Her father stood there looking at her sadly, then turned and left the room. He needed a chance to think, alone in his study.
Forty
“You were supposed to get here early, Rissy, not late,” Stephanie complained as she took her sister’s arm and walked with her toward the parlor.
“Don’t scold, my dear. I almost didn’t come at all. Robert sent his regrets, and if I hadn’t already been dressed when his note arrived, I wouldn’t have come.”
“But it doesn’t matter that you’re not escorted. You know everyone here.”
“That’s why I decided to come anyway.” Actually, she had needed the distraction, needed it desperately. “And I’m not really late.” They stopped at the entrance to the large parlor where twenty or so guests were gathered. “Sheila hasn’t arrived yet, I guess.”
“Well, she’s the only late one besides you. And you can never depend on Sheila to do anything when she says she will.”
“Now don’t be so sulky, Stephanie. It doesn’t become you.”
“I can’t help it,” the younger girl hissed in a low voice. “I’ve been a bundle of nerves ever since I heard about you-know-who.”
“I wish you wouldn’t bring that up.” The front door sounded behind them, and Sharisse pulled away from Stephanie. “There now. Go and greet the last of your guests. I’ll go in alone. I’ll be…”
“What is it, Rissy?” Stephanie followed her sister’s gaze and gasped, “Is that him? It is, isn’t it? Oh, what should I do? Should I have Joel ask him to leave? Rissy?”
It took a hard shake before Sharisse was able to reply at all. “Don’t…don’t do anything, Stephanie.” She swung around, closing her eyes to try and calm herself.
“What should I do?” Stephanie whispered frantically. “I can’t very well welcome him to my home. Joel should be told.”
“Stephanie, you have no sense!” Sharisse snapped. “You don’t get a man like that to leave if he doesn’t want to leave. You’re only going to cause trouble if you involve Joel. Just pretend everything’s all right.”
“Well, how am I supposed to do that?” Stephanie gripped Sharisse’s arm. “Oh, God, he’s seen you! He’s coming over, Rissy! I think I’ll go.”
“Don’t you dare leave me alone with him!” Sharisse hissed.
She turned around. Her eyes locked with his. And suddenly she went all funny inside. It was those eyes, that clear golden-green, so bright and so disarming.
Warm or cold, his gaze affected her, and apparently that hadn’t changed. His skin was not so heavily bronzed now, but he was still darker than any other man in the room. His black hair was shorter, his clothes more sophisticated. But he was still the man she could never forget.
“Hello, beautiful.”
The husky voice sent shivers through her.
“I believe you know several of my friends already, but you haven’t met my sister,” she said as steadily as she could. He glanced briefly at the flustered blonde and nodded curtly, then looked back at Sharisse. His face might have been carved from granite. The two of them continued to stand there, eyes locked, unmoving.
“Well, we finally see the newlyweds together,” Sheila called out, striding toward them quickly, Donald on her arm. “You’ll never believe where we found him, Sharisse. Clear across town. I just knew he’d never get here on time unless we offered him a ride.”
“How thoughtful of you, Sheila,” Sharisse replied tightly.
“Well, we’ll talk to you later, darling,” Sheila said cheerfully. “I must say hello to everyone first. Mustn’t be rude.”
Sheila went on into the parlor and Stephanie followed, leaving Sharisse alone with him.
“Is there somewhere we can talk, privately?”
“No!” She blushed, hearing how emphatic she sounded.
“You afraid to be alone with me, beautiful?”
“No, I…I just don’t see any reason why we can’t stay right here.”
“Have it your way,” he growled, “but I can’t wait any longer.”
