Chapter 5
Halloween
“Lizzy?” Gigi’s eyes were wide as soon as she opened the door. “What are you doing here?”
I did my best to quash the twisting of my stomach and held up the cake box. “I’m delivering your birthday cake, and your brother invited me to the party. If it’s for your Julliard friends only, just say the word. I don’t have to stay.”
“No!” Gigi stepped aside and waved me into the large penthouse apartment. “I considered inviting you, but I didn’t know how to ask. We talk a lot when I come into the café, but I wasn’t sure if we were friends or not. Does that make sense?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, because I felt the same.”
She glanced at the box in my arms. “Now, I know you never do deliveries. Please don’t tell me my brother insisted you bring the cake.”
“I wouldn’t say insisted. There’s no point in paying someone else to deliver when I’m coming anyway. I did charge your brother for my time though.”
“As you should,” said Gigi in almost an indignant tone. She waved a hand for me to follow. “Come, let’s give that to Mrs. Reynolds. She’ll know where to put it. Did you pick the flavors or did my brother?” She nudged my shoulder with her own. “Please say it was you.”
I grinned. “I didn’t give him a choice; vanilla cake with hazelnut buttercream and a Frangelico filling.”
“I should pledge my undying love for you. You combined all of my favorites.”
“You’ve also given me your opinions on samples and the cakes that I make, so I should know well, by now, what you like. I even baked it myself.”
“Then I know it’ll be amazing.”
My eyes widened when we stepped inside a chef’s dream kitchen where an older woman was arranging hors d’oeuvres on a serving tray: cherry tomatoes with a basil leaf and tiny mozzarella ball, mini quiches, and antipasto skewers that looked good enough to die for. My mouth began to water.
“Mrs. Reynolds,” said Gigi. “This is Lizzy. She owns the Buttercream Beanery.”
The older lady wiped her hands on a towel. “I’m pleased to finally meet you. Gigi has brought home some of your desserts. I’m going to gain entirely too much weight if she keeps it up.”
My heart swelled just as it always did when someone gave me such a great compliment. “Thank you so much. My friend Char is as much responsible for what we serve as I am. I couldn’t do it without her.”
Mrs. Reynolds reached out to take the box. “I assume this is our dear girl’s birthday cake.”
“It is. Do you need some help getting it onto the cake stand?” A wood and marble cake stand was ready and waiting on the corner of the granite island.
The older lady pulled out a pair of scissors and cut through the seal. “Let’s see.”
“There’s a cake board underneath.” I couldn’t help but fidget. This is why I preferred not being at people’s homes when they unboxed my cakes. However, it was clear this was not Mrs. Reynolds’ first time. She unhooked the corners of the box and with careful hands exposed the entire cake.
“Oh, this is beautiful.”
Gigi gasped. “I love the design.”
“That was all your brother,” I said. “I had to give him something to take credit for.”
“He’s too good to me.” Gigi had her hands clasped in front of her.
I set down my purse. “Do you have an offset spatula?”
Mrs. Reynolds rummaged through a drawer. “Do you mean one of these?”
“That’s it.” I took the instrument and ran it under hot water at the sink. “I chilled the cake before I left so it would be easy to move. The ride here wasn’t long, so we should still be good.” I ran the warm spatula around the bottom edge just in case some of the buttercream had stuck to the box. Once I was sure it was clear, I lifted the edge, slipped my hand beneath the cardboard round, and shifted the cake, just as I’d done so many times at the bakery.
Once I had it situated on the cake stand, Mrs. Reynolds took the spatula. “You did that without marring the frosting. I don’t think I’ve ever managed that.”
“That’s why you chill the cake and heat the spatula.”
She shook her head. “I love to cook but I’ve never been much of a baker. Gigi brings home desserts from your bakery when we need them.”
“That’s usually when I come first thing in the morning,” said Gigi. “I don’t usually get to talk to you on those days.”
“Because I’m in the kitchen. We start at about four in the morning. I have three employees who get right to work on bagels so they’re warm and fresh from the oven when the first customers walk in at six. Char starts on the croissants, and I get the muffins in the oven. After, my morning is spent baking whatever else is needed, as well as icing cakes to be picked up that day and replenishing any we have stocked in the displays. Char joins me when she has time, as do the others. We have two more employees who come in at five to prep and wrap the breakfast sandwiches. It’s a system that’s slowly evolved since the doors opened and we’ve been able to acquire more kitchen staff.”
“It sounds brutal,” said a male voice from the door.
“William,” Gigi gushed. “I adore this cake. Thank you!”
My body was still stiff while Gigi hugged her brother with a wide grin. He appeared so different than usual. He embraced his sister fully and closed his eyes for a moment while he accepted her open affection. He seemed more relaxed than at the gala, but this was his home. I’d hope he was more comfortable here than anywhere else.
“Miss Bennet,” he said when Gigi released him. “I’m glad you could make it. Let me take your coat. Gigi seems to have forgotten.”
“I couldn’t very well take her coat while she was holding the cake, now, could I?”
With a start, I unbuttoned the front. I’d forgotten completely that I was wearing it. My breath caught when his fingers grazed my shoulders as he pulled the deep wine peacoat from them. It wasn’t a typical style with its flared hem, but I loved the color and the unusual cut. Underneath, I wore a dress in a similar shade. Char had insisted the fitted top with the ribbed almost sweater-like fabric would show off my breasts and the tie at the waist would accent that as well as the flare of my hips. The short length was to show off that I had the legs to go with the rest of the package. At the glance my legs received as Will passed me, Char’s assessment of the dress was correct.
“You should join us in the living room,” he said over his shoulder.
Gigi looped her arm through mine. “Come on; it’s this way.”
When I stepped through the door, I came to an abrupt halt, and Gigi almost pulled my shoulder from its socket. What the heck? None of Gigi’s friends from Julliard milled around, chatting while enjoying snacks. No, instead, the blond-haired man from the gala stood in the middle of the living room with Jane beside him. What was his name again?
“Elizabeth Bennet,” said Will as I approached the group like I was nearing a rabid dog, “this is Charles Bingley, my friend and the lawyer for Pemberley Books. Of course, you know Jane.”
Every muscle, tendon, and ligament in my entire body was tighter than a bowstring. “We may have met.”
Jane let one side of her lips curve into a smile that I knew from experience wasn’t friendly.
“And this is Richard Fitzwilliam, our cousin and head of marketing at Pemberley Books.”
My insides twisted my stomach so badly, it had to have been tied into a knot. Why did this feel like an ambush?
“It’s nice to meet you all, but please call me Lizzy.” What else was I supposed to say?
“My aunt was supposed to come,” said Gigi. “But, thank heavens, she decided she was too tired.”
“Georgiana.” Will’s tone was low. He may not have scolded her outright, but his reprimand couldn’t be missed.
Gigi gave a labored sigh. “Sorry, but you would’ve suffered through her presence too. She makes everything a misery.”
Her cousin Richard gave a slight chuckle. “I agree, Gi, but you shouldn’t say it aloud.”
“How’s business?” asked Jane. She was looking at me with that false serene expression she used most of the time.
“Better than ever.” I tried like hell to smile as though I wasn’t bothered whatsoever by her. The question was a dig, but I wouldn’t react.
Gigi grabbed my arm again. “Lizzy, you should come see my birthday present from William.”
I didn’t fight her as she tugged me from the room. Without warning, I was yanked to the side and a door was closed, shutting me into the powder room with Gigi.
I glanced around. “Somehow, I don’t think this is your brother’s birthday gift.”
Gigi crossed her arms over her chest. “What in the crap is going on? There’s an undercurrent that’s almost hostile out there.”
Lord, give me patience! “Gigi, you do know your brother wants to acquire Novel Books, don’t you?”
She leaned back against the vanity. “I don’t keep track of Pemberley Books business. I mean; I own shares of the company. I inherited them when our parents died, but I leave them for William to manage, and he’s my proxy for board meetings. It’s part of why I’m thrilled my aunt isn’t here. She’s never hidden the fact that I’m a disappointment to the family for studying music instead of getting my degree in business or law.”
My heart split and bled. “You don’t believe you’re a disappointment, do you?”
“No! William has made it clear that I’m free to do whatever I want. My parents made him promise I could pursue music if that was my choice. If William had chosen a different career path, they would’ve been supportive then too. He would’ve still been part of the board of directors, but he could be whatever he wanted.”
She shook her head. “Enough of that; who is Jane to you?”
“Gigi, do you know her last name?”
Her chin hitched back. “No, Charles has never said, at least I don’t remember him ever telling me.”
“Try Bennet.”
Gigi’s eyes became the size of silver dollars. “No!”
“Yes, my sister, the lawyer who sucks the souls of small children for a living.”
Gigi covered her mouth as she gave a slight guffaw. “I’d thought you were joking, but from the little I’ve been around her, she’s truly awful.”
“Yes, well, she does try.” I waved my hands in front of me. “Now, for one of my questions, why are your guests your cousin and your brother’s work associates? Where are your friends from school?”
She bit her lip, and one shoulder lifted. “William said I should invite them, but my brother is so overprotective and Richard’s not much better. Could you imagine their expressions when Lydia walks in with her piercings and short skirt? My brother would have an aneurysm.”
I pressed my lips together for a moment, trying not to laugh. “I think it could be free entertainment. He turns a million shades of crimson while trying not to stare. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
After laughing, she leaned against the vanity. “So, you don’t like my brother much do you?”
“That’s a complicated situation,” I said without a pause.
“Why? I’ve kind of always wondered if the two of you would get along.” She almost mumbled the words while she shifted on her feet.
“You wanted to set us up?”
“I didn’t know he wanted to take over Novel Books. That alone is enough to kill any sort of relationship before it started. I just wish he’d find someone. He’s such a good brother, and I know he’s lonely. And you’re amazing. You’d be perfect for him.”
I relaxed some for the first time since walking into Gigi’s living room. “You’ve spoken of him in such glowing descriptions that I believe that’s your reality. I don’t know him well enough—not really.” It was true. He’d been so back and forth since I’d first met him, he was more of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and I never knew which I would get. Right now, I was more inclined to think he had a split personality rather than being just an all-out wanker as Char called him.
“You better show me this gift,” I said. “They’ll be expecting us to return soon.”
When Gigi opened the door, my insides jumped into my throat, and we both gave a cry.
“You went to the bathroom together?” asked Richard with a lop-sided grin.
“I needed to ask Lizzy some questions.” Gigi lifted both eyebrows and shoved her cousin aside. “Girls’ stuff.”
Richard fell into step with her. “Okay, but you didn’t need to take her into the bathroom for that. Have you shown her your brother’s present yet? Mrs. Reynolds has brought in the food, and Darce won’t let anyone eat until you come back.”
I lifted my single eyebrow at her.
“Yeah, I know. You told me as much.”
Gigi led me into a tall room with floor to ceiling windows on two walls—clearly the corner of the building. The view of the city was stunning, but what was even more stunning was the grand piano in the center of the room. As I approached, the Steinway & Sons stamp could be easily seen on the front, over the keys. The shiny black finish glowed in the setting sun and gave no doubt that the instrument was brand new.
“It’s beautiful.” I stood in front of the keys, my hands clasped in front of me.
“Do you want to try it? You mentioned once that you took lessons.”
I almost snorted. “Gigi, I hardly ever practice. I just don’t have the time between running Novel Books and the bakery.”
“But you did when your uncle was alive. You told me.”
“Squirt, if she doesn’t want to play. . .” said Richard.
Gigi huffed. “Her uncle once claimed she had a talent for expression—or so Char told me.”
“He exaggerated,” I said. “He was like a proud grandfather the way he’d compliment my efforts.”
“So, prove it.” The tilt of Gigi’s head and her stance with the challenge was more confidence than I’d ever seen from her. She wouldn’t give up.
Those butterflies that used to appear whenever I was forced to perform began flying in high circles in my stomach. I despised performing.
I glared at Gigi as I slid onto the bench. My hands had a slight tremor as I set them over the keys. After a deep inhale and an extended exhale, I played the first chords of Debussy’s Clair de Lune . My uncle always asked me to play the piece, and it was one I could manage from memory. After a moment or two, the melody absorbed me, and I welcomed its embrace.
When I played the last notes, applause snapped me back to the room. Gigi wore a wide grin and Richard nodded and smiled as I rose from the bench and turned. Will stood in the open doorway with Charles and Jane behind him. Will clapped politely as did Charles while Jane looked as though she’d sucked on the sourest lemon imaginable.
“That was lovely,” gushed Gigi.
I did my best not to squirm now that I was aware everyone had watched me. “I’m sure compared to yours, it’s barely passable.”
“Have you ever heard Gi play?” asked Richard. “Technically, she’s brilliant, but her professors want her to have more expression—they want her to lose herself as completely you just did. Thank you for giving her such a brilliant example.”
Will nodded. “I agree.”
The doorbell rang, and Jane perked up. “That must be Caroline.” She hurried off.
“Caroline?” I said out of the corner of my mouth to Gigi.
“Charles’s sister.”
Will, Richard, and Charles turned to leave as I leaned a little closer to her. “Do we like Caroline?”
Gigi grimaced. “She’s as bad if not worse than your sister.”
“Oh, yay! I’m definitely going to need to thank your brother for inviting me.” I kept my volume low, even if I exaggerated my enthusiasm.
Gigi burst out laughing. “I’m thrilled you’re here, but if it gets too bad, we’ll come up with some excuse to leave—but not without stealing the cake first.”