by Regina Duke
“Wonderful. Have that woman Dee handle the arrangements. She’s not busy at the moment.”
Jason was taken aback. Had Dolores forgotten the ball coming up on Thursday night? He covered his confusion by clearing his throat.
“Thanks, Gran. I’ll talk to her right away. We’re thinking about a small ceremony, with a honeymoon in the spring.” He added to himself, If I dare leave you behind.
“Lovely. Where is Cook? I need more tea.”
Jason alerted Mrs. Johnson before he retreated to the office next door. He wished Vicky was available to assist with Dolores. He’d look for her as soon as he smoothed things over with the butler. He’d do whatever he could to entice the man to return. All of the work Jason was having to do to reestablish the household was part of the butler’s duties, and he couldn’t wait to turn it all over.
He settled at the desk and found another number for Alistair. He hoped Gloria hadn’t completely soured the man on the Darby family. There’d been a Mays on the staff since his ancestor Tobias Darby had made the family’s first fortune in the California Gold Rush. He let his imagination run wild with what he would like to do to Gloria to exact revenge, but as much as he would enjoy suspending her upside down over a pit of crocodiles, he knew it was better to let the lawyers handle things.
The phone rang four times before a cultured baritone at the other end said, “Hello?”
“Al? It’s Jason Darby.”
“Ah, at last. I wondered how long that she-wolf Gloria would get away with wreaking havoc on the family.”
“But Al, if you knew something was wrong, why didn’t you let me know?”
“I did call, sir. I left several messages with your aunt. There was never a response. I began calling the minute Gloria told me my services were no longer required, at the beginning of September. I finally decided to speak to your lawyers.”
Jason squeezed his eyes shut as he realized what had happened. “I’m so sorry, Al. My uncle passed away last week, and from midsummer on, Aunt Grace couldn’t think about anything else. She probably never even checked her messages. She was mostly at the hospital by Jerry’s bed. Man, I feel like such a jerk. I was finishing up at flight school. I just assumed everything was okay, you know? No news is good news, and all that. But I was wrong.”
Alistair made a sympathetic noise. “I do hope you’re calling to invite me back, sir.”
“Yes! Please, I really need you. I’ve spoken to the legal team about Gloria and what she’s done here. Isolating Gran. Most likely walking off with family art treasures. I found a fake vase in the entry way. I’ve been busy calling the people that Gloria fired. So far, I’ve been lucky. Cook has returned, but needs help. All the maids have scattered Wilhelmina has offered to come by for a few hours every day to help Aunt Grace with Gran. I couldn’t need you more than right now. I hope you haven’t accepted another position? I will, of course, make sure you get all the back wages that you’ve missed in the interim.”
Alistair’s pleasure was evident in his voice. “Why, thank you, sir. That is most generous. And yes, I would love to return at once.”
Jason was distracted by a soft knock at the door. “Hang on a moment, Al.” He stepped to the hall.
Grace stood there, wringing her hands. “Oh, Jason, I thought I’d find you here. Please come at once. Something is terribly wrong with Vicky!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Jason returned to the phone. “Al? Give me a few minutes. Something’s happening here. I’ll call you right back.”
He hung up and followed an agitated Grace down the servant hall. “I used the intercom to her room. I’m baking cookies, and I thought she might like to try one. When she answered, I could tell she was very upset. She said she was busy practicing.”
“She’s got her keyboard in the Peach Room. She’s used to playing several hours a day. Nothing strange about that.”
“Does she usually weep uncontrollably while she’s playing?”
Jason broke into a run.
From behind him, Grace called out, “I’ll leave you two alone to work this out.”
When Jason got to the door of the Peach Room, he pressed his ear to the wood to listen. In addition to the powerful thump, thump, thump of Vicky’s strong fingers hitting the muted keys, he thought he could hear a sniffle or two. He knocked twice, then tried the door knob. It wasn’t locked. He opened it and entered.
Vicky was standing up, getting ready to answer the door. She pulled her earphones off and laid them on her chair. Her face was streaked with tears, and her cheeks were flushed with emotion. Jason’s heart lurched. The sight of her suffering awakened every protective bone in his body. He felt anger rising within him, anger toward whomever or whatever had caused her tears. He knew in that moment that he cared more deeply for Vicky than he’d ever cared for any so-called love interest in his life. He wanted to hold her and protect her and make everything okay.
“Vicky, what’s wrong?” He rushed to her side.
Vicky wiped hastily at her tears. “Just practicing a sad song. I’m fine. Really.”
“You don’t look fine. What happened? Who was your phone call from? Was it Darius? I’ve had it with him. I’m going to punch his freaking lights out, lawsuits be damned!”
Vicky almost smiled. She put a hand on his chest to calm him. “No, it wasn’t Darius. How do you feel about hitting women? The phone call was from my mother.”
“Oh.” The syllable was full of caution. “What’s going on with her?”
“I guess you could punch Darius. He’s the one who caused all the grief. He called my mother and told her a pack of lies about me and you and everything that’s happening here. He told her I cheated on him, that I must have been seeing you while I was still in California. He also told her I was selling myself for money. Mother called me a prostitute!” She sobbed into a tissue.
“That does it. I’m going to call the legal team and start pressing charges. He had a meeting with Gloria. She must have told him how rich we are. So he thinks you’re marrying me for money. That pig.”
Vicky sniffed guiltily. “But I am marrying you for money. Aren’t I?”
Jason stopped cold. “Technically, sure. I mean, that’s how this got started. But I was sort of hoping you might be starting to like me. Just a little bit?”
Vicky threw herself against him. “Yes! That’s what has me so upset. I like you more than a little bit. I like you so much, I’d marry you without the money. But if I do that, I can’t help pay off mother’s house. And if I do marry you, she won’t take my help because she thinks it’s dirty money. I’m stuck between a rock and hard place. What am I going to do?”
Jason was abuzz with excitement. “You like me a lot? How much is a lot?”
Vicky delivered a wimpy punch to his bicep. “Didn’t you just hear me say I’d marry you without the money? That much.” She pulled her head back and looked up at him. “When I first saw you at the airport, I thought you were the handsomest man I’d ever met. And then I thought you were a jerk, but I realized by the end of that car ride that you were just overcome by grief. Then when you came to Madlyn’s and I dropped that loaded rifle, I nearly died. I thought I’d killed you! And then I saw how sweet you were about your grandmother, and last night when you taught me how to skate, I never wanted you to get up off the floor. Oh, Jason, can’t you just say no to the family fortune so my mother will be happy for me?” She looked up at him plaintively.
Jason’s eyes shot right and left before returning her gaze. “You’re kidding, right? About the last part?”
“Totally. But not about the rest. I was ready to hate every man I ever met because of the way Darius treated me. But then, along comes Jason Darby. I don’t want to hate you. I want to do all kinds of non-hateful things with you.”
Jason grinned at her. The pressure of her warm body against his chest was giving him some ideas about those non-hateful activities. He cradled her head in his hands and planted a warm kiss on her mouth. Then
he nuzzled her neck. “So you’re telling me you’re upset because your mother won’t approve if you marry me?”
“It’s stupid, I know.”
“Actually, it makes a lot of sense. Grace is the closest thing I’ve had to a mother, and I just found out that my butler started sending her messages about Gloria and Gran two months ago. But Grace was too wrapped up in Jerry’s decline to pay attention. And I can’t even be angry with her.”
Vicky pulled back a few inches. “Why didn’t your butler call you directly?”
Jason felt embarrassment color his cheeks. “Because I didn’t want to be bothered while I was finishing flight school. I told Grace and Jerry I needed time alone to concentrate on myself for a few weeks. Can you believe it? I’m such a jerk. So she didn’t even call me until the hospital said Jerry only had a few hours left. And I was so wrapped up in myself, I didn’t even take my phone. She had to look up the name of the flight school and tell them it was an emergency to get me to listen to her.” He released his hold on her and turned toward the window. “I was a total loser. How could I do that? How could I think my pilot’s license was more important than my family? And here you are, apologizing because you think your mother’s opinion and feelings are important.” He looked back at her. “Are you sure you want to marry a self-involved brat like me?”
“Oh, yes! I’m sure. No question. I’ll marry you the moment you give the word. Even if you inherit millions.” She made a face like that would be a huge sacrifice.
Jason was beginning to recognize when she was kidding, and he played along. “How about billions?”
Vicky flinched, but put on a brave face. “Billions? Well, I’ll just have to be strong.”
Jason upped the ante. “How about tens of billions?”
Vicky raised her arm and laid the back of her hand across her forehead. “Stop, please! No more. Marry me now, in silence, without torturing me with the numbers!”
Jason laughed. “That was very good. Have you ever thought about acting?”
Vicky smiled and dropped the act. “No. I have terminal stage fright. That’s why I haven’t won a competition yet. I get up there in front of all those people, and something snaps inside of me, and they’re lucky I don’t puke on the keys.”
“There’s a lovely image,” said Jason. He embraced her again, then let one arm remain around her shoulders. “We need to solve this mother problem.” He snapped his fingers. “I’ve got an idea. You said she believed Darius’ lies. Even after you told her the truth?”
Vicky looked uncomfortable. “I shouldn’t say this, but she has always believed that words are more valuable if they come out of a man’s mouth. When I was in junior high, I tried to tell her that my stepfather was hiding liquor around the house. Instead of believing me and actually looking to see if the bottles were where I said they were, she went to him and asked if he was doing it. Of course, he denied it, and he made sure to take all the bottles out of their hiding places so I couldn’t back up my story.”
Jason tilted his head to one side. “What about your real father?”
“I never knew him. He was a soldier. That’s all mother ever told me. She said he died in Iraq.”
“His name was Winn? We could find out.”
“No. Winn was my mother’s maiden name. She never told me what my father’s name was.”
Jason’s eyes narrowed. “Sounds like there are lots of things your mother never told you. But her willingness to believe what men tell her could work to our advantage. Where does your mother live?”
“Longmont.”
“That’s only three hours from here.” He was surprised.
Vicky sighed. “I know.” She looked away.
“Give me her phone number and address.”
Vicky reluctantly did as he asked. “What do you have in mind?”
Jason took the paper she handed him and scrutinized it. He took out his cell phone and thumb dialed. With a wink, he said, “I’ve just rehired our butler. Why don’t you go downstairs and see how lunch is coming along?”
Once Vicky was out of the room, Jason put the phone to his ear.
“Hello? Alistair?”
“Yes, Mr. Darby.”
“May I ask where you are at the moment?”
“In the living room, sir.”
Jason rolled his eyes and smiled. “I mean, what city? Town? State?”
“Oh. I’m at my sister’s home in Denver, sir.”
“Al, remember how I said I’d pay your back wages?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I know this is short notice, but if you can start back to work immediately, I’ll throw in a hefty bonus.”
“Indeed? Well, my sister could use a new television.” Under his breath, he added, “And I’m quite sure she’s tired of having me underfoot.”
“Excellent,” said Jason. “Here’s what I’d like you to do.”
CHAPTER FORTY
The rest of the day was a flurry of activity. Mrs. Johnson served a pleasant lunch for Dolores, Jason, Grace, and Vicky in the dining room, and fed the rest of the staff in the kitchen. Vicky tried to help clear the table, but Dolores touched her arm gently and shook her head no. Then she leaned in and said quietly, “They’ll think you disapprove of the job they’re doing.”
Mina arrived at three and had a mini reunion with Grace and Dolores.
“Mrs. Darby, it’s so good to see you again. You must be very busy. I haven’t seen you at the boutique lately.”
Dolores was regal. “At my age, dear, there’s no point in spending money on clothes. But I do miss the company. When our chauffeur returns from vacation, your boutique will be my first stop. Do come into the parlor. Mrs. Johnson? May we have tea?”
“Do you have your costume yet? For the ball tomorrow night?”
Dolores said, “I’ll limit my costume to a fancy masque on a stick.” She turned to Vicky. “Do I have one of those, dear?”
Vicky’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’m not sure.”
Mina waved a hand. “Don’t worry. We have dozens at the shop. I’ll be sure to bring some tomorrow morning. Jason told me you’re shopping around for a new maid. Perhaps I could help out a bit in the mornings, just until you find the right person. I could do your hair for you and help you pick out your wardrobe for the day.”
Vicky covered a smile. Unspoken in the offer but definitely part of the arrangement was also helping her dress, making sure she was safe in the shower, keeping track of her medications, and a dozen other little tasks that otherwise might not get done at all. As she watched Mina interact with Dolores, she thought once again of her mother and how many years she performed those same tasks for her grandmother. It occurred to her that one of the reasons she felt abandoned as a young girl getting ready for school was because her poor mother had her hands full at the other end of the house, getting her own mother bathed and dressed. Vicky felt a twinge of guilt at the hard feelings she’d felt back then.
Well, she would certainly be paying it forward here, by helping Jason with his own grandmother. She wondered what he’d instructed Alistair to do with regard to Elsa, but Jason had told her to wait and see.
Mina’s voice brought Vicky back to the present. “Mrs. Darby, have you heard Vicky play the piano? She’s an amazing musician.”
Dolores tilted her head to one side. “Why, no, I haven’t. Vicky, dear, I didn’t know you played.”
Vicky felt a twinge of sadness as she realized Dolores had no memory of the morning’s events.
“Yes, I’ve studied my whole life. I was about to compete in the J and T Competition when—” she paused “—something came up and I came to Eagle’s Toe instead.”
“The J and T?” Dolores perked up. “Why, that’s my competition. I sponsor that contest, and I’m chairman of the board. Well, I used to be,” she said, wryly, “before I started getting so old. Now I’m emeritus. But the board is very good about reporting to me. This year’s winner was a young woman from Anaheim, Nancy Ling-Sm
ythe, I believe. Incredible talent.”
Vicky clapped her hands together. “I thought so. I was trying to ask Jason about it, but something happened and I never got the chance. J and T, for Jill and Thomas, right?”
Dolores looked touched. “Why, yes, dear. I initiated the competition in their honor. But you say you didn’t compete?”
“An unfortunate set of circumstances prevented my participation,” she said wryly. “But on the bright side, I’m sitting here chatting with the woman who founded it.” She smiled brightly.
Dolores was pleased. “I can’t wait to hear you play. Before Gloria left, she told me there was some kerfluffle this year. Some fellow was complaining that the judges were prejudiced in favor of the Ling-Smythe girl. I believe he tried to file a formal objection through Gloria.” She frowned. “Can’t remember the fellow’s name. Not at all a common one.”
Vicky narrowed her eyes. Now she knew why Darius had come to Eagle’s Toe, and why he wanted so desperately to meet with Gloria. “I’m sure his complaint was unfounded,” she said. “The J and T Competition has one of the finest reputations of all the pianist competitions. And I’ve heard Nancy Ling-Smythe play. She deserved to win. She’s so composed and confident on stage, she never makes a mistake.”
Mina said, “You seemed fairly composed and confident yourself when you played at the boutique. You could have given her a run for her money.”
Vicky shrugged. “I have a terrible problem with stage fright. I’m sick for days before a competition. And although some people say they perform better when they’re nervous, it’s not the case with me.”
“But you didn’t look nervous at all,” said Mina.
Vicky smiled. “My audience wasn’t filled with critical judges marking numbers on scoresheets,” she said. “I really enjoyed playing for your customers. It was so relaxing and fun.” She glanced about. “I wonder where Jason’s gone?”
Mina said, “With the ball tomorrow night, he’s probably solving last minute crises with the party planner.”
