Tell Me Something Good (19 page)

Noel walked in and a blush started at the
base of Lyrissa’s spine and spread up. Her face felt hot. He was
magnificent in a navy pinstriped Brooks Brothers suit. His broad
shoulders filled out the fabric. He had the sleek grace of a
powerful athlete and the polish of an old-fashioned Creole
gentleman. The memory of being close to him brought back that now
familiar tingle.

“Good morning, Lyrissa,” Noel said, his voice
sounding low and intimate.

She took a deep breath and let it out. “Good
morning.”

“Are you okay?”

Lyrissa sat ramrod straight and assumed a
cool expression. “Of course.”

“Oh, guess I shouldn’t assume.” Noel tilted
his head to one side.

“Assume what?”

“That you felt the same rush I did when I saw
you just now.” Noel walked across the room and stood in front of
the desk where she sat

“Sorry I didn’t melt into a puddle. I’m sure
women do every time you bat those thick eyelashes.” Lyrissa picked
up her pen and started writing.

“So you like my eyelashes, huh?” Noel grinned
at her.

“You’ve got a lot of confidence in your
charm, I see.” Lyrissa didn’t look at him.

“Not with you, lady. You have a delicate way
of shooting me right down.” He picked up a crystal paperweight on
the desk.

“Let me guess. You’ve never met anyone like
me before. I make you feel like you’ve never felt before with a
woman. Blah-blah-blah.” Lyrissa waved a hand in the air.

Noel laughed softly. He didn’t seem the least
bit insulted. “Something like that. Of course I wouldn’t have made
it sound so phony.”

“I’m sure you’ve got it down just right. I
told you it’s not necessary to play the game.”

“I’m not playing a game, Lyrissa,” he said in
a quiet, firm tone. “I think you know it, too.”

Lyrissa couldn’t resist looking up at him.
His dark eyes drew her in. She cleared her throat and looked away
sharply. “No, I don’t. But it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes it does. I can show you better than I
can tell you.” Lyrissa shivered when she looked at him again. She
had to ask. “How?”

Mrs. St. Denis marched in before he could
answer. “Good morning, Ms. Rideau. Sorry I kept you waiting.” “No
problem,” Lyrissa said. She shook off the hypnotic spell he’d put
on her.

Noel leaned forward while his grandmother was
still on the other side of the large room. “We’ll talk later,” he
whispered. He faced Mrs. St. Denis. “I’ll take Lyrissa around to
the relatives. We’ll start soon, as you suggested.”

“Running a large company requires most of
your attention,” Mrs. St. Denis replied.

“The collection is part of the business
equation now and needs my attention.” Noel smiled at Lyrissa.

“I’ll take Ms. Rideau myself.” His
grandmother’s voice held an edge.

“Don’t tire yourself. You’ve got all kinds of
social obligations. The doctor told you not to overdo,” Noel
said.

Lyrissa felt tension in the air. Mrs. St
Denis wore a stiff expression. She glanced from Noel to Lyrissa.
Noel seemed not to notice. He sat down in one of the heavy chairs
facing the desk, totally at ease.

“He’s so thoughtful. But I’m fine. We can
start this week.” Mrs. St Denis put on a tight smile that didn’t
include her eyes.

“I need to know as much about the collection
as possible,” Noel replied firmly. “I’ll take care of it”

They looked at each other for several
moments. Lyrissa held her breath at the silent battle of strong
wills. Finally Mrs. St Denis gave a slight nod and cleared her
throat.

“Of course you do,” she said.

Noel stood. He walked over to his grandmother
and kissed her cheek. “I’m on my way, sweet. Lyrissa, 111 call you
at your office this afternoon. Okay?”

“Sure. I mean, that’s fine,” Lyrissa
stammered when Mrs. St. Denis turned a stony gaze her way.

“In fact, I think we could start tonight I’m
sure Cousin Augustin won’t mind. I talked to him a few days ago,”
Noel said without looking at his grandmother. “I hope you’re
available.”

“I think so.” Lyrissa fidgeted with her
pen.

“Why don’t you check your day planner right
now?” Noel persisted.

Lyrissa wanted to strangle him for pushing
the issue. She took her planner out of her briefcase. “I’m tied up
until three o’clock. I could go alone if you’re busy. Just call Mr.
St. Denis.”

“I’ll make time. This collection is too
important. I’ll pick you up around five. You should be through by
then, right?”

“I could meet you there,” Lyrissa said in a
strained voice. She looked at him, trying to send a silent
message.

“No sense in taking two cars. I’ll pick you
up at your house. I’ll treat you to dinner, since I’m making you
work late.” Noel rubbed his hands together as though the matter
were settled.

Lyrissa stood. She put her planner back into
her brief-case, along with the list of art and addresses. “Then
I’ll see you later. I’ve finished up here.” No way was she going to
be left alone with Mrs. St. Denis.

“I thought you needed to examine the pieces
in the at-tic.” Mrs. St. Denis stared at her steadily.

“I did. It didn’t take long since I’d
examined them be-fore. I just needed one more look after finding
information on them in an art book.” Lyrissa tossed more of her
work tools into the briefcase. She snapped it shut and picked up
her small purse.

“I see,” Mrs. St. Denis said. “Goodbye,
then.”

“Goodbye.” Lyrissa forced a thin smile.

Noel put a hand under her elbow and walked
beside her. Lyrissa glared at him. He smiled back at her serenely.
Rosalie came down the hall as they left the library. Her eyes
sparkled with mischief as she noted Noel’s hand on Lyrissa’s
arm.

“Bye, Rosie,” Noel called out.

“Bye, you rascal,” Rosalie called back with a
grin.

“Rascal is right,” Lyrissa muttered.

Noel only laughed at her comment. They went
to the circular driveway where his Infiniti was parked behind her
Honda.

“Goodbye, Lyrissa. I look forward to seeing
you this evening. Two nights in a row.” He stood close to her.

Lyrissa wanted to swipe the smug look of
victory from his face. At the same time she wanted to kiss him. The
conflicting emotions left her feeling dazed. “Goodbye” was all she
could say.

He walked with her to the car. He opened the
door once she unlocked it. “Don’t look so worried. We’re going to
have fun.” Noel winked at her, then strolled to his car and got
in.

Lyrissa gripped the steering wheel as she
drove to her morning class. There was no denying the pleasant
tickle of anticipation in her body.

“Well?” Carlton frowned as he stared over
Julie’s shoulder.

“No wonder Noel is doing an inventory. This
collection is one hell of an asset.” Julie chewed on her bottom lip
as she read.

“Some members of the family are very
disturbed with his plans.” Carlton wore a pleased smile.

“You could be wrong, you know,” Julie
muttered without taking her eyes off the list.

“I know I’m right.” Carlton stuck his chest
out.

Julie cast a glance up at him. “Sure you
are.”

“What does that mean? I’ve made a few
mistakes, but—” Carlton snapped.

“I didn’t say a thing.” Julie cut him off.
She sat back against the chair with a long sigh.

“This is a waste of time,” Carlton said, his
jaw muscles working.

“Noel is working hard to get everything
listed. I think he has good reason to do so.” Julie crossed her
legs and stared at Carlton.

“Sure he has—her name is Lyrissa Rideau.”
Carlton leered.

“That woman is a phony,” Julie shot back.

“Oops, didn’t mean to touch a nerve.”
Carlton’s pleased expression contradicted his words. “Guess that’s
why Noel isn’t at the office much these days. They’re out ‘looking
at art.

Julie stood abruptly, the sheet clutched in
her fist. “But I’ve got something she doesn’t have. I’m going to
see Mr. Augustin this evening.”

Carlton’s gleeful grin faltered. A baffled
look came into his small eyes. “I don’t know why. Cousin Augustin
is nuts.” “He’s got the best of the collection.”

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet.” Carlton
stared at her hard.

“What are you talking about?” Julie glared at
him. “This scheme of yours is all to your benefit. You want to show
up Lyrissa and score points with Noel. What do I get? I’ve already
told a few of the family they should fight his proposal.” Carlton
crossed to his desk and sat down in his chair.

“What if you need to sell the collection,
after all? You’ve given them ammunition to fight you, too.”

“I won’t change my mind. It’s a stupid
idea.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Carlton!” Julie burst
out. “You’re just saying that because it was Noel’s idea!”

“No, I’m not.” Carlton looked like a stubborn
child despite his size.

“Oh, grow up! You’ve been acting like this
toward Noel since we were kids.” Julie put both hands on her
hips.

“He’s always tried to make me look bad.”
Carlton’s eyes glittered with anger.

“You didn’t need help!”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re on his side. Why
should I listen to you?”

“I want this company to thrive for our
children— Noel’s and mine.” Julie spoke with steely resolve.

“Got your china pattern all picked out,”
Carlton wise-cracked.

She ignored his attempt at humor. “My point
is my interest lies with making sure we all win. Stop fighting Noel
out of stupid, childish jealousy. I’ll help you.”

“Really?” Carlton still wore a guarded
expression.

Julie sat deep in thought while Carlton
seemed to mull over her arguments. The only sound for five minutes
was the ticking of a fancy brass clock. Carlton fiddled with his
Mont Blanc pen. Julie seemed to be far away. She finally spoke, a
calculating expression on her face.

“I think there’s more to this collection than
even Noel or Miss Georgina realizes,” she said.

“We’ll need more than your intuition.”

“Shut up and listen,” she hissed. “I’ve done
a bit of digging. I’m in the process of researching all the
artists. That’s why I’m going to Mr. Augustin’s house.”

“I don’t get it,” Carlton said.

Julie huffed with exasperation. “What if
there’s a missing masterpiece in it? What if one item is worth a
fortune?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Grandmother would know.
My father would know.” Carlton shook his head.

“How? Everything has been scattered for
years, even before your father was born. There’s no definitive
list, Carlton.”

“You really think so?” Carlton stared at the
list in her hands with a hungry expression.

Julie’s pretty features hardened. “There’s
only one way to find out. I’m going to make sure Miss Lyrissa
Rideau doesn’t get there first.”

Noel stole sideways glances at Lyrissa. The
strained but polite conversation had finally petered out. Now they
rode in awkward silence. She sat far from him on the other end of
the front seat. It felt as though there were miles of leather
between them. Lyrissa appeared to be far from him in more than
physical distance. Mindless conversation was better than nothing,
he decided after ten minutes.

“At least the traffic isn’t such a
nightmare,” he said.

“Hmm.”

“But then, it’s almost seven. Too bad we
couldn’t meet for dinner,” Noel ventured with caution.

“I was busy,” Lyrissa said.

“I know. I was just saying it would have been
nice.” Noel looked at her. Lyrissa stared out the window. “Okay, I
give up. Tell me what I did.”

“Nothing,” she said in a crisp voice.

“I kind of maneuvered you into this trip. Is
that it?” Noel tried again.

“No.”

Noel was shaken by her coldness. If she’d
been any other woman, he would have shrugged it off and moved on,
fast. He had done it more times than he could count. But this
wasn’t just any other woman.

“If I’m being too pushy, say so.” His heart
thumped when she sighed. “What I mean is—”

“I’ll let you know,” she said, still staring
ahead.

“Okay.”

They rode on in silence. Noel’s fingers ached
from holding the steering wheel so tight. He willed his hands to
loosen. Words crowded his head, but he couldn’t seem to put them
together in the right combination. Once again he was stumped by her
effect on him. He had no point of reference on how to proceed. He
wasn’t nervous, exactly.

“You’ve got me all confused,” she said
finally.

Noel gasped with relief. “I was thinking
exactly the same thing. I don’t—” He stopped when she started.

“I’m not usually this—sorry.” Lyrissa looked
at him.

“No, no. You go.” He guided the car into the
exit lane.

“I cut you off.” Lyrissa waved a hand.

“Ladies first.” Noel wore a slight smile.

“Chicken,” she teased.

“I’m okay with that, now finish what you
started,” Noel said.

Lyrissa half turned in her seat. “I had you
all figured out, and then you mess things up by being ...
nice.”

“I’m so sorry. Should I be a real fool from
now on?”

“I’m serious. Practically all my life I had
this idea of people like you.”

He could feel her gaze like a soft cloth
settling over him. He pulled up to a red light. “You came to our
house sure of what kind of people we’d be.”

Lyrissa nodded slowly. “I guess I’m a
snob.”

“Everyone has biases. But we can choose not
to hold onto them.”

“I guess you’re right,” she said in a pensive
voice.

“Maybe the answer is knowing your biases and
not being bound by them.” Noel reached out and touched one of her
hands.

“Did you have any preconceived notions about
me?”

“Yes indeed. I thought you’d be boring and
plain.” Noel laughed. The light turned green and he pressed the
accelerator.