By Love Possessed (Silhouette Shadows, No 27036) by Vivian Knight Jenkins

Author:Vivian Knight Jenkins [Jenkins, Vivian Knight]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fashion, Art, Secrets, Juvenile Fiction, Clothing & Dress, City & Town Life, Schoolgirls, Fashion designers, Identity, Secrecy, Schools, Girls & Women, Fiction, School & Education, Lifestyles, Identity (Psychology)
ISBN: 9780373270361
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 1994-05-31T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Liz grimaced in anticipation of the forthcoming fireworks. Her practical side told her to brazen her way through the confrontation. Her spontaneous side advised her to run as if the devil chased her.

Garrett must have seen the anxiety on her face, for he turned in his chair and cast a swift glance over his shoulder. She watched his fingers constrict around the stem of his water glass, though his expression remained bland.

Clad in summer colors that complemented his golden good looks, Calvin reminded her of Robert Redford in The Great Gatsby. He smiled at her in greeting as he reached the table, reinforcing the impression.

Garrett’s fingers whitened.

Liz expected the stem of the glass to snap like a fractured bone. Or for Garrett to stand, throw the water in Calvin’s face and challenge him to a duel—just like in the movies.

The ninety-degree summer temperature seemed to escalate. She plucked at the constricting collar of the umber traveling gown, pulling the fabric away from her throat, only to feel beads of perspiration pop out on her forehead.

“Fancy coming upon you two here,” Calvin drawled.

Garrett tilted back his head. Looking up at Calvin through half-closed lids, he surprised Liz by responding in a moderate voice, “Fancy.”

It was far from the volatile reaction Liz had anticipated. She suspected Calvin experienced a similar sense of astonishment, for his smile slowly faded, and he continued with a cutting jab. “How touching—a second honeymoon, Garrett?”

Garrett lifted the water glass to his lips and slowly drained it before repositioning it on the table.

“I don’t believe that’s any of your business, Trexler,” he said.

“I make it my business to know what you are up to.”

In the same composed voice, Garrett said, “I assure you, I hold no illusions on that point.”

Calvin shifted his weight to his left leg, leaning heavily on his cane.

“Elizabeth, you look well this morning…and drinking coffee, too, I see. I thought you were more inclined toward hot tea.”

Liz’s heart fluttered slightly. Of course Calvin would know Elizabeth’s preferences. He would be more prone than Garrett to notice and question discrepancies. After all he’d grown up with Elizabeth.

She had always perceived knowledge as an asset. Now she realized it could also be a threat. Perhaps it was a good thing Garrett frowned on their association, she reasoned. It would save her lots of explaining.

“I’ve had a certain…craving for coffee recently,” Liz said, alluding to her supposed pregnancy in the hopes that it would get Calvin off her case.

It worked like a charm.

“Entirely understandable,” he said agreeably. He directed his attention toward Garrett. “By the by, who is looking after the estate in your absence? Surely a ten-thousand-acre plantation cannot run itself.”

“Why should that concern you?” Garrett asked. He folded his napkin in a neat rectangle and placed it atop his plate.

“Because Michael—”

Calvin paused while a zealous waiter buzzed up, refilled Garrett’s water glass and whisked away his plate.

After the waiter had moved on, Calvin tried again. “Because Michael would have wanted me to—”

This time, Garrett interrupted Calvin.

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