Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Emma
“Emelina,” Mother said as she came up to us. She must have been watching the door. We weren’t that late.
“Mother.” She pulled me closer and air kissed my cheeks, then looked at Asher.
“And who is this?” Her gaze went over him from head to toe. The Assessment.
“Asher Donahue, meet my mother, Victoria Palmer. Mother, this is Asher.”
Asher took her extended hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Palmer.” Then, in a move like a gentleman of the Old World, with the slightest bow he kissed the back of her gloved hand.
I stood there in shock as my mother fluttered her eyelashes at him, and her cheeks pinkened.
Slickest move I’ve ever seen in real life, straight out of Jane Austen.
“Mr. Donahue.”
“Asher, please.”
Mother’s gaze turned back to me. “Your father is around here somewhere.”
“Right here, dear.” My father walked to my mother’s side. I made introductions once again while my mother’s gaze took in my outfit from head to toe more than once. I steeled myself for her negative comments. It never mattered what I wore; there was always something wrong with it
“Emelina, I’m not sure that dress was a wise choice.”
Right on cue. It never failed. It was all I could do not to congratulate her on her consistency and predictability.
“It’s really not flattering.”
I took a deep breath, but before I could say anything Asher spoke up.
“I hate to disagree with you, Mrs. Palmer, but Emma looks absolutely perfect.”
I glanced at Asher with a silent thank you.
Asher grinned.
“Maybe, but still, that’s a lot of skin on display.”
Really? I shook my head.
“It’s very modest considering some of the dresses other women are wearing. Yourself included. You have more skin showing that Emma does.”
“Her name is Emelina.” Mother’s voice dripped with disdain.
“That may be her given legal name, but she has said she prefers Emma, and I think it fits her perfectly.”
My body twitched at Asher’s words. No one, and I mean no one, had ever defended my choice of clothing or preferred name to my mother. I glanced up at Asher. He was smiling, but his features were tight.
He pulled me closer to his side as if to let me know I wasn’t alone.
I’d let him know how much I appreciated his support later on.
For now, I was interested to see just how far this would go before my mother hung herself.
Asher was proving to be a worthy opponent.
I’d stopped defending my choices to her years ago.
Someone called my name out in a high pitch voice. “Emelina.” I barely restrained my cringe.
“Incoming,” I whispered to Asher as my two sisters flounced toward us.
“Magnolia, Seraphina,” I said as we exchanged air kisses.
Magnolia openly gawked at Asher. “Hello, handsome,” she practically purred. “I’m Magnolia.” She held out her hand.
“Ms. Palmer.” Asher held it briefly.
“And I’m Seraphina.” Not gawking, but definitely an expression that screamed Asher wasn’t even as good as the dirt under her shoes.
“Ms. Palmer.” Asher was polite, cool, but not quite enough to freeze water. His eyes narrowed as he spoke to my sisters.
Magnolia turned to Seraphina, her mean-girl smile plastered firmly in place. “Why don’t I give Asher a tour while you talk with Emelina.” She reached for Asher’s arm.
Asher took a step back. “While I thank you, I think I’d rather have a tour with Emma.” The neutral, completely unemotional, professional businessman.
“But she’s never been here,” Magnolia commented. She was right; I hadn’t been here before tonight. Dad bought this overblown castle after I was out on my own. The thought of showing up here ranked somewhere beyond anathema.
Asher smiled, but I could see it didn’t reach his eyes. “All the more fun for us, exploring together. Now, please, excuse us, I’m sure we’ll see you later.” Asher tightened his arm around my waist and guided me away from my family.
“I spied an escape,” he whispered.
Together, we walked through the foyer and main ballroom, out the back door. Several guests were gathered around the bar and buffet set out on the slate patio. Cloth covered tables and slip-covered chairs were set at random distances. The candles in the hurricane lantern centerpieces had been lit.
On the lawn, tents had been set up with more cloth covered tables with fresh flowers and candle centerpieces and chairs. Waiters flowed through the crowd with food and drink. Asher led me down the stairs and to the left, then down another set of steps to where the pool was lit up.
There weren’t any people here. He guided me closer to the pool house and then turned to me.
“Emelina?”
I giggled. “You’re hung up on my name?” I expected something else. When he stayed silent, I continued. “I really dislike my full name.”
He shifted until he was standing in front of me. “Were you trying to test me by not telling me your sister’s a predator?”
“No. Why?” Magnolia was acting like she always did. Did he mean my reaction when Magnolia said she’d take him on a tour? Unlike other guys I’d brought home, Asher didn’t rise to her bait.
“Because your family is much worse than you told me.” He shook his head. “Let’s say sharks have nothing on them.”
I laughed, pleased with his accurate evaluation. “You have no idea.” We sat on two of the lounge chairs on the pool house’s covered deck. I toed off my shoes and stretched out on the chair. I was no fan of high heels, and my feet were now much happier.
Asher took off his tux jacket and draped it over the back of a nearby chair, then settled on the chair next to mine and crossed his long legs at the ankles. The shirt he’d worn with the tux framed his torso perfectly. Wide shoulders, narrow waist.
“I’m so glad I didn’t let you come alone. Have you always endured that crap?”
I nodded. I didn’t know how to explain the elation I felt at his protective diversions. No one stood up to my family, but he did. Maybe because he didn’t feel the need to suck up. Asher was secure in who he was and what he did. And he didn’t need my parents’ approval.
“You do know they’re going to corner us again,” I said.
“I figured. How long do we have to stay before we can make a polite exit?”
“At least an hour, maybe a little longer.” Mother had insisted only an hour tops, but I also knew she didn’t mean that.
“Any idea why we’re here?” Asher settled against the back of the chair, letting his head fall back on the cushion, and closed his eyes. The perfect relaxed pose.
This gathering was no different than any of the others.
I was no fool; no way was I going to lower my guard.
“I have my suspicions. Don’t be surprised if a photographer suddenly shows up.
” That was my parents’ MO. They wanted family pictures to show everyone the family was intact.
After all, one mustn’t risk upsetting the stockholders with the implications that might come with family dissention.
“I can deal with it. Why don’t we go get some food and try to relax a bit.”
“Relaxation at these parties is not an option.” Lord only knows what else my parents had planned, especially since they didn’t tell me—warn me—my sisters would be here.
Asher stood up, put the tux jacket back on and buttoned it.
I had a flashing thought that he looked like he could be the main character in a romance novel.
Don’t drool, Emma. And whatever you might feel, be careful.
Of course my mind would pour a five-gallon bucket of ice water over my momentary fantasy. Thanks a lot. Not.
I slipped my shoes on and looked up to see Asher’s hand extended to help me stand.
When I was steady on my feet, he didn’t release my hand as he guided me back to the main part of the yard.
He found us a table for two, and when he released my hand, I immediately missed the warmth of his grasp.
He pulled out a chair with a slight bow and sweep of his hand as an invitation for me to sit.
“I’ll bring back nourishment and liquid courage.
” He winked, and stroked my cheek so gently, I almost didn’t feel his touch.
I could have sworn my heart turned over, but when I blinked, he was on his way to the buffet, and I was left trying to process the heat, the butterflies, and the desire that had risen from his merest touch.
I had no perception of time until Asher put a full oversized dinnerplate mounded with various items next to the centerpiece, then two glasses filled with some sort of gold liquid, flatware, two regular size empty plates, and two linen napkins.
“One of the waitstaff helped me appropriate a tray for all this stuff and told me to stash it under the table so I wouldn’t have to make a second trip.” There was that wink and a smile again. And sure enough, the butterflies took flight in my belly.
I shook out the napkin and spread it in my lap to try to cool the heat in my cheeks and took four items off the plate. Asher did as instructed and slid the tray under the table across from our chairs, sat down, and filled his plate.
“Enjoy. This stuff looks delicious. I’m not sure what half of these things are, but they looked good, so I went for them.” Asher set the plate down and immediately took a bite from what looked like a stuffed mushroom and moaned in apparent delight. I sipped my drink to try and suppress a giggle.
“Cider?”
He nodded as he swallowed the bite then sipped his drink. “I figured it would be best if we both kept our wits about us.” We clinked glasses.
“Smart man.”
We didn’t talk while we finished off everything he’d brought from the buffet. And he was right; all of it was delicious. No surprise really. My parents hired only five star caterers.