Chesapeake Blue
Page 67

"Two hours," she said. "We'll stay two hours, then we're gone."
"This is your deal, Dru. We'll stay as long as you like."
"I wouldn't be going at all if I could've avoided it. My parents double-teamed me on this one. I wonder if we ever really get beyond the point where a parent can emotionally blackmail us into doing something we don't want to do."
Her words made him think of Gloria, and dread curled in his stomach. "It's just a party, sugar."
"Oh, if only. A party's where you go to have fun, to relax and enjoy the company of people you have something in common with. I don't have anything in common with these people anymore. Maybe I never did. My mother wants to show you off, and I'm going to let her because she wore me down."
"Well, you've got to admit, I look terrific tonight."
"Can't argue with that. And you're trying to cheer me up. So thanks. I'll promise to do the same on the way home when you're glazed and incoherent from being interrogated."
"Does it matter to you, what they think of me?"
"Of course." Amused with herself, she took out her lipstick and missed the way his jaw tightened. "I want all those people who gave me that sticky sympathy over my breakup with Jonah, all the ones who brought it up to my face hoping I'd say or do something they could dine out on the following evening, to take one look at you. I want them to think, Well, well, Dru certainly landed on her feet, didn't she? She bagged herself il maestro giovane"
Tension settled on the back of his neck, too weighty to be shrugged off. "So, I'm a status symbol now," he said, and tried to keep it light.
She freshened her lipstick, capped the tube. "Better than a Harry Winston diamond necklace. It's mean, it's petty, it's pitifully female. But I don't care. It's a revelation to realize I've just that much of my mother in me that I want to show you off, too."
"There's no escaping where we come from. No matter how far we run."
"Now that's depressing. If I believed that, I'd jump off a cliff. Believe me, I am not going to end up chairing committees and giving ladies' teas on Wednesday afternoons." Something in the quality of his silence had her reaching over to touch his arm. "Two hours, Seth. Maximum."
"It'll be fine," he told her.
SETH GOT his first real taste of Dru's previous life minutes after they entered the ballroom. Groups of people mixed and mingled to the muted background music of a twelve-piece orchestra. The decor was a patriotic red, white and blue echoed in flowers, table linens, balloons and bunting. A huge ice sculpture of the American flag had been carved as if it were waving in a breeze. There was a great deal of white on the female guests as well, which took its form in diamonds and pearls. Dress was conservative, traditional and very, very rich.
Part political rally, he supposed. Part social event, part gossip mill. He'd do it in acrylics, he thought. All sharp colors and shapes with bright crystal light.
"Drusilla." Katherine swept up, resplendent in military blue. "Don't you look lovely? But I thought we said you'd wear the white Valentino." She kissed Dru's cheek and, with an indulgent tsk-tsk, brushed her fingers over Dru's hair.
"And Seth." She held out a hand to him. "How wonderful to see you again. I was afraid you must be stuck in traffic. I was so hoping you and Dru would come stay with us for the weekend so you wouldn't have that terrible drive."
It was the first he'd heard of it, but he rose to the occasion. "I appreciate the invitation, but I couldn't get away. I hope you'll forgive me and save me a dance. That way I'll be able to say I danced with the two most beautiful women in the room."
"Aren't you charming?" She pinked up prettily. "And you can be certain I'll do just that. Come now, I must introduce you. So many people are looking forward to meeting you." Before she could turn, Drusilla's father strode up. He was a striking man with silver-streaked black hair and hooded eyes of dense brown. "There's my princess." He caught Dru in a fierce and possessive embrace. "You're so late, you had me worried."
"We're not late."
"For heaven's sake, let the girl breathe," Katherine demanded, and tugged at Proctor's arm. In an instant, Seth had the image of Witless trying to wedge his way in between Anna and anyone who tried to hug her when he was nearby.
"Proctor, this is Drusilla's escort, Seth Quinn."
"Good to meet you. Finally." Proctor took Seth's hand in a firm grip. Those dark eyes focused on Seth's face. Studied.
"It's good to meet you." Just when Seth began to wonder if he was about to be challenged to Indian-wrestle, Proctor released his hand.
"It's a pity you couldn't make time to come down for the weekend."
"Yes, I'm sorry about that."
"Dad, it's not Seth's fault. I told you—both of you—that I couldn't manage it. If I—"
"Dru's shop is terrific, isn't it?" Seth interrupted, his tone cheerful as he took champagne from a tray offered by a waiter, passed flutes to Katherine, to Dru, to Proctor before taking one for himself. "I'm sure the business aspects are complicated and challenging, but I'm speaking aesthetically. The use of space and light, the evolving blend of color and texture. One artist's eye admiring another," he said easily. "You must be incredibly proud of her."
"Of course we are." Proctor's smile was sharp, lethally so. She's my girl, it said as clearly as Katherine's tugging had done. "Drusilla is our most cherished treasure."
"How could she be anything but?" Seth replied.
"There's Granddad, Seth." Dru reached down, gripped Seth's hand. "I really should introduce you."
"Sure." He shot a beaming smile at her parents. "Excuse us a minute."
"You're very good at this," Dru told him.
"The tact and diplomacy department. Probably get that from Phil. You might've mentioned the weekend invite."
"Yes, I'm sorry. I should have. I thought I was saving us both, and instead I put you in the hot seat." They were stopped a half dozen times on the way to the table where Senator Whitcomb was holding court. Each time, Dru exchanged a light kiss or handshake, made introductions, then eased away.