The sudden thump of heels on carpet pulled my eyes open. It was back.
I straightened in my chair as Ellasbeth came in, her dress coat open to show a starched white shirt and a peach-colored scarf. My gaze went to her ring finger and I blanched. You could run a city on the sparkle that thing put out.
Ellasbeth sat beside me, a shade too close for my liking. 'Maggie?' she said lightly. 'I'll have tea and biscuits, please. I ate while out.'
'Yes, ma'am,' Maggie said as she leaned through the open archway. Her tone lacked utterly in any warmth. Clearly Maggie didn't like Ellasbeth, either.
Ellasbeth fixed a smile to her face, setting her long, fragile-looking fingers on the table to best show off her engagement ring. Bitch. 'Seems we got off the horse on the wrong side, Ms. Morgan,' she said cheerfully. 'Have you and Trenton known each other long?'
I didn't like Ellasbeth. I think I'd be pretty upset myself if I came home and found a girl in Nick's bathtub, but after seeing her shouting at Trent, I couldn't find any sympathy for her. Accusing someone of cheating is harsh. My smile faltered as I realized I had almost done the same thing to Nick. I had accused him of dumping me, asking if there was someone else. There was a difference, but not much. Shit. I had to apologize. That he hadn't told me where he'd been going the last three months while avoiding me didn't seem like enough reason anymore. At least I hadn't called him any names. Jerking myself from my thoughts, I smiled at Ellasbeth.
'Oh, Trent and I go back a long way,' I said lightly, twirling a curl of my hair about my finger and remembering its new shortness. 'We met at camp as children. Sort of romantic when you think about it.' I smiled at Trent's suddenly blank look.
'Really?' She turned to Trent, the hint of a tiger growling in her voice's soft cadence.
Sitting up, I tucked my legs under me to sit cross-legged, running my finger across the rim of the mug suggestively. 'He was such a cub when he was younger, full of fire and spirit. I had to fight him off, the dear boy. That's where he got that scar on his lower arm.'
I looked at Trent. 'I can't believe you haven't told Ellasbeth! Trent, you aren't still embarrassed about that, are you?'
Ellasbeth's eye twitched, but her smile never faltered. Maggie set a delicate looking cup full of an amber liquid by her elbow and quietly walked away. Her carefully shaped eyebrows high, Ellasbeth took in Trent's silent posture and his lack of denial. Her fingertips made one rolling cadence against the table in agitation. 'I see,' she said, then stood. 'Trenton, I do believe I will catch a flight out tonight after all.'
Trent met her gaze. He looked tired and a bit relieved. 'If that is what you want, love.'
She leaned close to him, her eyes on me. 'It's to give you the chance to settle your affairs—sweetness,' she said, her lips shifting the air about his ear. Still watching me, she lightly kissed his cheek. There was no feeling in her eyes beyond a vindictive glint. 'Call me tomorrow.'
Not a flicker of emotion crossed Trent. Nothing. And its very absence chilled me. 'I'll count the hours,' he said, his voice giving no clue either. Both of their eyes were on me as his hand rose to touch her cheek, but he didn't kiss her back. 'Should Maggie pack up your tea?'
'No.' Still watching me, she straightened, her hand lingering possessively on his shoulder. The picture they made was both beautiful and strong. And united. I remembered the reflection of Trent and me at Saladan's boat. Here was the bond that had been lacking between us. It wasn't love, though. It wasmoreof…Mybrowfurrowed…. abusiness merger?
'It was a pleasure meeting you, Rachel,' Ellasbeth said, pulling my thoughts back to the present. 'And thank you for accompanying my fiancé tonight. Your services are undoubtedly well-practiced and appreciated. It's a shame he won't be calling upon them again.'
I leaned across the table to shake her offered hand with a neutral pressure. I think she had just called me a whore—again. I suddenly didn't know what was going on. Did he like her, or didn't he? 'Have a nice flight out,' I said.
'I will. Thank you.' Her hand slipped from mine and she drew a step back. 'Walk me to the car?' she asked Trent, her voice smooth and satisfied.
I'm not dressed, love,' he said softly, still touching her. 'Jonathan can take your bags.'
A flicker of annoyance crossed her, and I flashed her a catty smile. Turning, she walked out to the hallway overlooking the great room. 'Jonathan?' she called, her heels clacking.
My God. The two played mind games with each other as if it was an Olympic sport.
Trent exhaled. Putting my feet on the floor, I made a wry face. 'She's nice.'
His expression went sour. 'No she isn't, but she's going to be my wife. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't imply anymore that we are sleeping together.'
I smiled, a real one this time. 'I just wanted her to leave.'
Maggie bustled close, putting down table settings and taking away Ellasbeth's teacup and saucer. 'Nasty, nasty woman,' she muttered, her motions quick and sharp. 'And you can sack me if you want, Mr. Kalamack, but I don't like her and I never will. You watch. She'll bring some woman with her who will take over my kitchen. Rearrange my cupboards. Push me out.'
'Never, Maggie,' Trent soothed, his posture shifting to a companionable ease. 'We all have to make the best of it.'
'Oh, worra, worra, worra,' she mumbled as she made her way back into the kitchen.
Feeling more relaxed now that Ellasbeth was gone, I took another sip of that wonderful coffee. 'She's nice,' I said, looking at the kitchen.
His green eyes boyishly soft, he nodded. 'Yes, she is.'
'She's not an elf,' I said, and his eyes jerked to mine. 'Ellasbeth is,' I added, and his look went closed again.
'You're getting uncomfortably adept, Ms. Morgan,' he said, leaning away from me.
Putting my elbows to either side of the white plate, I rested my chin on the bridge my hands made. 'That's Ellasbeth's problem, you know. She feels like she is a broodmare.'
Trent shook out his napkin and put it on his lap. His robe was slowly coming undone to show a pair of executive-looking pajamas. It was somewhat of a disappointment—I'd been hoping for boxers. 'Ellasbeth doesn't want to move to Cincinnati,' he said, unaware that I was sneaking glances at his physique. 'Her work and friends are in Seattle. You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at her, but she's one of the world's best nuclear transplant engineers.'
My surprised silence brought his attention up, and I stared at him.
'She can take the nucleus of a damaged cell and transplant it into a healthy one,' he said.
'Oh.' Beautiful and smart. She could be Miss America if she learned how to lie better. But it sounded really close to illegal genetic manipulation to me.
'Ellasbeth can work from Cincinnati as easily as Seattle,' Trent said, mistaking my silence for interest. 'I've already financed the university's research department to update their facilities. She's going to put Cincinnati on the map for her developments, and she's angry that she's being forced to move instead of me.' He met my questioning eyes. 'It's not illegal.'
'Tomato, tomatto,' I said, leaning back when Maggie set a crock of butter and a pitcher of steaming syrup on the table and walked away.
Trent's green eyes met mine and he shrugged.
The scent of cooking batter drifted close, heady with promise, and my mouth watered as Maggie returned with two steaming plates of waffles. She set one before me, hesitating to make sure I was pleased. 'This looks wonderful,' I said, reaching for the butter.
Trent adjusted his plate while he waited for me. 'Thanks, Maggie. I'll take care of the settings. It's getting late. Enjoy the rest of your evening.'
'Thank you, Mr. Kalamack,' Maggie said, clearly pleased as she rested a hand atop his shoulder. 'I'll clean up the spills before I go. More tea or coffee?'
I looked up from pushing the butter to Trent. They were both waiting for me. 'Um, no,' I said as I glanced at my mug. 'Thank you.'
'This is fine,' Trent echoed.
Maggie nodded as if we were doing something right before she returned to the kitchen humming. I smiled
