Page 78 of Entranced
“Well, I’m afraid I’m booked for the next couple of weeks.”
“Oh.” She didn’t have to feign disappointment. “Oh, well, I suppose we’ve waited this long …”
He waited a moment, then smiled kindly. “I could spare an hour this evening, unless you—”
“Oh, no.” She grabbed his hand in both of hers. “That would be wonderful. I’m so grateful. Donovan and I … Thank you, Mr. Silbey.”
“I hope I’ll be able to help. Is seven o’clock all right with you?”
“It’s fine.” She blinked out tears of gratitude.
When he left her, she stayed in character, certain there would be someone watching. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, pressed a hand to her lips. Sebastian found her sniffing into her watery iced tea.
“Mary Ellen.” The sight of her red-rimmed eyes and trembling lips brought instant concern. “Darling, what’s wrong?” The moment he took her hands, the jolt of excitement nearly rocked him back on his heels. Only sheer willpower kept the astonishment from showing.
“Oh, Donovan.” She scrambled to her feet, spotting Gumm over his shoulder. “I’m making a scene.” Laughing, she wiped at the tears. “I’m sorry, Jasper.”
“Not at all.” Gallantly he offered a silk handkerchief. “Has someone upset you, Mary Ellen?”
“No, no.” She gave a little shuddering sob. “It’s good news. Marvelous news. I’m just overreacting. Would you excuse us, Jasper? Give my regrets to Linda. I really need to speak with Donovan alone.”
“Of course.” He walked off to give them their privacy, and Mel buried her face in Sebastian’s shoulder.
“What the hell is going on?” he demanded in a soothing murmur as he stroked her hand.
“Contact.” All damp eyes and shaky smiles, she drew her head back. “This sleazy lawyer—hell, I doubt he is a lawyer—just plopped himself down and offered to help us with a private adoption. Look delighted.”
“I am.” He kissed her for his own enjoyment, and for the benefit of their audience. “What’s the deal?”
“Out of the goodness of his heart, and in consideration of a desperate woman, he’s agreed to come by tonight and discuss our needs in more detail.”
“Very obliging of him.”
“Oh, yes. I may not have your gifts, but I could read his mind well enough. One look at me and he thought, ‘Patsy.’ I could almost hear him calculating his take. Let’s go home.” She slipped an arm around him. “The air around here is really bad.”
“Well?” Linda asked Gumm as they watched Sebastian and Mel walk away.
“Like shooting fish in a barrel.” Pleased with himself, he signaled to a waiter. “They’re so giddy with the idea, they’ll ask the minimum amount of questions and pay the maximum fee. He might be a little more cautious, but he’s so besotted with her he’d do anything to make her happy.”
“Ah, love.” Linda sneered. “It’s the best scam in town. You got the merchandise picked out?”
Gumm ordered drinks then sat back to light a cigarette. “He wants a boy, so I think we’ll oblige him, since he’s paying top dollar. We’ve got a nurse in New Jersey ready to select a healthy male right out of the hospital.”
“Good. You know, I’m fond of Mary Ellen. Maybe I’ll throw her a shower.”
“An excellent idea. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a year or two they’d be in the market again.” He checked his watch. “I’d better call Harriet and tell her she can start pushing buttons.”
“Better you than me,” Linda said with a grimace. “The old bag gives me the creeps.”
“The old bag runs a smooth setup,” he reminded her.
“Yeah, and business is business.” Linda picked up the glass the waiter set in front of her and raised it in a toast. “To the happy mommy-and-daddy-to-be.”
“To an easy twenty-five grand.”
“Better.” Linda touched her glass to his. “Much better.”
***
