The Courtship of Dani (14 page)

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I didn't know it was possible to be this happy.

The thought drifted through Dani's mind two weeks later as she stood beside Jason, contentedly observing the throng of gaily dressed people that filled the sprawling living room of his penthouse apartment.

Since she accepted Jason's proposal, the days had passed in a blur of sheer joy and excitement. Even at work—while conducting interviews, sitting in on staff meetings or analyzing the reams of facts and figures and procedural data—she had been aware of the sweet, tight feeling of pleasure in her chest. It was with her always, an irrepressible bubble of happiness that buoyed her steps and lightened her spirit, and brought a small, secretive smile to her lips at odd times.

The smile was there now as Dani watched Jason's mother circulating among the guests. Alice St. Clair, she had learned, was a little fireball. Like her son, once set on a course of action, she was practically unstoppable.

As soon as Alice had learned of their marriage plans she had insisted on giving them an engagement party. Since Jason had been all for a quick wedding, she had come bustling into town the very next day with her patient, long-suffering husband in tow.

At the time, had anyone asked her, Dani would have said that it was impossible to plan such an elaborate party on such short notice, but that was before she had seen her future mother-in-law in action.

Alice had thrown herself into the job with all the verve and command of a general mustering his troops for action. Alternately coercing, cajoling and browbeating, she managed to get an impossible rush job on the invitations, arrange for the best caterer in town— despite the fact that everyone knew they were always booked for six months in advance—order flowers and cases of champagne, and take care of a hundred and one details.

Looking at Alice now, calm and regal in her mauve gown, her salt-and-pepper hair in an elegant chignon, no one would ever recognize her as the small dervish that had been whirling through this apartment for the past two weeks, Dani mused.

As he talked to Clyde Chapin, the president of one of Houston's largest banks, Jason held Dani tucked close against his side, his arm draped casually but possessively around her shoulders. Not really listening, she leaned against him and let her gaze move slowly around the room.

The guests were a mixture of family, friends and business associates. All the top people from Stratter-Lite were there, along with Jason's staff of personal assistants and key personnel from many of his other holdings. Frank and Eloise Manders were also in attendance, though Dani noted with satisfaction that Lewis was nowhere to be seen.

Her smile blossomed once again when she spied her parents, deep in conversation with Edward St. Clair. Dani knew that Sophie and Joe were uncomfortable at a party like this, and she silently blessed Jason's father for looking after them.

Jason finally managed to end the conversation with the talkative Mr. Chapin, but as they moved toward the next group of guests he bent and murmured in Dani's ear, "Will you be all right on your own for a few minutes, darling? Mother is frantically giving me the high sign, so I'd better go see what the problem is."

"Of course," Dani said, laughing. "After all the effort Alice put into this party, we can't let anything go wrong and spoil it for her."

Jason gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Be right back."

Dani watched him go with shining eyes, her face filled with love as her gaze followed his broad-shouldered back through the crowd. When he and Alice disappeared into the kitchen, Dani sighed and turned to join the group of people standing a few feet away. But at the last moment she changed her mind and veered toward the terrace doors.

The noise level dropped drastically when Dani stepped outside and closed the doors behind her. Moving into the shadows, she went to stand by the retaining wall and gazed dreamily out at the star-sprinkled sky and light-strewn city.

The June night was warm and humid, surrounding her like softest silk. Scattered about the terrace were redwood tubs filled with blooming gardenias, and the gentle breeze that toyed with her hair carried their sweet scent. Dani inhaled deeply and smiled. Strangely, she felt totally at peace and wildly excited all at the same time.

The sound of footsteps drew her out of her reverie, and Dani looked around and saw two men strolling toward her from the opposite end of the terrace. As they entered the rectangle of light spilling through the French doors they stopped. One man drew deeply on a cigarette, making its red tip glow hotly.

"That Jason lias got to be the luckiest son of a gun there is. Wouldn't you know he'd find someone like Danielle Edwards. He always said that the woman who had his children would have to be not only beautiful, but bright, too."

"Yeah, well, you know Jason," his companion replied with a chuckle. " 'Nothing but the best is good enough' is his motto. Surely you didn't think he'd settle for an ordinary wife who'd give him ordinary kids?"

Dani moved farther into the shadows, her heart beginning to pound with slow, painful thuds.

"Hardly." The man took another drag on the cigarette. "I'm just amazed that he found someone like Danielle. Hell, with looks like that, I wouldn't care if she had only two brain cells, but according to what I've heard, she's more than just bright. She's bloody brilliant. Like I said, old Jase is one lucky son of a gun." With a flick of his fingers, he sent the cigarette butt sailing over the railing in a glowing arc, and turned to open the door.

As the two men stepped back into the apartment Dani closed her eyes and pressed her knotted fist against her breast, fighting against the terrible pain in her chest. So that was it. She was to be a brood mare and provide him with beautiful, intelligent children to inherit his empire.

Oh, you fool. You poor, simple fool. You should have known. How many times do you have to learn the same lesson, for God's sake? Why did you let your emotions blind you?

But Dani knew why. She had wanted so badly to believe. To love and be loved. To belong.

A burst of laughter broke from her, a bitter, choked sound that ended in a sob. Dani quickly put her fingers over her mouth and fought to push back the tears that threatened to follow. She couldn't cry. Not now. She had to think.

Marriage was out of the question now. Even loving Jason as she did, she couldn't bear to be just a convenience to him, a means to an end. A brood mare. The apt description darted through Dani's mind again and she shuddered, feeling sick.

"So this is where you ran off to. I've been looking all over for you, darling."

Dani jumped and opened her eyes at the sound of Jason's voice. She stood perfectly still, and as she watched him approach through the dim shadows, the pain that surrounded her heart grew excruciating.
Dear Lord, how she loved him... even now.

Jason picked up her hands and squeezed them tightly. They were cold as ice within his warm grasp. In the shadows his smile was a flash of white in his dark face, his hair a pale swath of moonglow. "It's time to make the announcement, sweetheart," he said in a low, caressing voice. "Are you ready?"

Dani's heart was breaking into a million tiny pieces, but she looked back at him calmly, her beautiful face

composed, emotionless, her sapphire eyes as cool as mountain lakes. "No," she said softly, distinctly.

His smile faded. Blinking, Jason gave her a surprised look, then chuckled. "What's the matter? Nervous?"

"I mean, no, there will be no announcement."

"What? But sweetheart, that was the whole purpose of this party."

"I'm sorry. I've changed my mind, Jason. I've decided that I don't want to get married after all."

"What?"

This time the word was a low, incredulous sound. Jason went perfectly still, staring at her, his dark eyes wide and a little wild. His hands tightened around hers, almost crushing the delicate bones. "Dani, what's wrong? What's happened?"

"Nothing," she lied. "I've simply come to my senses. I'm a modern woman, Jason—well educated, with a good job, a promising future. I'm afraid that marriage and the traditional roles just don't appeal to me."

"That's a crock and you know it. Not fifteen minutes ago you were happy with our engagement and looking forward to our wedding." He could see the remote look in her eyes, and fear clutched at his in-sides. She had retreated behind that cool mask once again. Damn!

"I want you to tell me what has happened to make you change your mind," he demanded in impotent fury.

"Nothing. I simply don't want to get married."

"Dammit, Dani! We love each other! You can't do this!"

"Jason, please. My mind is made up." She pulled her hands from his and stepped back. "Since we obviously want different things, I think it would be best if we stopped seeing each other. I'll finish the work on Stratter-Lite, of course. But when it's done I think we should say goodbye."

Jason closed his eyes and rubbed them with his thumb and forefinger then pulled his palm down over his face, exhaling a long sigh. "Dani, we have to talk," he said with rough weariness. "I know your feelings haven't changed in fifteen minutes. And for Pete's sake! We've got over a hundred guests in there waiting for a formal announcement. This is insane!"

"I'm sorry. I know this is awkward but it can't be helped now." Easing around him, she took a step toward the door. "Under the circumstances I think it would be best if I left. I'll go call a cab."

"Don't be absurd!" Jason snapped bitterly, grabbing her arm and jerking her to a stop.

His voice was hard and raw edged, and Dani knew he was fighting for control. Nevertheless, she could not relent. She looked at him coldly and tilted her chin. "Let me go, Jason. I'm going home."

Jason's nostrils flared, and for a moment they stared at each other in a silent battle of wills. There was a disturbed rhythm to his breathing and his face was rigid, the muscles just under the skin twitching.

Finally he spat out a vicious curse and grabbed her elbow. "All right. But you damned well won't call a taxi. I'll take you."

"But Jason! The guests! Your mother and—"

"It's a little late to be worrying about them now, sweetheart. So just shut up."

Stone-faced, he marched her back into the apartment, through the crowd of gaping people, and out the front door, without so much as a word to anyone. The drive back to Dani's apartment was miserable. Jason stared straight ahead and gripped the steering wheel as though he'd like to break it in two, while Dani sat stiffly, her hands clasped in her lap, feeling as though she were about to shatter.

She was relieved when, instead of parking in the underground garage as he normally did, he pulled into the circular drive at the front of her building. When Jason brought the car to a stop he let the motor run and continued to stare straight ahead. Dani opened the door partway, then paused and looked at his harsh profile with pain and longing. "Please tell your parents goodbye for me," she said in an aching little voice. "And tell your mother that I'm sorry about the party."

Jason's head snapped around and his dark eyes bore into her. "This isn't the end of it, Dani. I know that you love me. And so help me, I'm going to find out what went wrong. You can bank on it."