The Wedding Guest: 5-hour read. Billionaire romance, marriage of convenience, sweet clean contemporary romance. (Colorado Billionaires)

by Regina Duke

  “You have an uncle?”

  “A great-uncle. My mother’s uncle.” His expression grew tender. “His name is Kirby, too. He’s the person I told you I’d like you to meet. He kept me going. He’d always been very supportive and kind, but when mother died, he took me under his wing and got me through that horrible month.”

  “A whole month? For the funeral?”

  “We had to—” He choked for a moment, then began again. “We had to ship her body back from Nepal. There were problems. Uncle and I ended up flying over there to—” Again he choked and had to clear his throat. “—identify her. It was rough.”

  “I’m so sorry,” said Madlyn softly. “I apologize for bringing it up. I can see now why you haven’t spoken of it.”

  Kirby took another deep breath. “No, it’s fine. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but telling you about it is a huge help. I’ve kept it inside all this time. My mother was an angel on Earth. She worked as a tutor and a nanny to support me. My father was killed in the first Iraq war. I was four. My mother was employed by a very wealthy family, and we lived in their mansion. A year after my father’s death, my mother remarried. I’ve always felt like the ugly stepchild, if you know what I mean.”

  “I don’t know how you could ever feel ugly,” Madlyn said, “but I do know what you mean.”

  “My stepfather’s son was older than I, and he was the center of the household and the apple of his father’s eye. Mom and me, we did alright.” He shrugged. “But my stepbrother and I have never been close. It’s almost like his father worked to keep us away from each other. I don’t think he wanted us to be close, or even friendly. We went to different schools and everything.”

  “Wow. That sucks.”

  Kirby laughed abruptly. “I’m sorry. Hearing that come out of your mouth was a surprise.”

  Madlyn laughed with him.

  As they talked, the landscape turned into a carpet of rolling green. Here and there Madlyn could see modest houses surrounded by fields. The mist was gone, and the sky was a brilliant blue dotted with white puffy clouds.

  “This is beautiful,” she said. “It reminds me of parts of Colorado.”

  “Good,” said Kirby, sounding much more relaxed. “When I come out and visit, I’ll feel at home then.”

  Madlyn was filled with a warm and tingly rush. “That would be wonderful.”

  “And what about your ex-boyfriend? He won’t come after me with lights blaring and nightstick swinging, will he?”

  “Ha! No way. He’s in Los Angeles, being a big city cop. That’s why he left Eagle’s Toe. It was too small for him.”

  Kirby shook his head. “He left you for L.A.? Sounds like the worst trade in history. Didn’t he offer to take you with him?”

  Now it was Madlyn’s turn to squirm. “He offered to do exactly that, and not an ounce more.”

  “Explanation?”

  Madlyn focused on her thumbs. “He wanted me to come to L.A. and be his kept woman. He was going to set us up in an apartment so we could play house, but he didn’t want to marry me because he thinks marriage means children and he doesn’t want kids.”

  The car swerved so quickly, Madlyn thought for a split second they were going to wreck, but Kirby had pulled sharply into the lot of a tiny hamburger joint.

  Once the car stopped, she found herself pulled into Kirby’s arms and a comforting hug. Kirby murmured in her ear, “He’s a total jerk. You did the right thing. You’re worth so much more than what he wanted to give you.”

  A few seconds later, he let her go.

  Madlyn’s eyes burned with tears. “Thank you.”

  Kirby traced the outline of her cheek with one hand and fluffed her red hair. He glanced about. “As long as we’re here, shall we get a burger? I didn’t have breakfast.”

  Madlyn nodded. “Okay. It’s almost lunch time.”

  “Or second breakfast, at the very least,” said Kirby.

  She started to get out of the car, but he took her hand and pulled her gently back. “As for kids? I want at least six. Just thought I’d let you know.” He winked at her, then let go of her hand and got out of the car.

  The rest of the day was so wonderful, Madlyn thought she would burst from happiness on several occasions, and if not that, at least burst from eating so much good food. They drove all the way to Schenectady, where they had a delightful three o’clock meal at a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant. And when Kirby finally admitted that they would have to turn around and go back to Pawling, they found a rest stop with soft serve ice cream.

  Madlyn was sad to see the day end as they parked next to the B&B. Gravel crunched under their feet in the dark as he walked her to her door. Their goodnight kiss was the stuff of dreams. He waited for her to unlock her door and get safely inside.

  Once she did, she found Vicky sitting cross-legged on her bed in her pajamas, staring at her expectantly. “Welcome back. Sit down. I want every detail.”

  Madlyn laughed softly. “Oh my gosh. Do you think it’s too early to start thinking about wedding decorations?”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Friday morning, November 20th

  Madlyn, Kirby, Vicky, and Brewster shared a table in the dining room. Brewster seemed very quiet, but Madlyn didn’t pry.

  Kirby barely ate a bite. He couldn’t take his eyes off Madlyn long enough to find his eggs. “I’m really sorry, Madz, but Brew and I have to make an appearance at the Manse today. The groom is having a guy thing, horses and cigars and who knows what else.”

  Madlyn nodded. “I understand. Vicky said there’s a gathering of the ladies as well, and she asked me to go with her.” Even though I’d give anything to spend the day with you again!

  “Thanks for understanding.” Kirby glanced at Brewster.

  Madlyn had the impression that the two of them had had words. She hoped she hadn’t made trouble for Kirby. “Is everything all right?” she asked tentatively.

  For the first time, Kirby dropped his eyes to his plate. “Just some difficult phone calls. Hopefully nothing to worry about. Brewster’s on it.”

  Madlyn attempted a smile.

  Brewster acknowledged her effort with what appeared to be forced good humor. “With luck, the biggest event this weekend will be Ray and Maria’s wedding. And unfortunately for your sake, my dear, Kirby is indeed expected to make an appearance at the Manse for at least one day.” He aimed a pointed glare at Kirby.

  Madlyn pressed her lips together. That was that. No running away and hiding from everyone today. But then, she hadn’t spent much time at all with Vicky who’d been very involved in helping Maria prepare for the big day. The least she could do was attend today’s gathering. Tomorrow was the wedding, and hopefully she’d get to sit with Kirby during the ceremony. That would make it so much more bearable, since Vicky was actually part of the wedding and would be sitting with Jason and the rest of Maria’s family.

  Vicky sipped at her orange juice. “Maria’s parents arrived last evening, and her mother and I talked on the phone for two hours before you two got home. Let me tell you, speaking a foreign language on the telephone is the hardest thing ever. My poor brain hasn’t recovered yet. I can hardly wait for Jason to fly in.”

  Brewster showed polite interest. “Is he coming tonight?”

  “Unfortunately, no. He will arrive about an hour before the wedding tomorrow.”

  “So the Darbys have property in Spain?”

  “Yes, and the Spanish branch of the family has been doing an amazing job with our business interests there.”

  Madlyn feigned interest and toyed with her waffle. Kirby’s knee nudged hers, and she giggled.

  Vicky smiled. “Now now, you two. There’ll be plenty of time for giggling after I survive this wedding.”

  Kirby grinned. “Okay,” he said. But a moment later, he and Madlyn were openly holding hands.

  Brewster spared them a grim smile.

  They all rode up to the Manse in the BMW. Vicky made a valiant effort at
small talk, but both Brewster and Kirby were clearly preoccupied. Once they arrived, Madlyn and Kirby could not let go of each other’s hands.

  Vicky teased Madlyn, “Come on, you can do it, Madz. Just open your fingers. There’s going to be cake, and I’ll let you have all my icing.”

  Madlyn laughed. “Okay.” She and Kirby shared a warm kiss.

  “Soon,” he said.

  “Have fun,” Madz replied.

  “How? You’ll be a hundred yards away.”

  Brewster rolled his eyes, but his voice was gentle when he said, “The groom is waiting.”

  Vicky took Madlyn’s hand and tugged her away. “We’ll see you two in a few hours,” she said.

  Madlyn went with her, but her heart wasn’t in it.

  “You’ve got it bad,” teased Vicky. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get to sit together during the wedding. I’ll be translating for Maria’s mother. Her dad doesn’t seem to have the patience to do it.”

  “Poor lady.”

  “She’s really quite charming. I think you’ll like her a lot. After a week of traveling for their honeymoon, Maria and Ray will come to Eagle’s Toe, and her parents will join us eventually as well. They plan to do some sightseeing in the States before heading home.”

  “That’s nice,” Madlyn said, only half listening. She could think of nothing but Kirby. She followed Vicky through a beautiful glass-walled room at the back of the house, along a corridor where maids were silently cleaning and polishing, and toward a set of double doors. Vicky opened them and entered the room beyond.

  As Madlyn started to follow Vicky inside,Vanessa stepped into the doorway. “Oh, no, dear, this is for members of the wedding party. I’m sure you have other things to tend to.” She straightened herself smugly and looked down her nose at Madlyn.

  Madlyn frowned. “Since you’re a bridesmaid and not the bride, I think I’ll just ignore your rudeness. Now if you’ll excuse me, my friend is waiting.”

  Vanessa’s mouth dropped open. She pressed her hand to her throat. “Me? Rude? Oh no, missy. Rude is having the gall to intrude on a private party. This Manse is practically my home. Why, the groom is my future brother-in-law. And as for the bride, she’s a foreigner.”

  Madlyn glared at Vanessa but held her tongue. After all, she didn’t know these people. And what was all this about the groom being her future brother-in-law? Was she stalking other men besides Kirby? Maybe Vanessa did have the right to tell her whether she could join the others or not. Maybe there was some Rich People Rule about such things. But she wasn’t going to back down in front of anyone as unpleasant as Vanessa. She had a few Madlyn Rules, too, and one of them was never let a mean girl win.

  Vicky tapped Vanessa on the shoulder, startling her.

  “Excuse me,” she said coldly, “but you’re blocking the door.”

  Vanessa started to snap at her, but hesitated as she caught a glimpse of the other girls in the wedding party huddled near the baby grand, watching her intently. She straightened her posture and brushed some invisible lint off her slacks, then said in an exaggeratedly sweet voice, “I’m so sorry. Of course you’ll want your assistant at hand.”

  Vicky motioned Madlyn through the door. Once she was inside, Vicky slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Madlyn is a guest, and she’s my best friend.”

  Vanessa had regrouped and waved a hand as she turned away from Vicky to share her next pronouncement with the other bridesmaids. “Well, the musician has invited a guest to the wedding. Isn’t that charming?” She laughed her staccato laugh.

  The other bridesmaids didn’t join in.

  That caught Vanessa up short. She cleared her throat and spread her hands, glancing from one bridesmaid to the next. “What am I missing?”

  Vicky gave Madlyn a squeeze and motioned for her to join the group by the piano. As Madlyn got comfortable in an elegant chair, Vicky said evenly, “It appears you’re unaware of a few things.”

  “Such as?” Vanessa tried to maintain her haughty attitude, but without the backing of the other bridesmaids, her self-assurance was fading.

  “Such as the bride’s last name,” said Vicky, settling on the piano bench. Her long fingers danced over the keys, and the lush tones of the baby grand filled the room.

  Vanessa was confused. “Velasquez?”

  Vicky smiled like a woman with a secret. She winked at Madlyn. “Do you want to tell her? Or should I?”

  Madlyn grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, you should explain it. I just want to watch.”

  Vicky finished her melody with a flourish and addressed Vanessa. “The bride may be a foreigner, as you so quaintly put it, but her family is firmly established in America as well as Europe. Very old money.” She let her right hand trill idly on the uppermost octave of the piano. “In Spain, people actually have four last names, but they often shorten things by using only two of them, the father’s and the mother’s. In that order. Velasquez is the name of the mother’s family. Her father’s last name is Darby.” She plinked triumphantly on the keys.

  Vanessa looked very uncomfortable, but there was no comprehension in her expression.

  Madlyn leaned back in her chair and said sweetly, “Just like Vicky’s husband. Jason Darby is the bride’s cousin and the head of the American branch of the family.”

  Vanessa paled so suddenly, Madlyn regretted taking pleasure in her revelation.

  “Are you okay?” she asked. Maybe she should have specified second cousin.

  Vanessa put a hand to her throat and coughed. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need some air. I’m not feeling quite right today.” She moved smoothly to the door and left the room.

  Madlyn shrugged. “I’ve got to give her points for grace under fire. That was quite an exit.”

  *****

  Kirby had no desire to join his stepbrother and his friends on their ride around the property. It was just an excuse to start drinking early and make jokes in questionable taste. Although he knew several of Ray’s friends because they’d been guests at the Manse several times, he always felt they treated him as an afterthought. He hung back, searching for an excuse not to go along.

  Brewster had settled on a chair near the stables with one of the cooks, who’d come outside for a smoke break. They were deep in conversation about mutual friends when Brewster’s phone rang.

  Kirby froze.

  Brewster answered the call. His responses were short and somber. When he finished, he said, “Kirby, we must leave at once for the City.”

  “Is it Uncle?”

  “His doctor says we should come right away.”

  Kirby nodded, his movements tight and controlled as he made every effort to keep himself together. “I need to tell Madlyn what’s happening.”

  Brewster touched Kirby’s arm. “Can you leave a note? The doctor said to come as quickly as possible. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

  Kirby’s jaw worked with the effort of controlling the jumble of feelings that warred within him, but Brewster was right. Surely Madz would understand. He patted his pockets for something to write on.

  The cook saved the day. He pulled a notepad out of the pocket of his apron and tore off a sheet. He handed it to Kirby with a pencil.

  Kirby wrote quickly.

  “Dearest Madz,

  You have won my heart, and I look forward to the day we can be together again. Uncle has taken a turn for the worse, and I must leave. Please call me as soon as you’re able. Love, Kirby.” He added his cell phone number to the bottom of the page. He was so focused on his task, he didn’t see Vanessa approach from the house.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked. “You look stricken.”

  Brewster intoned, “It’s a bad day.”

  Vanessa sniffed. “Tell me about it.”

  Kirby folded the note twice and wrote Madlyn’s name on it. He glanced at Vanessa, then said to the cook, “Please give this to Maria. She’ll know who Madlyn is. It’s very important that she get it right away.”

&nbs
p; Brewster was already at the car, which was parked on the bricks across from the stable. “Kirby, please.”

  Kirby pressed the note into the cook’s hand, nodded at Vanessa, and left.

  Vanessa frowned as she watched him go. Then her expression cleared a bit. “It must be his uncle,” she said to the cook, using her most sympathetic tone. “I’m going to see Madlyn in a few minutes when I rejoin the ladies. Would you like me to deliver that for you?”

  The cook nodded and smiled, then stubbed out his cigarette and headed back to the house.

  Vanessa ambled over to a bench beneath a naked tree. Its leaves had all jumped ship, practically overnight. They crunched beneath her feet. She settled slowly on the bench and glanced casually about, making sure the cook was out of sight. Then she unfolded the note as if it were for her and read what Kirby had written to Madlyn. She stared at the paper for a long time, then finally swallowed several times. Her teeth ground together, giving her angular features an even sharper look. Very slowly, she refolded the note, then crushed it in the palm of her hand. She took a deep breath, then another. At last, the hint of a smirk settled on her lips.

  *****

  Vicky got up from the piano to a light round of applause from the other ladies present. She smiled briefly, then knelt beside Madlyn. In a soft voice, she said, “Now I feel guilty, like I’m the mean girl. I should go apologize to Vanessa.”

  “I’m the one who landed the final punch. Maybe I should go,” said Madlyn, hoping desperately that Vicky would think that was a horrible idea.

  Instead, her friend looked grateful and said, “Would you? I don’t want any friction so close to Maria’s big day. Speaking of which, I told her I’d come get her when all the girls were gathered. She has little gifts for them and wants to talk about the rehearsal tonight.” She patted Madlyn’s arm, got up, and trotted through the double doors they’d entered by, headed for the staircase.

  Madlyn felt like an empty balloon, all limp and wobbly. “Great,” she muttered under her breath. “Me and my big mouth.” She ignored the other girls’ furtive glances and forced herself out of the chair, mumbling, “Guess I better go look for her. Oh joy.” She exited through the same door as Vicky. The uniformed maids were still hard at work. One was rolling a carpet sweeper, the other dusting picture frames. Madlyn felt instantly comfortable. Here were people she could relate to, working-class human beings with noses that didn’t disjoint when a normal person entered the room.