This I Promise You

by Smith, Maureen

  Lexi smiled. “It’s all rather Shakespearean, isn’t it?”

  “Very.” Georgina grinned. “Now that I’ve finally met Quentin, I’m even more in awe of him. Truth be told, I find him a little intimidating.”

  “You shouldn’t,” Lexi told her. “Quentin is very down to earth. He has a wicked sense of humor, and he’s ridiculously playful once you get to know him.”

  Georgina’s smile was wistful. “I hope I’ll get the chance.”

  “I think you will.”

  “Think so?”

  “Sure,” Lexi said, bumping Georgina’s shoulder with her own. “You’ve got a lot working in your favor. You’re named after his mother, for starters, and you look just like her. Quentin adores his mama, so you’d probably become his favorite cousin in no time.”

  “Awesome.” Georgina beamed, and Lexi laughed.

  After another moment, Georgina smiled softly at her. “I can tell how much you and Quentin really love each other.”

  “We do,” Lexi said simply.

  “It’s so romantic,” Georgina said with an envious sigh. “You’re very lucky.”

  It was an odd statement coming from a girl who’d been born into untold wealth and privilege, who’d had everything handed to her on a silver platter. A beautiful girl whose fair complexion and naturally long hair were celebrated throughout society and prized by men everywhere.

  As if sensing the turn of her thoughts, Georgina sighed deeply. “You know, everyone expects me to marry someone from a well-connected upper-class family. But I’ve yet to meet that special man I would want to spend the rest of my life with. I grew up with most of the guys I see at social functions, and many of them are dull and pretentious and full of themselves. As for the men at work, they pretty much fall into three categories: those who resent me because they think I benefit from nepotism; those who steer clear of me because they’re petrified of my father and grandfather; and those who care more about marrying into my family than actually getting to know me. The guys in that last group pursue me aggressively. But I don’t give them the time of day because I know they’re nothing but social climbers, and I have no interest in being anyone’s come up.”

  “I hear you,” Lexi said sympathetically. “What you’re describing really sucks.”

  “It does.” Georgina cringed, as if she’d suddenly heard her own words. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not sitting here trying to pass myself off as some poor little rich girl who can’t find true love. I know how tremendously blessed I am, and I don’t take those blessings for granted.” She sighed wistfully. “I just wish I could meet a man who has more to offer than the right name and pedigree. Someone who won’t care about impressing my family or getting his hands on my money. Someone who works hard and knows where he’s going in life without needing me to draw him a roadmap. Someone who likes to laugh and have a good time. Someone who’s strong and dashing and romantic, who knows how to wine and dine a woman without expecting anything in return. Someone who’s his own man in every way.” She grinned self-consciously at Lexi. “I suppose that’s a pretty tall order, huh?”

  “It is.” Lexi grinned. “But I just happen to know several guys who possess those qualities you’re looking for.”

  “Several? Really?” Georgina’s eyes lit with avid interest. “Can you hook a sista up?”

  They both laughed. Hearing slang out of Georgina Harrington’s proper mouth was both surprising and endearing.

  Picking up her mug, Lexi took a sip of the hot cider, letting the spices tickle her tongue. Studying Georgina over the rim of her cup, she ventured curiously, “How would your father feel about you marrying someone from, say, a blue-collar background?”

  Georgina sighed. “Honestly, I don’t think it would be his first choice for me,” she admitted. “He’d worry about the guy trying to use me and run through my money. But if I did happen to fall in love with someone of modest means, I know Daddy would never disown me like his parents did to Aunt Georgina.” Her voice quieted. “That whole ordeal has haunted him for years. He feels ashamed for not standing up for his sister, and he truly regrets staying away for so long.”

  “I believe that,” Lexi murmured. “Your father seems like a good man.”

  “He is,” Georgina said quietly. “He’s not perfect by any stretch. But he loves his family and would do anything for us.”

  “I can tell,” Lexi said sincerely. “You’re very lucky.”

  “I am.” Georgina paused, looking reflective. “Grandpa George is the oldest living Harrington, so he’s the head of the entire family. As his only son, and the eldest male of the next generation, my father will take over the reins after Grandpa George is gone. Daddy says things will be different under his watch. Different…and better.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Lexi murmured. “A changing of the guard can be a good thing.”

  Smiling, Georgina reached across the quilt and gently squeezed her hand. “I hope we can be friends, Alexis.”

  Lexi gave her a warm smile. “I’d like that, Georgina. I’d like it very much.”

  They were still talking and laughing on the porch when Quentin and Georgina’s father returned in the black Town Car.

  As the two men stretched out of the backseat and started up the walk toward the house, Lexi could see, for the first time, the family resemblance. It was faint, to be sure. But it was there.

  “Hey, Daddy,” Georgina called out in a teasing tone. “Did you have any luck convincing Quentin to leave his law firm and join the family’s?”

  “Not this time, unfortunately,” Edward said with a sheepish chuckle. “What about you? Made any progress with Operation Martha’s Vineyard?”

  Georgina cast a sly, sidelong glance at Lexi. “I’m working on it.”

  Edward and Lexi laughed.

  Even Quentin smiled as he came up the porch steps and sauntered over to the love seat. As he sank into his long-limbed crouch in front of Lexi, she stroked his hair and grinned at him. “Honey, guess who else shares your low opinion of Skyler White on Breaking Bad?”

  “Yeah?” A slow grin curved Quentin’s mouth as he looked over at Georgina. “You hated her too?”

  “Yes!” Georgina said spiritedly. “She was so mean and unfair to Walt!”

  “I know, right? Not to mention she was a total hypocrite.”

  “Totally!”

  “You two are ridiculous,” Lexi scoffed laughingly. “I loved Walter White as much as the next person. But let’s not forget what he became: a ruthless drug lord who murdered people in cold blood.”

  “But he was only trying to provide for his family!” Georgina insisted. “The man was dying, for goodness’ sake! Skyler should have been more understanding and supportive. That’s the kind of wife and partner he needed. A ride-or-die chick.”

  Raising his eyebrows in amused surprise, Quentin hitched his chin at Georgina. “What you know about ride-or-die chicks?”

  She laughed. “Enough to know I could be one under the right circumstances.”

  Quentin gave her a slow, approving grin. “There’s hope for you after all, debutante.”

  Georgina blushed. She couldn’t have looked more delighted than if she’d just received a presidential citation.

  “Call me old-fashioned,” Edward drawled good-naturedly, “but I just don’t get the appeal of a show that glorifies a high school teacher’s descent into depraved criminality.”

  “Oh, Daddy,” Georgina said with longsuffering forbearance. “Don’t be such an old fogie. It’s just a TV show; it’s not that serious. Besides, I bet you would have gladly watched Breaking Bad if Angela Bassett had been on it. He loves Angela,” she humorously explained to Lexi and Quentin. “He’s seen every single movie she’s ever been in. We all joke that if she ever divorced Courtney Vance, Daddy would leave my mother in a heartbeat and run off to be with Angela.”

  Lexi laughed as Edward and Quentin traded amused glances.

  Mrs. Branford poked her head out the front door.
“You all come inside now and get washed up for lunch.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” they chorused obediently.

  Quentin stood and helped Lexi to her feet, his hand settling on the small of her back as he guided her across the porch. When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw Georgina kiss her father on the cheek and whisper, “Thank you, Daddy.”

  Edward looked pleasantly bewildered. “For what, Gigi?”

  She smiled warmly. “For bringing the rest of our family together.”

  Edward’s expression softened at her words.

  “I’m working on it, sweetheart,” he promised with a meaningful look at Quentin and Lexi. “I’m definitely working on it.”

  19

  Evangeline Wolf was one of the most beloved members of the historic First Congregational Church. A spry old woman with a cap of snowy white hair and cocoa brown skin, she radiated warmth, serenity and an otherworldly wisdom that inspired awe in everyone around her. At the end of Sunday service the next afternoon, more people flocked to greet her than the pastor himself.

  Lexi kept one eye on Mama Wolf as Lenore ushered her, Quentin and Georgina around the large sanctuary, introducing them to hordes of relatives, friends and acquaintances whose names and faces blurred together. At some point, they politely excused themselves and made their way down the aisle toward Mama Wolf. When she looked up and saw them approaching, her face broke into a smile bright enough to light up a Times Square billboard.

  The surrounding crowd parted to let her through as she strode forward, moving with a speed and purpose that defied her one hundred and three years. Her longtime nurse and personal companion hurried after her, looking both amused and exasperated. She was probably wondering how she would explain to her generous employers, Sterling and Stan Wolf, that their elderly grandmother had suffered a heart attack while sprinting across church.

  The same thought occurred to Lexi, Quentin and Georgina, because they laughed and gestured for Mama Wolf to stay put so they could come to her.

  When they reached her, she gave them exuberant hugs and kisses before exclaiming, “I didn’t know you all were in town!”

  “We wanted to surprise you,” Georgina told her.

  “You certainly did.” Mama Wolf chortled. “But don’t be surprising me too much now. I’m an old woman, so my heart can only take but so much excitement.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Mama Wolf glanced around the sanctuary. “Where’s Junior?”

  “He got fussy during the sermon,” Lexi answered, “so Mrs. Branford took him to the nursery. I told her we’d come get them after service.”

  Mama Wolf nodded. “I’ll go with you. I want to see my baby. When are you all leaving?”

  “Tonight.”

  “So soon?” Mama Wolf looked disappointed. “You can’t stay another day?”

  “We can’t, unfortunately,” Quentin said apologetically. “I have a deposition tomorrow morning, and Lexi’s agent is flying in from New York to meet her for lunch.”

  “I understand.” Mama Wolf smiled kindly. “I’m coming to Atlanta for Christmas, so we’ll get to spend more time together then.”

  Quentin gave her a warm smile. “Looking forward to it.”

  Mama Wolf affectionately patted his cheek, then turned and tenderly clasped Georgina’s hands between hers. “It does my heart good to see you here, chile. I’ve been praying this day would come for years.”

  “I know.” There were tears in Georgina’s eyes. “Thank you for your prayers.”

  “God’s not done yet, but I’m grateful to Him for opening the door.”

  “Me too,” Georgina whispered.

  The two women shared a long, heartfelt embrace. By the time they pulled apart, Lexi found herself fighting back tears.

  Turning to her, Mama Wolf cupped her face in her hands and gave her a gentle, nurturing smile. “And how are you feeling, baby?”

  Lexi beamed at her. “I’m feeling well.”

  “I know you’re always on the go, but I hope you’re taking good care of yourself and getting plenty of rest.”

  Lexi grinned. “I try my best.”

  “Good. Just remember that your health is very important.” There was a mysterious twinkle in the old woman’s eyes. Before Lexi could wonder at its source, they were joined by the rest of Quentin’s family.

  The Harringtons enveloped Mama Wolf in warm hugs, telling her how pretty she looked in her yellow dress and insisting that she join the family for lunch at their favorite riverfront restaurant. Even Lenore treated the elder matriarch with the utmost deference.

  As everyone began filing out of the sanctuary, Mama Wolf caught hold of Quentin’s hand and smiled up at him. “Thank you for letting the Lord do His work, baby. This is just the beginning….”

  ***

  Later that afternoon, Lexi lay on the bed nursing Junior while Quentin finished packing her suitcase for her. The last dying rays of the setting sun slanted through the window, bathing her in warmth. Pleasantly sated after a good lunch and lulled by her son’s rhythmic sucking motions, she felt a delicious languor settle over her, making her drowsy.

  She watched Quentin fold one of her blouses and tuck it into the suitcase. “Lunch was nice, wasn’t it? It was wonderful to have Mama Wolf there, and I really enjoyed your family’s company.”

  “So did I,” Quentin agreed.

  “You sound surprised.”

  “Do I?”

  “Yes.” Lexi grinned. “Were you surprised that your grandparents were on their best behavior?”

  Quentin chuckled. “Yeah.”

  “So was I. But it was really nice. They seemed almost down to earth. Gave me hope.”

  She watched as Quentin held up a pair of her red bikini panties. As the sunlight turned the wisp of silk into flame, he brought it to his nose, eyes closing as he inhaled her scent.

  Her belly quivered. “What’re you doing? Mrs. Branford had our clothes laundered, remember?”

  “Not this one. I found it under the covers.” He breathed deep, then tucked the panties into the front pocket of his jeans and winked at her. “For the road.”

  She grinned. “Freak.”

  “Don’t act like you didn’t know.”

  She laughed, watching as he added the last of her clothing to the suitcase. “You and Richmond really seemed to hit it off over lunch. Every time I turned around, you two were laughing and joking, or deep in conversation. You feeling him?”

  “Yeah, he’s pretty cool,” Quentin said. “We’re supposed to play golf when he comes to Atlanta next week on business.”

  “Really?” Lexi beamed with pleasure. “That’s awesome.”

  Quentin nodded, closing her full suitcase and zipping it up. “He’s only coming for the day, but next time he’ll bring the wife and kids so we can all hang out together.”

  “Sounds good.” Lexi smiled, admiring the muscular roundness of Quentin’s ass as he carried her suitcase to the door and set it down next to his. Sauntering back over to the bed, he stretched out behind their drowsing son and leaned down to whisper in the baby’s ear, “Better enjoy that sweet milk while you can, boy. Your days of sucking on your mama’s titties are numbered.”

  Lexi laughed, swatting his arm. “Don’t tell him that.”

  Quentin grinned. “Why not? It’s true.”

  “He still has six months left. Didn’t we agree to breastfeed for a year?”

  “Yeah. But I’m having second thoughts.”

  “Why? You jealous?”

  “Nah.” His mouth twitched. “Maybe a little.”

  Without opening his eyes, Junior smiled around his mother’s nipple. Quentin and Lexi stared at each other, then burst out laughing.

  There was a sudden knock at the door.

  Quentin called out, “Who is it?”

  “It’s me,” his mother answered. “Is everyone decent?”

  “We’re fine, Mom,” Lexi called back. “Come on in.”

  As Georgina stepped into the
room, Quentin lazily rolled off the bed and stood. “Hey, Ma.”

  “Hey, Junebug.” Georgina’s expression softened at the sight of Junior dozing at Lexi’s breast. She smiled at them, then glanced down at the luggage on the floor. “Looks like you two are all packed.”

  “Yeah. Don’t wanna get back too late. You ready to go?”

  “Actually,” Georgina hedged, “that’s what I came to talk to you about. I’ve decided to stay a while longer.”

  “What?” Quentin stared at her in surprise. “Why?”

  She sighed, stepping forward. “I’ve been away so long. One weekend isn’t nearly enough time for me to...” She trailed off, but Quentin understood.

  “How long do you plan to stay?”

  “Just until the holidays. I wouldn’t dream of missing Junior’s first Christmas.”

  Quentin nodded. “I’ll come back and get you when you’re ready.”

  “Oh, that’s okay, baby. Edward and Olivia have already promised to drive me home.” Georgina smiled. “It should be a fun road trip.”

  Quentin searched her eyes. “Are you sure about this?”

  She nodded. “I need to be here.”

  Quentin studied her face a moment longer, then glanced over his shoulder at Lexi. When she gave him a subtle nod, he clenched his jaw and turned back to his mother.

  “If they do anything to hurt you,” he growled fiercely, “I will come back and burn this place to the ground.”

  “Quentin!” Georgina gasped in shock. “Don’t talk like that!”

  “I’m serious, Ma. I won’t tolerate any of them hurting you again. You’ve been through enough.”

  “I know, Junebug.” She reached up to lay a soothing hand against his cheek. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

  As mother and son hugged, Lexi smiled poignantly and whispered to her sleeping child, “Tout est bien qui finit bien.”

  All’s well that ends well.

  When it was time for Quentin and Lexi to leave, everyone came out to the porch to see them off. Edward hugged them long and hard, and promised that the Harringtons would be at the gala in full force to cheer Quentin on as he accepted his Bennie Award. Grandpa George seconded the motion.