King of the South

by Calia Read

  “Bastard,” I mutter.

  “Uncle Liv?” a child’s voice sweetly says beside me. There’s another tug on my sleeve.

  When I look down, I find Alex staring up at me with her almond-shaped eyes.

  “Go play with your cat, Chauncy,” I say dismissively. Can’t she see I’m in the middle of something?

  “His name is Chandler. I call him Chan-Chan. Have you seen him?”

  “They’re both ridiculous names.”

  “Uncle Liv,” she repeats, this time more urgently. “Have you seen Chan-Chan?”

  My God, doesn’t this child have a nanny? What happened to proper childcare?

  “No, I haven’t. I’m a bit preoccupied,” I whisper and watch as Conrad turns toward Rainey preventing me from seeing her face.

  “Dammit, move,” I hiss.

  “Dammit,” Alex echoes perfectly.

  Wide-eyed, I face the child as she begins to skip in circles, saying a word that will undoubtedly be linked back to me. Giving her my undivided attention, I kneel in front of her, and stop her by placing my hands on her shoulders. “You cannot say that. Uncle Liv was wrong.” I mock slap myself. “Bad Uncle Liv.”

  Alex giggles and slaps her cheek. “Dammit.” She points a finger at me. “Your turn.”

  This hellion thinks it’s a game! She’s going to ruin this for me.

  I happened to discover this dinner by sheer luck. I came to Belgrave to drop off some of the Pleasonton ledgers for Étienne to peruse, and instead was drawn toward to the kitchen by the delicious scent of food. I tried to take a bite of one of the biscuits. But when the cook, Pearl, has been part of the staff longer than you’ve been alive that’s not easy to come by, and she promptly whacked my hand and said, “Shoo, boy. This is for Mr. and Mrs. Lacroix and the dinner they be hostin’.”

  I asked who would be at the dinner and Pearl said she knew Miss Rainey would be there but that’s all she knew. It didn’t take long for me to grasp that I’d been hoodwinked by Rainey. There was no walk in the park with a bachelor. She simply wanted to distract me from this dinner.

  I must give her credit for such a well-thought-out lie.

  “I can’t find Chan-Chan,” Alex whines.

  “When I go into town I’ll find a stray cat for you. We’ll call it Chan-Chan number two.”

  “No, I need Chan-Chan.”

  Impatiently, I look down at my niece. “You need your nanny. Better yet, why aren’t you in bed?”

  I can’t decide what it is I said to cause her eyes to well up with tears. All I know is her lower lip begins to quiver right as the voices from inside the dining room approach the doors. There’s no time to offer her condolences or bribery. Promptly, I bend down and sweep Alex into my arms. The door opens and I turn to my niece and smile as if I didn’t corrupt her by teaching her first cuss word. “No, my sweet Alex, I love you.”

  The four of them stare at me with confusion. After a few seconds Rainey tilts her head to the side, crosses her arms and narrows her eyes into thin slits.

  “Livingston? What are you doing here?” Serene asks as she strides toward Alex and me.

  “I came here to … talk about finances.”

  “At eight o’clock at night?”

  Gladly, I give her Alex. “I take great offense to that question, Serene. Finances have always been incredibly important to me. I think my brother would agree with me.”

  All eyes turn to Étienne, but he’s staring at me as though I’ve grown three heads. The only time I’ve expressed interest in my finances is to pay off gambling debts, or a bill at Vincent’s Chicco’s from the night before.

  “Well, okay then,” Serene draws out as she pats Alex’s back. “I’m goin’ to lay Alex back down in her bed.”

  They’re almost to the staircase when Alex yells, “Oh, dammit!”

  What is the child, a parakeet?

  Serene stops in her tracks and turns on her heels, and gives me a questioning look. “Did my daughter just say dammit?”

  At that, Alex giggles once again and slaps her own cheek. “Dammit,” she repeats.

  I hold my hands out in front of me. “It’s remarkable what kids acquire at such a young age, but this one.” I wag my finger at my niece. “She just might be a genius. You and my brother should truly be proud.”

  “Uh-huh,” Serene finally says, in a flat monotone voice. She’s far from moved. The only advantage with Conrad being present is Serene is on her best behavior, and isn’t demanding to know all that I said to Alex.

  While she goes upstairs, I turn to Étienne, Rainey and Conrad. “Havin’ a pleasant dinner?”

  “We were,” Rainey remarks.

  “I think now is the perfect time to retire to the sittin’ room. Shall we?” Étienne says diplomatically.

  “Wonderful idea,” Conrad says. He steps back and gestures for Rainey to walk in front of him. As she does, I can’t help but notice how he places his fingertips on the middle of her back. It’s a gesture I’ve done when I’m intimate or comfortable with a woman. As far as I knew this is the first time Conrad and Rainey are having dinner together, but I’m having second thoughts. He should be locked away for showing any interest in her. She’s too young for him. If Conrad had the sudden desire to find a wife he needs to look closer to his age. Not at Rainey.

  Briefly, my eyes meet Rainey’s. It doesn’t last for longer than a few seconds. She stares boldly back at me until I look away. That’s always been the fascinating thing about Rainey. While most women blush and play coy, Rainey chooses to be direct and straightforward. What you see is what you get.

  “Livingston, you’re more than welcome to join us in the sittin’ room, unless you need to speak with me privately?” Étienne asks with one brow arched.

  The real meaning behind his words: why are you here?

  “You know, I do believe I will take you up on your gracious offer. Thank you, dear brother.”

  Shaking his head, and muttering words under his breath, Étienne walks down the hall with Conrad. They begin discussing one of Étienne’s newest business acquisitions and through no fault of my own, I’m left with Rainey.

  “I need to speak with you before you leave,” I say, keeping my voice neutral.

  Rainey looks at me from the corner of her eyes. “About what?”

  “My finances,” I say, placing emphasis on the last word.

  She doesn’t stop walking, but her shoulders stiffen. “You came here to speak about that? Couldn’t that wait until tomorrow?”

  “It could. But I had important questions. Meet me in Étienne’s office.”

  “But–”

  “Meet me in Étienne’s office,” I repeat, my tone brokering no room for argument.

  I turn and walk away, knowing full well that this time, she’s stopped in her tracks and is staring daggers at me because no one ever tells her what to do and lives to tell the tale, and two, she will meet in the office because her curiosity will get the best of her. She wants to know what I have to say.

  In the office, I make sure the heavy ledger is where I placed it on the desk and make my way to the sideboard to pour myself a stiff drink. I don’t know how long the rest of the night will go on for Rainey and Conrad.

  Out of all my miscreant friends, is Conrad the worst for Rainey to possibly have a future with? No. In fact, some would say if you placed my pitfalls against his, I’d be considered the immoral one. I’m not trying to win Rainey’s hand, though. But I see nothing wrong with trying to avert her attention away from the men who are no good for her.

  There’s a small knock. I turn in time to see Rainey slip into the room, and quickly shut the door behind her.

  She takes a deep breath and points at me. “Stop sabotagin’ me, Livingston.”

  “Good evenin’ to you, too, darlin’.”

  “Good evenin’. Now stop it.”

  “I’m not sabotagin’ anythin’. Belgrave happens to be my childhood home. I come here often.”

  “Did the garden t
heater happen to be your childhood theater, too?”

  “That happened to be a coincidence.”

  She walks deeper into the room, rubbing her temples in the process. “Livingston, what did you discover about our finances that you just have to tell me tonight?”

  Now that we’re alone, I take her in, and my brows nearly connect. She looks different tonight. I cannot decide if that’s for the best or worst. Her hair is half up with the dark strands hanging to her waist. And what is that on her cheeks? Rouge?

  The hem of her sleeveless, gold lamé and peach insert gown grazes her calves. It’s a drop waist that I’ve noticed is becoming popular as of late. Unsurprisingly, the style nearly hangs on Rainey’s lithe frame. But it highlights her collarbones, the elegant curve of her neck. For all her stubbornness and strength, she’s still incredibly delicate and incredibly female.

  Clearing my throat, I gesture to the ledgers and put a mask of indifference on. “I’ve begun the process of lookin’ through your family’s finances.”

  Rainey hurries forward, her eyes filled with concern. “And?”

  “Just as I thought, the accountant your momma hired after Pleas’s death is a halfwit.”

  Her face falls, and at that moment, I want to take back my words. But when have Rainey and I ever been anything but honest with one another? It’s one of the things I can never fault her for, and vice versa.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Mr. Clarence Sedwig?” I say. Rainey nods. “How long has he been your accountant?”

  “For several years. There was a short time that Miles had taken over all the accounts.”

  “For how long?”

  “It was years ago. All I remember is Miles sittin’ in the study, his head bent as he intently poured over the ledgers as though his life depended on it.”

  I nod, encouragingly.

  “But it’s my understandin’ that his son Gerard was quite skilled with numbers and would help him.” She averts her gaze. “Before he too perished in the war.”

  “Ah. I understand.” I bow my head, mulling over my next words. Because even though I’d just begun looking through the ledger’s there were numerous errors that anyone with two working eyes would notice. “Well, Mr. Sedwig has been muckin’ up numbers, and the Pleasonton fortune went into bad investments. Would Pleas sign off on this?”

  “Before the war? I believe so. Durin’, I think Momma took over. Perhaps Mr. Sedwig encouraged her to invest.”

  Like a hungry lion, I pounce on her words. “What companies were they?”

  “I don’t know. I can search in the study. See if I can find any important documents.”

  “Thank you. Anythin’ can help. It doesn’t make sense why the ledgers are so terribly flawed. How this man had a career as an accountant is most remarkable. Your family might’ve been his only clientele.”

  Rainey’s nostrils flare as she looks away. “I will kill Mr. Sedwig myself.”

  I stop myself from smiling, but inside I’m thinking, “There’s my girl.”

  “Well, le savauge, I regret to inform you that your little bow and arrow are of no use. He died two weeks ago.”

  Her eyes widen. “From what?”

  “I’m not sure. Old age? The man was ninety-two.”

  Rainey mutters a curse beneath her breath that has the corner of my mouth tilting up. Wonder what Conrad would think of Rainey if he could see if her in her raw, natural element. To me, this is when she’s at her finest. Cheeks become flushed, eyes wide, and there’s a small part between her lips. She’ll lick her lower lip every so often as though she’s deliberating over her answer, or the destruction of her opponent.

  I cross my arms and lean against the fireplace mantel, watching her pace the floor. “Did you ever meet him?”

  “Yes, once. Very old man. Could not hear a thing,” Rainey replies.

  “Not surprised. You should have asked him what it was like to be alive durin’ the Old Testament.”

  At times my humor can be crass and inappropriate, and other moments it’s a much-needed transition for the uncomfortable. For Rainey and me, these wisecracks can go both ways. I hold my breath and wait for a reply. She stops pacing. She becomes silent for a millisecond before laughter spills out of her mouth. No one in the world has a better laugh that Rainey. It’s infectious. When you hear it, you stop what you’re doing and seek the source of the sound, smile in spite of yourself, and try to find out what is so very funny. You want to laugh with her.

  So I do, because even my dark soul deserves a moment of solace every so often.

  “Oh, the stories he could have told,” she says wistfully, as her laughter dies off.

  “He would have made for a great dinner companion.”

  She looks down at the floor, stabbing the foot of her shoe into the Persian carpet over and over. “I’m still quite furious,” she says after a beat of silence.

  “As you should be. This is your family’s money we’re speakin’ of.” My gaze flits between the ledger and Rainey’s tall, regal frame. I want to find a way for her to get out of this situation. Just because she’s Pleas’s little sister. Because she’s a close family friend. Because I want nothing more than to wash my hands of this dreaded dowry.

  That’s it.

  “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?”

  Rainey lifts her head and looks at me from beneath her lashes. And it feels as though I’ve been punched in the gut. “It was dinner, Livingston.”

  “I’ve heard people can fall for one another around the dinner table, no?”

  Rainey crosses her arms and grins. “Is that so?”

  “It’s possible,” I say cryptically.

  “Anythin’ is possible.

  “Will he be fillin’ anymore of your dates?”

  “My calendar is full of other men at the moment.”

  The last time Rainey and I were in close proximity she caused me to be aroused by a mere touch. It’s in both our best interests if I leave the room. I did what I needed to do, which was tell her what I discovered so far in the books.

  It’s not as though Rainey is the only woman available. If I leave now, I can go to Charleston and have a woman of my choosing in my bed within the hour. It’s happened before, and it can happen again. But there’s no challenge in that.

  “Any more questions you have for me?” Rainey asks.

  “I’m not certain.”

  “Let me know. I can write them on your palm.”

  She smiles wickedly at me. Undeniably, she thought she was delivering a challenge, but I wasn’t thinking of her as Rainey. There was a millisecond her words made my blood pound, and adrenaline course through my veins. I began to take a step forward to get a better look at her, this woman in front of me. But then I blinked, and it was Rainey.

  I cleared my throat. Son of a bitch, what has gotten into me? “No need for the write hand.”

  “If that will be all, then I think I should go. I don’t doubt my absence is noticed.”

  There’s nothing left for us to speak on, yet I don’t want to go, and I don’t want her to leave. I have no desire to go home to an empty home. For the past few days, the Pleasonton ledgers have been a wonderful distraction from my nightmares, but I can only look at so many numbers until they all begin to blend. I suppose I could drink. I can’t think of a time liquor has ever disappointed me. However, even that doesn’t seem tempting. “Conrad seemed quite forward with you in the dinin’ room.”

  “Forward?” Rainey’s brows pucker as she stares at the floor momentarily. Then, her eyes widen. “Are you alludin’ to him touchin’ my back? With that logic, Étienne and Asa have been forward with me several times in the past few years. I think you should speak with them.”

  “They are irrelevant right now.”

  “Are they, though? Because it seems to me no man is safe.”

  “They’ve grown up with you,” I cut in.

  “As have you yet, remarkably, I don’t feel safe right now.”

&
nbsp; My eyes narrow into thin slits. “Is that so?”

  “Certainly. Everywhere I look there you are, and you can claim you’re attemptin’ to keep me safe, but I think that’s not true. I think you’re a bit resentful.”

  Her words are laughable. “Resentful?”

  “Yes, resentful. Resentful that maybe your le savauge isn’t so savage after all, and other men notice.” Rainey leans closer, her deep brown eyes staring into mine. “Maybe they find me desirable.”

  She doesn’t realize it, but she paints an alluring picture. Smartly, she grins because she thinks she’s about to win this round. My lips curl upward because the point goes to me. Le savauge isn’t an insult. Never has been. I like her savage and wild. It is her title, and what sets her apart from every other woman.

  I won’t tell her, though. She needs to discover that for herself.

  “Don’t be at my next date, Livingston.”

  Like Rainey, I can never back away from a challenge. Intrigued, I tilt my head to the side and cross my arms. “And if I am?” I counter.

  The two of us stare at one another. We’ve done this so many times throughout the years. Provoke, incite, and placate only to repeat the process over and over again.

  Just kiss her.

  The thought stuns me, but once I think the three words, I can’t erase them from my mind. God, I wish I could. There’s a slight hitch in Rainey’s breath. Her eyes widen. She feels the shift in the room. I dip my head closer. Rainey doesn’t stop me and that fills me with anticipation. She wants this, too.

  Just kiss her.

  “Knock, knock.”

  I jump back, nearly launching myself across the room to get as far away from Rainey as possible. Serene peeks her head into the room. She looks between Rainey and me with raised brows. “Am I interrupting?”

  I give my sister-in-law a smile. “Not in the slightest. In fact, you just missed me turnin’ down Rainey’s proposition to come on her next date with one of the bachelors.”

  I turn to Rainey in time to see the dazed look in her eyes change into annoyance. Whatever almost happened before Serene came into the room was a mistake. Things are back to how they should be. “I’d love to, darlin’. But I just can’t.” Gently I tap her under the chin. The gesture is playful, but I can’t help but notice how smooth her skin is, and the way her eyes brighten with defiance.