by Polly Carter
He had a few ideas, but he wasn’t going to waste this weekend thinking about them. Until Ray’s plane arrived, he was going to think only about Pearl. But there was at least one thing he was more determined about than ever, and that was that Pearl would accompany him to Ray’s party, he would introduce her to his mother and his brother, and they would be left in no doubt that he planned to make his future with her. Knowing how excited Pearl was about the party, he couldn’t wait to tell her that Ray was on his way and she would be introduced to his family next Saturday as planned.
Chapter 19
Pearl
Pearl greeted news of Ray’s impending arrival and confirmation of her introduction to Marcus’s family the following week with mixed emotions. She couldn’t entirely suppress her apprehension about what they would think of her and about whether she would fit in with Mrs Holding’s wealthy friends, but she also wanted to know everything about Marcus, and he was so lovely she couldn’t believe his mother was the dragon he portrayed her to be. Plus, she was also deeply curious to meet his brother. It was hard for her to picture another man bearing a strong resemblance to him in either looks or mannerisms.
As well as trepidation and curiosity, though, she was beside herself with excitement to dress up like a princess and attend a lavish party, the likes of which she’d only seen on television and in movies. Marcus had offered to buy her a dress, but she was adamant she would rent one for the night as she couldn’t see herself wearing a designer gown often enough to warrant the expense. He had agreed, adding he had something special for her, though, that he would insist she wore with her rented dress. She’d pleaded with him to tell her what it was but he’d just laughed and told her to wait and see, then kissed her quickly to prevent any further pleadings.
“I think we might be quite busy this week,” Marcie said on Monday morning. “Linda has confirmed her party for Ray is definitely going ahead next Saturday and I’ve issued invitations to our VIP clients to come and view our latest collection. I am acquainted with most of the people who attend Linda’s parties, many are my friends too. I know what they like and they are used to dealing with me, so I will be serving them. You can attend to anyone else who comes in.”
“Yes, Miss Jones.” Pearl said, stowing the vacuum cleaner under the desk.
“Linda throws the best parties,” Marcie continued, leaning her elbows on the counter with her chin in her hands as she watched Pearl begin wiping down the display cabinets. “It’s a shame you’ll miss it.”
“But I’m going,” Pearl said, surprised by Marcie’s assumption she wouldn’t be. She didn’t discuss her relationship with Marcus at all with her boss, but Marcie had seen them together enough for it to be no secret.
“Oh? Well, that is brave of you I must say. I thought you would definitely want to stay well away, unless…” Marcie said cruelly, her eyes squinting to slits.
Pearl realised Marcie was baiting her and pretended not to hear as she unlocked the front doors. She had no idea what Marcie was talking about and didn’t care. She was well aware that Marcie deeply resented having been caught out lying to get rid of her and even more so because Marcus had chosen Pearl over her. But no matter how angry and bitter she was, she was unable to do anything about it if she wanted to keep her job and not risk anyone else finding out she’d falsely accused Pearl of stealing. Not wealthy herself, she relied on the willingness of the Holdings and other wealthy people to include her. Her position was tenuous, she understood that, and she didn’t want to lose favour. She hadn’t yet found the rich husband she was seeking.
The bell on the front door tinkled.
Pearl glanced up from the display case she was rearranging to see Marcie smile ingratiatingly and nod at the two women who had entered. She was about to continue with her display as it appeared Marcie knew the women when Marcie caught her eye and gestured for her to attend to them.
“Good morning. Can I be of any assistance?” she asked after closing the cabinet and approaching the women. She was used to dealing with wealthy clients, and these two women certainly fit that description. Her increasingly experienced eye for jewels told her that the considerable number of rings and other jewellery the women were wearing were all high quality and worth a small fortune. She liked this type of customer because they could afford the absolute best, so she could show off the shop’s most expensive treasures and potentially make big sales. This boosted the shop’s profits and allowed her to buy new stock, which was her favourite part of being a manager. At this stage in her training, while she was allowed to make suggestions, the final say remained with Marcie. So far, she’d accepted most of Pearl’s suggestions, and the jewels Pearl had brought into the shop had mostly sold well.
After a cool nod at Marcie, they turned to Pearl.
“We’d like to see what you have in the way of engagement rings.”
Up close, Pearl could see the women were not, as she’d first thought, of the same age, but were likely mother and daughter, although the older woman had almost certainly spent a pretty penny on trying to deny her years.
“Certainly, Madam. Were you thinking a diamond ring? A solitaire or cluster? Do you have a preference for cut?”
“Show us the largest diamond you have,” the older woman demanded imperiously.
“Of course,” Pearl replied politely, realising ostentation was probably the most important criterion for this client, but she had one ring that had both size and quality. The most expensive ring in the shop, it had only arrived the previous week. Pearl hadn’t been entirely confident when she’d ordered it, despite its quality. It was more expensive than the shop usually carried and larger and bolder than the other engagement rings. Pearl had thought Marcie might veto the purchase, but she’d encouraged Pearl to go ahead; perhaps, Pearl worried, because she believed the ring wouldn’t sell, and she was hoping Pearl was making a very expensive error of judgement.
Pearl took the ring from the display case and encouraged the young woman to try it on. While the customer moved her hand about so the enormous stone showered them with sparkles like tiny coloured rain drops, Pearl pointed out the diamond’s quality, cut and other attributes that made it such a valuable stone.
“There aren’t many women who could wear this ring with style and grace,” Pearl said, “but I can see you are one of those who can. Without the right flair, such a ring would be out of place, but it might have been specially made for your lovely hand.”
The woman, holding up her soft, white, slender hand with its perfectly manicured fingernails to admire the ring, glowed with pleasure at Pearl’s words. She felt their sincerity, and Pearl was speaking from her heart. This woman could indeed wear an ostentatious ring. Such a ring would look ridiculous on her much smaller hand, but its beauty would be displayed to full effect if this client decided to buy it.
“What do you think, Mama?” she asked her companion who was eyeing it covetously.
“They can afford it,” was her only comment as she drew herself up and folded her hands under her bosom.
“Marcie?” the young woman said loudly, flashing her hand in Marcie’s direction. Marcie, who’d been watching from a distance came over. “Do you think Linda would approve of this one? She asked me to choose something suitable for the announcement on Saturday night. I think you might have excelled yourself this time, Marcie. I love it. It makes quite the statement, doesn’t it?”
“It does, and it looks fabulous on your hand, Tina. I’m sure Linda will think it is perfect. Are you having to choose it on your own, then?” Marcie replied, prepared to take the credit and not reveal it was Pearl who had selected the ring for the shop.
“Yes.” The woman called Tina laughed, a controlled titter honed with years of practice. “But Linda gave me her card to pay for it, and at least this way I can be certain of getting one I like.”
“It is a beautiful diamond,” Marcie said, not wanting to praise Pearl’s work but well aware of the ring’s six-figure price tag. “I think Lind
a will approve.”
Tina winked at Marcie. “Good enough for her favourite son, then?”
“Never mind him. Is it good enough for you?” her mother interjected.
Marcie’s mouth creased, but her lips stayed shut and her eyelids lowered.
“I’ll take it,” Tina announced, tossing her shoulder-length black hair and opening her ostrich skin Hermès Birkin bag to take out a Chanel wallet. She flipped it open and handed Pearl a card. “Put it on this.”
“Will you be there?” she asked Marcie while Pearl conducted the business side of the deal with hands she was fighting to control. “Linda usually allows you to drop in, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, Linda has invited me,” Marcie’s eyes squinted further closed and her lips tightened, but her voice was low and even. “I wouldn’t miss it.” Her eyes opened sufficiently to glance triumphantly at Pearl. “I’m quite excited to see Ray again, too, the naughty boy. I wonder how Marcus will enjoy having his brother home.”
“I love it when those boys get all manly and competitive,” Tina went on with an exaggerated shimmy. “They were forever locking horns when they were young men, and now it’s been so long since they were together, things could get most interesting, don’t you think? Especially as I heard Len is stepping down as CEO of Holding Corporation, and both boys are apparently vying for the position. Did you hear?”
Marcie shook her head, and was about to speak when Tina declared loudly. “Well, my money is on my man anyway, even if his brother thinks he can slip in and walk away with the prize. I reckon he’s going to be disappointed for sure—in more ways than one. Being CEO is not the only thing he’s always wanted and isn’t going to get.” She grinned and winked, and the grin broke into the carefully orchestrated titter.
Pearl’s heart was beating furiously and she felt faint, but managed to retain her polite and unemotional persona until the sale was finalised and the women had left.
“Excuse me,” she said immediately to Marcie and rushed to the bathroom, the only private place in the shop.
She was trying to make sense of the conversation she’d just heard between her customer and her boss. That woman had bought an engagement ring and all but said that she was to be engaged to one of the Holding men, their mother’s favourite. Of course she couldn’t mean Marcus, but she’d also said the other brother needn’t think he could ‘slip in’ and take the top job. Ray was the only one that seemed to be doing any ‘slipping in’, so she must have been talking about Marcus, but that couldn’t be!
She washed her hands and face to try and calm herself and regain her composure. She wanted to present Marcie with a completely calm exterior whatever was going on inside. It was to no avail, however; Marcie was waiting to pounce.
“You seemed surprised, Pearl,” she said silkily. “Hasn’t Marcus told you about the purpose of the party?”
“To welcome Ray home, you mean?”
“Oh, that.” Marcie scoffed dismissively. “That’s not the real reason. Hasn’t he told you then? Naughty boy. How mean of him. I was surprised you were going, but I guess that explains it. No, dear,” her eyes glinted sharp enough to cut a diamond. “I have it on good authority that Linda has ordered Marcus to announce his engagement to Tina. Or else! Oh dear, are you shocked, sweetie?” Marcie feigned concern. “But you can’t have imagined Marcus would ever marry you. Even I don’t qualify through lack of fortune.”
Pearl pulled herself up to her full height. She wasn’t as tall as Marcie but she felt bigger. There was no way she was going to allow this horrible woman to bully her.
“I have work to do, Miss Jones, as do you,” she said and walked away.
Chapter 20
Marcus
“Hey, bro.” Marcus, meanwhile, had said earlier that morning looking up from his lounge by the pool as his brother appeared in the doorway. “There’s coffee in the pot. And a feast to feed an army which hasn’t arrived as yet.” He gestured to a table holding heating dishes filled with bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and sausages, toast in a toast rack, butter and jam, and a percolator of hot coffee. “It’s been there for a while, though, but might still be edible, or I can organise some fresh.”
Dressed only in boxer shorts, Ray stretched in the doorway. The preceding few years of self-abuse had left him pale and thin; nonetheless, he was in far better shape than when the brothers had last seen each other. Ray had been such a stoned, dirty, sick mess when last they’d met, Marcus had doubted he would ever see his brother alive again. Yet here he was, looking not unlike a ghost but not actually being one. He wasn’t letting it show, but Marcus was deeply relieved. Despite it all, he loved his brother, and he was glad the worry seemed to be finally over.
“Nah. Thanks, but it’s so late anyway, I’ll wait for lunch I think,” Ray said, pouring a cup of coffee and making himself comfortable on a lounge next to Marcus. He closed his eyes and breathed a deep, satisfied sigh.
“I used to think I might never come back, but I have and I’m glad. It’s where I want to be,” he said. “And, apparently everything has survived without me.”
Marcus grinned. “Yep. Not much has changed.”
“You’re still in the flat on your own, then? I thought you’d be married by now.” It was an observation, not a criticism, and Marcus was not offended.
“I’ve been too busy filling the role of son and heir,” he said calmly but pointedly.
“Touché! Ah, so I guess that’s changed, then, with the return of the prodigal son and true heir?” Ray’s voice was even, but both men were acutely aware that this was a foray into potentially dangerous territory.
Marcus took a mouthful of his coffee, drawing out swallowing it while he paused. Then he shrugged, stared out at the garden and spoke.
“Que sera, sera, I reckon.”
Ray was also staring straight ahead, like a dog that knows that looking into its rival’s eyes will be taken as a challenge and it had best be prepared to defend itself.
“So, you all ready for the big party?” Ray changed the subject.
Marcus laughed mirthlessly. “I’ll happily eat a slab of roasted fattened calf in your honour, bro, but the rest I could do without.”
“I’m quite looking forward to reacquainting myself with some of the fairer sex, sex being the operative word here,” Ray replied, leering suggestively. “Never mind my pale, flabby, scrawny appearance, I’ve always found there’s no aphrodisiac like a fat bank account. I reckon I’ll be fighting the money-grubbers off with a stick, and I’m guessing most of the ladies gracing us with their presence will fit into that category.”
“Doesn’t it turn your stomach?”
“Nah, not really. And, remember, some of the pretty little money-grubbers have fat bank accounts of their own. I’m ready to settle down and can’t say I’m averse to beautiful, flexible and rich.”
Marcus laughed. “You’re right, bro. Some things don’t change. And you will gladden Mother’s heart with words like that.”
“Words like what?” Wearing a long, black, lace robe over a black silk nightie, and black, heeled, feathered bedroom slippers, Linda joined them on the patio, running her fingers gently down Ray’s face before pouring herself a coffee and taking a seat in a comfortable chair by the table.
“Ray was just saying he’s looking forward to the bevvy of well-heeled beauties who’ll be buzzing around the party following the scent of money. He might even marry one if you get lucky.”
Linda’s eyes, meeting Marcus’s, flashed with anger before she composed herself. Ray was oblivious to what had passed between the other two.
“You could do worse,” she said calmly, betraying no emotion.
“Yeah, I don’t suppose Tina Whatsername is still about? I always had the hots for her, but she apparently couldn’t see past my little brother who stupidly kept turning her down. I guess she’s married to some ancient gazillionaire, but if not, I wouldn’t mind another crack at her.”
Marcus shrugged disinterestedly.
Linda stiffened.
“Mother?” Ray persisted.
Linda’s face briefly revealed her annoyance, before quickly resuming its practised impassiveness. She smiled at Ray like a doctor delivering bad news. “Tina will be here, and no she’s not married yet, but I don’t think you’ll have much luck there. I suggest you focus your attention elsewhere. What about Wilma Pleasance?”
“Willow,” Marcus corrected. “Filthy rich blonde with a big arse,” he said to Ray who arched an eyebrow at him. “Mother’s description. Not mine,” he added, shrugging and holding his hands out palms up.
“Can’t say I can place her immediately, but she sounds delightful. I have no particular aversion to a big arse to keep me warm in my marriage bed. So long as the bank account is at least as big.”
“I’m glad one of you appears to have some sense,” Linda said to Marcus with a dramatic sigh. “Maybe you can knock some sense into your brother, Ray.”
Ray laughed. “I tried pretty hard when we were kids to no avail.” His amusement gave way to a more serious expression. “I don’t think you should be too hard on Marky,” he said. “He’s not the one that’s been missing in action. I am.” His features tightened further and his empty fist clenched. Then he relaxed and sighed. “But I’m here now, hardly the worse for wear surprisingly, and ready to get stuck into making large bags of money. When do I start?”
