Waiting for Mr. Darcy (9 page)

“Me, too.”

He stood up and helped her to her feet. Nigel pulled her close to him again and gently kissed her lips. Gabby felt a chill run down her spine. “Do you still want decaf?” she asked breathlessly.

“No, I think I'd like something to keep me up.” He ran his hands down her back and grabbed her rear. Gabby reached down and took his hands to lead him to her bedroom.

Once the door closed they began kissing. Suddenly Nigel turned Gabby around and unzipped the beautiful black dress she'd worn, revealing a sexy black merry widow. “Oh my,” he gasped as he removed his tie. Gabby sauntered close to him and unbuttoned his shirt, which he quickly threw to the floor. His excitement grew as she pulled his belt off. Slowly and deliberately, she unbuttoned his pants and pulled the zipper down. Nigel's body tensed with each move. Unable to contain himself, he finished the job in one fell swoop and stood naked in front of her.

Gabby lay down on the bed, her heart pounding. As he drew closer, his body lingered just over hers. His eyes were so intense, she trembled with anticipation. Nigel pulled the laces of her bustier until her breasts were exposed. He kissed her neck and breasts, setting her body tingling all over. His hands made their way down and within an instant Gabby was exposed. She wrapped herself around his body and they became one flesh. They spent the night lost in the artistry of lovemaking.

* * *

After she'd spent the day working Alicia was tucked in for the night. Suddenly she pulled the covers back. Her MS symptoms were interrupting her sleep.

“Not again. I hate these spasms.” She sighed as she climbed out of bed to go to the bathroom to take a couple of pills. “Bottoms up.” She tossed the pills in her mouth and washed them down with a glass of water. “Why can't you ever let me sleep?” she said to her reflection in the mirror.

All of a sudden Alicia's expression changed. She remembered the long nights she'd spent with Kurt as he battled with pain. “This is nothing compared to how you suffered, my love,” she said as a tear ran down her cheek. “I would have given anything to take that pain away from you.” She wiped her eyes and was headed back to bed when the muffled sounds of barking got her attention. She walked over to the window to investigate.

“What are Rocky and Bull doing out this time of night?” she wondered aloud.

Then Nathaniel appeared behind them. Alicia turned to look at the clock.
It's two-thirty in the morning. I know I'm up because of spasms. I wonder what's chasing Nathaniel.
Suddenly Nathaniel turned toward the window as if he saw Alicia.

She didn't move.

Nathaniel looked away and went inside with the dogs.

I wonder what's chasing Nathaniel,
she thought again as she headed back to bed.

Chapter 7

Although Gabby was quite the romantic at heart, her bedroom displayed her modern sensibility. Her king-size bed was made of solid mahogany, which she softened with her choice of a floral duvet cover and sham. She and Nigel were resting cozily each other's arms as daylight crept through the window. Gabby studied his face while he slept.
He looks so handsome.
She tenderly caressed his cheek.

Nigel began to stir. “Good morning.” He yawned, covering his mouth.

“Good morning to you.”

They kissed.

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“I slept pretty well when I did sleep.” She winked.

“I'm sorry if I kept you up.”

“Don't be.”

He kissed her again and stroked her hair. “You're beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she said shyly. “You're pretty hot, too.”

He chuckled and looked over at the clock. “It's already six-thirty Monday morning.”

“Wow.”

“How about a little orange juice?”

“Sure.” She started to get out of bed.

“No. You stay here. I'll get it.” Nude, he got out of bed.

Gabby raised her eyebrow. “Your body is a work of art.”

He looked down. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

“What time does your housekeeper come in?”

“She usually comes in at seven. But just in case I think there's a man's robe in my closet over there.” She pointed.

He opened the closet and removed a plush white man's robe. He felt the material. “This is nice. You just happen to have a man's robe?”

“It was part of a set I bought before my divorce. My ex never wore it.”

“I was just kidding.” He put the robe on, then walked over to the bed and kissed her. “I'll be right back.”

“I'll be here.”

After he left the room Gabby stretched out and smiled like a Cheshire cat.

A scream from the kitchen brought her to her feet. Gabby quickly put her robe on and rushed out to investigate. There stood Rosie with a long fork pointed at Nigel.

“What's going on?”

“Ms. Blanchard, I found this man going in the refrigerator!” Rosie exclaimed.

“I didn't mean to frighten you,” Nigel said nervously.

“Rosie, put that fork down. This is Nigel. He's my guest.”

Rosie looked shocked. “He's your guest?”

“Yes. Now get that fork away from him. What were you planning to do with that, anyway? See if he was done?”

Rosie put the fork down.

“It's okay, Rosie. No harm done. You were just being a good employee.” Nigel started laughing. “What else was she supposed to do when she saw a strange man in the kitchen?” he added.

“That's true.” Gabby laughed.

Rosie began to loosen up. “I just did not know.”

“How could you?”

“I'm sorry, Mr. Nigel.”

“That's all right, Rosie. And you just saw me in a robe, so please call me Nigel.”

“Thank you, Nigel.” She opened the refrigerator. “What can I get for you?”

“Well, this all started over a couple of glasses of orange juice.”

“No problem.” She took the orange juice out.

Gabby got a couple of glasses and Rosie poured. “Here we go, babe.” Gabby handed Nigel a glass.

“Thanks.”

“Would you like breakfast this morning, Ms. Blanchard?”

“Breakfast would be nice.”

“Very good. Would you like a continental or hearty breakfast?”

“I think a hearty breakfast is in order today.” She smiled at Nigel.

“Coming up.” Rosie shook her head.

Nigel and Gabby went back to the bedroom. The moment they closed the door, they broke into laughter.

“If I wasn't there, I would have thought I was on
Candid Camera
,” Nigel joked.

“I'm so sorry. She only wanted to protect me.”

“That's okay. It's a good thing you have a maid that's willing to fork someone to keep you safe.”

“I know. I'm going to have to give her a raise.”

Nigel took the orange juice from her hands and placed both their glasses on the table. “Well, it was an incredible night and an eventful morning, but I do have to get to work.”

“Okay.”

“How about we conserve water and take a shower together?”

“How green of you.”

“What I won't do for the environment.” He smiled as he led her to the master bath.

* * *

After a morning of stalling Alicia decided to forgo her usual luncheon suit for a breezy rose pleated trapeze dress by Ashley Stewart that showed a little arm and leg. Yet despite being dressed, she was glued to the edge of her bed.

“Alicia! Are you ready to go?” Harrison called upstairs.

“I'll be down in a minute, Harrison!” She looked at her reflection. “Why can't I just write a check?” she mumbled as she stood up. “I'm not in the mood for a society luncheon, even if it is for a charity.” She stumbled and held onto her bedpost to steady her gait. “Oh, what was that?”

“Alicia? Are you all right up there?”

She took a deep breath. “I'm fine! I'll be down in a minute!” Alicia took a moment, composed herself and walked out of her room and down the stairs.

Harrison looked up. “You look lovely.”

“Thanks.” She had her black clutch in hand.

He studied her face. “Are you sure you're feeling okay?”

“I'm fine. I really don't want to go to this thing.” She groaned.

“You committed yourself weeks ago,” he reminded her.

“I know. I guess I'll file this under no good deed goes unpunished.”

Harrison snickered.

“An afternoon of society mavens and denizens at the Scarsdale Golf Club. I don't know if I can stand it.”

“The food is pretty good there, if that's any consolation.”

“That's about the only consolation.”

“And it is for a good cause.” He put his arm out.

“True.” She took his arm and they left the house.

Half an hour later they pulled onto the grounds of the Scarsdale Golf Club. Founded in 1898, it was a mere twenty-four miles from New York City, but it seemed to be a world away from its metropolitan neighbor. With its panoramic views and manicured golf courses, it provided much more than just a place to play eighteen holes. It boasted seven different rooms for social events, from corporate fundraisers to wedding receptions.

The club's 1898 room was the site for the African AIDS Awareness charity luncheon. The formal dining room had a bay window that overlooked the club's practice putting green. When Harrison and Alicia arrived, the room was already abuzz with activity. Suzanne Addison, one of the organizers, waved.

“Oh, dear God, it's Suzanne,” Alicia mumbled through her smile.

“Be nice.” Harrison grinned.

Suzanne Addison was a typical society woman. Petite, reed thin and over fifty-five, she wore a vintage Chanel suit and a ring that cost more than Alicia's Land Rover. Her husband's family had made their money in oil generations ago, so charity was her full-time job.

“Alicia, I'm so happy you came.” She air-kissed her.

“I'm happy to be here for such a good cause.” She turned to Harrison. “You remember Mrs. Addison.”

“Yes, of course.” He shook her hand. “It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Addison.”

“Please call me Suzanne.”

“Thank you, Suzanne.”

She checked a piece of paper in her hand. “You and Harrison are at table two right over there.” She pointed.

“Thank you.”

“I'll be over soon.”

“Wait, Suzanne. Before I forget.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a check. “Here's my contribution.”

She glanced at it. “Oh my, Alicia, this is very generous of you.”

“I think it's an important to raise as much money as we can to help with the AIDS crisis in Africa.”

“You are so right.”

Harrison and Alicia made their way through the room to their table, which thankfully wasn't too far from the door.

They were seated at a table with some of Scarsdale's gentry, a couple of lawyers, corporate VPs and an orthodontist. Alicia made small talk with them while the appetizers were served.

Harrison turned to Alicia. “It's nice to know liberal ideals are alive and well here in Scarsdale.”

“It's refreshing, isn't it?”

“Good afternoon Harry, and Ms. Archer. Fancy meeting you here.” Nathaniel smiled as he sat down next to Alicia.

“I was going to say the same thing, Mr. Becker.”

“It's good to see you, Nate.”

“You too, Harry.” He pulled up to the table.

“You almost missed the appetizer, Mr. Becker. Full morning at the office?”

“As a matter of fact, it was a full morning. It seems my nurse overbooked me again, but I made it work.” He unfolded his napkin.

The waiter arrived to refill wine glasses. Alicia covered hers.

“You're not partaking, Ms. Archer? I can assure you it's the good stuff,” Nathaniel said as he sipped his wine.

“It's a little too early for me.”

“I see.”

The wait staff began serving lunch. Alicia opted for the prime rib.

As the afternoon wore on, Alicia began to feel warm despite the central air.

“Excuse me.” She got up.

“Is everything all right?” Harrison asked.

“I'm just going to the ladies' room. I'll be right back,” Alicia said reassuringly.

Alicia felt unsteady but she managed to walk across the room without a problem. When she arrived at the ladies' room, she checked to see if it was clear before she practically collapsed onto a chair.

She rubbed her head.
What is wrong with me?
She closed her eyes.

“Are you all right?”

Alicia opened her eyes. Nathaniel was in front of her.

“Mr. Becker, this is the ladies' room,” she exclaimed.

“I know. I can read. I came to see if you were okay. You look a little flushed.”

“I'm a little warm, that's all.” She tried to dismiss it.

“The central air is working overtime. It's got to be sixty-one degrees in here.” He felt her forehead.

“Hey,” she protested.

“You have a fever.”

“How do you know that? Do you have a thermometer in your hand?”

“I don't need to. I've been a doctor over twenty years. You tell your viewers you just know when the bread is just right when you knead it. I know a fever when I feel it.”

“You've watched my show?” She was genuinely taken aback.

“Yes. We put it on in the waiting room at the office. I catch it every now and then.”

“Oh.”

He took her pulse. “It's a little fast. What's going on?”

“Nothing. I didn't sleep well last night.”

“Sleeplessness doesn't usually beget fevers.”

“Maybe I'm coming down with something. I don't know.”

“In any case I think you should probably go home and get some rest.” He reached into his pocket and took out a packet of Tylenol. “Take these. They will help bring your fever down.”

“You just happen to carry Tylenol in your pockets?”

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I brought it in case of a headache. It is a charity luncheon in Scarsdale.”

She laughed.

“She laughs. I think you're already on the road to recovery, Ms. Archer.”

There was a knock at the door. “Alicia?”

Nathaniel opened the door. “Come on in and join the party, Harry.”

Harrison looked shocked. “Is everything all right in here?”

“It seems our Ms. Archer has a fever. I just gave her a couple of Tylenol. You should probably take her home and make her get some rest.”

“You can bet I will.”

“I hate to leave before all the presentations.”

“Sure you do.” Nathaniel laughed. “You've got a get-out-of-jail-free card. Fly like the wind.”

Harrison laughed. “You already gave them the check.” He put his hand out and helped her up. “Nate, would you mind walking her out while I bring the car around?”

“Sure.”

Alicia felt too bad to protest. Nathaniel walked her out of the ladies' room past the stares of some horrified attendees.

“There goes my reputation,” Alicia said.

“You don't look so well at the moment.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No, of course you look incredible.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yes,” he stammered. “I mean, you look good but it's obvious you don't feel well.”

“I see.”

“I do like that dress. It looks good on you. The color really complements your skin.”

“Thank you, Mr. Becker.” She was a little unsettled.

“You're welcome.”

They walked outside. A couple of minutes later Harrison drove up. Nathaniel helped Alicia into the car.

“Now you be sure to get some rest, Ms. Archer. And drink plenty of fluids.”

“I will.” Alicia fumbled with her seatbelt.

“Let me get that for you.” Nathaniel reached in and buckled her up. “There you go.”

“Thanks again.”

“No problem. Let me know how the patient is later, Harry.”

“Will do.”

“Feel better, Ms. Archer. By the way, thank you for the lovely basket of muffins. They were absolutely delicious.” He closed the car door.

Alicia glared at Harrison. “What muffins?”

“You did say we had too many, so I took some over to Nate.”

“You didn't just take some over there. You prettied them up in a basket.”

“So?”

“So you wanted him to think I sent them.”

“What's the difference who he thought they were from? You do pride yourself on being a good neighbor.”

“That's not the point, Harrison, and you know it.”