In his place, five women seemed to materialize, ready to help my wife get ready. The night started to tick its mouth, a reminder that it wouldn’t stand for anyone to be late, except for the song. Twenties-style music drifted from the speakers around the room, filling the space with a nostalgic atmosphere.
“What type of party is this again?”
Scarlett, dressed in a silk robe and fuzzy slippers, stopped plucking grapes from the basket. She’d taken the opportunity to change while I checked out the room and accepted the champagne delivery. “Great Gatsby,” she said, swallowing. She held up a plump grape. “Want one?”
I opened my mouth and she stuck one in, but she was too slow. I bit her fingers. All of her features relaxed, and her eyes lowered to almost slits.
“Even that sets me off,” she whispered. “Can we stay in?”
“Mrs. Fausti?” one of the women called from the bedroom. “Ready to get started?”
I released her fingers, snapping my teeth. “Later, Mrs. Fausti.”
She blew out an exasperated breath and grabbed a banana before she went to face the squad. I claimed the bathroom before it was commandeered. The door opened and closed a few times, Scarlett popping in and out to leave me this or that.
“It’s just me!” she said every time. “I forgot to leave your comb!” Or whatever else she had packed that she felt I needed. On her last trip, she sniffed the air. “What’s that smell? It’s new.”
I read the label aloud.
“Where did you get it?” she asked.
“You left it out for me.”
“That’s right.” She took another sniff at the air. “Do you like it?”
I sniffed at the bottle, feeling like I had to. “Yeah.”
“It smells…I love it on you.” She stood there for a moment, staring at me, and then left.
Since I had time to kill, I took my time tightening up my hair. Then, using the comb Scarlett had left out, I slicked the top in place. The three-piece suit she’d had custom made for me hung in a bag in the dressing area next to the bedroom. It was dapper, real gentleman’s attire.
Scarlett had placed Marzio’s signet ring and pocket watch, along with a red rose, before the mirror for me. I slid the ring on my little finger, attached the pocket watch, and secured the rose to the lapel. Good to go.
I almost waylaid Violet coming out of the dressing room.
Her hair was so silver that it almost seemed lavender. She was already dressed, a gold dress with tassels on her thin frame, and a feather headband around her head.
“What do you think about it?” She touched her hair. “Lou thought it would make a statement.”
“I think you and Mary could be twins.”
“I know how much you love Mary, so I’ll take a compliment however it comes. Here—” She ran over to the table in the living area of the suite, grabbing a bottle of cologne.
I took a step back when she went to spritz me with it. A cloud of it dusted the air; it smelled like the wash in the shower.
“How do you feel about the smell?” She watched my face closely, almost anticipating my answer.
“My wife asked me the same thing.”
“The company wants you as one of their faces. Scarlett doesn’t know that though. I told her to have you smell it. It would be a joint collaboration with your brothers. Each bottle will be in a matte color that represents individual styles. I knew if I told her she wouldn’t ask.”
“With good reason.”
Violet lifted her hands. “Just think about it!”
Taking the bottle from her, I sniffed and then sprayed. When I looked up, Violet was staring at me.
“You are…” She looked me up and down. “An extremely handsome man.”
