Fashion was one of the hot topics. He lost count of the times he overheard a murmured variation of: Bless her heart, she must’ve been drinking when she bought that dress.
He’d had a taste of it at Roz’s holiday party, but this time out he was her escort, and he noted that changed the dynamics considerably.
And he was the new kid in class.
He was given the once-over countless times, asked who he was, what he was, who his people were. Though the manner of interrogation was always charming, he began to feel as if he should have a resume typed up and ready to hand out.
Ages ran from those who’d certainly danced to the swing music the band played when it was new, to those who’d consider the music retro and hip.
All in all, he decided as he discreetly avoided discussing the more salient details of his work on the Harper family with a curious couple named—he thought—Bing and Babs, it was an interesting change of pace for a guy in a rented tux.
Spotting Josh, he used his son as an excuse to cut the inquisition short. “Excuse me, my son’s just come in. I need to speak with him.”
Mitch made a beeline through the tuxedos and gowns. “Hey, you clean up good.” He gave Josh a one-armed hug around the shoulders, then smiled at the little brunette. “You must be Shelby.”
“Yes, sir. You have to be Josh’s daddy. He looks just like you.”
“That takes care of the intros. Wow.” Josh scanned the room. “Some hot-dog stand.”
The ballroom was draped with twinkling lights, festooned with spring flowers. Wait staff manned one of three bars or roamed the room with trays of drinks and canapes. Diamonds glittered, emeralds flashed as couples took the dance floor to a hot rendition of Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing.”
“Yeah, a little
“What?”
Mitch sent Josh a pitying glance. “There were movies made before
“So you say, Pops. Where’s your date?” Josh asked.
“She got swept away. I’ve been . . . oh, here she comes.”
“Sorry, got myself cornered. Hello, Shelby. Don’t you look pretty.”
“Thanks, Ms. Harper. That’s an awesome dress. Josh said you were coming with his father.”
“It’s nice to meet you at last, Josh. Your father’s full of talk about you.”
“Same goes. We’ll have to find a quiet corner and compare notes.”
“I’d love to.”
“I see my parents over there.” Shelby nodded toward a table. “I’d like to introduce you, Josh, and your daddy. Then I’ll have done my duty, and you can dance with me.”
“Sounds like a plan. Dad says you’re into plants, Ms. Harper.”
“Roz, and yes, I am.”
“He kills them, you know,” he added as they worked their way around the room.
“So I’ve seen.”
“Mostly when they see him they just commit suicide and get it over with.”
“Shut up, Josh.”
“Just don’t want you to pull a fast one on her.” He gave his father a lightning grin. “Shelby says you live in that amazing house we passed on the way here.”
“Yes, it’s been in my family a long time.”
“It’s totally huge, and great looking.” He angled his head enough to send his father a quick, and not-so-private, leer. “Dad’s been spending a lot of time there.”
“Working.” Mitch managed, through years of practice, to give his son a light elbow jab in the ribs.
“I hope you’ll come spend some time there yourself, very soon.”
Roz paused by the table where Jan and Quill sat talking to other friends. “Hello, everyone.” As Roz had expected, Jan stiffened, went a little pale. Deliberately, Roz leaned down, air-kissed Jan’s cheek. “Don’t y’all look wonderful.”
“Mama, Daddy.” Shelby angled herself around to make introductions. “This is Joshua Carnegie, and his father Dr. Mitchell Carnegie. My parents, Jan and Quill Forrester, and Mr. and Mrs. Renthow.”
Quill, a solidly built man with a glad hand and subtle comb-over, pushed himself to his feet to pump Mitch’s, then Josh’s hand, then inclined his head to Roz. “Rosalind, how are you doing?”
“I’m doing just fine, Quill. How’s business?”
He pokered up, but nodded. “Bumping right along.”
“That’s good to hear. Jan, I swear, Shelby’s grown up to be an absolute beauty. You must be so proud.”
“Of course. I don’t think I understood you were acquainted with Shelby’s escort.”
“His father and I are great friends.” Beaming, she slid her arm through Mitch’s. “In fact, Mitch is researching the Harper family history. He’s finding all sorts of secrets and scandals.” Playing it up, she gave a little head toss, a little laugh. “We just love our scandals here in Shelby County, don’t we?”
“That’s where I’ve heard the name,” Renthow spoke up. “I’ve read one of your books. I’m a bit of an amateur genealogist myself. Fascinating business.”
“I think so. In any case, the Harper ancestors led me to Roz.” In a smooth move, Mitch lifted her hand, kissed it. “I’ll always be grateful.”
“You know,” Renthow put in, “I’ve traced my ancestry back to the Fifes in Scotland.”
“Really?” Mitch perked up. “A connection to Duncan Phyfe, before he changed the spelling?”
“Yes, exactly.” Obviously pleased, Renthow shifted in his chair to angle toward Mitch. “I’d like to put something more detailed together. Maybe you can give me some tips.”
“Happy to.”
“Why don’t we all sit down for a few minutes?” Shelby began. “Then y’all can get acquainted while—”
“We’re expecting friends,” Jan interrupted. “Our table’s full. I’m sure Rosalind and Dr. Carnegie can find another table. And we’ll all be more comfortable.”
“Mama,” the word was a shocked whisper that Roz overrode with an easy smile. “We already have one, thanks. In fact, we’re going to steal this handsome young couple here. Shelby, why don’t I show you where we’re sitting, and Josh and Mitch can get us both a drink?”
Hooking her arm through the girl’s, Roz led her away.
“Ms. Harper, I . . . I’m sorry, Ms. Harper, I don’t know what’s the matter.”
“Don’t you worry about it. Here we are right here. Let’s sit down, and you can tell me how you met that gorgeous young man before they get back. And you call me Roz, now. Why, we’re practically on a double date here.”
She put the girl at ease, chattering away until their dates returned with drinks and canapes. Only when Josh took Shelby to the dance floor did Roz show any fire.
“She didn’t have to embarrass that child the way she did. If she had a brain in that spiteful head of hers, she’d have known I wouldn’t have sat with them. That’s a sweet girl. I can only conclude she does not come by it naturally.”
“You smoothed it over. One of the reasons I eased out of academia was to rid my life of these little snarling matches and petty grudges. But wherever you go, life’s just pocked with them, isn’t it?”
“I suppose. I mostly stay out of this arena, too. I have no patience for it. But I feel obliged to make an appearance now and then.”
“You’re not the only one,” he said, and linked his fingers with hers on the table. “How much is it going to upset you to know Bryce Clerk just came in, with that same blonde he was with when he tried to crash your party?”
Her hand stiffened in his, then slowly relaxed. “I had a feeling he’d show. Well, that’s all right. I’m just going to slip off to the rest room for a minute, give myself a little talking to, and freshen up. I don’t intend to have another public scene, I promise you.”
“Wouldn’t bother me.”
“That’s nice to know, in case the talking to doesn’t work.”
She rose, walked out of the room, and turned down the corridor toward the lounges.
