“You’re not supposed to do that, Will.” Evie’s voice stopped him before he could open the message. He looked up to see Evie shaking her head at him in censure. He heard Gwen’s shocked “Evie!” but Evie continued.
“Gwen says you’re not supposed to have cell phones and stuff at the dinner table. It’s rude to put technology before people. Right, Gwen?” Evie turned to Gwen for confirmation.
Gwen looked completely ill at ease.
Belatedly Will realized Evie—and by extension, Gwen—was right. He’d lived alone for so long, he’d gotten into lots of bad habits. He slid the BlackBerry back into his pocket and opened his mouth to apologize.
Marcus beat him to the punch. “Evangeline, William is a very busy man and the business needs his attention.”
He tried to jump in. “Evie, I—”
“But Gwen says the rules apply to everybody all the time. It doesn’t matter who they are.”
Gwen went slightly pale. “Evie, we don’t correct others.”
“But you correct me all the time.”
“That’s because it’s my job. What’s rude is to correct other people in social situations. Especially your elders,” she whispered.
“But, Gwen…” Evie’s cheeks were getting flushed.
Marcus adjusted his cuffs and leaned forward. “Evangeline—”
“Why does everyone get to tell me what to do and tell me how wrong I am when they’re breaking rules too? Will has his BlackBerry, Uncle Marcus is holding his fork wrong, and I’m the one getting yelled at!”
She had a point. She also had their father’s famous temper, and that he knew how to deal with.
“Evie…”
But Evie carefully placed her napkin on the table and pushed her chair back. As she stood, he saw her take a deep breath to control herself. “Uncle Marcus, Will, I apologize for losing my temper and being rude. If you’ll excuse me, I have a headache and need to go lie down. Good night, everyone.” With that, she stomped from the room. Moments later, he heard her bedroom door slam.
Silence followed her departure. Gwen looked shocked and Marcus was frowning again.
With an attempt at levity, he said, “Well, she’s certainly learned the art of the dramatic exit.” And a little bit of Gwen’s “extreme politeness” trick.
Gwen seemed to be calling on that same trick. “My apologies as well. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go talk to Evie.”
He caught her hand as she tried to rise and a little zing of electricity shot through him. The way her eyes snapped up to his had him wondering if she’d felt it, too. “Leave her alone for a little while. She needs to calm down first.”
Marcus chuckled, and Will got to watch Gwen’s jaw drop in shock. “She has the Harrison temper, that’s for sure. William’s right, Gwen. I’ve dealt with this before myself—with both Bradley and William, mind you. She’ll need to stew for a while before she can calm down. There’s no use trying to talk to a Harrison while they’re angry.” With that, Marcus pushed his own chair back from the table.
“But I’ll leave you two to sort that out.” He reached for Gwen’s hand and shook it warmly. “It was a pleasure to meet you, my dear. You’re doing a wonderful job with Evangeline.”
Will walked Marcus to the door. “I must say, William, that’s the most interesting dinner I’ve had with you in years.”
“You can say that again.”
When he returned to the dining room, he found Gwen gathering plates from the table while Mrs. Gray clucked at her to stop.
“Come on, Gwen. I’ll get you a drink and we’ll sit on the balcony.”
She followed him to the other room but declined the glass he offered. Guess a trip to the balcony is out, too. Gwen didn’t sit, either. Instead she gripped her hands in front of her and straightened her spine as she faced him.
“I’m sorry about that, Will. Really. I expected her to blow at some point…” just didn’t mean for it to happen in front of you and Mr. Heatherton. I figured she’d take it out on me.”
“You were expecting that?”
She nodded. “It’s hard to have someone correct you all the time. How you walk, how you talk, how you hold your glass. Having every move you make critiqued and never getting it quite right.” She laughed, but it was a bitter sound. “It gets old really fast. Trust me on this. I know how Evie feels.”
There was a story there, but he had the feeling Gwen wouldn’t want to go any deeper in to it, so he didn’t ask. He’d guess Miss Behavior hadn’t always gotten the forks right.
He sat and invited her to do the same. To his surprise—and pleasure—she chose to sit on the sofa with him.
“Believe me, though, when I say Evie will do fine—at the Med Ball and in general.”
“I know she will. Like Marcus said, Evie really is showing great improvement. I’m very—I mean we’re very pleased. Marcus said it was the most interesting dinner he’s had here.”
Gwen’s shoulders slumped in what might be relief and she sagged back against the arm of the sofa before she caught herself and straightened back up. “Interesting is one way to put it.”
“Go ahead and relax. You’ve earned it.” She had. Evie’s outburst aside, the evening had been a success, and he owed that to Gwen. “We’ll let Miss Behavior take the rest of the night off, and we’ll talk about something else.”
Relax? He had to be kidding. She’d just experienced one of the strangest dinners of her career—make that her life—and he expected her to relax? The Harrisons were going to drive her insane.
She hadn’t lied when she said she’d been expecting Evie’s outburst, but when she’d snapped there at the table, Gwen thought her heart would stop beating. When Evie pointed out Mr. Heatherton’s fork problems, she’d had a clear vision of her career going up in a puff of smoke. Again. And this time, it wouldn’t even be her fault.
But both Marcus and Will seemed to have taken it all in good humor, and while it was a relief, it wasn’t doing much for her nerves. And sitting this close to him on the sofa wasn’t helping her composure, either. The easy smile caused adorable crinkles around his eyes and brought that devastating dimple out to play hell with her equilibrium. The deep breath she took to try to calm herself backfired when the spicy scent of his aftershave coiled through her and tied her stomach in an aroused knot.
Now he wanted her to have a drink and talk about something other than Evie and etiquette. What did that leave? HarCorp? She doubted he’d believe an interest in the actual business, and there wasn’t exactly a casual way to broach the topic of her corporate workshops. No, her career had already teetered on the edge once this evening. There was no sense flirting with disaster again by bringing up that. The weather? Politics? Every topic of small talk fled her head as Will shifted to a more comfortable position and treated her to a full-out, heart-stopping smile.
“Are you sure I can’t get you a drink? Wine?”
Was Will flirting with her? A drink? On the balcony? Small talk? Her stomach fluttered at the thrill before common sense stamped it down. She worked for him, and she wouldn’t believe for a second he flirted with his employees. Of course, this wasn’t a normal employment situation, what with her moving in and all. Maybe…
Oh, no, she was doing it again. How stupid could one person be? She’d been down this path before, and it had ended in disaster, heartbreak, professional disgrace…None of which she planned on repeating. Sarah’s little fantasy must have tripped some switch in her brain, turning her back into a complete idiot who let her libido lead her. She needed to put this evening back on its professional feet, and she racked her brain for an appropriate, neutral topic.
Will was saying something, but her heart thudded in her ears, drowning out his words as he leaned toward her. The couch seemed to shrink, moving him closer to her, and the temperature in the room rose several degrees. How’d she end up so close to him? So close she could see his eyes darken?
Her heartbeat accelerated. Rational thoughts clamored to be
heard, but were easily brushed aside as those hazel eyes swept over her, affecting her senses as strongly as a caress.
When his hand reached out to gently brush her arm, she felt the hairs rise from the electricity before he even touched her.
“Gwen?”
The question was a whisper, his lips just inches from hers, and instead of answering, she let her eyes slide closed in response.
“Will? Gwen? Where are you guys?”
Evie’s voice snapped them apart and sent them to opposite ends of the sofa moments before her head peered around the corner.
Damn, damn, double damn. Her heart was racing—from desire or adrenaline, she didn’t know. While her hormones protested at the interruption, the logical, rational part of her brain kicked back in and sent up a word of thanks at Evie’s perfect timing.
Evie looked confused. “Did I interrupt something?”
Only my latest attempt at career suicide.
Will coughed and dragged a hand through his hair. Gwen gave herself a strong mental shake and plastered a serene smile on her face. “Of course not.”
“I came to apologize. For losing my temper, I mean. I hope I didn’t ruin dinner for everyone.” After a small pause, she added, “Is Uncle Marcus mad?”
Gwen decided to leave this opening to Will. He was the “parent” in this situation, after all, and she was just the hired help. Remember that, Gwennie.
“No one’s mad at you. We were just a bit shocked. You will need to guard that temper of yours in the future, though. It might not fly well in the dining room of the Club.”
Gwen simply nodded her agreement.
“But, Will, you know I’m right. You shouldn’t have your BlackBerry at the table. If I have to behave, so do you.”
Gwen cleared her throat, desperate for the chance to escape. “Um, I find that I’m really exhausted all of a sudden, and since Evie and I have a big day tomorrow, I’m going to head on to bed.” She wanted to be out of there before Evie left; there was no way she was ready to deal with what almost happened. She then rushed for the safety of her bedroom before either Harrison could say anything.
That had been close. Too close.
CHAPTER FIVE
TAKING Evie shopping had seemed like such a good idea at the time. She’d even enjoyed the morning’s activities—haircuts, manicures, pedicures, lunch in the Neiman Marcus restaurant. Evie’s need for female companionship and her obvious enjoyment of such a girly day out kept a smile on Gwen’s face.
But that almost-but-not-quite moment of the night before kept haunting her. She might have had more Will-free thoughts if Evie could go longer than ten minutes without mentioning him. Or if Evie didn’t share so many mannerisms with Will that a tilt of her head or a certain phrase didn’t make her think of him.
It was bad enough she’d spent hours staring at the ceiling last night replaying each and every second of her entire short history with Will in her head, trying to figure out when her professional working relationship with the man had veered wildly off-track. Spending the morning trying not to moon over the man while still spending time with his sister…well, that was a new exercise in personal torture.
And the torture wasn’t over yet. The instant connection between her young charge and her sister should have clued her in. Their kindred shopping spirits recognized each other instantly, and Gwen resigned herself to a very long afternoon.
Sarah had commandeered a private room normally reserved by the personal shoppers to Dallas’s elite. Using the information Gwen e-mailed the day before, Sarah created a personal store for Evie where everything was exactly the right color, size and fit for her body type. Entire outfits, complete with shoes and accessories, hung on rolling racks lining the walls.
Evie started out hesitantly, seeming unsure of style and overwhelmed by the choices. It didn’t take long, though, for her inner fashionista to emerge, and soon she sorted through the racks like a pro. Haute couture welcomed her with open arms, and Evie was still going strong three hours later.
She’d even worn out Sarah, who Gwen thought never tired of shopping.
Safely ensconced on an out-of-the-way couch, she kept half an eye on Evie’s “yes” pile to be sure nothing violated the brief list of fashion taboos provided by Marcus and Will and spent the time brooding. Unfortunately she couldn’t find any answers or reasonable explanations for her behavior.
Sarah eventually turned Evie over to one of the Personal Shoppers with the excuse that Evie would need one in the future anyway, and tiptoed carefully through the colorful mess to Gwen’s sofa.
“The child can shop.” Sarah slid her feet out of their purple slingbacks and wiggled her toes in relief.
Gwen laughed. “That she can. I’m exhausted just watching.”
“She’s a natural. Great sense of style and an eye for what works. She’ll be a real trendsetter in a couple of years.”
“I’m just glad Parkline has a uniform, or else I’d be sitting here for days.”
Sarah chuckled. “All that’s really left is formal wear and she only needs one or two right now. Chris from Lingerie is on her way, so it should wind down after that. Out of curiosity, does she have a spending limit?”
Gwen watched as assistants slid Evie’s purchases into giant shopping bags. “I guess not. At least not that I was told.” Waving in the direction of the growing pile, she asked, “Do y’all deliver?”
“Looking at the commission Liza is about to earn off Evie, I’m sure she’ll work something out.”
“Thank goodness.”
Sarah handed her a bottle of water. “Speaking of working out, how’s everything going with the handsome-yet-infuriating Will Harrison?”
Oh, great. Exactly the conversation she didn’t want to have. “About the same. Evie called him on using his BlackBerry at the table last night.”
“She didn’t!”
“Oh, yes, she did. In front of Marcus Heatherton.”
Sarah’s jaw dropped. “You must have been dying.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
“What’d he say?”
“Marcus or Will?”
“Will, silly. Like I care about what Pillar-of-Society Marcus Heatherton thinks.”
“Nothing actually. Evie’s remark kind of got lost in the whole temper fit she had, so I never heard him address it.”
“But after dinner, surely one of you said something.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks as the image of Will leaning toward her on the couch flashed in her mind. “Um…not really…um, we were talking about, um, other things.”
“Gwennie…” Sarah tucked her feet under her and leaned in. “You’re blushing. What aren’t you telling me?”
Her sister knew her too well. “I’m not telling you anything.”
“So there is something to tell.”
“I mean, I’m not not telling you anything. Or nothing. Or…you know what I mean.” Flustered, she unscrewed the top of her water bottle and took a long drink.
“Did you and Will…” Sarah glanced around quickly, but the assistants had moved on and Evie and her personal shopper were still chattering away in the dressing room. “Did you two, you know?”
“No!” Gwen’s ears were burning from the blush. She probably looked like an overripe tomato by now. “I barely know him, Sarah. Jeez. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“But something happened or else you wouldn’t be that attractive shade of red. Will made a play, then.”
“No.” Lord, was that tiny voice hers? “I mean, sorta. Maybe he did?” This was embarrassing.
“Ah.” Sarah got to use her all-knowing worldly-wise Big Sister Voice. “I’m going to assume there was no actual physical contact, right?”
Gwen nodded.
“But from the tone of your voice, it sounds like you wanted him to. Well? Do you, Gwennie?”
Exhausted from asking herself the same thing, Gwen gave up trying to fend off her sister’s questions and gave in to the desire to unl
oad on someone. “Sometimes. Wait, let me finish,” she said as Sarah started to interrupt. “God knows the man is handsome and charming and enough to make any red-blooded woman lust after him. But developing a crush on Will would be bad. Bad for me. Bad for this job. Bad for my whole career, possibly.”
“But you never know. Maybe he’s getting a little crush on you, too.”
Gwen snorted. “Not likely. I simply train the Princesses—I don’t get Prince Charming.”
“There’s a first time for everything.”
She spared another quick glance around. “We both know what happened the last time I got involved with my boss. I lost my job. I had to leave town, for God’s sake. I’m not stupid enough to make that same mistake twice.”
“No, you let David offer you up like a sacrificial lamb to save his own sorry skin and you slunk out of D.C. with your tail between your legs.”
“My reputation was shot. No one would have hired me after that fiasco.”
“That’s an exaggeration.” Sarah held up a hand to keep her from interrupting. “It doesn’t matter now. It’s over and done with and you’ve established yourself here. You’re older and wiser and you have a sterling reputation. I don’t see any reason why you can’t explore a possible romantic relationship with an attractive man—”
“Whom I just happen to work for?” Had Sarah lost her mind completely this time?
“This is a bit different. David was your boss. Will Harrison is your client.”
“You’re splitting hairs. And any way you look at it, it still leads to the same disastrous end.” Gwen closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I just need to start dating again. Got anyone in mind?”
“You mean other than Will?” she smirked.
“Sarah, please.”
“I’ll think about it. Meanwhile—”
A flash of ice-blue caught her eye and she turned. “Evie!” How long had she been standing there? She searched Evie’s face for a sign she’d overhead their whispered conversation, but Evie seemed to be fully focused on twirling in front of the mirror.
Sarah shot her a look that said the conversation wasn’t over, and Gwen made a mental note to screen her calls for the next few days. She had enough on her plate without adding Sarah’s overromanticized matchmaking.
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