Night Magic

by Susan Squires

  Both Kemble and Jane lost it. When Jane finally came up for air, she struggled to compose herself. “Drew, this would be fabulous on you. You’d make it look like royal red. But it. . . . Well, it really isn’t me.”

  Drew looked resigned. “I should have known you wouldn’t want to make a statement.”

  “That’s not it,” Jane protested.

  “I think she doesn’t like what the red dress is saying, Drew. That’s all.” Kemble made his way over to the rack of dresses, now out of their bags, trying to see them with new eyes. What would Jane like? Maybe something outside her comfort zone, but by a few blocks, not continents. He flipped through the rack. Trevor, Giselle, Patrice, and the young one (what was her name? Oh, Chloe) all gathered round, sipping champagne. He grabbed the hanger of one that was kind of coppery and held it up. A pretty color, but maybe not Jane. It would make her hair look plain brown. And Jane’s hair wasn’t plain brown. He’d seen it in the sunlight this afternoon, and it had a hundred colors in it. He put the dress back. Trevor held a silver-gray one with kind of a see-through overskirt. Jane liked gray. Then he saw that the neckline was cut down to the waist. He didn’t even have to turn around to know what Jane thought of that.

  “You just use tape, darling. It’s terribly secure,” Trevor protested, looking over Kemble’s shoulder at what must be Jane’s expression of horror. Trevor wasn’t going to win that battle.

  Kemble pressed on. So, nothing too risqué. Okay, that champagne-colored sequin one he’d seen first. Not a really bright color, which was good, and the fabric would be very slinky on Jane. He’d like that. Neck looked to be low cut, but probably wouldn’t need Trevor’s tape. He handed it to Giselle.

  “Nude is very in,” Trevor remarked. “Everyone’s wearing it.”

  Did he have to call it “nude”? That would freak Jane out for sure. He didn’t turn to look at her though. That might make him lose his nerve. He pulled out a light blue one that a big skirt that looked like a heap of feathers. He glanced to Drew who was trying to turn an expression of disapproval into neutrality. Tough, Drew. This was about Jane, not his sister, and Jane might think all those feathers were very feminine. That other really vibrant blue one would look lovely against Jane’s creamy skin, but he didn’t want to chance such a deep color. Not this first time. He smiled. That felt good. There would be other times to pick out very expensive dresses for Jane. They had a life together ahead of them.

  He moved to the second rack and his smile grew into a grin. Oh, yeah. He pulled it out. It looked like the bodice was form fitting. But it had almost see-through drapey parts that gathered up to one side under this kind of fabric flower thing. It was soft pink. He couldn’t help but touch the silky fall of the semi-see-through stuff. A bunch of the fabric pooled on the floor even when he held it high.

  He turned to Jane. “I kind of like what this one says.” He shrugged apologetically. “It looks like you.”

  “Not bad, brother dear,” Drew drawled. “It will show off her figure without being edgy in any sense of the word.”

  Kemble frowned at her. “Edgy is not the be-all and end-all of dressing up.”

  Drew bit her lip to hide a smile. “Of course not.”

  “Well,” Trevor puffed. “Let’s just try it on and see.” He reached for the dress but Kemble snatched it out of his reach. Trevor acted like he would be personally involved.

  “Would you try it on?” he asked Jane. She was probably tired of being talked about as though she wasn’t there.

  Jane blushed and nodded. Kemble handed the dress to her.

  “Chloe, the pink suede Sergios,” Trevor called over his shoulder. Giselle, Patrice, and Trevor descended on Jane. Kemble discreetly turned his back and went to pour himself some champagne. He’d better find some munchies soon or they’d all be potted at this rate. By the time he turned back, the red dress was laid on one of the couches and there was a flurry of activity around Jane. The pink dress was lowered over her head from above. Trevor was tweaking things. Giselle was tugging something.

  “Ouch!” Jane exclaimed.

  “Well, you just have to suck it in a little more, honey,” Trevor admonished. “We’ll sew you into this if it turns out it’s the one.”

  Giselle straightened. Chloe came over with a pair of suede platform sandals in delicate pink that just matched the dress. Trevor steadied Jane as she stepped into them, making her about four inches higher.

  “Oh, these aren’t as bad as I thought they’d be,” she exclaimed in surprise.

  “Platforms, darling,” Trevor said. “Excellent cheaters for those who aren’t accustomed to very high heels. Which would be you,” he added for clarity.

  Drew came over to stand next to Kemble. “If she accepts this one, you’ll have performed a miracle,” she said, sotto voce. “It’s really very good on her.”

  The fashion crew stepped away. Kemble caught his breath. The dress was gorgeous. It turned out to have wide straps of the see-through material that were pushed down to reveal her shoulders, and a train. The drape of the fabric across one hip was vaguely Grecian, and there was a slit up the front, so he could see her delicate ankles in the strappy sandals. He couldn’t help what he was sure was a stupid grin. Now everyone was going to realize how beautiful Jane was.

  Drew squeezed his arm. Jane squinted and turned to the mirror. The look of shock on her face was priceless. The dress was tight enough that Jane’s breasts rose and fell quite delightfully with her breathing.

  “Oh, my.”

  They all waited.

  “Is that it?” Drew asked sharply. “Oh my?” She strode forward. “That is the most beautiful dress I’ve seen on anyone in a long time.”

  “You wouldn’t wear it,” Jane said in a small voice.

  “Not on a bet,” Drew agreed. “Wouldn’t suit my coloring at all. I liked the one I’m pretty sure I heard you call ‘Bordello red.’ But that doesn’t mean this isn’t perfect for you.”

  Jane picked up some of the delicate trailing fabric and let it run through her hands. She glanced to Kemble in the mirror. “You don’t think it’s too much?”

  “I love it,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I? I picked it out.”

  Jane moved her leg and the slit in front showed lots of lovely calf and knee and even thigh. “Oh.”

  Kemble moved to her side, gently pushing Drew out of the way. “That’s one of the best parts.” He fingered the pink fabric falling over the tops of her arms. “I like this part too. Very sexy, but innocent too, you know?”

  “In short, fabulous,” Trevor agreed. “Perfect with your skin tone. Elie’s new line was such a hit in Paris this spring.”

  Jane stared into the mirror and her smile was so tiny and so tentative that Kemble just wanted to hug her. “I’ve never had a dress like this.”

  “Then it’s about time,” Kemble said brusquely. “Send the bill around, Trevor. Include the shoes and anything else she needs.”

  Kemble could have cursed himself as he saw Jane’s face fall. “Oh, this must be terribly expensive. Maybe. . . .”

  Kemble cut her short. “I hope so. I want all the other women at the opening tonight to drool in envy.”

  “Which they will,” Drew added forcefully. “Not everyone has the complexion to wear that shade, or the figure to pull off the hourglass shape. It doesn’t matter what it costs. Only how you look to your husband.”

  Jane straightened. She nodded as though encouraging herself then glanced to Kemble. “I’ll need a small evening bag,” she said resolutely.

  “Chloe,” Trevor said, waving a hand vaguely in her direction, while his eyes never left Jane.. “Clutches. Giselle, call Fredrick. Get him over here to do her hair and makeup.” He bustled over to Jane. “Complete makeover. We’ll take care of everything, little flower.”

  “I don’t usually wear makeup,” Jane said doubtfully, squinting again.

  Kemble handed over her champagne glass from where it perched on the glass and chrome coffee table. “I
’m sure they won’t make it too extreme.” He glared at Trevor.

  “Oh, Fredrick is a positive genius at subtlety,” Trevor soothed, recovering. “We’ll give him very specific instructions. Now, what about jewels?”

  “Oh, I know just what I want to wear with this.” She glanced shyly to Kemble. “Your mother’s locket, don’t you think?”

  She might be trying to forestall him buying her diamonds. That wouldn’t work for long. He was going to buy Jane enough bling to blind the Hubble telescope. But for now, he had to reward her courage in stepping out of her comfort zone. He glanced to Drew, who nodded. “Perfect,” they said in unison.

  “You’ll need some drop earrings,” Drew added.

  “Noted,” Trevor said, pointing from over his head at Giselle.

  Kemble held up his hand as the bustle started in. “Before we get all wound up again, time for a toast.” Everyone scrambled for glasses. Drew topped them off with the second bottle of champagne. “To my wife,” he said, holding up his glass and smiling at Jane. “Who will be the most beautiful creature at the museum tonight.”

  The team murmured, “Hear, hear.”

  “And to my brother,” Drew added. “The luckiest bastard alive. Appreciate her, brother.”

  Everyone sipped again.

  “I do,” Kemble whispered to himself more than to them, as he stared at his still (and always) blushing bride. How had he never seen how perfect Jane was? He was lucky. He might just have fallen into the best thing that ever happened to him. And he was damned sure he was going to make Jane happy. Because he wanted her around. Always. Maybe not having magic wasn’t so bad after all.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  On the way over to the Breakers that night to meet the rest of their party for the drive into the museum, Kemble decided to broach an awkward subject. Maybe not the right time. Jane was looking so lovely and he wanted this night to be perfect for her. But something had been bothering him all afternoon as she was primped and prepared for her debut as his wife. All his focus had been on getting her the right dress. Maybe he’d missed something more important.

  “Jane, there’s something I want to ask you.”

  “Ask away,” she said, smiling over at him in the darkness. No houses lined P.V. Drive out here. Not even the flash of an occasional streetlight lit her face.

  He cleared his throat. “I, uh, noticed you squinting all afternoon. Should we maybe be making an appointment with an optometrist?”

  Immediately she looked down at her hands. She was illustrating why they called those little purses a “clutch.” “No.” She took a breath. “I see fine. I, uh, just. . . . Well, the light bothers me when it’s very bright.”

  In a flash, Kemble realized that it was he who had been blind. Jane, who always sat in shadow outdoors, who picked the dimmest corner of the room when given a choice, was uncomfortable in bright light. And he had bought her a house with floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, most of which didn’t even have any way to shut out the light. He’d failed her. More than that, he’d been a cad, thinking only of how the house would impress her, not how comfortable it would be for her.

  “God, Jane,” he whispered. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  She reached out impulsively to take his sleeve. “Don’t. It’s a beautiful house. And I hate that look on your face more than anything.”

  Did she always know just what he was thinking? He set his lips grimly. “I’ll put it on the market tomorrow. We’ll look for something more suitable. Together.” Another light bulb went off. Was that why his mother had looked unhappy with him when he said he’d bought Jane a house? Did she know it wouldn’t suit Jane? No. That couldn’t be it. His mother had never seen the house at that point.

  “You won’t sell it,” Jane said firmly. “It’s a wonderful house.” It was her turn to clear her throat. Then she took a big breath and rushed ahead. “Maybe we can just make a few changes so it seems more like ours.” She gave a rueful smile. “Like maybe some draperies, or shutters.”

  Kemble sucked in a breath as realizations cascaded over him. Jane always looked so at home at the Breakers. But the Breakers was a very different house than that modern, echoing chamber of stone and glass and chrome sitting in a development of sixty houses, each as sterile as the next, that he’d bought her. Plus, he’d taken away Jane’s ability to join him in the decision about where they’d live. It was furnished, so she couldn’t even make her mark on it. It had belonged to some playboy basketball star. And right now, it still did.

  That was why his mother was unhappy with his decision to buy Jane a house; because he’d done it without even asking his new wife.

  Kemble set his jaw, trying for control. His father and mother had picked out the Breakers together. He’d heard the story a hundred times. Then Senior bought it for her. Can’t I get anything right? And his mother had made it into a home that reflected both of them. His father bought the Remington bronze of the cowboy and the bucking bronco. It held a central place in the living room. His mother hung Kee’s paintings and made a place of honor for Lanyon’s grand piano in the front window niche. They got the rug for the living room together in Turkey on one of their trips. She bought the china they used in Spain along with the wrought-iron chandelier over the dining table. Their house reflected their lives together and their family.

  “Well, it’s hard to think of a less sensitive guy than me, isn’t it?” he asked, through gritted teeth. What an ass he was.

  “Don’t. Don’t say that about you,” she pleaded. “You’re fine.”

  “I’m not fine. The word ‘cad’ comes to mind.”

  “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “What? You should just have to squint in your own house? And don’t tell me you don’t hate all that chrome and glass.” He mentally reviewed the house. “Or those awful purple and red and bright yellow walls.”

  “You thought they were stylish. They are.”

  “Or the damned uncomfortable furniture.” He was really winding up now.

  “Please. I didn’t mean to ruin tonight.”

  He glanced away from the road curving around the peninsula in the darkness. The pain in her voice was echoed in her expression. Now he’d hurt her even more. What was wrong with him? He let out a breath. “You didn’t.” He glanced to the road and back to Jane again. Get it together, asshole. It isn’t her ruining tonight. “You look great. I’m going to love showing you off. And we’re going to have a wonderful time. Prisoners’ night out.”

  God but he loved her smile. “Not as bad as that. But still a special treat. I’m surprised your father allowed it. Is it dangerous?”

  “The Clan’s in Athens. The exhibit has a ton of security, and Senior and Edwards got a couple of bulletproof limos. We’ll have an armada around us on the way up there.” He gave a rueful shrug. “We need to go. Senior noticed that Lanyon is a little out of sorts. I thought a night out where he might meet some girls would maybe help. We’re all going a little stir-crazy.”

  She put her tiny hand on his bicep and squeezed, which made Kemble briefly consider turning the car around. “You are so right. That was very insightful of you about Lanyon too.”

  No. Not really. But he was glad she thought so. “Tomorrow morning we’ll plan together what we want to do with the house. And I promise, I will never leave you out of a decision that affects both of us again.”

  He turned in at the gate and punched in the code. The gates swung open.

  *****

  Jane was glad Trevor had come up with a lacy, silvery wrap that matched her silver-beaded clutch. May at the beach was damp and still chilly. Kemble looked so dashing and handsome in his classic tuxedo as he ran around the front of the car to open her door. Though Kemble already owned it, Trevor had made him try it on to be sure it fit right. But of course it did. It had been fitted at the Armani studios. Trevor approved. Jane did too. Kemble’s dark hair and blue eyes made him look great in black. She was absurdly nervous as he handed her out of th
e car. She gathered her dress up, hoping she wouldn’t trip and fall, or tear it, or have some other disaster. That would be just like her. And she couldn’t risk a disaster now. Trevor might approve of how she looked, but the person whose opinion mattered was Brina. Would she think the dress too daring? Or nearly as bad, too bland?

  Kemble put his arm around her. “You’re cold,” he whispered. “Let’s get you in.” He was about to open one of the great wooden doors when Lanyon jerked it open from the inside.

  Dapper in his tux, Lanyon looked like he was about to burst with excitement. “Thought you guys would never get here. Hey, Jane, you look great.”

  Kemble’s smile was smug as he ushered her inside. “Doesn’t she? I helped pick out the dress.”

  “Good job, bro.” Lanyon put up his palm for a high five that Kemble honored with a slap of his own.

  “You ready to make some headway with the ladies tonight?” Kemble asked.

  Lanyon grinned. “Stay out of my way, or I’ll run you down, brother dear.”

  “I’m off the market, in case you haven’t noticed.” They made their way to the living room.

  Lanyon looked rather surprised. “Yeah,” he said. “I guess you are.”

  The rest of the family was gathered in front of the fireplace, where a roaring fire burned. Jane made a quick survey. Drew was in red that looked like Dior. Tiny spaghetti straps and a full skirt made her look like Audrey Hepburn, though a little peaked. Jane really had to make time to talk to her. Michael had a red boutonniere in his lapel and a red handkerchief poked out of his pocket. Keelan wore a strapless number with a huge skirt. It had impressionistic flowers all over it in magenta and purple. She looked like a spring garden. Lovely. Leave it to Keelan to come up with something so artistic and different. Maggie, who was so short, looked wonderful in an off-white beaded column dress with short sleeves. But it was, of course, Brina who embodied everything Jane would like to be. Her deep blue strapless dress was a column too, but it had an overlay of matching stretchy lace that made it long sleeved, and an overskirt of the same material. She wasn’t trying to compete with the younger women, and nobody who saw her would say she had to compete. She was perfect.