Games (Timeless Series) (8 page)

Simon chuckled and set his glass on a nearby table
. He then pulled Constance into his embrace and the two glided across the ballroom floor.

“Are you here to socialize?
If so, I have a very eligible friend I’d like you to meet.”

“You never give up, do you?”
He shook his head, smiling down at her.

“No
. Not until I see you happily married, like my Charlie. He fought it too. But it did no good. He couldn’t resist me.”

“There’s your answer
. You’re already taken,” Simon replied, letting amusement show in his eyes.

“Why are you being so stubborn?” she countered
, tsk-tsking. “Ask Charlie. He loves being married. He says it’s the best thing that ever happened to him.”

“I’m not Charlie.”

“Of course you aren’t. But you still need someone. Everyone does.”

“Connie, you know I’m not in the market
. So leave it alone. I like being unencumbered and have no intention of changing my status anytime soon.” He grinned at her to soften his words. “I know you mean well, but you are worse than my mother. Besides, I haven’t the time tonight, barely enough for a few drinks and a couple of dances.”

“That’s plenty of time to meet Sarah.”

“Constance.” His voice held warning.

Undaunted, she smiled mischievously
. “All it takes is one good woman, Simon.”

Simon’s bark of laughter filled the air around them
. “I’ll remember that.”

The two old friends got caught up in the next few minutes before the music ended.

“Oh, there’s Charlie. Come with me.” Constance grabbed his hand, starting in the direction of a group of people. Given her strong grip, Simon could only follow. “I really would like you to meet Sarah.” At his scowl, she quickly added, “No, I know she’s not for you. But she does need help. She’s a friend of the family, and new to the area. If you’ll dance with her, maybe it will encourage some of these other young swains to take a trip around the room with her. Please, Simon. As a favor?”

“I’ll dance with her
. But only if you stop your matchmaking.”

“What’s this,” a man from the group asked.
“Is she still trying to find a mate for the likes of you? I told her there wasn’t a woman alive who’d put up with you, so not to bother.”

Snorting, Simon grinned
. “Why do I even try to be nice to the two of you?” He picked up his drink and took a sip, then he offered his hand. “Hello, Charlie. I see married life agrees with you. You’re not dead yet.”

“Stop your badgering, both of you,” Constance
scolded while the two shook hands. Turning to a young blonde, she added, “Simon, I’d like to introduce you to Sarah MacKay. Sarah, Simon Harrington.”

Simon bowed, took her offered hand
, and brought it to his lips. “It’s my pleasure, Miss MacKay. Would you like to dance?”

Sarah’s blush crept up her face
. She smiled shyly. “I’d love to, Mr. Harrington.”

~~

When the two left the group, Charlie turned to Constance. “Will you leave the man alone.”

“But
, Charlie, he’s lonely.”

Her husband erupted into a fit of laughter
.

“Look around the room, my dear,” he said when he could speak
. “Every available female in here has her eyes on Simon right now, wishing she could be the one he’s leading out there. He has his pick whenever he wants. I can assure you, the man is not lonely.”

“Oh, Charl
ie, what do you know. You’re just a man.”

The word “w
omen” could be heard as he swept her along in his embrace, effectively silencing her.

~~

Simon enjoyed another hour or so, dancing, talking, eating tidbits from trays, and drinking with his many friends who also attended this affair at the White House. It was obvious he wasn’t lonely, at least not for feminine companionship. Beautiful women had surrounded him from the moment he led Sarah back to his friends. Also, Constance’s ploy worked, because Sarah was never without a partner from then on. When the time came for Simon to take his leave, many disappointed feminine sighs floated around the room.

Giselle raced up the stairs in time to see t
hree children scrambling around like chickens running amuck while the two nannies chased behind attempting, unsuccessfully, to keep them under control.

“You’re just in time.”
Libby said, appearing at the door and laughing. “We’re almost ready to leave. Can you help Minnie and Maizie?”

“Of course.”
She nodded and grabbed little Rebecca, who was slower than her older siblings. Holding on to the child, she followed the noise to offer her help.

Finally the Thorpe
s’ carriage rolled down the drive to the main road.

With the quiet descending on the household, Giselle
breathed a sigh of relief and headed for her room to pack a bag for her trip to Shelbyville.

T
hree forlorn children trailed behind and now watched her from the doorway.

“I wish you didn’t have to go, too, Auntie G
,” said Sam, the oldest at five. “With Mama and Papa gone, who’ll play with us?”

Giselle
put down the blouse she was about to pack and smiled warmly at the precocious child. “I am sure Minnie and Maizie will keep you company. Plus you have your sisters.” She sat down and patted the spot beside her. They all scampered inside the room and up on the bed. Hugging them, she said, “I will miss you, but I also miss my mama and papa. I have not seen them in a while. You would not want me to miss seeing them, would you?”

Three-year-old Melanie piped up. “You
hafta see your mama and papa, Auntie G. We unerstan’. Don’t we, Sam?”

“
Yes.” Sam nodded bravely.

“I
will not be gone long,” Giselle whispered, giving all three one more hug. “How about I bring you something? What would you like from the general store?”

“Sweets!”
they shouted unanimously.

Chuckling, Giselle stood
. “Sweets, it is. Now go and find Minnie and Maizie while I finish packing,
s’il vous plais
. I want to leave as soon as possible, so I can be back more quickly.”

One by one
they climbed down from the bed and rushed from the room, Sam in the lead and baby Rebecca trailing.

Giselle wondered where they got all their energy
. She ignored the twinge of envy she felt toward Libby. Children weren’t in her near future. Refusing to dwell on the reasons why, she grabbed her bag, headed out of her room, down the stairs, and out to the stables where Jake had a horse waiting.

Once mounted, she
directed the gelding toward the main road.

After
an easy ride, she dismounted in front of her sister’s dress shop. Giselle waved, spying her sister from the window.

Marguerite Dubois rushed out, hugged her, and then pulled her into the store
. “I cannot believe it has been ages. You should not have stayed away so long.”

“You
are right.” Giselle laughed gaily. “How have you been? Where are Mama and Papa?”

“At home
. Mama was not expecting you for another hour or so. Come. Let me show you my new designs. Then we can go find them.”

Marguerite led Giselle into a back room, filled with bolts of
silks and satins of every color, steel female forms, some with gowns in various stages of being completed, and other sewing clutter. Marguerite moved over to an armoire, opened it, and took out a dress.

Giselle rushed up
and touched the beautiful garment. “Oh, Marguerite. You have outdone yourself. It is absolutely
magnifique
.”

“
Oui
, I think so too. I also think it would look divine on you.” Marguerite held the burgundy silk creation up to Giselle. “After all, I had you in mind when I thought it up. No one else will do it justice.”

“What a wonderful surprise.” Giselle fingered the
silk admiringly. “Thank you, Marguerite. You are too generous.”

“
Mon Dieu
. It is not much. Just a little time and material. What I really love is seeing how my gowns look on beautiful women. You and Libby make my creations come alive.” She eyed her sister thoughtfully. “It is also good for business. When people see the two of you wearing my gowns, my business goes up the next month.”

“I have to try this on
. Here, help me,” Giselle said excitedly, suppressing a delighted gurgle.

“In a minute
. Let me show you what I created for Libby.” She took out another gown and held it up to Giselle.

“Libby will love it
. This color is perfect for her. Where did you find this exquisite midnight blue satin?” Giselle sighed. “It is such a shame that your talent is wasted here in Shelbyville. You should be in Paris.”

Marguerite’s soft laughter filled the room
. “
Non
, Giselle. I do not need to be in Paris to create beautiful clothes. Making gowns for you and Libby gives me plenty of joy. Besides, as I have always said before, the ladies in Shelbyville like dressing well and I provide the means. You do not need to be in a big city to want to look nice. I do very well here and now I will never leave.”

She caught the secret smile her sister sported, which, along with her words, caused Giselle to take a closer inspection of her face
. Her beautiful sister glowed. With a knowing smile, she said, “Come now, Marguerite. Confess. Something is going on that you are not telling me. You seem happy. In fact, you are beaming with happiness.”

“I could never fool you
. I think I have found someone to love. But I am not sure how he feels.”

Giselle squealed and
tried to hug her sister, but was hampered because Marguerite held a ball gown in each hand.

“
Let me hang Libby’s gown up and then I will tell you all about Martin while I help you try on your gown,” Marguerite said, laughter spilling from her voice. “I am dying to see how you look in it.”

“So, the mystery man’s name is Martin?”
She paused. “I do not know any Martin. Is he new to Shelbyville?”

Marguerite moved to hang up both gowns,
then glanced over her shoulder, and nodded. “
Oui
. He has been here about four months now. He bought the old Henderson farm not too far from town. Turn around. Let me help you out of your clothes.”

Sitting, Giselle took off her boots
. Then, with Marguerite’s help, she stepped out of her riding habit. “Well, do not keep me in suspense. Tell me about him.”

Marguerite remained silent until Giselle was down to her chemise
. She took the gown off the hanger. Giselle lifted her arms. The dress slithered down her body as her sister said, “He is a widower. His wife’s death is the reason he moved here. He wanted a fresh start. Someplace that did not remind him of her. They had only been married a couple of years.” She stopped speaking to adjust the gown. “Giselle, it seems his life parallels mine. It is amazing how much we have in common. And he is so handsome. He will never replace André. After all, he was my first love. I thought no one would be able to make my heart pound faster as André did. Can you believe it? Best of all, Martin also makes me laugh. I never thought another man would ever have the ability to do that.”

Glancing at her sister’s face reflected in the cheval glass, Giselle smiled at her obvious
joy. Then she looked at her own reflection and all thought of Marguerite’s love evaporated from her mind. The low neckline of the dress highlighted her ample breasts and swanlike neck. The luxurious fabric outlined her body, accentuating every curve, definitely adding to her feminine appeal. She barely recognized the person staring back.

“
Mon Dieu
! Look at me. I am a goddess. How did you know what to do to make me look like this?”

“It
is not the dress, silly. You are a goddess. It just takes a little color and form to bring it out,
n’est-ce pas
?”

“Oh, Marguerite, I love the dress
. I cannot imagine where I will ever be able to wear it, though.” She broke off, turning this way and that to better see her reflection. She shrugged. “As if I would let that stop me. I will simply wear it to dinner with Libby and Colin. They always dress, so I will not be out of place, but I hate to waste this on a dinner with just the two of them.” She gazed thoughtfully at the glass. Sighing, she said, “I envy you, Marguerite. You are so lucky to have someone who gives you a reason to wear a dress such as this. Wearing your creations always makes me feel powerful. Such a pity, I have no one who is worth the effort of enchanting. I would really relish captivating the right man.”

“Yo
u merely have not met him yet.” Marguerite grinned, her expression all-knowing. “I know how you love to flirt and you are not happy unless you are attracting some new man, having him fall on his knees at your feet. But mark my words. At some point, the right one will come along and you will have no choice in the matter. Love will take you by storm, and you will be the one to fall hard. Here, turn around and let me see what needs to be adjusted.”