Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the HeirSecret Silver NightsSomeone Like YouIndulge Me Tonight

by Pamela Yaye

  There was silence then with only the clink of the pottery and utensils as Tielle finished up with the tea. She added plump cinnamon rolls to saucers and then transported the goods from the cart to an end table between the chairs.

  “Des?” Tielle rested her hand lightly on the woman’s knee. “Talk to me. Was Faro right? About what he—what he said?”

  Desree rested back in her chair. She appeared as though she might respond to the question, but there was nothing. Tielle passed Des a hot cup, folding the woman’s hands about the warm porcelain. She smiled when Des blinked at the heat to her skin.

  “Was he right, Des?”

  “Yes.” Desree spoke the word in a shudder and then bowed her head. “Yes.” The word was a sob that time.

  Tielle bowed her head, as well. “And you never told him.”

  “That’s how Ken and Grace wanted it.” Des’s voice gained a bit of firmness. “Ken.” She smiled, repeating her brother’s name. “Faro was right when he said the man was a soft heart. Tough as nails in business, but a real teddy bear when it came to the family. He fell in love with Grae the day he was born—from the time he saw him, held him.”

  “And Faro hated that bond,” Tielle guessed.

  “He didn’t understand it.” Desree’s smile was sad. “None of us did, really. We all knew Grace couldn’t keep her legs closed. Humph. Faro was right about that, too. Guess our family’s had one too many adult conversations in front of the kids....

  “It’s rare for a man to forgive a woman once she’s strayed, but Ken always forgave her. He once told me she knew he was the one who truly loved her. Talk about a sap...” Desree’s smile brightened somewhat, and she shook her head. “But we never heard about Grace stepping out on Ken after Grae came.”

  “And so Faro had to live with knowing Grae was the link that united his parents as he should’ve done.”

  Des laughed heartily then. “I doubt Faro ever cared if his parents came together, much less who brought them together. It was like Leo said—he was an awful child. My mother used to say he was born under a bad moon.” She shrugged. “After a while we just accepted it, and that was harder to do than accepting Grae, I’ll tell you that.” She waved her hand while voicing the confession.

  Desree’s shadowed face softened. “Grae was brightness in every sense of the word. There wasn’t a soul who didn’t want to be around him. As he grew up he became even more like Ken than Faro.” She rested her elbows to her knees, propped her chin on the backs of her hands.

  “You remember my brother,” she said, not expecting Tielle to respond. “He was massive, just like Grae, and with this—this presence that just overpowered. Grae isn’t as...softhearted as Ken was, but there’s goodness there—kindness. As awful as Faro could be to him, Grae still loved him.” Des reached for her teacup and looked to Tielle.

  “You aren’t the only one who wanted to make it work between those brothers. Grae wanted that, too.”

  “This will devastate him, you know?” Tielle’s eyes glistened with tears for the man she loved. “The fact that you and Leo knew... That you all knew...”

  Desree’s teacup and saucer clattered when she set them aside and clenched her shaking hands. “It was the way Ken wanted it. He didn’t care how Grae came to him, only that he had, and he never wanted anyone to tell Grae different. Grace certainly wasn’t going to go against those wishes, and neither were any of the rest of us.

  “Faro...” She sighed once her nephew’s name had passed her lips. “He was always such a terrible child. Blackhearted and conniving almost from the day he could talk.”

  Des laughed shortly. “I can’t count the times that we all sat around laughing at how things turned out. Faro was less like Ken or even Grace, for that matter. He was the one nobody could believe was a Clegg.” Her laughter tumbled out robustly for a while and then turned into sobs. “Do you think he’ll ever speak to me again, Tielle?”

  “I’m sure he will.” Tielle reached over to pat the woman’s knee. “But he’s going to want answers, and it’d be wise not to keep anything else from him.”

  “There’s nothing else,” Des swore. “At least nothing I’m keeping.” She turned wet eyes to Tielle. “Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?”

  Tielle’s answer lay in the solemnness of her expression—potent even against the firelight. Desree bowed her head and began to cry.

  * * *

  Sometime later, Laura found Tielle alone in her office. The firelight had dimmed, and the embers were low yet fought to regain their former glory.

  “How are you?” Laura joined Tielle on the sofa facing the fireplace.

  “Same as everyone else, I guess.” Tielle’s voice was monotone.

  Laura nodded. “How’d it go with Mrs. Clegg?”

  “Humph.” Tielle rested her face in her hands. “I think this’ll be our first retreat where people leave worse off than they were when they got here.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” Laura bumped Tielle’s shoulder with her own. “Faro’s motives were probably misplaced, but now that this is out in the open, the family can move forward.”

  Tielle reached over to squeeze Laura’s hand. “I hope you’re right, because right now I really can’t see it.”

  * * *

  It was past midnight when Tielle overcame her nervousness and decided to check in on Grae. She’d seen most of the men who had rustled him off earlier in the halls or out for a stroll or drink at the terrace bar, and she hoped the time was right to speak with her ex.

  She found the door apparently closed, but upon nearing it, she discovered it was ajar.

  “Grae?” She eased into the room, finding it quiet and tidy. There was no trace of Grae.

  “He’s gone.”

  She whirled around, finding Leo in the doorway.

  “Maid already got the room fresh for the next guest.”

  “Where?” Tielle could add no more to the question.

  “My guess is back to Portland.” Leo stepped closer. “I’m sorry, Tielle.”

  Her lips pursed. “I’m the last person you should be giving apologies to. You should save them all for Grae.”

  Leo nodded, lowered his head. “I know, but it doesn’t look like apologies are being accepted right now.”

  “Will you give up?” she asked.

  Leo smiled. “Never. I love that kid like he’s mine. We’ve had disagreements before. Grae always cools off after a day or two.” He shrugged, looking uncertain. “I’m sure it’ll take longer than a day this time.”

  “Well, you’re welcome to stay.” Tielle gave up a smile. “We won’t close for the holidays until another week or so. We certainly aren’t in any hurry to book our next retreat.”

  “Thanks,” he said, grinning, “but it’s probably better I head out. Some of the family left not long after Grae cleared out.”

  “And Faro?”

  Leo muttered an expletive. “Hopefully he’s taken a one-way train to hell.”

  Tielle studied the room Grae had used. “Do you think he’ll give up on getting what he wanted out of this?”

  “Not a chance. Putting this scheme in place was part of all the fun. He’s been wanting to tell this for a long time. Now that the cat’s out of the bag, he’ll milk it for all it’s worth. You can believe that.”

  “And where does that leave Grae in all this?”

  “Angry,” Leo said without hesitation. “That’s the scariest part of the whole thing.”

  Tielle bristled at the chill that raced down her arms. “Are you scared of what he might do to Faro?”

  “I’m scared of what he may do, period. The man was a terror when he lost you. That’s why Asia’s so upset with you.”

  Tielle was quiet as the image of Grae’s cousin emerged in her head.

  �
�It’s not good for a man that powerful physically and businesswise to have anger issues.” Leo gave Tielle a measuring look. “When you left, folks were almost afraid to e-mail him, much less talk to him.”

  “He came to see me.” She looked around the room again. “He wanted to talk about Faro using this place for the retreat and asked how I felt about it. He seemed calm then.”

  Leo nodded. “You’ve spent a year apart. The time alone did him a lot of good, got him to see his fault in all this, but, Tielle, he was working off the assumption that you were right about Faro. That he was being unfair and should work harder to make things better between them. That’s all out the window now. He’s angry with Faro, but madder at himself for not listening to what he knew was true about his brother.”

  Leo quieted, and Tielle used the time to mull over his words and wonder where she resided on her ex-husband’s anger meter.

  Chapter 14

  A fresh dusting of snow had settled during the night, but that didn’t stop the retreat’s guests from heading out early the following morning. The cook staff didn’t need to bother with full breakfast prep, but they did supply the group with fresh coffee, Danish and bagels to provide a little nourishment for the day ahead.

  Tielle kept to her office for much of the morning and didn’t care if the act effectively labeled her a coward. She did busywork until the bulk of the group had set off. Armed with a mug of tea, she met Laura on the main porch.

  “Think they’ll recommend us to their friends?” Laura teased as they watched the last of the family clear out.

  Laughter flowed softly between Laura and Tielle.

  “So when do you plan to hit the road?” Laura asked once she’d sipped her tea.

  “Humph. Trust me, I won’t need to be bullied into taking a vacation. I’m more than ready to head someplace hot and sunny.”

  “Sounds fabulous, but I meant when are you hitting the road to see Grae?”

  Tielle looked down into her cup. “I don’t think he’s in the mood to hear from me right now.”

  “I don’t believe that.” Laura sent Tielle a sidelong glance. “Not after what I’ve seen this past week. He still loves you, Ti. It’s obvious you still love him, but the man can’t even seem to move when you’re in his line of sight. I don’t think a man that in love with a woman would want to be away from her that long.”

  Tielle snuggled into the gray wool wrap she’d thrown on over her jeans and sweater. “This is about more than lost love, Laura,” she said while taking a seat on the porch step that had been cleared of snow. “What do I say to him about this? He’s insanely in love with his family, and now this. I can’t even imagine what’s going through his mind let alone figure out what to say to him about it.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t need you to say anything.” Laura rested against one of the porch columns. “Just be there.”

  Tielle cast a look at her. “You tryin’ to get rid of me?”

  “Not at all. Just trying to get you to do what you really want to be doing.”

  “Right. And get rid of me in the process.”

  Laura blew a kiss Tielle’s way. “Take it how you want. Let me know if you need help packing.”

  * * *

  Leo sat on his desk, head in hands as he prayed for an end to the incessant traffic in and out of his doors. It had been that way since his return from the retreat two weeks prior. That morning’s events had merely layered more frustration to an increasingly agitating day.

  “Does he hate him this much, Leo?” Simon Clegg asked. He had been overseeing daily operations of the firm while Grae and Leo attended the family gathering in Canada.

  Three Cleggs stood in Leo’s office. One of them had brought the morning’s paper.

  Leo reread the story’s headline: Clegg CEO Not a Clegg.

  “What’s he hoping to accomplish with this?” Gerald asked. “Our clients don’t care what Grae’s bloodline is, only that he’s making them money.”

  “It’s not about money for Faro.” Leo sighed. “He won’t be happy till he’s got Grae out of the company.”

  “He might achieve his goal.” Simon took the paper. “No one’s seen Grae since the trip.”

  “Why’s this such a mission for Faro?” Wesley asked. “It’s been years. Isn’t there a statute of limitations on sibling rivalry?” He grinned at his brother Gerald.

  Leo laughed. “Never, and Faro won’t ever forgive Grae for having Ken’s love.”

  “But that’s not G’s fault!” Simon ranted.

  “True.” Leo shrugged beneath his olive-brown suit coat. “But Grae’s the only one left to pay for that, isn’t he?”

  “Well, Faro’s mistaken if he thinks this stunt will get him back in the business and at the head of the table, besides!” Gerald swore.

  “Remember, guys—” Wesley’s voice softened “—Faro’s had decades to stew in the unloved-child soup. Do we just put up with his antics till he brings the family all the way down?”

  Again, Leo put his head in his hands. From that position he asked the most pressing question. “So who’s gonna talk to Grae about this morning’s paper?”

  * * *

  Finding Asia waiting to see her sent Tielle’s teeth gritting the moment their gazes locked across the room. Starting her day with a high dose of bad blood wasn’t what Tielle had expected when she arrived at her office that morning.

  Tielle decided the moment had long passed for pleasantries. “I don’t have the time, Asia. Actually, there never is time for dealing with your bull.”

  Asia didn’t appear stunned or offended by the insult. “I deserve that and more besides for the things I’ve said and insinuated to your face and...behind your back.”

  “Gee, thanks.” Tielle rolled her eyes and settled behind her desk to boot her computer.

  Asia was quiet, fidgeting with the cuffs of her sweater and smoothing her hands over the arms of the chair she occupied.

  “I’d offer you something,” Tielle said as she got up to prepare her morning tea, “but I’m sure you have to get back on the road ASAP.”

  “This is about Grae.”

  “’Course it is.”

  “We haven’t seen him in two weeks.”

  Tielle came down off some of her resistance. She returned the teapot to the beverage cart without pouring any for herself. “Is he in Portland?” Concern turned her voice faint.

  “We don’t even know that for sure,” Asia said.

  “After what happened, the guys who took Grae back to his room. What’d he say to them?”

  “Not much, um... He ordered them to let him go and...handle Faro.”

  Tielle closed her eyes, understanding the word as “Grae-speak” for “do bodily harm.”

  “Nobody knew he’d even left that night.” Asia’s voice was thicker given the sob trying to claim it. “He convinced everybody he was all right and then...”

  “Are you guys sure he didn’t go to handle Faro, after all?”

  “Doubtful.” Asia snorted. “Especially since Faro felt well enough to share his story with the press.”

  “Faro,” Tielle groaned while bowing her head.

  “This is a nightmare,” Asia sniffed.

  “Did you know? About Grae not being one of you?”

  “I’d heard things.” Asia shook her head. “Too young to understand them and then after a while I just didn’t want to know. It doesn’t matter.” She sniffed again and lifted her head to pin Tielle with a steady look. “Grae is part of this family, and being at the head of Clegg Marketing is where he belongs.”

  “Is that why you’re here?” Tielle folded her arms over the ribbed bodice of her multicolored sweater dress. “Because Grae’s so good in business? Making you all lots of money? He keeps you living very well, doesn’t h
e?”

  Asia’s temper showed signs of life. “We have loved Grae since before he could write his name or talk. We just want him in our lives.”

  “And everything back like it was.”

  “No, Tielle. Never like it was—not like it’s been for the past year.” Asia left her chair and started to pace the office. “Grae’s been living on the edge since he lost you. Faro’s only gotten worse but with you there to—to keep the peace, keep his mind fixated and calmed by the...the love you brought to it...” She turned to face her cousin’s ex-wife.

  “Those of us who couldn’t see that before, we—we see it now.” Asia slapped her hands to her generous thighs. “Of course me, being the most bullheaded of the bunch, I saw it last.”

  Tielle raised her chin. “Why are you here? What do you want from me, Asia?”

  “Just go see him.”

  “Asia—”

  “Tielle, please—”

  “He probably despises me as much as he does Faro.”

  “Not likely.” Asia pursed her lips. “Chances are you’re the only one he’ll open his door to. Even if he isn’t there—we’d appreciate you trying, Tielle.”

  “And what do you think I could accomplish?”

  “If he simply talks to you, that’d be good.”

  “This is funny.” Tielle shook her head, sending her thick ponytail bouncing wildly. “Pretty hypocritical for you to ask me to do something you gave me hell over when it came to Faro.”

  “You’re right we are, but it’s like I said, we’ve been bullheaded. We just want to know he’s all right. If you’re the only person he’ll ever talk to, then we’ll live with that.” Asia moved closer to Tielle. “If you’re the only person he’ll ever talk to, then we’ll have to live with that, but if you do talk to him, please tell him we love him and we never wanted this to touch him.”

  * * *

  “Tielle, do you know what you’re doing?” she asked herself as she took another breath and then rapped the door knocker to Grae’s downtown Portland condominium.

  “Grae? It’s me—it’s Tel...” She jingled the keys in her smoky-blue overcoat pocket in anticipation of tugging them out any second. There was no answer to her knock, and Tielle gave it a few moments before heading back the way she’d taken from the elevator. She’d covered a few steps when his voice resonated.