He gave it one last try. Got her voicemail again, cursed, and shut the damn phone off.
Good manners dictated he spend the next four-plus hours on duty with his mother and her guests.
The hell with good manners. Venus, if you show up at this party I’ll have to drag you out of here to discover what in the hell is going on.
Knowing he was already late, he hurried through the gathering room, where only a few security guys roamed the silent auction tables, and walked on into the ballroom crammed with people.
Venus’s face jumped out of the crowd.
At a table next to the dance floor, she sat, laughing, between David Sumner and Kate Carmichael and across from Diana, Alistair, and Rebecca.
Ignoring his mother’s table on the other side, he headed directly to Venus.
What in the hell is she up to now to get herself into trouble?
Rebecca saw him first and waved him to her side.
Turning her head toward him, her eyes gleaming in the dim light, her hair half-up, the rest falling around her bare shoulders, Venus looked so beautiful he honest to God felt his heart miss a beat.
Rebecca laughed. “Connor, from the look on your face I believe the Stanley Paul Orchestra is playing your song.”
“I beg your pardon?” He bent to kiss Rebecca’s cheek, controlling his real need to drag Venus from the ballroom to talk.
“The orchestra is playing ‘Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.’ That’s how you look.” Rebecca gestured across the small dance floor to where his mother sat with Mugsy and CeCe. “Is it because of that delectable creature in pale mauve? CeCe Osborn?”
“No.” He straightened, his eyes lingering on Venus’s interested face. “It’s because I’m late.”
“Darling, you are very late.” Rebecca laughed. “We are already through our salad course. Go make up with your mother. I know she’s like the Sphinx and would never show it but I’m sure she’s fuming. Good luck.”
Rebecca was right. He needed to leave, despite his desire to confront Venus here and now.
He nodded to the group around the table, noting with a pang of sharp anger how tense Alistair looked. Does he know how much he’s hurting his daughter by not admitting his guilt?
Connor allowed his eyes to linger on Venus. “I’ll talk to all of you later.”
She nodded, twisting a piece of her hair around two fingers.
He hesitated, knowing that meant trouble. But when his mother met his gaze and gestured to his seat, he forced himself across the room.
Glad he’d become expert at hiding his feelings, counting the minutes until he could somehow get Venus alone, he kissed his mother’s cheek and slid into the empty chair beside her.
“I apologize for being late. I had to deal with some problems at the store.”
“You’re exactly like your father and your uncles. Clayworth’s always came first. As it should.” His mother sighed as deeply as her horror of drama would allow. “As you can see we’ve been deserted by Bridget and Tony, for some reason. I’m not pleased to be a table of four.”
“This is a lovely size table, Victoria,” Mugsy offered with a small smile.
“Yes, it must do under the circumstances.” She glanced across the dance floor. “We could have joined David and Rebecca Sumner’s table and made it a ten top if Alistair hadn’t been their guest. Much too awkward.”
Mugsy leaned closer. “Alistair Smith is such a distinguished looking man. Now tell me more about the scandal involving him and Clayworth’s.”
Knowing how hurt Venus would be to hear her father discussed like this, Connor abruptly stood. “Would you like to dance, CeCe?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She took his outstretched hand and he led her onto the dance floor.
Her mauve jersey gown hugged her tall, slender body. She smiled up at him. In another time and place he might have felt a stir of interest.
“I assume the two beautiful women with the extraordinary eyes you’re watching are Alistair’s daughters.”
“Yes,” he said quickly, turning CeCe so he could no longer stare at Venus. “Their sister, Athena, is engaged to my cousin, Drew Clayworth.”
CeCe’s eyes widened in surprise. “Isn’t that an impossibly awkward situation for both families, considering the circumstances?”
Once he’d felt the same way.
“Drew and Athena have been in love since they were teenagers. Long before the trouble with Alistair. They’ll make it work.”
“Still, how difficult it must be for all of you. Victoria told us the story. Look. Ed Mahoney has finally arrived. My mother will be pleased to have a dance partner at last.”
Grateful CeCe had changed the subject, he twirled her around the dance floor, trying to keep Venus in view.
The music ended and so did his patience. To hell with waiting. Time to find out what trouble you’ve gotten yourself into this time, Venus.
He caught sight of her getting up from her table to stroll toward the door.
“CeCe, would you like to take a look at the silent auction?”
“Please. I adore them.”
Relief and a burning ache to reach Venus drove him to hurry CeCe into the gathering room.
He saw Venus strolling along the tables of jewelry items and urged CeCe in the same direction, trying to pull her along to finally intercept Venus near the auction item from Pandora’s Box.
CeCe gasped, staring down into the velvet-lined jewelry box. “What an elegant pin.”
His eyes locked with Venus’s. Then she looked away to smile at CeCe.
“That is a rare swan and bridge pin with blue and dark ruby red enameling and clear rhinestones on a sterling silver casting from the 1940s. I donated it from my store.”
Venus is never so polite when she speaks to me.
CeCe nodded. “Wouldn’t it be perfect on any dress or suit.”
“Absolutely. If you’re starting to collect it’s best to begin with a brooch like this. You’ll find the most use for it. It can be pinned on a suit lapel, collar, or pocket, or a hat, belt, or evening dress.”
“Thank you.” CeCe laughed. “You’ve convinced me. I’m going back to my table to use my Bidpal to own this.”
“Good luck. I hope you get it. Have a nice evening.”
Venus’s voice sounded husky to him. She smiled, flicked him a look—he had no idea what it meant except to frustrate the hell out of him—and strolled back into the ballroom.
“I truly do want to bid on this piece. Could we go back to our table?” CeCe slipped her hand around his arm.
“Definitely, we need to go back in.” And this time I’m talking to Venus whether she wants me to or not.
He found her chatting and laughing with Ed at the edge of the dance floor.
CeCe released his arm and stretched out her hand to Ed. “This is the dance you promised me. No excuses.”
Puffing out his chest, Ed bowed, took her hand, and led CeCe onto the dance floor.
Not believing his luck, Connor pulled Venus into his arms and followed them.
“Why, thank you, Connor. Yes, I would love to dance. Etta James’s ‘At Last’ is one of the most romantic songs ever. What a shame you aren’t dancing with your date.” Venus smiled up at him. “She’s lovely and nice. Much better than last year’s twins.”
“To hell with my mother’s matchmaking. What’s this plan you can’t tell me about on the phone? We have a deal. We’re in this together.”
“Yes, we do have a deal.” She tilted her head to look up at him through her dark lashes. “Have you noticed I didn’t wear the brooch tonight? Just like you requested.”
The raw emotions and confusion she inspired made him a little crazy. He pulled her tighter, her breasts round and full above her strapless gown where he pressed her against his chest.
“Thank you, Venus. Now what do you want in return?”
“Very clever of you to figure it out, Connor.” Venus flung back her head and laughed up a
t him.
His gut clenched with desire.
“On Tuesday night I want you to take me to dinner at the restaurant on Taylor Street where I dropped off Maxie for a date with Ed. I’m sure it’s the place Bridget and Tony told us about. We need to see it for ourselves. Maybe there’s still a hidden casino under the parking lot. Maybe there’s a clue there. Something that might help us find out who gambled the mermaid brooch away that night.”
Relieved she hadn’t gone off alone to the restaurant, he gave in to his need to draw her even closer and whisper into her ear. Her hair smelled of apricots and felt like silk against his lips.
“Why, thank you, Venus. Yes, I would love to take you to dinner Tuesday night.”
He felt her stiffen in his arms. Anxious, he slid one hand to her throat, feeling the accelerated beat of her heart.
“What’s wrong, Venus?”
“Nothing.” Still not meeting his eyes, she pulled away. “The music has stopped. I’ll text you the address and meet you there at seven.”
She turned away so quickly, her hair fell forward, hiding her face.
She didn’t go back to her table. Then he could have watched her to figure out what the hell had changed in a split second to make her run away from him.
If Venus could have run in her tight black sequin and silk dress, she would have kicked off her stilettos and made a dash for the door.
Instead, she forced herself to glide as gracefully as possible away from Connor.
Her body felt on fire.
The playful way he’d whispered in her ear had sent goose bumps down her spine and induced a swirling heat in regions of her body which should feel nothing for him, of all people on the planet. Just as she shouldn’t have felt a twinge of jealousy when she saw him with CeCe Osborn, who was so exactly his type.
These feelings are wrong. Absolutely positively wrong.
Venus hid in the ladies lounge, pretending to be fixing her hair, but actually trying to stop shaking.
Diana found her there.
“Are you all right? Dad’s getting worried. You’ve been gone so long.”
Not wanting her sister to read her face, Venus ducked her head to rearrange the antique diamond comb in her hair.
“I’m fine. Just having trouble with keeping my hair up. I’ll be back to the table in a few minutes.”
“They’re ready to serve the main course. No one will start eating without you.”
Knowing she had no choice, Venus nodded. “I’ll be there shortly. I promise. Run interference for me just a bit longer.”
Diana squeezed her shoulder. “Always.”
Grateful, Venus glanced up to watch her glide out the door.
Alone, Venus stared at her reflection. She blinked, hoping to rid her eyes of confusion, and she practiced her normal smile. It looked strained and fake even to her.
I need to get a grip and remember who I am. Remember who Connor is. Remember there is nothing I won’t do to help prove my father is innocent, no matter what it costs either one of us.
SUNDAY CHICAGO JOURNAL & COURIER
Talk of the Town by Rebecca Covington-Sumner
Darlings, I’m delighted to report romance is still in the air in Chicago!
Never more so than at the Service Club Gala at the Four Seasons hotel where the fabulous women of this venerable organization re-created El Morocco.
Sometimes nicknamed Elmo, this twentieth-century Manhattan nightclub was frequented by the rich and famous in the 1930s and 1950s.
So it was in Chicago this week with the civic and social leaders of our fair city in attendance.
From the dinner music, “low enough for guests to chat yet loud enough to enjoy,” to the last bite of the delectably sinful chocolate dessert, the evening was perfection.
Seen dancing from Lady GaGa’s “Bad Romance,” to the Black Eyed Peas “Got a Feeling,” to Etta James’s dreamy “At Last” were Alistair Smith, too long absent from the social scene; finance columnist and author Kate Carmichael; insurance mogul Ed Mahoney there with a table of fellow brokers; Victoria Clayworth O’Flynn gracing us from Palm Beach along with her friend Mugsy Osborn and her daughter, CeCe Osborn; often-seen-on-the-scene Smith sisters Venus and Diana; and Connor O’Flynn.
Our eligible Clayworth bachelor and the lovely Miss Osborn were also seen earlier in the week dining together at the Drake Hotel’s Club International.
Could the mischievous fellow, Cupid, be at work once again?
Certainly there was romance in the air, but exactly who the arrow of love may have struck remains to be seen.
Stay tuned, Darlings. I promise more good news to come very soon!
Chapter 13
On Tuesday, before she left to meet Connor at the restaurant, Venus tortured herself by rereading Rebecca’s Sunday Talk of the Town column about the Service Club Gala to relive the night in her head.
Her odd hot jealousy at seeing Connor with CeCe Osborn looking like his perfect match, tall, slender and elegant. The twinge of jealousy again while reading about his dinner date with the beautiful Miss Osborn.
Venus’s icy self-doubt giving way to shivering, she closed her eyes, letting the sensations she’d felt in his arms, pressed against his chest, his breath tickling her ear, wash over her one last time. She hadn’t been mortified, as she had been as an awkward teenager the day he’d pulled her out of the lake.
This time, crushed to his body, she’d wanted him.
Okay. Enough. Reality check.
She opened her eyes and threw the paper in the trash.
Face the truth. Connor and I have an uneasy truce, nothing more.
And they had a deal she hoped would help Tony and Bridget and ultimately her father. It all seemed to be running amuck because of her confused libido, and that needed to stop. Now. Tonight she and Connor had a job to do.
Defiant, she fastened the mermaid brooch to the scoop neck of her black wool dress.
Impatient, Connor glanced at his watch again. Hell! Another hour before I can meet Venus at the restaurant.
Restless, he got up from his desk and paced down the hall to Bridget’s office.
He found his mother in deep discussion with Bridget, while Mugsy appeared confused and CeCe concerned.
Bridget looked up, saw him, and relief softened her pale, tense face.
His mother glanced over her shoulder at him. “There you are, Connor. We were coming to see you. Help me convince Bridget and Tony to have dinner with us this week. I’ve hardly seen anything of the dear man and Mugsy found him an interesting dinner companion.”
Bridget’s eyes pleaded with him to help.
“Isn’t Tony still fighting off the flu, Aunt Bridget?”
“Yes. He had a slight fever last night and he’s still coughin’ up a storm,” she fibbed, knowing his mother’s aversion to anyone sneezing around her.
“Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” His mother stepped back. “Connor, can you join us tonight for dinner?”
“No, I’m sorry. I have an important meeting.” He sent an apologetic smile between Mugsy and CeCe.
“Then I insist on tomorrow night at home in Lake Forest.”
Willing to agree to anything to get out of here, Connor nodded. “Yes. I look forward to it. Now I need to go. Have a nice evening, ladies.” Sending a loving look to his aunt Bridget to forgive him, he turned and stalked out of her office.
No way could he be late for Venus. God knew what trouble she might get into without him. At least investigating an old speakeasy from Chicago’s notorious prohibition years turned private club with possible illegal gambling was a hell of a lot safer than her making herself a target by wearing the damn mermaid brooch all over town.
Venus pulled up in front of the low, shingled restaurant on Taylor Street. The parking lot remained roped off with red flags and the same valet came running out.
She watched him park her car across the street in the lot of another restaurant.
“Asphalt still n
ot dry?” she asked with what she hoped sounded like innocent interest.
He shook his head. “Nay. Had to do it again.”
I’ll bet. Smiling, she strolled inside to wait for Connor.
A few minutes later, he came in, and frowned when he saw her pacing the entryway. “Am I late?”
“No. Did the valet park your car across the street?”
“Sure. He said the parking lot has just been resurfaced,” Connor stated in his usual calm, reasonable voice.
“That’s what they told me three days ago.” She leaned closer, pretending to kiss his cheek. “I think the asphalt’s been drying for decades because there is still an illegal casino under there.”
“Then let’s find out, Venus.” He helped her off with her black cape and handed it to the attendant in the coat room.
Venus felt him tense and knew he’d seen the mermaid pinned to her shoulder.
“Why in the hell are you wearing the brooch tonight?” he muttered with an edge of anger in his voice.
Smiling, she turned and slid her arm through his, hoping they looked to anyone watching to be a devoted couple.
“I’m wearing the brooch because it was won here in that poker game Tony told us about. Someone might remember it.”
Obviously going along with her ruse, he leaned closer. “Venus, the alleged poker game took place thirty years ago.”
Continuing to smile up at him, she stroked the lapel of his dark suit. “Connor, you know as well as I do there are several restaurants in Chicago where waiters have worked for decades. They know everything and everyone.”
His gaze slid slowly over her. “Do you have any other ideas up your sleeve I need to worry about?”
“Of course. Just follow my lead.” She urged him farther into the dark interior until they reached the maître d’.
He stood in regal attention to greet them.
“Mr. O’Flynn, we are delighted you chose to dine with us this evening. We have a quiet corner reserved for you.”
She glanced at the back table set for two and then gazed up, fluttering her eyelashes at Connor.
All I Want Is You Page 13
