Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krahn

Author:Betina Krahn [Krahn, Betina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

FOURTEEN

BEATRICE HAD BEEN closeted with accountants and financial specialists for the better part of two days and was still working on her bank proposal for the next day’s board meeting, when Priscilla came home that evening. There was no explosion in the hall this time. No tantrum. No tears. Her niece exchanged a few words with Richards, handed off her hat, then climbed the steps to her room looking a bit forlorn.

Soon Dipper and Shorty appeared in the doorway for their nightly report.

“Well, we ain’t in the kitchen anymore,” Shorty told her.

“We got a ‘pro-ject’ now.” Dipper took over the explanation. “Puttin’ together th’ new women’s dormitory. And they’d be doing right well”—he glared at Shorty, whose neck disappeared into his collar—“if Master Jeffrey would ever turn his hand.”

“He’s right—them things in the attic is junk,” Shorty declared.

“That little bureau was just like one my old ma had back in th’ old country,” Dipper countered. “With a mite o’ soap and water—”

“An’ who’s gonna use that soap an’ water?” Shorty argued. “Us. And our hands is parboiled as it is.” He held out his water-reddened hands in evidence.

“Aw, quit yer bellyachin’. You’re gettin’ to be just like him.” Dipper turned to Beatrice. “He’s always duckin’ out, old Jeff … he was out in the yard, playin’ kick ball when he was supposed to be taking out th’ slops.”

“A fellow’s got to have a rest now an’ then,” Shorty protested.

“What gets me is th’ way he’s always flirtin’ with the young gals.” Dipper crossed his arms and looked down his nose in disapproval. “Always got a smile for this one and a wink for that one. And don’t think she don’t see it.”

“Well, if she did somethin’ besides glare at him an’ nag …” Shorty laid out his charge’s viewpoint: “She’s always checkin’ up on him, and whenever he gets a little frisky, she gets all mad an’ hoity-toity.” Shorty sniffed with indignation. “He’s a’ready got a mother.”

“Well, if he was any kind of a man he’d talk to her reasonable … help her get things done … instead of sneakin’ out and dodgin’ ever bit of work that—”

“Thank you, gentlemen,” Beatrice broke in forcefully, intent on avoiding fisticuffs in her drawing room. “I can see you take your work quite seriously. And I appreciate your efforts.”

Through the open drawing-room doors came the sounds of someone at the front door. Alice, who had just come down the stairs, spoke briefly with whoever it was, then hurried into the drawing room carrying an envelope. She stood by anxiously while Beatrice opened it.

“What is it?” Alice asked. “It can’t be good news, this time of night.”

Beatrice broke into a beaming smile and read it aloud. “Mrs. Von Furstenberg. You have a lawyer. You’ll soon have a bank. C.B.”

Her eyes twinkled as she showed the note to Alice. “Just in time for the board meeting tomorrow.” Then she looked back at Connor’s terse message and hurried script and chuckled. “The man does have a way with words.

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