanks.” She gave him a
distant smile.

“Right,” he repeated. He seemed reluctant to
leave.

“Is there something else?” Lyrissa asked.

“In other words, ‘get out.’ I’m gone.” Noel
grinned at her, and then left.

Lyrissa shook her head slowly. She would have
to avoid him whenever possible. She turned her attention to the
stack of yellowing documents.

For two hours she panned for gold.

Lyrissa rubbed her eyes and rolled her
shoulders. Her neck ached from bending over the documents.
Enthusiasm had changed to teeth grinding exasperation as she waded
through each stack.

The St. Denis ancestors had included every
tedious detail of their lives. Lyrissa might have been interested
under different circumstances. But time was running out. Mama Grace
and Aunt Claire reminded her daily of that fact. The only other
valuable property left from the Joubert legacy was Beau Rive, a
crumbling Creole cottage near Meraux, not far from New Orleans.
Preservationists had warned that it would be lost if action wasn’t
taken soon. Jules Joubert’s grandfather, one of the few Creoles of
color with a small plantation, had owned it Jules had used it as a
country home before moving to New Orleans in 1794. The Louisiana
Historical Foundation would finance renovations, but only if they
had at least one major artifact important to the state’s
history.

Lyrissa stared out the window, trying to
think of ways to speed things along. A firm knock at the door sent
a prickle of anticipation up her spine. She turned, knowing who it
was, somehow. Or was it wishful thinking?

“Come in,” she said.

Noel opened the door and stuck his head in.
“Taking a break yet?”

“More like gathering my thoughts before I go
back to work.” Lyrissa nodded at the folder on the desk. “I’m
trying to narrow my search.”

“Told you my ancestors were obsessive about
keeping records.” Noel wore an apologetic grin.

“I know so much more than I ever wanted to
about nineteenth century chamber pots.” Lyrissa laughed.

Noel strolled over to the desk. He picked up
a page en-cased in a Mylar envelope. “And the art?”

“I’ve found receipts for ten pieces of
pottery, two sculptures, and a painting.” Lyrissa gestured to a
separate folder. “I put those aside. You need to keep them labeled.
You’ll need it for any art sale.”

“For the provenance. I’ve been paying
attention.” Noel’s full lips curved up at one corner, giving his
smile a sensuous quality.

“Good.” Lyrissa glanced down, as though
interested in the papers.

“So you’ve made progress.”

“Yes, but there’s so much more I want to
find.” Lyrissa’s thoughts went to one particular item.

“Maybe I can help.” Noel hefted a second box
onto a side table he’d had Eddie set up for her. He took off the
lid.

“Please do!” Lyrissa joined him at the
table.

“Here we have personal letters and journals
by decade. Reference to the art would most likely be in here
some-where.” He ran his fingertips across the sections divided by
blue and yellow tabs.

“You think so?” Lyrissa leaned a hip against
the table.

“They sometimes attached receipts to letters
about items purchased. So you may not find what you’re looking for
in household lists.” Noel moved closer to show her an example.
“See?”

The scent of his cologne fogged her mind.
“Yes, indeed,” she murmured, and gazed at his strong jaw line
instead of the document.

The creamy tan skin on his neck invited her
to nuzzle it. Thick curls of bronze hair reached to his shirt
collar. A tiny ember flamed into full-fledged sexual attraction.
Lyrissa backed away and stumbled over a stack of boxes. Noel
dropped the files he held and grabbed her.

“Careful! Are you okay?” He wore a concerned
frown.

Lyrissa savored the feel of his strong hands
holding both her arms. She stared into his eyes. Noel’s frown
relaxed into a smoldering temptation.

“I-I should look where I’m going.” Lyrissa
gave a shaky laugh. She drew her arms back, but Noel didn’t let
go.

“Maybe you should stop for today. You’re
probably tired,” he said softly. “I should have arranged these
boxes for you.”

“I’m fine.” Lyrissa firmly tugged free of his
grasp. “I won’t be here much longer.”

“With all this? I’d say you’ll be here three
weeks, at least.” Noel swept a large hand around the room. “But I’m
not complaining. Take all the time you need, Lyrissa.”

Lyrissa tried not to return his gaze, but she
couldn’t resist. His golden eyes were a seductive lethal weapon.
She was losing ground fast. As she’d had to do often when he was
around, Lyrissa reminded herself of who he was and why she was
really there.

“I’d better get back to the gallery.” She
stiffened her spine as she walked past him to the desk.

“Will you come tomorrow?” Noel asked
quietly.

“No,” she said quickly. “I mean, I’ve got
classes.” Lyrissa packed her briefcase.

“That’s right. You’re working on your
doctorate. I’d like to hear more about your dissertation.”

“Believe me; you’d be bored out of your
mind.”

“I doubt that very much,” he replied.

Lyrissa did not risk glancing at him. He had
a nasty habit of putting too much into a single sentence. “Besides,
I know how busy you are. I wouldn’t want to take up your valuable
time.”

“True, my days are pretty full.” Noel handed
her a notepad that she then put in her briefcase. “So let’s have
dinner,” he said.

Her heart thumped at the prospect of gazing
at him in a cozy, dimly lit restaurant Real smooth. She fought her
own reaction. “I don’t think so,” Lyrissa said in a cool voice.

“Why not?” Noel put a hand in one pocket of
his slacks.

“I’m here on business.”

“We’ll talk about art, history, and
appraisals. You are doing research on the St. Denis collection. I’m
a St. Denis.” Noel reached in front of her and picked up an art
book. His shoulder brushed against her body in the process.

Lyrissa shut the briefcase with a loud crack.
“You were born a bit late.”