Board Resolution by S

Author:S [S]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-01-30T20:14:38+00:00

Chapter Four

Among all the offers of sympathies, the unwelcome press of strange hands and bodies near her—acquaintances, hangers-on, a few genuine friends of her father’s who had little to offer to her beyond their formal support as she stepped into her father’s corporate shoes—Matt had been close. She remembered the heat of his body near her throughout those long several days. The supporting touch of his hand, the only contact she had welcomed, at the small of her back.

After the funeral and memorial service, deep into the third or fourth hour of the never-ending wake at her father’s sprawling estate, she had escaped to her room for a few minutes. Burying her face into her pillow, she’d screamed, beating the mattress, wishing for tears that never came.

Though she stayed in there a good thirty minutes, trying to compose herself, she’d been undisturbed. It was only when she took a deep steadying breath, checked her hair and makeup and stepped back out in the hallway, that she’d found out why.

Matt sat on the top stair, with a brandy loose in his hand and a plate of untouched funeral food. Keeping watch. Keeping them at bay, the barbarians away from the gate.

“I don’t need a watchdog, Kensington,” she said uncharitably, frightened of how relieved she was to see him there.

He lifted a shoulder, took in everything about her at one glance.

“Humor me. It gives me an excuse to stay away from them.” He picked up a carrot from the plate, took a bite. “God, I hate these things.”

“The vegetables?”

“No. When I die, I’m going to have a fast cremation and leave instructions for Lucas to throw a street party in my honor for a few thousand drunken revelers who have no idea who I am and couldn’t care less. They’ll toast my memory because I bought the drinks, and the people who love me won’t be put through a dog and pony show.”

“Nobody loves you, Kensington.”

He smiled. “You do.” He patted the step beside him. “At least the food’s good. Come have a taste.”

She found herself quite willingly moving toward him. “Is Morris Johnson still downstairs?”

“Of course. He and his executive staff. Trying to schmooze up to the CEO of Bank of America and eating as much free food as he can get his hands on.”

“If we slip a laxative into his crab dip, I’ll bet we get a great interest rate on our next six-month cash loan from BoA.”

“How diabolical, Miss Tennyson. Remind me not to eat anything you’ve provided next time we’re having an important meeting.”

“I thought that’s why you employ Ben. To be your official royal taster.”

“Cute.”

She lowered herself beside him, in the small space his large frame and splayed knees allowed, but it felt good, not crowded. She absorbed his warmth with a welcome shiver.

“Cold?”

“A little. It was overcast at the graveside.”

“I’m sure Geoffrey arranged it. He did like the appropriate setting for all occasions. Here.”

“I can go get a sweater.” Her words died as he shrugged out

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.