Exclusive Love (British Billionaires Series) (12 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Holding Oscar’s hand tightly as they walked down the marina to locate his friend’s boat, Katy couldn’t get her head around the sudden role reversal. By offering a comforting hand for Oscar, her impractical four inch heels navigating the large marina became less of a concern as she used him as a support pole.

Finally at the mooring, she gave his hand a squeeze.

‘Oscar,’ boomed a pleasant male voice.

Katy was pleased to feel him physically relax at the familiar greeting.

‘Rupert, it’s been too long. Help my girlfriend on board, old chap.’

Certain disaster would strike at any moment, Katy gripped the tanned, sinewy, outstretched arm, closed her eyes and walked up the steps. The foolish approach should have resulted in Katy taking a tumble, but she made her way safely on deck.

‘Good God,’ murmured Rupert.

Standing on the dock, the light gave Oscar a view of the girl who could easily have passed as a Hollywood actress from the classic bygone era of black and white films. As Rupert spun her for a full view, the long black dress flattered her figure. The sweetheart neckline tastefully stopped at her cleavage, the silk lining clung to Katy’s gentle feminine curves while the outer material gave the dress a papier-mâché effect.

The gathering at the top gave no hint of the built in corset, supporting her pendulous breasts and the long skirt split dangerously high on one side exposing her upper thigh. Her glittering diamante heels completed the outfit.

‘Vivienne Westwood I believe,’ said a woman in her early thirties stepping onto the deck of the yacht. Her blue silk Thai-influenced dress was unlike anything Katy had ever seen. A shoulder was exposed from the asymmetrical cut and a gold belt was bound round her tiny waist.

The bottom of the dress had an intricate pattern sewn through and a string of pearls ran from the bottom of her dress, round the belt to her shoulders to attach a fine blue silk cape behind her. The dress was perfect for her petite build. The blue coloring matched her eyes and even her thick black hair was pinned up in an Oriental fashion.

‘Vintage,’ affirmed Katy, not wanting to have the girl draw attention to her tired wardrobe.

‘Vintage or not, it’s gorgeous. It’s as if it was designed especially for you. I’m Imogen, by the way,’ she said offering her hand to shake.

Over-zealously shaking her hand, Katy realized, Imogen was not looking to humiliate her publicly, but being genuinely friendly.

‘I would normally remonstrate my big brother on his appalling manners for not introducing us, but it appears your dress has him at a loss for words. I can’t say I blame him so I’ll let him off this time,’ she winked.

‘Sorry,’ said Rupert. ‘You do look stunning.’

Katy blushed.

‘Almost as stunning as my sister,’ he said raising his voice to ensure she was within earshot. He raised his eyebrows, shaking his head.

‘You coming up, old boy?’ called Rupert to Oscar.

Oscar bounded up the stairs.

‘Mesmerized as you were I’m afraid, old chap,’ explained Oscar of his delayed arrival.

‘I’ll tell you what, old bean. I think we’ll be in for a tip top evening tonight,’ predicted Imogen as she hugged Oscar tight.

Feeling as though by stepping on the boat, she had in fact stepped onto the set of Jeeves and Wooster, where toffs and their quaint sayings were a great source of amusement, Katy wasn’t sure exactly what constituted a tip top night for the British.

‘Let’s say we scrub up, settle down, stuff ourselves silly and drink  lot of your finest red, suggested Oscar. ‘What do you say old girl? Does that sound a jolly good evening to you?’

The elbow digging in her ribs, jarred almost as much as the language Oscar was using. Was this how he behaved around his friends? Did he feel the need to adopt an accent to fit in? Trying to make sense of the bizarre atmosphere, Katy refused to let her anger rise in regard of being referred to as ‘old girl’—especially being twelve years his junior.

Coming out with a bottle of red, Imogen poured them a glass. Swirling it in hand then sniffing, it was if Oscar was trying to inhale and dissect the bouquet of the wine. Sipping it he reached for the ice bucket to spit.

‘Don’t you dare Oscar Woodruff!’ snarled Imogen. ‘That vintage is too good to waste on immature gags.’

The cogs in Katy’s brain were turning slower than usual.

‘Joke,’ mumbled Oscar in her ear.

‘Sorry your idea for a gag on how to fool the only American is to speak in pretentious accents with stereotypical phrases? That was your best Oscar?’

‘It was pretty pathetic,’ agreed Imogen.

‘You’re bally well right there sugar plum, said Rupert.

Everyone turned on him.

‘Joke over. I get it. I’ll behave.’

They sipped the rich wine.

‘Didn’t throw you in the slightest?’ prodded Oscar.

‘Oh all right it did. Seriously, I thought Oscar was putting on some jolly old Englishman routine to fit in with the two of you. It’s the only thing I could put his nerves down to.’

‘Oscar was nervous?’ clarified Imogen.

Oscar glared at Katy.

‘Well, you were. Besides I like them. I can’t help feeling comfortable so soon. It’s only right I’d open up and confide in them. You aren’t cross are you, old chap?’

Imogen and Rupert cracked up. Oscar couldn’t keep the smile from his face.

‘Your English accent is atrocious,’ he sneered, leaning over the table to kiss her.

‘Oscar, tactile in public. You are a changed man. Do we put this down to Katy or America?’

‘Strictly Katy. I have no desire to stay in New York any longer than I have to. Life in the Big Apple is highly overrated.’

‘Tactful,’ muttered Imogen into her wine glass as she bowed her head.

Rupert shifted uncomfortably. Katy chose to sit motionless, say nothing and paste a wide smile on her face.

‘What?’ asked an exasperated Oscar.

Rupert said nothing, refusing to break the code of silence between siblings.

‘Think about it. You introduce us to the woman that’s cured you of your stuffy ways. Rupert and I can see she’s out of your league. You’ve met in New York and seem to have a good thing going, but by the look on her face, I’m guessing Katy had no idea you were hoping to leave so soon.

Rather than landing the bombshell of your imminent departure without warning and in public with two new people she’s spending the evening with, you might have chosen to deliver that particular news privately,’ berated Imogen.

‘Katy knows I’m only here on assignment,’ frowned Oscar.

‘I bet she didn’t know how strongly you felt about leaving,’ countered Imogen, siding with the sisterhood.

‘That may have an element of truth in it, but what’s with the sad faces? Why does it have to be all doom and gloom? What’s the point in having someone like Imogen working in the British Embassy, if not to acquire a visa for Katy and I to conduct our relationship cross country as any normal, mature, couple?’

‘You’re not normal for a start,’ remarked Katy drily.

‘Was that veiled talk of marriage Oscar? Is that what caused the nerves?’ roasted Imogen, voicing her analysis as Katy delivered the cutting blow.

Rupert snorted and red wine flew out his nose. Unlike Oscar, he was traditionally handsome and perhaps all the more confident because of his masculine model-esque looks. Dark hair, blue eyes, six foot, slim and toned, comfortable in his clothes, environment and in himself.

Having lived in New York, Katy could see his dress sense was more in line with US fashion. Navy chinos and canvas shoes, the elbow length, button up slim fit, white and khaki ombre dyed shirt with mandarin collar was a better fitting, hipper look in comparison to Oscar’s formal trousers and long sleeved shirt. Sadly the effect was ruined as he released the maroon liquid he’d gulped down over himself. Mortified at his wine and mucus shooting out and over everyone he apologized profusely, excusing himself to clean up the mess.

‘What’s on the menu tonight, then?’ asked Oscar, rubbing his hands together, hoping to change the topic to avoid being the subject of continual ribbing.

‘We’re waiting for our last guest. It was supposed to be guests but sadly not.’

‘Spill,’ insisted Katy. ‘Cause I don’t think you’ll be able to when your brother’s back.’

Imogen nodded brusquely to let Katy know she was right.

‘Our cousin Robert traveled over here with his long term girlfriend, Charlotte, who he has a two year old son with. Now I don’t know what happened on the obligatory family All American road trip on Route 66, but somewhere between California and Arizona, Charlotte and the toddler, imaginatively named Robert Junior, vanished.’

‘You think he pushed them into the Grand Canyon,’ teased Katy.

‘I did wonder. Turns out they’re back in England. Robert is fully enjoying single life in the Big Apple. Every time we see him there’s a new lady, although his current beau must’ve been unbearable because he dumped her between Thursday and today.’

Oscar rolled his eyes at the two girls gossiping.

‘The big question is,’ he said folding his arms. ‘Did Robert ever complete Route 66?’

‘Alas, no. The highlights of the highway from New Mexico to Illinois held little interest for me.’

Jumping from his seat, Oscar offered a hand of introduction to the final guest then introduced Katy.

‘It’s good to know that since Imogen joined the family we can all sleep soundly, secure in the knowledge that family business will continue to remain strictly private business.’

‘As far as I’m aware you aren’t involved in the family business are you, Robert? Descended from a long lineage of lawyers, I could’ve sworn we Locke-Smythes continue to run our legal practice. A practice you are neither qualified nor ever physically present to consider yourself a part of. You are only associated by name to the family.’

‘As are you, Imogen. The benefits of being adopted above your born status.’

‘True, but at least I studied law and at least my job with the British Embassy assists the international department of the New York office. You, on the other hand, are happy to lead a life of luxury, living off your father’s inheritance.’

‘Play nice, Imogen,’ chided Rupert, appearing before the two who were bickering like cat and dog. ‘And Robert as long as you’re a guest on my yacht I’ll thank you to treat my sister with the respect she deserves. Without Imogen, my family would not be what it is. You know our history, please always remember that. If you can’t, you need to rethink whether you want to be associated with us. As for the business, if you have any concerns, perhaps we can talk privately later.’

Rupert embraced his cousin to take the sting out of his harsh welcome on board.

Oscar and Katy exchanged an uncomfortable look, wondering if Rupert’s presence would prevent any further snide comments. In terms of awkward moments it rated high on the scale. Imogen’s coloring was so similar to Rupert, Katy had no idea they weren’t related by blood. That someone would mention it in front of two strangers was disgraceful and a low blow to land in an argument. Fortunately as the red wine flowed, and Imogen’s Moroccan-based food was served everyone settled into enjoying the evening.