The Nanny and the CEO (12 page)

“Thank you.” He shot out of the rocking chair and wandered through the joining door to his bedroom. “Leah? How many women did you interview for the nanny position?”

“Four. Does this mean Ms. Chamberlain isn't working out?”

His hand almost crushed his phone. “She's working out very well, but I'm thinking of the future.”

“What happened to the Cosgriffs' nanny?”

“Nothing that I know of, but I've decided I don't want her to come.”

“Would you like me to start looking again?”

“Not quite yet, but I am curious. How many applied?”

“I believe Mr. Lloyd said they had five hundred and forty applications on hand.”

Considering the state of the economy, he shouldn't have been surprised. “How did you tell him to screen them?”

“I asked him to pick out the ones with the highest education.”

He rubbed the back of his neck in surprise. “That was it?”

“Yes. Those with undergraduate degrees or higher still wanting to take a nanny job for only three months would have something else going on in their brain. When he gave me the four names, I started making calls, checking references.

“One of Ms. Chamberlain's professors told me she had a spark of genius in her. That was a plus. She came from a family with five siblings and was the youngest applicant of the four, which I felt was another point in her favor. You have to be able to move quick and get down on the floor with a baby.”

A wave of heat flooded Nick's system when he remembered what he'd been doing on the nursery floor with her less than two hours ago.

“What tipped the scales in her favor?”

“You mean you haven't found that out yet?”

Another layer of heat poured off him. Leah knew him too well. They had few secrets. One thing he could count on was her honesty.

“Did you know she was given an internship as an analyst at Miroff and Hooplan for the fall?”

“Well, I'll be damned. Good for her.”

Nick had found out all he needed to know. “Talk to you later. And Leah—”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Before Jamie woke up, Nick needed to do damage control.

 

Reese had changed into white cargo pants and a khaki blouse. When she heard the knuckle rap, she was on her way out with no destination in mind. She'd lived through
a tumult of emotions this afternoon and needed to walk until she dropped.

Grabbing her purse, she opened the door. Nick stood there without Jamie, his arm braced against the door-jamb. She braved his penitent gaze and felt her heart thud because the darkness she'd felt from him earlier seemed to have gone.

He studied her with relentless scrutiny, as if looking for some sign that he might be welcome. “To my shame I've overstepped my bounds twice now. You're a very attractive woman, but that's no excuse for my behavior every time I get within touching distance of you. I swear that as long as you're in my employ, you have nothing more to fear from me.”

His words filled her with pain, but relief, too, because it meant no permanent damage had been done. She eyed him directly. “I was a willing participant, so it's obvious I haven't exactly been afraid of you, Nick.”

“Nevertheless is there the possibility that you would forgive me and we could start over? Whatever else went on with me earlier has nothing to do with you. The thought that you might decide to leave me and Jamie before time terrifies the living daylights out of me.”

A small smile broke the corners of her mouth. “It terrifies me, too, because I need the money you're paying me.”

One dark brow dipped. “Do you need it enough to come with me this evening? We'll be taking Jamie to a party.”

She folded her arms. “Why do I get the feeling this isn't just any party?”

“My parents expect me to marry again and have a woman picked out to become the next Mrs. Nicholas
Wainwright. Her name is Jennifer Ridgeway. I haven't seen her since her teens, but be assured her pedigree forms part of the framework of the upper crust. She'll be at the Yacht Club with her parents.”

“I can see you're planning an all-out revolt.”

“Yes.” Reese could swear she saw fire in his eyes. “The sight of my son with his unsuitable nanny will dash every hope on all sides and make a statement that nothing else could do. It will be my virtual abdication from the family.”

Whoa.

She felt Nick's conviction to her bones and knew tonight would change the course of his life and Jamie's forever. More than anything she wanted to be along to watch history being made.

“What should I wear?”

The lines darkening his face vanished. She saw his chest rise and fall due to the strength of his emotions. “How about that yellow outfit with a white ribbon around your ponytail?”

“I can do that. What about you?”

“No pedigreed member of the Yacht Club shows up in anything but formal dress. I'll wear a tux.”

“And Jamie?”

A smile hovered around his compelling mouth. “His navy outfit with the Snoopy and his white high-tops. He'll be the first baby who ever made it inside the doors. If you're ready for Miroff and Hooplan, I know you'll be able to handle this crowd.”

Her eyes suddenly moistened without her volition. That crowd included his parents, the two people responsible for bringing him into the world. She knew deep down somewhere he loved them because they
were
his
parents. They'd bestowed every gift on him, given him every opportunity. There'd only been one thing lacking. She kept swallowing, trying to get rid of the thickness closing up her throat.

“How soon do you want to leave?”

“As soon as you can get Jamie and yourself ready. We'll be flying out to Long Island in the helicopter.”

“I've had my shower. All I have to do is change clothes, then I'll take care of the baby and load his diaper bag.”

He held her gaze. “One thing before we leave.”

Adrenaline caused her heart to pound hard. “What is it?”

“I couldn't help but see the name of the person who sent you the postcard. Who's Rich?”

“My study partner at Wharton.”

Nick cocked his head. “Does he measure up to your brilliance?”

Since emailing Rich a little while ago, Reese decided she'd better tell him now. “His full name is Richard Bonner.”

His brows knit together. “That sounds familiar.”

“It's because he just received word from the dean that he's been chosen to do an internship at Sherborne and Wainwright this fall.”

He gave her an incredulous stare. “For years my uncle Lew has been in charge of choosing the interns. If they're not bright enough for him, he won't take one.”

“Then there you go. Rich is the original whiz kid. He's apoplectic with joy about being chosen to work for the top company in New York. In case you're wondering, he has no idea you're my employer and I have no intention of ever telling him. Just imagine how crazy
that would have been if you'd been stuck with me for a second round.”

“Crazy doesn't begin to describe it,” he ground out.

 

Two hours later the helicopter started to make its landing. Nick turned to her. “Welcome to The Sea Nook Yacht Club, listed on New York's Historical Register. Former home to the tall ships on Long Island's Gold Coast. Members only.”

As it set down, Reese found the sight of the sprawling Tudor/Elizabethan estate overlooking the ocean surreal. Sailboats and yachts with pennants fluttering dotted the marina and beyond. To her, the world Nick had inhabited all these years was just as fantastic in its own way as Middle Earth or the Land of Oz.

Jamie reached for her after they climbed out of the helicopter. She held him as they walked next to Nick, who carried the baby's carryall and diaper bag across the grounds to the entrance. He looked adorable in his little navy suit. One day he would grow up to be as fantastic-looking as his gorgeous father, whose appearance in a black tux blew her away.

Nick had told her he wanted to arrive before anyone else. He preferred that his parents make the entrance with the Ridgeways instead of the other way around. The sight of Nick already installed with his nanny and child would set the ground rules in concrete for the future.

The club had its own concierge, a burly man complete with beard, dressed like a proper sea captain in a smashing blazer and slacks. He swept across the enormous foyer with a smile on his face. “Good evening, Mr. Wainwright.”

“How are you, Max?”

“Very well indeed. It's been a long time since we last saw you here. May I take this opportunity to tell you how sorry I am about the loss of Mrs. Wainwright? It was a shock to everyone.”

“Thank you.”

“You're the first of your party to arrive. We've put you out in the conservatory. Your father wanted the best view and we were able to accommodate him.”

“Thank you.”

The man's gaze flicked to Reese. “On vacation are you, miss? I'm sorry, but only members of the Yacht Club are allowed inside. You're welcome to stroll about the grounds with your child, of course.”

Nick's eyes caught hers for a moment. She saw a wicked gleam of amusement in their dark depths. He was enjoying this. “She's with me, Max. Ms. Chamberlain is my nanny and this is my son, Jamie. He's just out of the hospital and won't be separated from us yet.”

Reese had to give the host points for his aplomb in an awkward situation he'd most likely never had to deal with before. She could hear him trying to decide how to handle this. He cleared his throat. “Of course. Go right on out.”

“Thank you, Max.”

Reese had to put up with unfriendly stares and lifted brows from the beautiful people decked out in formal attire. Nick appeared oblivious. He led her through some tall paneled doors to another section of the club, which had to have been someone's spectacular estate at one time.

They came to a private room with high paneled ceilings, all of it surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a modern innovation. It was almost like being on
the water. He pulled out a chair where he put Jamie's carryall, then fastened him in it.

Reese sat down next to the baby. “I believe if I were prone to it, I'd be seasick about now.”

A heart-stopping smile broke the corner of his mouth. “It's been known to happen in this room.”

“What's the history of this place?”

He took a rattle from the diaper bag and handed it to Jamie, who claimed it in a fist and put it directly in his mouth. They both laughed.

“My mother's ancestor, Martin Sherborne, was an English sea captain in the early 1600s who traded in all sorts of lucrative things that brought him wealth. When he bought up a lot of the land around Sea Nook and had this place built, the colonial governor of New York conferred the title of Lordship of Sherborne on him.

“Eventually his grandson donated this place to the Sea Nook Township and built Sherborne House where my mother grew up. It's located about ten miles from here. The estate borders Wainwright Meadows, known for its horses, where my father was born.”

“How did they amass their wealth?”

“His ancestry developed tools for steam engines. Their manufacture proliferated beyond anyone's expectations. For those who live here, Sea Nook is known as Little England.”

The sommelier approached, wanting to know their preference of wine. Nick turned to her. “Nothing for me,” she responded.

“We'll both wait,” Nick told him.

Reese leaned over to kiss the baby. “Did you hear all that your daddy said, Jamie? You could have been its
newest prince,” she teased, but she shouldn't have said anything because she saw Nick's jaw harden.

“
Could have
is exactly right. Don't look now but my cousin Greg has just arrived. It appears he's alone. He and his wife live at our property in the Hamptons. They're having difficulties right now.”

Add one more property to the growing list. “Are you close to him?”

“No, but he works in the office and so far we've managed to get along.”

“That's something at least.”

When Nick smiled like that, she couldn't breathe. “At least,” he drawled. “I'm afraid I've overloaded you with too much information.”

“Not at all. It's like attending an on-site live college course covering the aspects of upper-class society in Colonial America. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.”

“Greg!” Nick stood up and shook his cousin's hand. He was dark like Nick, a little shorter and heavier. “This is Reese Chamberlain from Lincoln, Nebraska. Reese, this is Greg Wainwright, one of the vice presidents of the brokerage.”

“How do you do, Greg.” She extended her hand, which he shook. Nick's cousin couldn't take his eyes off her. Nick didn't blame him. Anyone seeing Reese with that oval face and high cheekbones would call her a classic beauty. In the candlelight her light blue eyes let off an iridescent glow.

“Come around and say hi to Jamie.”

His cousin's gaze shifted to the baby, but he didn't move from his stance. He flashed Nick one of those looks that said he needed to speak to him in private.
Not
this time.
Nick had an idea what it was all about. In fact he'd been anticipating it.

“Won't you sit down? Or are you waiting for Uncle Lew?”

Greg shifted his weight, a sign that he was losing patience. “I need to talk to you alone for a minute. I tried to reach you earlier.”

“I'm aware of that. You can say anything you want in front of Reese.”

“Father sent me in here to talk sense to you.”

“What sense is that?”

“This is a special dinner party.” His brows lifted. “Max has let everyone know the…three of you are here,” he said in a quieter voice.

Good. “Let's call a spade a spade. This was planned so the widower could meet wife number two, but my life has changed since Erica's death, Greg. No one owns me.”