Dusky Rose

by Joanna Scott

  Laura looked at him quizzically. "You're not really a mailroom worker, are you?"

  "I never said that I was. Where did you ever get that idea?"

  "That Saturday at Lattimer Headquarters, when you said that you had to do some work in the mailroom. I just assumed it was your regular job, but I was wrong, wasn't I? Mailroom employees don't frequent expensive restaurants or wear hand-tailored mohair suits. Also, you seem to know a lot about the personal life of Mr. Lattimer. You must be his Man Friday."

  "Actually, I'm his Man-Seven-Days-a-Week. I told you, there's nothing he wouldn't ask me to do. My time is his time, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day."

  Laura smiled enticingly. "Even now?"

  David answered her in a calm, deliberate voice. "Even now, while I'm enjoying this delightful conversation with you, I'm working for Jonathan Lattimer. I told you, working for him is a full time job. Now then, am I to understand that you've accepted employment with him? Then I guess you'll be at his beck and call like the rest of his employees. Is that going to bother you?"

  "I don't know. I suppose everything will be all right if I never have to meet him, but I'm afraid I may not like doing business with him personally."

  "You mean that you still think he's an ogre even after seeing this lovely home? Ogres don't live in romantic houses like this, do they?"

  Laura shook her head. "That's what I can't understand. No one person could be comfortable in two such diverse structures, I don't care what you say. These two buildings are too extreme. I get cold chills every time I go into Lattimer Headquarters, but I love every minute I spend in this house."

  "I'm sure that Jonathan will be happy to know that you like this house even if you dislike his office building. Maybe he can arrange his affairs so that you can conduct all your business with him here, where you're happy."

  "I'll be just as happy to complete my work without ever meeting him, thank you. I'm just a plant lady and I've no desire to lock horns with a vicious financier."

  "Why do you feel that you'd have to lock horns with him? You like his home. Isn't it just possible that you'd enjoy his company too?"

  "Not very. As you said, he's a complex person. I'm sure he'd be far too deep for me to understand. I'll be content to care for his horticultural needs; let someone else cope with his personality problems."

  David smiled. "I don't know about that. I told you, when you're on Jonathan Lattimer's payroll there's nothing he can't ask you to do."

  Laura shot icy daggers into David's confident eyes. "And I told you that there are some things I just don't do. That includes being subservient to the oh-so-important Mr. Lattimer. Unlike some people, I'm not willing to sell my soul for Mr. Lattimer's money."

  David winced. "Ow, that remark hurt. Now I guess we both know what you think of me. And here I thought we were such good friends."

  Laura could see that David was teasing her, and enjoying every minute of it. She decided that she was not going to allow him to have fun at her expense any longer. The subject would have to be changed to a safer one before he cornered her in a situation that might prove too uncomfortable for her own good. For some reason, David had the ability to do that to her before she even realized what was happening.

  "I don't understand why Mr. Lattimer needs such a large house. He's a confirmed bachelor, isn't he? The so-called Playboy of the Western World." David winced again. "You've really got your talons sharpened today, haven't you? I told you not to believe everything you hear about Jonathan. It may very well be that he's tired of playing around and has decided to get married and settle down. Even the most confirmed bachelor can change his mind when the right woman comes along." His dark eyes fastened onto Laura's and held them tightly, until she looked away, but it was too late. Those piercing eyes had done their damage and Laura felt the hot blush rising through her tense body to flame her soft white cheeks. This situation would have to be ended before it got out of hand.

  "Well, I came here to do work and I'd better get to it. I wouldn't want Mr. Lattimer to think he's not getting his money's worth," she said, as she rose from her chair and started walking toward the atrium.

  "Wait," David said. "I'll be sure to tell Jonathan Lattimer that you're worth every penny he's paying you. But our conversation has gotten off on such a tangent that you haven't answered my original question. What do you think of this chess set?"

  "It's beautiful; I've never seen anything quite like it before."

  David kept his eyes glued to her face, as if willing her to stay. "The set is very old and valuable; Jonathan purchased it when he was in India. I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear that his chief decorator approves of it. Do you play chess?"

  "Not really," said Laura. "My father was quite good at the game, but he and my mother were killed in an automobile crash when Midge and I were very young. His unmarried sister brought us up and though she educated us to the best of her ability, chess was not one of her strong points."

  "I see; so most of your time has been spent in the company of females, first with your maiden aunt and now as your sister's partner in the flower shop?"

  "Not altogether," Laura said, strangely resenting his implication that she was an unworldly stay-at-home. "My work keeps me quite busy, but I still find time to do some enjoyable things."

  "That's true, I recall seeing you out dancing with your friend Roger just last week. That was when you very callously turned me down for a dance and then, once I had finally convinced you to trip the light fantastic, refused to come home with me. It's lucky for you that I'm such a forgiving person or I might not be so friendly to you now. But I'm willing to let bygones be bygones, and since Roger hasn't taught you how to play chess, I hope that you'll let me introduce you to the finer points of the game. I think that you'll find the game very interesting. Chess is a battle of wits you know, and we constantly seem to be engaging in that, don't we?"

  "It seems that way, doesn't it? Perhaps we should just try to stay out of each other's way while we're both working for Mr. Lattimer. I certainly don't want to jeopardize my position by having a battle of wits with his righthand man."

  David's face lit up in amusement as he bowed deeply from the waist. "Ah, Miss Canaday, the pleasure is all mine. You are a most delightful combatant and I enjoy it all the more knowing I shall win the war."

  Laura grabbed her sketchbook from the table and ran through the open door to the atrium. A stormy wave of angry tension leaped through her body as she heard David's arrogant laughter echo through the house behind her. The best thing to do was to avoid him as much as possible; Laura doubted that she would ever emerge triumphant in any duel with him.

  She began walking around the atrium, measuring it for the proper placement of trees and shrubs. She sketched in a marble fountain and reflecting pool which would provide a cool touch of blue during the day as well as a luxuriously romantic atmosphere on pleasant summer evenings. Laura looked around for a suitable area in which to build the well which would supply the water for the fountain and shrubbery. This was a necessary part of any landscape planning in northern California, which was still recovering from the devastating effects of a two-year drought. In addition, Laura thought, it would be wise to make provisions for recycling the well water in the interest of ecology.

  In the midst of her work, she heard the Land Rover start up and drive away. She paused for a moment and then shrugged her shoulders. How like David not to say even a cordial goodbye. It just seemed that whenever he was ready to leave, he took off, without any attempt at polite behavior. It's just as well, she decided. His presence was so strangely disturbing to her that she was happy to see him depart. No one else had ever been able to make her so flustered or lose control of her own emotions, and his power over her bothered her more than she cared to admit. She was sure that she would be able to accomplish much more work now that he was gone. It was all a matter of letting her mind take control and silencing the rapid beating of her foolish heart.

  Laura worked
quickly, measuring the space for the pool and selecting specific plants for the various areas within the atrium. She stood in the center of the atrium, at the site of the projected reflecting pool, looking toward the glass sliding doors which opened off each room, and decided that it would be practical to provide a small sitting area near each exit. Then, Mr. Lattimer would have immediate access to the outdoor relaxation which, Janine had said, was so important to him.

  The master bedroom and adjoining bath had clear glass windows which looked out on the atrium. Laura sketched in a wall for privacy and some shrubs. She walked into the bathroom and realized that it was twice as large as the bedroom which she shared with Midge. A large sunken marble tub with a whirlpool attachment stood in the center of the room. Heat vents and sun lamps dominated the ceiling. Along one edge of the outer wall, the architect had constructed a sauna.

  Laura was sketching things rapidly on her pad and really making progress when she heard the sound of a car stopping on the driveway in front of the house. She walked through the master bedroom, toward the front door, and was greeted by David's voice calling out, "Lunch time."

  He was carrying a cardboard bucket of prepared chicken in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. "Come on," he said. "Don't just stand there. Even an old slave driver like Jonathan Lattimer allows his hired help time off for lunch."

  Laura smiled at David. "I thought you had gone for the day. I heard the Land Rover leave and I didn't think you'd be back."

  David shook his head as he walked into the music room. "I'd never leave without saying goodbye. What would you think of my manners? And my mother would never forgive me if I behaved in such an uncivilized manner. It's just that you were so busy, I didn't want to disturb you. I stand in awe of an artist at her work."

  Laura knew that he was teasing her again, but he was doing it so skillfully that any angry reaction on her part would appear totally uncalled for. She just stood there watching him, not knowing what to do. She had a strong desire to run away before he had a chance to make her even more flustered, but she hesitated, realizing how foolish that would make her appear. She just never knew where she stood with this man.

  David took a large checkered cloth from one of his packages and spread it on the carpeted floor in front of the open glass door to the atrium. "Aren't you going to help me? I went out and bought everything, the very least you can do is help me prepare the table."

  "I'm sorry," Laura said. "It's just that you're always so full of surprises, I find it hard to keep up with you."

  She walked over and helped him even out the cloth, then she began to take the plastic cutlery and plates from the paper sacks. When they were finished, they had spread a bountiful picnic lunch before them. David had purchased chicken, salads and a chilled bottle of California Chablis. ,

  "There now," said David, "I told you I take care of everything for Jon Lattimer. I know that he would never forgive me if I let his chief plant keeper faint from hunger. Come on, sit down, I'm starving. Which part of the chicken do you want?"

  Laura sat down at the opposite edge of the cloth, trying to put as much distance between herself and David as possible. "A drumstick would be fine, thank you."

  David began to heap her plate with chicken, salad and rolls. "Hold out your glass," he said, "I'll pour the wine."

  Laura shook her head, "No wine for me, thank you. Wine makes me sleepy and I want to finish planning the shrubbery for the atrium."

  "There's nothing else to drink, the water is not hooked up yet. Just have a little wine and I'll hold your pencil for you if you get too woozy."

  "Stop teasing me," Laura said, as she felt her anger rising. "I'm serious about my work and I don't want it ruined by a fuzzy head—mine or yours!"

  David put his hands up in front of him, palms toward Laura. "Truce, I apologize, I meant no disparagement toward the quality of your work. Believe me, I want that atrium to turn out well, just as much as you do. Why don't you let me see what you've done so far?"

  Laura handed David the plans, explaining the placement of the fountain, trees and shrubs.

  "That's really good," he said. "I know that Jonathan will like this layout. Why don't you have just a sip of wine? I promise to limit the amount and see that you're still capable of doing your work."

  "I am thirsty, and if you give your word that you'll behave yourself, I would enjoy washing this food down with some liquid refreshment."

  "Scout's honor. Have half a glass of wine, then we'll clean up and I'll help you plan the atrium so you do it just the way Mr. Lattimer would like it."

  When they decided that they could eat no more, they started to gather up the remnants of the meal. Then David, true to his word, walked around the atrium, helping Laura decide upon the locations for the various plants.

  "How are you feeling?" David asked. "You seem in perfect control to me."

  "Oh, I'm fine," Laura said, smiling. "I guess I can allow myself half a glass of wine without losing complete control of my senses."

  "And have you noticed how reliable and trustworthy I've been? Not once have I attempted to ply you with wine and take advantage of your inebriated state. I've been a model of virtue and I expect to be commended for it."

  Laura made a low curtsy. "You have been a knight in shining armor and I am most appreciative of your gallant behavior."

  "I thank you for the compliment," said David, "although I did have to go digging for it. Since I've been such a model of virtue today, how about driving out to Stinson Beach with me tomorrow? My friend has a little cottage there and I'd like to get your opinion on the landscaping. We can make it sort of a business-pleasure trip. I'll have the pleasure of your company and, who knows, if my friend likes your work, you just might get some business out of it."

  Laura hesitated. "I don't know. I'm really quite busy with this house and I should stay home tomorrow to catch up on some other work I've been neglecting."

  "That's not fair," said David. "It hardly pays for me to be good if you're still going to make excuses to avoid seeing me. I warn you, you're tempting me to forget my good conduct and revert to my old lascivious ways."

  Laura laughed. "All right, I love the beach and I would enjoy being in the company of such an upstanding citizen."

  "Fine, I'll pick you up at ten in the morning, so let me have your address. Now, why don't you call it quits for today? Start driving home before it gets dark; I'll lock up here."

  A gentleman to the end, he walked her to her car and waved as she drove away.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning Laura was having her coffee at the kitchen table when Midge came in, mumbling a sleepy "good morning."

  Laura was wearing form-fitting white cotton slacks with a blue and white cotton knit blouse. The blouse clung to her body and tucked into the narrow waistband of her slacks. The arms of a heavy blue sweater were tied around her neck and the outfit provided a perfect foil for her soft, dark hair and smooth, honey-toned complexion.

  "What are you doing all dressed up and eating breakfast at nine o'clock on a Sunday morning?" Midge asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee and joining Laura at the table.

  "I've got to go out on an estimate for a job in Stinson Beach. Someone is picking me up at ten o'clock. If they like my work, I may get another large contract."

  "My goodness, Laura, the work's really pouring in on you now. I hope you don't get swamped by it all. Who's driving you out to Stinson Beach?"

  "Mr. Lattimer's assistant. He helped me do some layout work yesterday and then suggested I look at his friend's house this morning."

  "You're really becoming involved with Lattimer Corporation, aren't you?"

  "There does seem to be a lot of referral work coming through, doesn't there? I hope I can get enough work to keep the business going by myself, after you marry Steven. I would hate to become dependent upon Aunt Estelle again."

  "Well, if things keep up like this, you'll probably be doing so well that you'll have to hire an assistant
!"

  Laura laughed. "I don't ever want to get that busy, I just want to earn my own keep and remain independent."

  "I don't know if that's such a wise decision, Laura; Steven says that Roger really likes you. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to encourage his attentions and become a little dependent on him."

  "That kind of marriage isn't for me, Midge. I can't stand the thought of waiting on some man, hand and foot. I'll stick to caring for my plants. And if I want to keep my business growing, I'd best keep on my toes and try to land this job. I think I'll wait downstairs, it's practically impossible to find parking around here on Sunday."

  Laura grabbed her shoulder bag and sketch pad. "Give my love to Steven."

  Then she ran out the apartment door and down the stairs. The hilly street was clear of cars except for those parked along the curb. She leaned up against the black wrought iron fence and checked out the data in her sketch book as she waited for David. A bright green Porsche pulled up to the curb and David reached over to open the door for Laura. "Hop in; I like a girl who doesn't keep me waiting."

  Laura closed the door behind her, a little surprised that David seemed to have two cars, one of them rather expensive. "It's practically impossible to get parking around here, so I thought I'd wait outside and make things easier for you."

  "You're sure it wasn't because you were so eager to meet me, you couldn't stand being indoors?"