With a quick glance at Declan, whose expression remained miraculously loving and encouraging, I walked to my mom and let her pull me into a tight squeeze.
As she was hugging me, she began feeling around on my back and arms, then pushed me to arm’s length. “You’re too thin. Are you not eating?”
Declan stepped up beside me, so instead of dignifying her question with a response, I gripped Declan’s hand and said, “Mom, I would like to officially introduce you to my fiancé, Declan O’Roark. Declan, meet my mother, Wendy Waller.”
Declan took my mother’s outstretched hand and encased it in both of his. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Waller.”
“Charming, too,” she said to me as if Declan weren’t standing there. “It’s nice to meet you as well, Declan. But we’ll be family soon enough. Call me Wendy.”
Declan nodded. “Wendy.”
“Well, let’s get you two inside. Bartholomew will get your luggage.” She nodded toward a dignified, middle-aged man standing on the porch. “It’s freezing out here, and you don’t have enough meat on your bones to keep you warm.” She walked up the steps and paused beside Bartholomew. “Put her luggage in her bedroom, and place Mr. O’Roark’s things in the navy room across the hall.”
I whispered softly to Declan, “Now do you understand?”
Declan smiled at me, and being the gentleman that he was, he kept his thoughts to himself.
We followed my mother past the large dining room and formal living room to the parlor. Everywhere, men and women were rushing around. Some were carrying floral arrangements, others were moving furniture. In true Wendy Waller fashion, preparations for the engagement party were well underway.
“You always did know how to throw a party,” I said to Mom with a sigh. “I see that you’ve got your team at work.”
“Of course. When my only child gets married, I should get the chance to introduce the happy couple.”
That was a deliberate dig. My mom was acting like this was my first wedding; she was still bitter that I had eloped with Teddy, and was letting me know it.
“How about we have a drink?” she said. “I’d love to propose a toast.” She walked over to a beverage cart where a bottle of champagne was chilling in a bucket of ice. She filled three flutes. “Your father should be joining us momentarily.”
“He’s home?” I said, surprised.
Dad always put working for the FBI in front of all other commitments, and typically that meant being away from home seven days a week. When I was young, there were times when Dad stayed in DC for three weeks at a time before coming home for a short weekend. In his defense, he worked hard in the early days in the hope that he could keep his work assignments within his control. The last thing he or my mom wanted was for him to get transferred across the country. He was also quickly climbing the ranks within the Bureau, so that helped.
“Of course,” Mom answered, like it was Dad’s normal routine to be home on a Saturday. “He’s instructing the delivery men on where to place the outdoor heaters on the patio. He insisted on being able to have a spot where he and his friends could smoke cigars.” She rolled her eyes.
“What about Grandma and Granddad?”
“They said to tell you that they were sorry they couldn’t be here to greet you, but that they would see you tonight.” Mom lifted her glass. “So, here’s to the two of you. May your engagement be the start of a beautiful life together.”
I figured it would be rude to tell Mom that our beautiful life began the moment Declan O’Roark decided to love me, and that no engagement party—or wedding, for that matter—was going to change the fact that Declan and I would enjoy our life together. So I kept that comment to myself.
“So, Declan,” Mom said after she’d taken a sip of the champagne. I took much more than a sip. “Jack tells me that you and my daughter met when you were the prime suspect in Brooke’s murder case.”
I nearly choked on the champagne. “Mom! You have no right—”
“It’s okay.” Declan slipped a hand into mine and nodded toward my mother. “Yes, Wendy, I met your daughter shortly after someone decided to use the bourbon I distill to commit murder.”
“But he had absolutely nothing to do with that horrible crime, Mom, and you are—”
“I meant no disrespect,” Mom said, allowing her Virginia drawl to sweeten the words. “I just want to know the man who wishes to marry my daughter. I didn’t even get to meet the last man who captured your heart.”
I stiffened, and Declan squeezed my hand tighter. Deciding I’d had enough, I threw back the rest of my champagne, swallowing hard. “Mom, I appreciate the toast, and I’m excited for your party tonight.” But I needed air. “I think I’ll show Declan around the farm.”
“Oh. Okay. I apologize if I upset you,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“It’s fine,” I managed. It wasn’t.
Declan flashed me a warm smile, telling me he had taken no offense from my mother. We set our glasses back on the beverage cart and turned to go.
“One more thing,” Mom said. “I’ve scheduled a photo shoot at nine in the morning. I’ve placed three dresses in your room for the sitting.”
I stopped. Turned slowly around to face my mother. “What kind of photo shoot?”
“Virginia Style magazine would like to feature your engagement in their January issue as the premiere wedding of the coming year. They also want to feature your wedding. I told them you would be a spring bride—June, I think—and that you would love to participate.”
I moved to get in my mom’s face. To tell her exactly what I thought about her pimping me out to some A-list Who’s Who magazine for the debutantes of Virginia, but Declan wrapped his arms around me from behind and squeezed me into what must have looked like an intimate embrace.
“Brooke will happily consider being a part of Virginia Style’s spread.”
I was too shocked to say anything further. I simply let Declan usher me out of the room.
Chapter 9
Brooke
I showed Declan around the farm, and we walked along the creek that divided my parents’ farm from my grandparents’, holding hands. Our hands were gloved thanks to the low temperatures. It hadn’t begun to snow yet, but the air smelled of it.
“Let me get this straight,” Declan said. “Your mother didn’t want you to ride horses either? With the way you always talked, I understood that she was upset that you were packing heat in your day job, but I assumed her preference would have been for you to continue the family business.”
“Well, I can’t blame her for not wanting to sit at home day after day, night after night, worrying about both her husband and her daughter working in a dangerous career. But yes, she didn’t want me in the thoroughbred industry either. Seeing me hanging out at the barns with hot walkers, groomsmen, and other riders sent her straight into vodka’s arms. Basically, my mother’s preference would have been for me to follow in her footsteps as a debutante. But she also had her twenty-first century standards, so she was fine with me getting a professional degree, as long as I never used it.”
“You paint a lovely picture,” Declan said sarcastically. “Did your grandparents force her into the debutante life? Is that where it started, because—”
“Gosh, no!” I said, interrupting him. “My grandma is nothing like that. However,” I lifted a finger, “my great-grandmother—my mother’s grandmother—was the epitome of a Virginia debutante, at least from the stories I’ve heard. And though Grandma did make her debut as she was supposed to, she didn’t marry like my great-grandmother expected her to.”
“You mean, your grandfather…”
“Was a poor stable boy when he and Grandma met. They fell in love and hid their relationship for months. Until Grandma became pregnant.”
“Oh.”
“‘Oh’ is right!” I said with a laugh. “My grandmother rebelled and did exactly what she wanted.” I pointed across the creek. “Granddad worke
d all through high school and two years of college, and he began purchasing the land that they live on, and the land my parents now own, when he was just twenty years old.”
“So this land is not from your great-grandparents?”
“No. No one has ever really said, but I got the impression that my great-grandparents either cut Grandma off, or that Granddad refused all of their wealth. Either way, he built his own wealth—and a sterling reputation to go along with it.”
“I think I’m going to like your granddad.”
I turned to Declan, smiling. “Oh, you definitely will. And he’s going to love you.”
Declan wrapped his arms around me. As we stood there among the tall trees, the first snowflakes fell.
“It’s snowing.”
He lifted his head. “So it is.” He looked back down, and our eyes locked. “I think this is good luck for us.”
“You think? And why do we need good luck?”
“To get you through this party tonight and a photo shoot tomorrow.”
I rolled my eyes, then leaned my head against his chest. Just talking about my grandparents had reminded me why I’d agreed to this engagement party. I was doing it for them. They had made me realize that family is important, and that no matter how my mother acted sometimes, she loved me and had given me a wonderful life. My grandparents had asked me to give my mother this one weekend, and had said that if I decided not to have the wedding my mother so desperately wanted to plan, they would find a way to get my mother on board with my wishes.
When I looked up again, it was already snowing harder. “Snow is magical, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Declan kissed the top of my head. “I’d say it’s time for us to get back and start getting ready for the party.”
“Yes, I suppose.” I squeezed his arms. “But first, let’s watch it snow for just a few more minutes.” I took my glove off and held my hand out in front of my face. “The ring is exquisite. Thank you, Declan. But you know I don’t need an over-the-top ring, a fancy wedding dress, or a huge engagement party. I don’t even need a big wedding, for that matter. I just want to be your wife.”
“I know. And if you don’t want anything fancy after tonight, then we’ll find a different way to commit our lives to each other.” Declan turned me to face him and looked deep into my eyes. “But you and I will be married, my dear Brooke.”
“Well, yeah. You’ve hooked me now.”
We made our way down the grand staircase of my parents’ home. Declan was in a black tuxedo, and I wore a black strappy dress and a glorious pair of red and black Manolo Blahniks. In the main living room, a dance floor had been set up with a stage for a four-piece band. Most of the furniture had been removed to make room for a mixture of high and low tables so that people would have a place to set their drinks and hors d’oeuvre plates. Extravagant flower arrangements were strategically placed around the room. In the dining room, men and women in black and white uniforms set out heavy appetizers and desserts.
Declan touched a warm hand to my bare back. He leaned in and whispered against my neck. “Your dress is going to drive me insane, Miss Fairfax.” His breath was warm against my skin, but a chill spread down my arms, making me shiver.
“Don’t forget the shoes,” I joked. I lifted my dress just slightly to show him some skin with my stilettos.
“Declan,” a male voice boomed behind us.
I jumped. Declan grinned at me, and we both turned.
“Hello, Jack,” Declan said. He shook my father’s hand.
“Hi, Dad,” I said.
Dad leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Hi, honey. You look beautiful.”
Dad was wearing a tux as well, but I assumed not all who came tonight would. It was a black-tie-optional event, which I thought was stupid. Just call it a cocktail party, and call it a day.
“Mom has outdone herself,” I said.
“Would you expect any less?” Dad answered. He was smiling, but his smile faded as he looked around and stepped closer. “Have you heard from Agent Donaldson today?”
I studied Dad’s face. He didn’t often look worried, but he did now. “Mike? No, should I have?”
“Well, he called me this morning and told me he thought he was being followed.”
“Followed? By whom?” I glanced at Declan. His jaw was set as he met my gaze. We all knew who might be following Mike.
“He swears Woodford Clay Harrison is killing off the men you gave him a picture of—the men Anya Bhatia identified as Harrison’s classmates at UVA.”
“Do you believe him?” I asked.
“That many ‘accidental’ deaths in such a short period of time? I’ve learned in my long career that when too many coincidences present themselves, it’s usually not coincidental at all.”
“Dad, if you believe that, why did you ask Mike to back off the case?”
Dad looked at me funny. “What are you talking about? I did no such thing.”
“He called me yesterday and told me that he was having to back off to concentrate on other cases, at your orders.”
Dad glanced from me to Declan and back. “Those were not my orders.” His lips tightened into a thin line before he continued. “I trust your instincts, honey, and I know you believe that Harrison was behind the shooting in Georgetown, despite evidence that suggests otherwise. I’m also certain Harrison murdered Kentucky’s governor, even if there’s no proof. Bottom line is I don’t think you’re safe with this asshole on the loose.”
“Language,” Mom said behind Dad. I hadn’t even seen her enter the room. “And no shop talk at my party. You know better. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow.”
“Sorry, darling.” Dad kissed Mom on the cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“Mmm,” was all she said. She was wearing a silver two-piece formal dress that reached her toes, where a pair of designer pumps peeked out. Her ears sparkled with diamond-cluster earrings. “And my, my, my, Declan. Don’t you look handsome in a tuxedo. I just love a man who knows what to wear to a proper social event.”
“You did address the invitations with black-tie optional,” I said.
She waved a hand. “Yes, but any gentleman with class knows that the ‘optional’ is just for show and to wear black tie.”
I fought off an eye roll and instead just gave my head a little shake as I turned back to Dad. “Do you want me to try to call Mike? He and Marie should be on their way here already.”
“You most certainly will not,” Mom said. I swore she wanted to tap her foot in protest. “Your father can handle his own FBI business. You are no longer employed by the Bureau, and I aim to keep it that way.” She hooked an arm with mine. “Come with me. You and I are going to have another glass of champagne, just the two of us, before our guests arrive.”
“Your mother is right,” Dad said. “I’m sure Mike will be here soon, and I’ll talk to him then. Meanwhile, Declan and I are going to have a glass of bourbon and enjoy a cigar.”
I eyed Declan, who cut me a sly smile. He was probably going to enjoy a glass of bourbon, but I didn’t see him as one who would partake in a nasty cigar.
Mom pulled me off to the bar, set up at the far end of the living room. She requested two glasses of champagne from the bartender without even asking me what I wanted. Lucky for her, I had decided up in my room that I would give her tonight and tomorrow. Whatever she wanted. And then I was going back to my own home, and I wouldn’t think about the rest of our wedding plans until I was ready to do so.
When we had our champagne, we stepped over to the grand fireplace, which was crackling with the burning of real wood harvested from the farm.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Mom said.
I couldn’t stop the stunned look I gave her.
“What?”
I smiled. “You just surprise me, that’s all. I figured you would hate my dress. And I was waiting for you to tell me again that I’m too thin.”
“Well, you are thin,” she said. “But you’re
also beautiful in this dress. You’re young, and you’re clearly in love. And that love looks good on you.” She smiled, and I warmed at the sincerity of her words.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve missed you, Brooke. I’ve never wanted anything but the best for you. I’m so happy you’ve allowed your father and me to throw you this party. I know the aristocratic life has never been your thing, though you have a funny way of showing it, seeing as you’re marrying such a wealthy individual.” When I opened my mouth to chastise her, she quickly added, “Oh, relax. I’m just trying to say: you are sweet to allow us to be a part of yours and Declan’s lives in this way.”
“Of course, Mom. I’m sorry I stayed away for so long.”
She played with a wave of my hair that had fallen forward around my face. “I’m just sorry that you suffered such a great loss so early in your life. Losing a husband and a pregnancy…” She stopped and swallowed hard. “Well, you’ve endured so much. I’m delighted you’ve found a second chance at happiness.” Her eyes lifted. “You are happy, right?”
“Very.” And I was. I hadn’t been this full of joy since the few months I’d spent with Teddy after we eloped.
Bartholomew walked toward us with a silver tray. By the way he was always close to my mother, I was beginning to assume that he was the head of her staff.
“What is it, Bartholomew?” Mom asked.
He held the tray out to me. “A note for Miss Fairfax, ma’am.”
I looked down at the cream-colored envelope on the tray. “From whom?”
“I couldn’t say, ma’am. It was handed to me by one of the wait staff.”
I took the envelope and set my flute down on a table. I opened the envelope and pulled out the card inside.
Join me in the study. ~ Declan
“Strange,” I said. “Declan wants me to join him in the study.”
Desired in Darkness Page 5
