She was making her third round of the rooms when someone spoke from just behind her. “Hello.” The cultured female voice sounded familiar. “It’s Claire, right?”
Claire turn to face Everly Briggs and her stomach dropped.
“Yes,” Claire said cautiously, with a polite smile fixed on her lips. “And you’re Everly.”
She was dying to ask how the woman knew Bettina, but she figured Everly fell into the same category as most of the women attending the party: Charleston social elite.
“I hear you were in charge of the food tonight. I just knew you were talented.”
The woman’s enthusiasm wasn’t winning Claire over. Something about their encounter at the grocery store and the assumptions Everly had made, followed by her appearance tonight, left Claire feeling uneasy.
“Thank you.” She glanced to the side, hoping Everly would take the hint and let Claire get about her task.
“I suppose you’re a little surprised to see me here,” Everly continued, relaxing into the conversation and missing Claire’s subtle signal.
“A little.” Claire told herself to let it go, but curiosity had a mind of its own. Maybe if she hadn’t heard about Everly’s sister from Jenny, she wouldn’t have cared. After all, in certain circles, most everyone in Charleston was connected in one way or another. “From our last conversation, I got the impression you didn’t know Linc.”
“I don’t. I tagged along with a friend of mine, Augusta Hobbs.” Everly gave Claire a conspiratorial smile. “Although we’ve been at several of the same events, I’ve never actually met Linc. Turns out he’s as wonderful as you said.”
Had Claire described Linc as wonderful?
“I can see why you’d enjoy working for him,” the woman continued. “He’s very genuine. As well as handsome and wealthy. How have you managed to be around him all the time and not fall in love?”
Claire felt herself flushing beneath the woman’s keen regard, but she kept her gaze and voice cool as she said, “He’s my boss.”
Everly smirked. “Yes, I know, but haven’t you fantasized about him even a little?”
“No.” Once again, their conversation was straying to inappropriate topics. Cheeks hot, Claire regarded the woman with a flat stare before she found her voice again. “If you’ll excuse me, I still have a lot to do.”
“Of course, but before you go, I was wondering if we could meet for lunch early next week to discuss the food for the charity polo match.”
The request seemed to come from out of the blue. “Are you involved with the event?”
“Yes. I wasn’t able to make the meeting last week with Genevieve and Portia when they asked you to cater the event. I’m in charge of the food and wanted to discuss the menu with you.”
Claire wished Everly had led with that instead of talking about Linc. She relaxed a little. “Of course. When would you like to do that?”
“Could you meet on Monday or Tuesday?”
“How about Tuesday. Would one o’clock work?”
“One o’clock would be perfect. Why don’t I meet you at Magnolias.”
“That would be fine. Now, I really need to get back to the kitchen,” Claire said, pretending she’d seen something that needed her attention. Instinct urged her to get away from this woman.
“Looking forward to our meeting on Tuesday.” Everly’s drawl pursued Claire as she fled.
Nine
The morning following his mother’s party, Linc was summoned to her house for a debriefing. She wanted his opinion of the women he’d met and some indication that he intended to date one or two of them.
When he arrived, Bettina was at her dining room table, eating a poached egg with toast and fresh fruit. She liked her coffee dark and rich with liberal splashes of cream and instructed Dolly to pour him a cup before he sat down.
“I thought last night’s party went quite well,” his mother said without preamble. “Lyla Madison’s daughter is quite accomplished and has the sort of beauty that ages well.”
“Which one was she?” he asked, thanking Dolly with a smile as he accepted a delicate china cup.
“The brunette in pink. She’s a CPA at the accounting firm I use.” Bettina frowned as Linc continued to regard her blankly. “You spoke with her for half an hour.”
“Sorry. There were so many women there. I lost track of names.”
“Linc, I need you to take this seriously.” Bettina let her gaze rest on him for a long moment before speaking again. “You simply must marry someone from our social circles.”
As much as Linc hated to disappoint his mother, he needed to get something off his chest. “What if I fall in love with someone who isn’t from an old Charleston family?”
“Have you?”
Confronted by his mother’s demand, Linc found himself hesitating.
“Is this about Claire?” Bettina continued. “I’ve seen how you are with her. But she’s your housekeeper.”
“I don’t care.”
His mother huffed. “You’re acting like your father, doing something without considering the consequences.”
“I’m nothing like my father,” he retorted through gritted teeth.
“I’ll admit you haven’t behaved like him before this.” Bettina tossed her napkin onto her half-finished breakfast. “Honestly, Linc. Have you thought any of this through? You have a social position—”
“You’ve never accepted that I don’t care about that.” He’d come here today expecting resistance, but he wasn’t prepared to defend his future with Claire, because he hadn’t figured out what he wanted.
“Then what do you care about?”
“I care about Claire.”
“That’s all well and good...” His mother regarded him in exasperation. “And I’ve always said my children’s happiness is my top priority, but—”
“She makes me happy.” Linc was firm on that. “She’s an amazing woman and a terrific mother. We have this amazing chemistry, and I’m happier spending time with her and Honey than with anyone else on the planet.” His voice grew stronger with each sentence.
“So what are you planning to do? Marry Claire and become Honey’s father?” Bettina demanded, her tone skeptical. “Is that what she wants?”
Linc would be lying if he said he had everything figured
