Coming Home

by Lydia Michaels

  “For tonight. Open it.”

  Her fingers flipped up the ornate bronze clasp, and the box opened with a creak. White netting and ivory-sequined detail filled the faded velvet. It had a scent of time, a little musty with the trace of oiled perfume. The scent reminded her of an empty church. The fabric pulled like a delicate web as she lifted it with her fingers. “What is it?”

  “It’s for tonight.”

  The hairstylist, Fernando, admired the gift. “Very nice. Authentic?”

  “Yes,” Lucian said. “From an antiques dealer outside of the city.”

  “May I?” Fernando asked.

  Evelyn still wasn’t sure what it was. It looked like a decorated sack of sorts. She handed it to the hairdresser, who examined it admiringly and then placed it on her head. It was a hat or a band. The peculiar way he had done her hair suddenly came together. The reflection blinking back at her was a photograph from back in time.

  Lucian smiled. “It’s a speakeasy party.”

  “Speakeasy?” She knew that word. “Like from the days of Prohibition?”

  “Yes. Everyone will be dressed in costumes from the 1920s era.”

  “A costume party?” How fun! She’d never been to anything like that.

  “Yes. I have your dress upstairs. I’ll wait while Fernando finishes up.”

  Lucian disappeared into the front of the salon, and Fernando pinned the delicate cap over her hair. She looked like she’d fallen back in time. It was amazing how he’d transformed her with a few curls and some fancy makeup.

  Lucian escorted her back to the penthouse. When they entered the master bedroom, a gorgeous ivory gown was hanging from the sconce. She gasped. It was . . . majestic.

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it. It’s so luxurious.” The soft material was like layered wisps of clouds running through her fingers, weighted with tiny beads. Detailed bits of lace showed here and there, and the vintage accents told of tired fingers and handmade thoughtfulness. She decided she liked this era.

  “It was worn by a famous singer in the twenties. There are photographs of her performing on stage during that time.”

  “Oh, Lucian . . .”

  “Let me help you put it on.”

  The material was so light, but layered in such a way the dress was weighted. She slipped out of her clothing, careful not to muss her hair, and he helped her with the dress. It slid over her bare skin like a silken sheath.

  “Do I need a bra?”

  “No. Nothing underneath.”

  The gathered fabric hung heavily over her shoulders. Cool beads weighed on her skin. He buttoned up the back and turned her to the full-length mirror, his knuckles dragging seductively from her shoulder to her elbow.

  It was spectacular. Sheer layers of ivory draped over her unfettered breasts, resembling the attire of a Greek goddess. The scoop over her chest was wide. Modesty was protected with an intricate shield of lace, beaded in swirls of roses and white peacock feathers.

  Beneath the swoop of the neckline, the dress fit to her hips, mimicking the same intricate lace covering the span of her breasts. Midthigh, a seam traced to her legs, and billowy layers of the softest sheer silk gathered and poured to the ground like the clouded mist of a waterfall.

  “You put the original wearer’s beauty to shame,” he said.

  This was, perhaps, the first time she ever—truly—agreed with him in terms of her beauty. She looked . . . picturesque. A shock of vanity had her blushing. She cleared her throat. “What are you wearing?”

  “A tux. Here, I have shoes and gloves for you.”

  He bent to his knees and slid a pair of ivory closed toed shoes onto her feet. He carefully tightened the buckle and stood. “I’ll be dressed in a few minutes, and then we can be on our way.”

  He disappeared into the closet, and she allowed herself a few vain moments to admire her reflection. Lucian emerged and she turned, drawing in a long breath. He had taken all of two minutes to trump her beauty.

  Broad shoulders were encased in black. The cut of his jacket was different than his usual tuxedo. This one had tails. A starched white collar peeked over his white bow tie and a pristine, snowy vest with diamond-encrusted buttons covered his chest. “Shall we?”

  “You look fantastic.”

  Paying the compliment no mind, he filled his pockets with the usual items and mumbled a quick thank-you. As they walked through the lobby, guests stopped to stare. It was quite an experience. Rather than fidget and worry what onlookers were thinking, she held her chin up with newfound confidence she couldn’t recall discovering.

  As they stepped onto the red runner with gold tassels, she looked for Dugan. He wasn’t there, nor was the limo. A Patras attendant beamed and opened the door to a sleek Mercedes that had to be close to a hundred years old.

  “You rented an old car?”

  “No. I own it.”

  It was the color of the darkest chocolate. Long fenders bent like shapely legs. In her mind the car was definitely female. The wheels had polished white walls. Rounded headlights protruded from the chrome grille. It was all body with only a little cockpit left for passengers. If there was a roof, it was hidden. Caramel leather seats beckoned behind the slight metal-framed windshield.

  “This may be the prettiest car I’ve ever seen.”

  He squeezed her hand through her satin glove. “Get your license and it’s yours.”

  She gaped at him. The doorman opened the passenger door—from the front, rather than the back the way car doors usually opened. She slid in and her dress shushed against the soft seat. He tucked her gown into the car and gently shut the door. Lucian slid in beside her. The car was already purring.

  “Ready?”

  She smiled and nodded and they were soon on their way. The summer heat cooled as it filtered around the windshield to tickle her hair and tease her shoulders. Driving a car without a top was loud in a hypnotic way. Lucian handled the car like he did everything else, with expertise and refined control.

  She grinned as pedestrians stopped to admire them. A few people took pictures with their phones as they waited at traffic lights and for the first time in a long time, Evelyn thought about the paparazzi.

  Lucian had been very careful to keep the papers out of sight. Trepidation curbed her curiosity as far as their cutting words went, so she didn’t mind his keeping the news clippings out of her sight. She knew the horrid things they were saying linked back to real shame, and she’d rather not witness how badly her personal business was being exploited when there wasn’t really a solution to stop their attacks. Lucian said he’d handle it, and she trusted him to do just that but knew the media hype wouldn’t vanish overnight.

  They were still making headlines, and the media was making all sorts of assumptions about her and her past. Lucian had given a statement to his PR team, admitting only that he was in love and the media would have to wait for further details. He’d told her it was up to her, if she wanted to offer explanations for her presence in his life, but he remained very protective, constantly reminding her that no explanation was required.

  Beyond the distraction of their own personal relationship seemed to be rumors regarding Lucian’s business relationship with the green company he’d been trying to work with. She didn’t know much about his professional doings, but she hoped both issues were resolved sooner rather than later. It surprised her that someone would have the guts to face off with Patras Industries. However, the opposition wasn’t all that brave if they continued to keep their identity secret. The moment Lucian discovered who was leaking information about his deal, Evelyn had no doubt all opposition would crumble.

  When they arrived at Toni’s building, her excitement took a tumultuous turn, swirling in her belly at the unexpected. A valet complimented Lucian on his car and took the keys as a doorman greeted them. They took the el
evator to the top floor, and soft music could be heard from behind Toni’s door. Lucian knocked, and she was surprised to see Dugan answer.

  “Mr. Patras. Ms. Keats.”

  “Dugan.”

  He didn’t let them in. He was also dressed in a tux. A white scarf was draped over his shoulders, and she spotted the hints of a holster beneath the breast of his coat. “The password . . .” he said, holding the door in place.

  Lucian said, “Lá breithe shona duit.”

  Dugan nodded as he opened the door, and Evelyn’s jaw unhinged. She’d never been inside Toni’s condo, but she was sure this was not the way it usually looked.

  The walls were draped in heavy damask fabrics and drawn back with thick cords of gold. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, and a jazz quartet played in the corner. Boxes of booze and hay were stacked with well-planned detail to look haphazardly smuggled. A sleek bar filled the corner of the grand living room. The bartender was dressed in vintage attire, his dress shirt complete with vintage bands around his shirtsleeves.

  Palms of ostrich feathers topped the well-dressed tables. Polished silver accented each place. There were crowded counters set with dealers and games. Lucian squeezed her hand. She’d been standing there staring.

  “Toni does love to entertain,” he mumbled. She turned to him and simply shook her head, speechless. “Shall we find my sister and say hello?”

  “What did you say to Dugan to get in?”

  “It’s a speakeasy. I had to give the password of course. I said, Lá breithe shona duit. It’s Gaelic for ‘Happy Birthday.’”

  “Because Jamie’s Irish?”

  “Yes.”

  As they made their way into the room, Evelyn was in awe. The place was like a portal back in time. Every guest had taken time to dress the part. Not a single detail was overlooked.

  As Lucian said hello to acquaintances and made introductions, she took the time to envy Toni’s ability to do something so grand for Jamie. Evelyn hoped to someday do something along these lines for Lucian. She’d ask Toni for help of course, because she could never be this creative.

  When they found Lucian’s sister, she squealed. “You guys look incredible!” Toni’s gold dress was so beaded, every move she made jostled the long strands. She looked lovely. Her dark hair was down in smooth waves. A feathered gold band wrapped around her forehead and her lips were as red as Evelyn’s.

  She pulled her in for an affectionate hug. “What do you think? Do you think Shamus will like it?”

  “As always, you’ve outdone yourself, Antoinette. I’m sure he’ll be surprised.”

  She beamed and bounced giddily, her short dress dancing about her curves. “Come on, Ev, let’s get a drink.”

  Lucian’s hand tightened over her gloved fingers. She glanced back at him. Drawing her close, he pressed a kiss to her cheek and whispered, “I have plans for tonight. Three drinks and that’s it. Pace yourself.”

  Evelyn narrowed her eyes, but didn’t argue. He was in charge and she was a lightweight. Besides, she’d much rather see what he had in store for her than get plastered. Last time she had too much to drink she’d made a fool of herself.

  As they went to the bar, Evelyn forgot she was in Toni’s home. Everything was so grandiose. The splendid guests laughed and the quartet played. Even the bartender seemed to be a bit in character. Toni tittered on about how anxious she was for Jamie to arrive. Soon a guest Evelyn didn’t know pulled Lucian’s sister away.

  Servers began to butler hors d’oeuvres, and she scanned the now-full condo for Lucian. When she didn’t see him right away, she stepped closer to the wall, trying to blend with a feathery palm. There had to be over a hundred guests there.

  She took note of every man connected to a tuxedo, looking for his handsome face. When she spotted dark hair, she smiled then stilled as the man turned slowly from the woman he was speaking with. It wasn’t Lucian, but he also was no stranger.

  Slade.

  Her smile faltered as those piercing blue eyes connected with hers. He tipped his head ever so slightly in acknowledgement of her presence and she tightened her lips. Not only had that man never liked her, he’d betrayed Lucian. She was half tempted to march over to him and tell him just how unwanted his acknowledgement of her presence was. Screw him.

  As always, he seemed to pay her no mind. He turned and she watched his head move as though he were looking for someone. She had a feeling they were searching for the same person.

  “He’s on his way up! Everyone, quiet!” Toni yelled.

  The guests and quartet hushed as everyone collectively turned to the door where Dugan waited. Just then, she spotted Lucian stepping in from a balcony door she hadn’t noticed. A man whispered in his ear and Lucian nodded, his eyes scanning the area. He was looking for her most likely. She turned back to Slade and saw that he had indeed been searching for Lucian. His gaze welded to Evelyn’s lover in a way that had her bristling protectively.

  She abandoned her feathered shelter and found her way to Lucian’s side. He smiled and took her hand. “Alistair, this is Evelyn.”

  “Please to meet you, Evelyn. I’ve heard lovely things about you.”

  The man clasped her gloved fingers lightly and she replied in kind, though she’d never heard of him before.

  There was a knock, and rather than ask for a password, Dugan opened the door wide. The room bellowed a heartfelt “Surprise!” and Jamie’s jade eyes went wide, his fair skin flaming a bright shade of red. Toni clapped and laughed, then threw her arms around him. He smiled tightly and gently pushed her away.

  “Well,” he said, with a grin that seemed slightly forced. “This is certainly unexpected.”

  The guests laughed and Toni wound her arm through his and escorted him through the crowd. The chatter continued to escalate at a gentle roar. Evelyn caught sight of Isadora and whispered to Lucian that she’d be right back.

  She made her way through the crowd, and Isadora smiled when she saw her. Lucian’s sisters were so very different. While Toni was a bottle of energy and youth, Isadora was a tower of elegance.

  She wore an emerald gown trimmed in gold. Her dark hair was slicked back into a simple bun that only a woman with such elegant bone structure could pull off. She didn’t have the accessories some of the other women opted to wear. Yet, in Evelyn’s mind she was the most stunning woman in the room. It struck her as odd that Isadora was always alone.

  “Isadora,” she greeted.

  Lucian’s sister smiled and kissed her cheek. “Evelyn, you look stunning. Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Yes. This is incredible.”

  “Toni loves to put on a party. I think Shamus would like to strangle her, but he’ll get over it. She means well.”

  They laughed and chatted about the guests and touched on her plans to visit Europe in the upcoming months. There was something mysterious about Lucian’s older sister, but not in a suspicious way. She radiated kindness and always seemed to put Evelyn at ease, whereas Lucian’s younger sister seemed to fill her with a sense of urgency.

  The Patras siblings were like seasons. Lucian was beautiful, but could freeze someone with his icy stares and intense moods. He was the winter while Toni was summer, vibrant and bursting with light. She couldn’t decide if Isadora was spring or autumn. While she was nurturing and maternal, there seemed something innately sad about her. That unnamable sadness was what reminded Evelyn of fall.

  Evelyn finished her drink and traded it for some hors d’oeuvres. Isadora had nothing but kind things to say about everyone she appraised. Toni was ushering Jamie through the melee. Her laughter could be heard from time to time over the quartet. Decided to find Lucian, Evelyn excused herself.

  Strangers smiled at her, and many men chivalrously stepped aside for her to pass. Cool vents rippled the dressed walls and when she peeked out on the balcony, the sultry
air seemed stifling. Guests partook in cigars and voices bloomed with liquor-scented rowdiness. Lucian was nowhere to be found.

  She made her way back through the living room and searched the bar. He wasn’t there, but while she waited, the bartender made her another drink. It was some sort of signature drink made with crushed fruit and gin. She didn’t really care for it, but drank it anyway. She noticed a door she hadn’t seen before and decided to look there for Lucian.

  Making her way back through the crowd, she paused at the entrance. The last thing she wanted to do was inadvertently go trespassing in Toni’s private space. She decided she’d use the excuse of looking for the restroom if anyone questioned her.

  Her gloved fingers touched the knob and the door glided open with little effort. It hadn’t been closed tightly. She stilled when she heard a deep voice whispering.

  “I will apologize again and again. I see now what you saw in her. I was wrong. All I can say is that my intentions were at one point honorable and somehow got twisted into something selfish along the way.”

  She frowned and remained hidden behind the door. Her feet casually stepped closer to the heavy curtain suspended about a foot from the wall so not to appear as if she were eavesdropping, although she was.

  “I’m not losing any sleep at night, Slade. I suggest you cut your losses and move on. What’s done is done. I’ll continue to tolerate your presence out of respect for my sisters and Shamus, but other than the lingering business ties we have, our association is over.”

  Her ear cocked to attention at Lucian’s statement.

  “Lucian, please. We were friends. I made a mistake.”

  Lucian’s curt voice rang of exasperation. “I told you I loved her then and I love her now. You betrayed me and nearly cost me the only person who has ever made me feel this way. You don’t know what it is to fear losing someone you love with an intensity that eats up every hour of your day. What either of us felt for Monique doesn’t compare to what I feel for Evelyn. I can overlook what you’ve done, but I’ll never forgive it completely. Until you love someone the way I love her, I don’t expect you to understand that. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”