Chapter 9
She was twisted with nerves. The closer they got to the property, the more nervous she was. She should tell, no demand that he take her back. She was doing the wrong thing.
Across the seat from her, he could hear her nerves singing. At the stoplight, he happened to steal a glance at her and saw that her fingers were twisted together on her lap, and she was staring straight ahead.
Going with gut instinct, he reached across and closed his hand over hers as soon as the light changed.
Her magnificent eyes flew to his face, and he slid her a smile as he navigated the light evening traffic one handed.
"I'm here." His deep voice was very distinct. And he had a way of calming the storm raging inside her. She wanted to believe that was a good thing.
Without saying a word, she nodded and slowly relaxed. Even when he felt her unwinding, he held on, only letting go when he had to make the turn.
He turned briefly to stare at her in surprise when she reached for his as he drove into the circular driveway. She had seen the place when he took her for a drive, but up close it was even more impressive. Acres of rolling hills and grass so green it looked lush, like a carpet.
Trees, mostly Birch, waved in the evening breeze and lights flooded the property. The white structure against so many colors was stunning. He had told her his mother had been an avid gardener, and she supposed they hired people to do the upkeep.
Delicate petals, ranging from deep purple to the palest pink fluttered. Slowing the car at the huge garage door, he switched off the engine and turned to face her.
"Ready?"
She lifted her shoulders slightly. "As I'll ever be."
"My dad and uncle are cool."
"I'm a stranger."
"They won't bite." Taking her hand, he brushed his lips against the knuckles. "I promise."
"You're a hoot." Taking a deep breath, she turned and pushed open the door before he had a chance to do it and waited for him to join her.
Taking her hand, he led the way over the cobbled driveway and onto a wraparound porch that gleamed in the light.
Pushing the double doors open, they stepped into a lofty foyer with more gleaming wood and a high arched ceiling.
"Let me take your coat." Sliding it off her shoulders, he went to put it away along with his inside a large closet to their right.
"They're out back. I'll give you the tour later." He promised as he took her hand.
Aria was impressed. She had been to many grand houses during her time spent in her hometown and was used to luxury, but this topped it. The place was not cold and formal like the house she had grown up in, but there was a warmth here.
Not just the dull gold of the wallpapers or the arts dotting the walls, but there was something about the place that made her feel relaxed.
He led her through a wide passageway where she had glimpses of rooms with colorful rugs on the gleaming floor and through a glass door that was opened to a lovely deck overlooking the water and the spectacular view of the city.
An enormous grill was already lit, and the scent of steak permeated the air.
Two men, impressive in their height and attractiveness turned in unity to face them and had the nerves dancing over her skin. They looked like twins, except one looked older and had steel gray shot through the sable brown. But they had the same color eyes as Kenneth.
"I would like you to meet Lydia Wallace. Darling, this is my dad, Kingsley and my uncle Kevin."
Unaware of the intimacy of his tone or the possessive look on his face that had the other two men taking note, he presented her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lydia." Kingsley stepped forward and took her hand, giving it a light squeeze before letting go. Kevin was next. With green eyes twinkling, he took her hand and lifted it to his lips.
"I see why my nephew has been keeping you all to himself. You're stunning."
"Thank you." He flustered her and she pegged him correctly as a notorious flirt.
"She needs her hand back uncle." Kenneth said dryly, tugging it free.
"Now that you're here, we need the salad from the fridge in the kitchen." Kingsley told his son. "Kevin, make yourself useful and pour the wine. My dear," he turned to pin Aria with his green eyes. "Sit and make yourself at home."
"Anything I can do to help?" She lowered herself onto a butter soft chair the color of rubies.
"Everything is practically done. How do you like your steak?"
"Medium rare. Thanks." She smiled at Kevin as he handed her a brimming glass of red wine.
"A woman after my own heart. Ah, you're back." Kingsley noticed his son's anxious expression and gave a slight inclination of his head to indicate there was nothing to worry about. Letting out a sigh of relief, he put the salad bowl on the table and took a chair next to Aria.
Lifting her hand and ignoring her when she tried to pull away, he kissed her knuckles, green eyes laughing at him.
Within minutes the meal was ready, and they were seated at the table.
"What do you think?" Kingsley asked her quietly as she cut through the steak.
"It's very good."
His eyes twinkled. "You sound surprised."
"Kenneth did tell me all of you could grill, but I had to prove it for myself."
He was seated next to her, his thigh rubbing against hers.
"And?"
She turned to look at Kevin who was sipping wine and eyeing her over the glass.
"Now, I'm suitably impressed."
"Great." They ate the rest of the meal in silence, and she relaxed all the way. The conversation centered around the business and what was the latest gossip in Birchwood.
They were funny and far from being stuck up. One would never realize these powerful men could be so normal. Kevin had the sharper wit and had the entire table laughing at the antics of friends and rumors he had picked up on his frequent visits in town.
Kingsley was more reticent and spent most of his time discreetly watching her. Kevin did most of the talking, entertaining Aria, making her shuck her reserve and had her laughing. Kingsley saw the look on his son's face when he looked at the girl and felt his heart twisting.
He had felt the same about his wife. A love like that will never die. He hoped for his son's sake that this woman was genuine.
Waiting for a lull in the conversation, he asked the question. He had promised his son not to dig, but he could not just sit and pretend he was alright with all of this.
"You're from Boston."
His gaze met hers when she turned her head to look at him. And was determined to avoid his son's startled gaze.
"Yes."
"My son tells us you're a corporate lawyer."
"Dad."
"I am, yes."
Kenneth could feel her tensing up and cursed beneath his breath.
"Taking a break?" Kingsley asked smoothly.
"I am." Putting down her utensils, she straightened up and refused to look at Kenneth. He had promised her.
"Planning on returning?"
"What--"
"Don't answer that." Kenneth had to fight the anger churning in his gut. Rounding on his father, he lashed out. "The Q&A is over. Lydia is a guest in our home, and you made me a promise, one I expected you to keep. We're leaving."
"No." With a smooth smile, Kingsley turned to look at Aria who was sitting there rigid.
"I apologize for my lack of manners. You have to understand that Kenneth is my only child--"
"I understand completely." Aria had to take a deep breath and resisted the urge not to curl against Kenneth. "I know I present a mystery to you. I came here and have not said anything of my past, but I have my reasons. And I'm entitled to my privacy."
She was pushing away from the table when Kenneth took her hand.
"If she's leaving, so am I." His expression was tight.
His father rose and so did his uncle.
"There's no need for that." Kingsley assured her soothingly. "No more personal questions." He stared at her steadily, his expression reassuring. "I was out of line. Please stay."
He flicked a glance to his angry son. "If you leave, I'm going to be in the doghouse with my son."
Aria heard the plea in his deep voice and that was what moved her. And brought her to the fact that she never had this. She had parents who never cared about her feelings, no matter what she did. But Kenneth had this and it made her want to cry.
"The powder room." She forced a smile.
"I'll take you."
Lifting her head, she looked at him. "I'm not going to leave. I promise."
"I'll take you." He repeated.
With a shrug, she excused herself and allowed herself to be led inside.
"I thought I was the one who always screwed up." Kevin went to pour himself another glass of wine.
His brother leaned back in his chair, a contemplative look on his face. "Did you see the expression on her face? Like a deer in the headlights. She wanted to bolt."
"That's not the point." Kevin crossed to pour some more wine in his glass. "You made a promise to Kenneth and we both promised to stick to it." He sat back down. "Whatever she's hiding, she has to be the one to open up to him."
"He's my son."
"He's my nephew, one I love like a son."
Inside the elegantly appointed eggplant yellow powder room, Aria prayed for calm. She did not blame his dad for wanting information about her. It was natural. There were parents who really cared about what happened to their offsprings.
Hers hadn't and she had to bear that in mind.
Taking a deep breath and giving herself one last glimpse in the mirror, she was steady enough to open the door. And to see Kenneth pacing back and forth. As soon as he heard the door open, he whirled around, an anxious expression on his face.
Striding to her, he clamped his hands on her shoulders and studied her face.
"I apologize." He told her hoarsely. "And I meant it when I said before that if you want to leave--"
"No." She shook her head and offered a bolstering smile. She had come to a decision while in the powder room. The look on his face, the way he had accepted her need to keep her affairs to herself had inspired her.