Page 65 of Something Old

ChapterTwenty-One

Ethan sipped his whiskey and watched the porch door, waiting for Delaney to come back in. A strong floral scent drifted over to him, teasing his senses. He glanced over. Kira stood a few feet away, her Shalini perfume tickling his nose, reminding him of funerals, particularly the flowers at his mother’s funeral fifteen years earlier. He wrinkled his nose but tamped down the urge to sneeze, not wanting to give her a reaction.

She glided over the few steps and laid a hand on his arm. “Ethan, darling. You’ve been neglecting poor Cami all night long. She came all this way to see you.”

He scowled. “You brought her. You entertain her. I’m the best man, here for Matthew and the wedding.”

She waved her hand, her new diamond bracelet glinting in the light. “We both know weddings are for the brides. The groom just has to show up. And Matthew is going nowhere without Caroline. He knows where his bread is buttered.”

Ethan gritted his teeth, words coming out harsher than he wanted. “Matthew is marrying Caroline because he loves her. Not because her father made him a partner in the law firm. Jim Masters would never allow a fool to be a partner in the firm.”

“Relax, Ethan. I don’t mean to insult your friend. It’s just that his liaison with her has opened a lot of doors for him, much as you can do for Delaney.”

He almost laughed at the not-so-subtle dig at Delaney. So predictable. “Delaney doesn’t need me for that. She can handle herself.”

“Oh, yes, I’m sure she’s doing fine giving tours at the museum. But marrying you can bring her back to the top of society.”

“Not everyone has an agenda.” But as he said the words, deep inside, he knew she’d never understand that.

All her relationships and connections had to do with what they could do for her or how it looked to other people. She probably didn’t even have genuine friends. And no wonder, vicious viper that she was.

She laughed at his words, a delicate tinkling of sound that was less about genuine mirth and more about practiced delicacy designed to draw attention and foster the image of a sweet, delicate woman. Kira was a piranha, nothing sweet about her.

“Oh, Ethan, living on the farm has made you naïve. You know how the world works. Cami is the perfect wife for you. She’ll be the perfect hostess and her family can help expand the business. Delaney can only drag you down.”

“I wasn’t aware that Cami knew anything about vineyards.”

Kira’s eyes flashed and her jaw tightened, the first actual emotion Ethan had seen from her in months. “Don’t be obtuse. It’s time for you to stop playing around and do your duty. Your father can’t keep working like he has. Remember, it was your mess that caused his health crisis.”

“My mess? How do you figure?” He was genuinely confused by her comments.

“You were dating the daughter of a criminal, insisting that you were going to marry her no matter what. Your father had to work long hours regaining the trust of his investors and dealing with the SEC. And you trotted off to play in the dirt. You owe William. You owe me.”

“He’s the one who invested in the business. My dating life is not even on the SEC’s radar. He made his own mess.”

“And you escaped while your father had to deal with the fallout. You have a duty to your family. Or do you want to kill your father?”

The door to the porch opened, and William walked in, a cigar in his hand. Kira let out an annoyed huff. “It’s like he wants to die.” She turned to Ethan, gesturing behind her toward Cami. “It’s a beautiful night. Take Cami for a walk. As a favor to your father, who invited her in good faith.” Kira stormed over to her husband, ramping up a good tirade. Ethan would have felt sorry for his father, but his father knew what he had married.

Cami walked over and looked up at Ethan. He sighed. “Shall we?”

* * *

Ethan held the restaurant door open for Cami and scanned the length of the porch for Delaney, but he didn’t see anyone. He escorted Cami down the steps onto the manicured lawn, the moon shining brightly on them, making the night almost like day.

She pulled her blue wrap around her shoulders and shivered. “I didn’t expect September to be so cool.”

“It’s the ocean breeze. Do you want my jacket?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. Thank you for taking some time for me. I know you’d rather be somewhere else.”

He sighed. “I’m sorry, Cami. My father should not have invited you under false pretenses.”

She smiled. “I can take care of myself. Besides, my massage was amazing. But I feel like I’ve intruded on you, like I’m not welcome, and I’m not sure I understand what’s going on. I thought you and Delaney were in the past. Kira said you wanted me here as your date.”

“Kira doesn’t speak for me and neither does my father.”

“I suppose I should have known that. I’m sorry if I made things difficult for you.”

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