“My wifeLillibet,” he added, clearing his throat. “I’ve been looking for her.”
“She’ll be about her business, won’t she?” the housekeeper said. “Hither and yon.”
It looked as though he wanted to press the point, until another glance around the table reminded him they had company.
“Please tell my wife, Lillibet, that the lawyer will be here to speak with us this afternoon.”
The housekeeper lifted her cup in an ironic salute. “No rest for the wicked,” she sighed when his back was turned, before heaving herself out of the chair.
“You see what I’m talking about?” Hildy said when the two of them were alone with the housekeeper’s dirty dishes. “There’s something going on here. Besides the staff phoning it in.”
“Maybe it’s her day off.” That was at least as likely as Hildy’s swinging sexcapades theory. “What do you think he meant, about the lawyer?”
“Eh.” Hildy scraped the skin of the papaya with the edge of her spoon. “Lawyers are always sniffing around this kind of household. Taxes, estate planning, money laundering, who knows? Mo’ money, mo’ paperwork.”
A flutter of fabric caught his eye. Lillibet peeked around the corner of the house, looking both ways before tiptoeing barefoot onto the grass. There was a sneaky quality to her movements that—combined with their host’s earlier interrogation—made Jefferson wonder if she was avoiding her husband.
As she crossed the lawn, her black-and-white dress floated in the breeze, exposing flashes of tanned calf.
“I can’t wait until I’m old enough to rock a caftan,” Hildy informed him. “That’s definitely vintage, by the way, which is so cool. Sustainableandchic. Mind you, Lillibet could wear anything and make it look good. Did you see her portrait this morning?”
Jefferson shook his head, unsure what the subject of clothing had to do with that picture.
“She’s wearing the cutest little shorts. You know those ones with the suspenders, like they wear in Switzerland? The OG hot pants. You should check it out. Even though we both know you prefer the real thing. Lillibet, that is. Not short shorts.” She snapped her fingers. “Lederhosen. That’s the name.”
They watched her approach, long hair shining with the rich gold of old brass where it caught the sun.
“Did a slow song start playing in your head?” Hildy whispered. “I listen to a lot of oldies, so I know things from your generation. Is it that ‘you look wonderful tonight’ one?”
There were no flies on Hildy. He’d give her that much, even if she apparently thought he was a Boomer.
“More of an instrumental track? Harp? Pan flute? Saxophone solo?”
“Cowbell. That’s how we roll in Wyoming.”
That made her laugh, which gave Jefferson an excuse to grin, as he’d wanted to since Lillibet stepped into view.
Hildy hopped out of her chair and threw her arms around Lillibet before springing back with a chagrined expression. “Sorry. That’s not appropriate for a professional relationship. Not that I’m trying to wheel and deal before you’ve even had breakfast. Although I am really excited to open that dialogue. Most likely in your office—unless you want to be somewhere more organic? To unharness our energies?”
“Breathe,” Jefferson murmured.
“Right.” Hildy gave an exaggerated inhale, and Lillibet took advantage of the brief pause to claim a chair. “Oh, did your husband find you?”
Their hostess shot to her feet as if she’d landed on something sharp. “It’s about curtains. For the shower. That’s why he’s looking for me.”
“So, shower curtains,” Hildy translated.
Lillibet pointed at her. “Exactly. I’ll text him.” She patted her pocket but didn’t take out her phone. “Um. We should go out,” she said, glancing at the house. “Exploring. I’d love to show you some of the island.”
“Yes!” Hildy pressed her palms together in prayer pose. “That would beamazing.JJ can take pictures while the two of us talk shop.” She looked down at her flowy pants. “Should I change? Are we thinking beach or brunch?”
Lillibet’s head jerked at the sound of the kitchen door opening. Her face relaxed as the housekeeper rejoined them, a piece of toast in one hand.
“I was telling them about our plans,” Lillibet said.
The housekeeper scowled. “Were you, now?”
“You know. A little sightseeing. Away from the house.” A silent message seemed to pass between them—something they didn’t want to share with guests. Maybe one of the showers had gone rogue and they needed to clear the premises before it killed again.
