by Alice Ward
This reminded me of the night before and Worth’s assurance to trust him and to call on Mrs. Jessup’s son for a sponsorship. I don’t know why Worth was so insistent, or what could have changed so quickly in the Jessup household, but this definitely bothered me.
Was I unable to trust Worth? Perhaps it was because I couldn’t trust anyone, no matter who they were. I certainly didn’t trust Mother, but Dad had never let me down. Was it possible that Worth was one of the good ones?
I could tell Mother didn’t approve of my seeing him, but why? Worth ticked all the boxes on her ‘best son-in-law’ checklist. So why the hesitation? I couldn’t ask because I knew she wouldn’t be honest, nor would she forbid our relationship because she knew it would only renew my rebellion. She couldn’t take any chances now that I was an adult.
Was Worth the forbidden candy for me? Did I truly care for him? In my heart, I knew the answer.
***
I loved the baby blue Mercedes Dad bought me for graduation. It suited me and drove like a well-trained horse. I skirted Mother’s questions as I loaded the bags of clothes for donation into the trunk and back seat. After dropping them off, I headed for the malls and for the more exclusive shops tucked here and there downtown.
My body changed since I was in school. While I hadn’t really put on weight, the more feminine areas of bust and hips had filled out and the increased exercise of riding had shaped my legs nicely. Thus, I opted for some short dresses that showed these off to my advantage. By the time I drove home, my back seat and trunk were as filled as they’d been coming into town. I carted everything upstairs and began hanging things up. Mother stopped in to see what I’d bought and I could actually see jealousy in her eyes at the assortment and most especially, the size.
“Why didn’t you tell me you knew Worth’s father?” I asked, intentionally taking her unaware.
She looked at me, a blank look on her face. “What do you mean?”
I laughed at her absurdity. “I found the picture in the scrapbook. At first, I thought it was Worth and then realized the timing was all wrong and this man was shorter. You were in the picture, so surely you knew him.”
“Oh, your father was forever throwing those barbecues and I suppose he knew Worthington and included him. I didn’t keep up with all your father’s friends,” she said, although I noted that she called him by his full name and not simply “Worth.” Perhaps he was, indeed, the power-wielding man Worth suggested he was and giving him a nickname seemed too disrespectful. I was glad Worth didn’t feel that way, although I suspected he encouraged people to call him Worth as a means of demeaning the first name he’d inherited. If there ever was more of a rebel than me, it was Worth.
It made me feel warm inside to defend him and to consider him as belonging to me.
After I put the clothes away, I called a friend of mine who had graduated from law school at UK and made an appointment for the next day. I would ask his help in creating the foundation. Then would come the test of asking Jessup for the first donation, as Worth suggested. The prospect didn’t scare me, but it did make me wonder once again what Worth had done to turn things around so dramatically.
I knew, instinctively, that the men in our set were accustomed to handling business deals outside the office. This had long been their tradition and huge transactions went down on the strength of a handshake. Nevertheless, this was becoming a way of the past as new money continued to infiltrate the establishment, and they brought with them their rules and legal advisors. I didn’t want Worth to somehow overlook the transition in how things were done, or to get caught out of his element and be unable to maneuver his way out of the predicament by calling in old favors. He was a grown man, however, and I’d have to trust him as he was asking me to do.
In reflection, I could see that perhaps I’d been unfair to him and wondered whether I should feel obligated to make it up to him in some way. I hadn’t heard from him since the dinner I’d left; he was giving me time to cool down. He not only knew me as a person but as a patient. He understood how I reacted and I doubted he took offense at anything I’d said or done. I just wanted to make sure, though. I went to bed that night feeling considerably more cheerful than when I’d awakened. I had no inkling, however, of how drastically my life was about to change.
***
I rose early and dressed in semi-business attire. I was to meet Brandon Knotts, my friend from college at eleven but had asked him to meet me outside Sunset Village instead of at his office. I think he’d always had a crush on me and was only too glad to hear my voice on the phone and accommodate where I wanted to meet.
I saw his eyes light up a bit as I climbed out of my car. I’d worn one of my new suits, soft pink with a rather short skirt. He kissed my cheek and held on perhaps a bit too long for casual greeting, but I let him get away with it.
“This is it,” I said, waving my hand toward Sunset Village.
“This is what?” he asked, looking without really seeing.
“I want to start a foundation and have the proceeds benefit this home for retirees. I have a friend who is here and it’s pretty dismal inside. I want to improve life here. Who knows where this might lead.”
“And you want me to do the legal work,” he followed, grinning.
“Yes, of course you will. Remember that I know where your skeletons are buried,” I reminded him, smiling.
“You always were a little dickens, Auggie. Seeing anyone these days?” he asked. Brandon could be counted on never to overlook the details.
“Maybe, maybe not,” I said mysteriously. No point in bursting the boy’s bubble until I’d gotten out of him what I wanted.
Brandon turned to look at the home and asked, “So, Auggie, dear, what are you hoping to accomplish with this foundation?” His brown eyes were warm and I remembered him as having a big heart. He was looking especially handsome in a light tan suit and the changing leaves on the trees provided the perfect foil.
“Well, I would like to add some activities to benefit the residents. A stable for carriage horses, an arts and crafts wing, a dialysis clinic, an expanded dining room and a movie theater to begin with.”
“I’m impressed. In fact, I may decide to live here myself,” he teased.
“Relax, Romeo, there’s no one there who’s your type, but I’m sure we can find something useful for you to do.”
“I don’t doubt that… don’t doubt that at all,” his voice was thoughtful. “Well, let me go inside and have a chat with the administrator and see what we’re dealing with. I suggest you leave this to me and I’ll be in touch. What about property?”
I pointed to acreage behind and alongside the home. “Take your pick. Figure out how much you want and Dad will help us get the owner to sell or maybe even donate it.”
“You don’t miss a trick, do you, Auggie?”
“That’s why I ride,” I sidetracked.
“I hope he knows what he’s getting,” he commented.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t be coy. You know exactly who I mean. It’s all over your face. Don’t panic. I’ll still help you, but don’t forget me if things don’t work out. Deal?” He laughed and hugged me.
“Deal!”
“Okay, now go away. I’ll be in touch.”
I left Brandon gathering up his laptop and briefcase and got into my car. On the horizon were heavy, dark clouds, drooping like leaves that were trying to hold back the winter that wasn’t far behind. I shivered, knowing my riding days were soon to be curtailed.
My cell rang and I grabbed it up, keeping one hand on the wheel. It was Worth. “Hello there,” I said in the most neutral tone I could manage.
“Busy?”
“Just left my attorney at the home,” I filled him in.
“As a patient or as a promoter?”
“Very cute.” I couldn’t tell if he was teasing me nicely or being a jerk.
“Have an hour or so?”
I thought about it a moment an
d decided whether to rush home and ride Carlos before the weather came in or whether Worth deserved another chance. “Okay, where do I meet you? I’m not in dinner clothes,” I informed him.
“Good, because I wasn’t talking dinner. In fact, business wear is just fine. Meet me on Morley Road at Lexington.”
I thought momentarily. “That’s the McLean farm,” I pointed out and wondered what was going on.
“See you there,” he finished the conversation and the line went dead.
Now, what’s he up to? I rolled my eyes and began to reconsider. The clouds were building even more and I wasn’t dressed for rain. Nevertheless, I’d promised myself to trust him so I drove to the McLean place and saw him waiting for me. I pulled in behind his car and he came back, offering a hand to help me out of the Mercedes.
“Hi,” he said, kissing me briefly, but warmly. At least I was definitely feeling warmer after his lips left mine.
“So, what’s going on?” I asked and looked toward the looming skies.
“We’re not going far, don’t worry. I won’t let you get wet.” He gestured to the land in front of us. “You know this place?”
“Of course, it’s the McLean farm. I hear they’re in some trouble, though, so it might not be for long.”
“You hear correctly and you’re right, it won’t be theirs for long. For less than twenty-four hours, as a matter of fact.”
“How do you know that?” I looked up at him. Even in my heels, he towered over me.
He bent low and kissed me full on the lips. “It’s mine. Or, it will be as of tomorrow morning.”
“What?” I squealed. “You bought this? Oh my god, Worth, that’s wonderful. It’s a beautiful farm! The barns could use some work and the house, well… but the land is prime and I think it’s all fenced. You could build a whole Steeplechase course and still have plenty of pasture land. Oh geez, you’ve got frontage on two sides and it would be perfect to build training rings and not block anything off!” Thunder droned in the distance. I turned and saw Worth leaning against the fence, grinning.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said.
“I love it! You lucky dog!” I gave him a congratulatory hug, but he would not let go.
Instead, he scooped me up and held me against his chest, kissing me at the same time. “I’m not going to lose you, Auggie girl. I want you with me. Marry me and live here with me?”
I pushed against his shoulders so I could lean back and look at his face. Was he teasing me? Was he really serious? One look at his face and I knew… he was serious.
“Will you marry me, Elizabeth August Langford?” he repeated.
I could hardly catch my breath and my mind was whirling like a tornado. There I was, all prepared to give him another piece of my mind and instead, I was in his arms and the recipient of a marriage proposal. I quickly weighed the impact. Mother would be aghast, so that was a definite positive. I could move away from home yet be close to Dad and best of all, I could have a house of my own, and plenty of land to build anything I wanted.
Best of all?
Was I missing the link here? I would be married to this man. I would become Auggie LaViere and everything that was connected to that. This handsome, successful, brilliant man, who also happened to be known for promoting the position of “black sheep” to an all-time high with his disdain for convention — this man who made my breath pause in my throat, would be mine. I would sleep with him at night and outwit him during the day. Nothing sounded more intriguing and more like me than that exact thing.
“Yes, Worthington LaViere, III. I will.”
Worth clutched me to him and swung round and round, laughing aloud. I’d never seen him be this carefree and it made me laugh.
“You lied,” I accused him.
“What? What did I lie about?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, it’s raining and I’m getting soaked!”
He laughed again and shouted, “You can give me a thousand lashes with that beautiful tongue and I will be forever chastised. Just stay with me, Auggie. I’m in love with you and this,” he waved his arm, “is where we’re going to build a life. We’re going to begin with a house — anything you want, and then you can have your course and your barns and your horses and anything else your pretty heart desires. As long as you always want me.”
I kissed him then, molding my hands to either side of his strong chin. “I love you too, Worth. God help me, I’m not sure why, but I think I do.”
“There was some doubt?” Worth asked, jesting.
I nodded. I wasn’t jesting.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Auggie
I pulled into the drive and ran into the house. Mother was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, the look of disapproval at my appearance all over her face. “Oh, Auggie, your beautiful new suit. What a shame. Why didn’t you take a coat or an umbrella?”
I could tell she was on a bender. She had a martini in her hand and the tone of her voice told me she wasn’t going to wind down for some time yet.
Worth and I had agreed not to tell anyone about our engagement for the time being. We knew there would be an uproar, one way or another. We didn’t want any interference, advice, threats, mocking, or judgment. Essentially, we wanted to be left alone. We weren’t even going to get an engagement ring. I wore his class ring around my neck on a long chain. We’d plan a wedding sometime in the future, but in the meantime, Worth was going to build a new house on the property and I’d have equal input. When the house was finished, we’d begin to think about wedding plans.
As badly as I wanted to tell Mother to screw herself and leave me alone, I smiled and went up to my room. I was amazed how much easier that was to do when I knew I had Worth at my back.
Worth had suggested that we go away for the weekend and I chose to go to a bed and breakfast in Shelbyville. It was a small, charming town between Louisville and Lexington and was filled with dozens of renovated old Victorians. We just wanted time to be alone.
Worth picked me up very early, before Mother or Dad were even awake. I left a note on the coffee table saying I’d be gone for a couple of days — no further explanation. It was none of Mother’s business how and with whom I spent my time.
“You have no idea how hard it was not to say something about the engagement,” I told him as we drove. “Mother laid into me about getting wet, treating me like a child again and her already drunk.”
Worth was strangely silent about Mother. I think he just didn’t want to mix in and cause trouble. There would be enough of that on the horizon once our wedding plans were announced.
We arrived earlier than check-in time and chose the opportunity to wander around town. There was a quaint little shop that catered to everything Scottish. Its walls were lined with bolts of plaid and the clan names were attached to each one, in case the shopper was too far removed from their heritage to know what theirs looked like. I mentioned that I loved Scottish shortbread cookies and Worth bought me a huge tin of them. I adored dipping them into coffee while reading or watching a cozy afternoon movie.
We found a gourmet shop and bought the very first items for our new life together. I loved this belonging; it made me feel such a part of him. I realized at that moment that although Dad and I had a wonderful relationship, he still jumped to Mother’s tune and I had to compete with that on a daily basis.
Worth, however, was mine. I didn’t need to share him with anyone and most of all, not Mother. I didn’t doubt that his own family would pull at him from time to time, but as far as I could see up to this point, he didn’t allow much of that to happen.
We chose a canister set, white with multi-color flowers circling them. The woman was kind enough to pack them up in a box and Worth stored them in the car. He said we would rent a storage locker near our new home and begin to accumulate things we loved there. With that purpose in mind, we bought a padlock with two keys, one for us each. It was these simple things that really made me happy.
T
here were some saddle bred farms in the area and we drove by and even stopped alongside the road to watch the horses running in their pasture. We talked about the horses I would buy and the Steeplechase I wanted to build. I planned to study all the well-known courses in the meantime so that I would have a world-class field. I dreamed of hosting my own events in the future, and Worth said we should take the time to sketch out our farm on paper so we could make the plans to better scale.
To this end, we found a café in town armed with a sketchpad we bought at the art store next to it. We spread our sketching materials across a four-person table and prepared to set to work. I loved the idea of planning my future with Worth. He was brilliant, although he sometimes hid it well.
Worth got up to get us drinks and sandwiches. I’d spied the chicken salad on croissant when we walked in and that’s what I ordered with a serving of fresh fruit. I ordered a raspberry iced tea to which Worth rolled his eyes and I had to laugh.
I was using the ruler to proportionately measure out the lay of our land when a voice came up from my side.
“Well, look who’s here,” said Brandon, grinning widely.
“Brandon!” I was so surprised my voice was louder than I meant it to be.
“Auggie, imagine finding you here in this little café. Don’t you generally head toward the big city when you’re getting out?”
I just smiled. Internally, I was grasping for something redeemable to say.
“Mind if I join you?” Brandon slid off his light leather jacket and hung it over the back of one of the chairs. It set off his eyes which were now sparkling with innuendo and hope.
My eyes flared in alarm. “Brandon, nice to see you. Actually, I’m waiting for someone.” I knew I didn’t want to alienate him since he held the key to everything I wanted to accomplish at Sunset Village. Even so, I couldn’t very well explain all the drawings and of course, Worth, without some indication of what was going on.
