A familiar laugh echoed down the hallway, breaking through his thoughts. Darius froze, his shoulders instantly tensing.
What was Meredith doing here? He searched his memory for some plans they might have made but couldn’t recall anything.
He headed toward Kevin’s office, where the sound of voices coming from the open door made him pause.
“Why, Mr. Caldwell, I think you’ve missed your calling in life.” Meredith’s laughter tinkled out. “You should be on stage as an entertainer.”
Kevin’s throaty chuckle followed. “You’re too kind, Miss Cheeseman. I’m happy I could keep you amused while you wait. Though if I were Darius, I’d never leave such a lovely woman alone for long.”
Darius peered around the doorway. Meredith was seated on the corner of Kevin’s desk, beaming a smile at him. In her matching yellow dress and hat, she resembled a living ray of sunshine. Kevin stared up at her with a besotted look on his face, oblivious to Darius’s presence.
What was he up to? Kevin knew Darius was courting Meredith. So why would he home in on Darius’s territory?
A prickle of irritation itched the back of his neck, but he schooled his features into a pleasant expression before entering the room. “I thought I heard a familiar voice. Meredith, you didn’t tell me you were dropping by today.”
Her eyes went wide as she jumped to her feet. “Darius, there you are.”
Kevin shoved his seat back and rose, a deep flush invading his cheeks.
“I was about to give up on you.” Meredith smoothed her dress. “Mr. Caldwell was kind enough to keep me company until you returned.”
“So I see.” Darius shot Kevin a look. “Thank you, Kevin. I believe I can take it from here.”
The man had the grace to look sheepish. “Yes, sir. It was a pleasure, Miss Cheeseman.”
“Likewise. I hope to see you again, Mr. Caldwell.” With a flick of her sleek blond curls, Meredith sailed out the door.
Darius followed her into his office. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit, Meredith?”
Her poise seemingly back in place, she graced him with a coquettish smile as she came over to straighten his lapel, a tiny gesture that hinted at an intimacy Darius found reassuring. Maybe he’d misinterpreted the flirting between her and Kevin. Then again, flirting seemed to be as natural as breathing to Meredith.
“I came to invite you to dinner tonight. Mama and Daddy insist.” She pouted. “You always have an excuse, but—”
“I’d love to come to dinner.”
Her brows arched. “You would?”
“It happens I have a free evening.”
The Cheesemans usually dined later than his own family. If he left the office soon, he could spend a couple of hours with Sofia before heading out. Then he wouldn’t have to feel guilty for another night away from his daughter.
“Wonderful.” Meredith clapped her hands together, her attractive features brightening. “We’ll expect you at seven, then.”
“Seven it is.”
She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. The floral scent of her perfume enveloped him like a promise. “I’ll see you then, darling. And don’t be late. Daddy abhors tardiness.”
Satisfaction spread through Darius’s chest as he watched her walk away. Meredith was beautiful and sophisticated, a true Toronto blue blood—exactly the type of woman he hoped to marry one day. With the prominent Cheeseman family behind them, Sofia would be accepted into all the right social circles—ones Darius could only dream of—guaranteeing his daughter the bright future she deserved.
Perhaps if things between him and Meredith continued to blossom, he could give Sofia a new mother sooner than anticipated and get her away from her grandparents’ influence before his little girl became too ethnic for her own good.
“Has any of the fundraising money started to come in yet?” Olivia asked Ruth as they washed the supper dishes. Two days had passed since the gala and they hadn’t spoken at any length about the event.
“As a matter of fact, I received a few donations today.” Ruth placed a newly dried teacup in the cupboard. Though they had a cook to prepare the main meals and a maid to help with many other household chores, Ruth and Olivia often helped tidy the kitchen in the evenings. “I do wish we could have pinned the mayor down for an endorsement. I’m certain that once he gives us his backing, the floodgates will open and even more money will start pouring in.”
“Is there a reason why he’s hesitating?”
“I presume he’s waiting to see which way the wind blows, politically speaking. He wouldn’t want to alienate any potential voters.”
Olivia scrubbed a pot with a brush. She’d never paid much attention to politics. Whenever Papà talked about it with her brothers, she usually tuned them out. But now that Olivia was starting her own nonprofit venture, she should probably learn as much as she could about the way the city operated.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Bennington. There’s someone at the door.” Margaret appeared in the kitchen doorway. “It’s a woman, and she asked for you.”
“Thank you, Margaret.” Ruth hastily dried her hands. “Olivia, you’d better come too in case it’s a potential new guest.”
“Yes, of course.”
Ruth had started calling the women who stayed at Bennington Place guests, a lovely term that made Olivia think of a cozy hotel or inn.
She followed Ruth down the hallway to the front entrance, where a young woman stood, suitcase in hand. Her loose-fitting dress did a poor job of concealing her expanded girth.
“Good evening. I’m Ruth Bennington. And this is Olivia Rosetti.”
“Hello.” The woman bit her lip, anxiety radiating from her. “I’m Nancy Holmes.”
“Nice to meet you, Nancy. Won’t you come into the parlor so we can chat in comfort?”
The woman followed them into the front room, where they took seats around the coffee table. Miss Holmes set her suitcase beside her chair and clutched her hands on her lap. Red-rimmed eyes darted nervously around the room.
“Would you care for something to drink?” Olivia asked.
