White Lace and Promises (18 page)

“A week?” Now that she was here, Maggie would have welcomed the opportunity to settle in South Carolina. California, Denny, the beach house seemed a million miles away, light-years from the life she shared with Glenn here.

“You sound like you don’t want to move.” He leaned against the edge of his desk, crossing his long legs at the ankles.

“South Carolina is lovely.”

“So is California,” Glenn countered. “You don’t mind the change, do you?”

In some ways she did. Their time in Charleston was like a romantic interlude—the honeymoon they’d never gotten. They were protected from the outside world. No one knew who Maggie was, or cared. For the first time in several years she was a regular person, and she loved it. In Charleston she had blossomed into a woman who boldly met a passerby’s glance. She explored the art galleries without fear that someone would recognize her. No one came to her with get-rich-quick schemes, seeking naïve investors. No one rushed to wait on her or gain her attention or her gratitude. However, Maggie was wise enough to know that those things would follow in time.

“No,” she told Glenn soberly. “I don’t mind the move.”

He turned, sorting through the stack of mail she had set on the desktop, smiling wryly. Maggie wanted to stay in Charleston for the same reasons he wanted to move to San Francisco. They were each looking for an escape to problems they would need to face sooner or later. For his part, Glenn chose the West Coast more for nostalgia than any need to escape. San Francisco felt right, and Charleston held too many painful memories.

“Will you want to live at the beach house?” Maggie’s one concern was that Glenn might not like her home. Her own feelings toward the house were ambivalent. On some days, it was her sanctuary, and on others, her prison. She liked the house; she was comfortable there, but she didn’t know that Glenn would be.

“Sure. Is there any reason you’d want to move?”

“No, it’s just that …” The telephone rang and Maggie paused as Glenn lifted the receiver.

After a moment, he handed it to her. “It’s for you.”

“Me?” She felt her heart rate accelerate. She’d given specific instructions that she wasn’t to be contacted except for her brother. And Denny would call only if he was in financial trouble.

“Hello.” Her voice was wispy with apprehension.

“Who was that?”

“Denny, are you all right?”

“I asked you a question first. It’s not often I call my sister and a man answers the phone. Something’s going on. Who is it, Maggie?”

“I’m with Glenn Lambert.”

A low chuckle followed, but Maggie couldn’t tell if her brother was pleased or abashed. “So you and Glenn are together. Be careful, Maggie, I don’t want to see you hurt again.” He hesitated, as though he didn’t want to continue. “Are you living with him?”

“Denny,” Maggie had been foolish not to have told her family sooner. “Glenn and I are married.”

“Married,” he echoed in shock. “When did this happen?”

“Several weeks ago.”

A short, stunned silence followed. “That’s sudden, isn’t it? Linda and I would have liked to have attended the wedding.”

“We eloped.”

“That’s not like you.”

“It wasn’t like either of us. I’m happy, Denny, really happy. You know what it’s been like the past few years. Now don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing.”

“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I won’t,” she assured him.

“Do Mom and Dad know?”

Denny had her there. “Not yet. We’re planning to tell them once we’re back in San Francisco.”

“And when will that be?” His words were slow, as if he was still thinking.

“A couple of weeks.”

He didn’t respond, and the silence seemed to pound over the great echoing canyon of the telephone wire. Denny hadn’t done a good job of disguising his reservations. Once he saw how good this marriage was for her, she was sure, he’d share her happiness. Her brother had been her anchor when she broke up with Dirk. He had seen firsthand the effects of one painful relationship and sought to protect her from another. Only Glenn wasn’t Dirk, and when they arrived back in San Francisco Denny would see that.

“Is there a reason you phoned, Denny?”

“Oh yeah.” His voice softened. “Listen, I hate to trouble you, but there’s been some
minor complications and the lawyer has to charge me extra fees. Also, Linda’s been sick and the kids aren’t feeling that well, either—”

“How much do you need?”

“I hate having to come to my sister like a pauper. But I swear as soon as everything’s straightened out I’ll repay every penny.”

“Denny, don’t worry about it. You’re my brother, I’m happy to give you whatever you need. You know that.” She couldn’t refuse her own brother, no matter what the reason.

“I know and appreciate it, Sis. I really do.”

“You wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary.” She had hoped to make this difficult time in Denny’s life smoother, but sometimes wondered if she contributed more to the problem. Yet she couldn’t say no. “I’ll have Shirley write you a check.”

Once he had gotten what he wanted, the conversation ended quickly. Maggie replaced the receiver and forced a smile to her lips. “That was my brother,” she announced, turning back to Glenn.

“Who’s Shirley?” he asked starkly.

“My money manager.” She lowered her gaze to the lush carpet, feeling her husband’s censure. Glenn didn’t understand the circumstances that had led to Denny’s problems. They had both received a large inheritance. Maggie had received half of her great-aunt’s fortune; her parents and Denny had split the other half. Everything had gone smoothly until Denny had invested in a business that had quickly gone defunct. Now his money—or what was left of it—was tied up in litigation.

“Does Denny need her name often?”

“Not really,” she lied. “He’s been having some cash-flow problems lately.”
As in not having any
, her mind added. “We were talking about the move to California when the phone buzzed, weren’t we?”

“You don’t want to discuss Denny, is that it?”

“That’s it.” Glenn couldn’t tell her anything she didn’t already know. She was in a no-win situation with her brother. She couldn’t abandon him, nor could she continue to feed his dependence on her.

“Okay, if that’s the way you want it.” His eyes and voice silently accused her as he turned back and sorted through the mail.

“California will be good for us,” Maggie said, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.

“Yes, it will,” Glenn agreed almost absently, without looking up. “Before I forget, the office is having a farewell party for me Friday night. We don’t have any plans, do we?”

Maggie had met Glenn’s staff and seen for herself the respect his management had earned him. One afternoon when she had met him for lunch, Maggie had witnessed anew the quiet authority in his voice as he spoke to his associates. He was decisive and sure, calm and reassuring, and the office had thrived under his care. It went without saying that he was a popular stockbroker and would be sorely missed.

Friday night Maggie dressed carefully, choosing a flattering cream-colored creation and pale blue designer nylons. She had never been one to enjoy parties, especially when they involved people she barely knew. This one shouldn’t be so bad though, she reasoned. The focus would be on Glenn, not her.

“Am I underdressed?” she asked him, slowly rotating for his inspection. Not having attended this kind of function previously put her at a disadvantage. She didn’t know how the other wives would dress and had chosen something conservative.

Glenn stood, straightening his dark blue silk tie. His warm chuckle filled their bedroom as he examined his wife. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re overdressed. But I’ll take care of that later myself.” His eyes met hers in the mirror and filled with sweet promise.

After inserting dangly gold earrings into her earlobes, Maggie joined Glenn in the living room. He was pouring them a drink, and Maggie watched her husband with renewed respect. He was tall, athletic, and unbearably handsome. Her heart swelled with the surge of love that raced through her. She hadn’t been looking forward to the party; in fact, she had been dreading it from the moment Glenn had mentioned it. Early on, she had reconciled herself to being a good stockbroker’s wife, and that meant that she’d be attending plenty of functions over the years. It would be to her advantage to adapt to them now. Although he hadn’t said anything, Maggie was confident Glenn knew she was determined to make the best of this evening.

They arrived precisely at eight at the home of Glenn’s regional manager, Gary Weir. Already, the living room was filled with smoke, and from the look of things, the drinks had been
flowing freely. As Glenn and Maggie walked in the front door, spirited cheers of welcome greeted them. Maggie painted a bright smile on her lips as they moved around the room, mingling with the guests. Everyone, it seemed, was in a good mood. Everyone, that is, except Maggie.

She didn’t know how to explain her uneasiness. There wasn’t anything she could put a name to, and she mentally chastised herself. Glenn’s friends and associates appeared to be going out of their way to make her feel welcome. Her hostess, Pamela Weir, Gary’s wife, was warm and gracious, if a bit reserved. Yet a cold persistence nagged at Maggie that something wasn’t right. Glenn stayed at her side, smiling down on her now and then. Once her eyes fell upon two women whispering with their heads close together. They sat on the far side of the room and there wasn’t any possibility that Maggie could hear their whispered conversation, but something inside told Maggie they were talking about her. A chill went up her spine and she gripped Glenn’s elbow, feeling ridiculous and calling herself every kind of idiot. Lightly, she shook her head, hoping to toss aside those crazy insecurities.

A few minutes later, Glenn was pulled into a conversation with some of the men and Maggie was left to her own devices. Seeing Maggie alone, Pamela Weir strolled over.

“It was such a pleasant surprise when Glenn announced he had married,” Pamela said.

Maggie took a sip of her wine. Glenn was involved with his friends and moved to another section of the crowded room. “Yes, I imagine it was. But we’ve known each other nearly all our lives.”

“That was what Glenn was saying.” Pamela gave her a funny look and then smiled quickly. “For a long time, Gary was worried that Glenn wanted the transfer because of a problem at the office.”

Maggie forced a smile. “We decided when we married that we’d live in San Francisco,” she explained to the tall, elegant woman at her side. “We were both raised there.”

“Yes, Glenn explained that, too.”

Maggie’s throat constricted, and she made an effort to ease the strange tension she felt. “Although I’ve only been in Charleston a few weeks, I’m impressed with your city. It’s lovely.”

Pamela’s eyes revealed her pride in Charleston. “We do love it.”

“I know Glenn will miss it.”

“We’ll miss him.”

Silence. Maggie could think of nothing more to comment on. “You have a lovely home,” she said, and faltered slightly. “Glenn and I both appreciate the trouble you’ve gone to for this evening.”

“It’s no bother. Glenn has always been special to the firm. We’re just sick to lose him.” The delicate hands rotated the stem of the crystal wineglass. “I don’t mind telling you that Glenn is the best manager Gary has. In fact”—she paused and gave Maggie a falsely cheerful smile—“Gary had been hoping to move Glenn higher into management. Of course, that won’t be possible now.”

As with his parents, Maggie was again put on the defensive. Leaving Charleston hadn’t been her idea, and she didn’t like being made the scapegoat. Swallowing back a retort, Maggie lowered her gaze and said, “I’m sure Glenn will do just as well in San Francisco.”

“We all hope he does,” Pamela said with a note of censure.

Glenn’s gaze found Maggie several moments later. She stood stiff and uneasy on the other side of the room, holding her drink and talking to Pamela Weir. Even from the other side of the room, he could see that Maggie was upset and he couldn’t understand why. He had known from the beginning that she hadn’t been looking forward to this party. He wasn’t all that fond of this sort of affair himself. But since the party had been given in his honor, he couldn’t refuse the invitation. Maggie’s attitude troubled him. Earlier in the evening, he’d stayed at her side, but eventually he’d been drawn away for one reason or another. Good grief, he thought, he shouldn’t have to babysit her. The longer he watched her actions with Pamela, the more concerned he became. He noticed Maggie wasn’t making eye contact with Pamela and when his supervisor’s wife moved away, Glenn crossed the room to Maggie’s side.

She lifted her gaze to his, and Glenn was shocked at the look of anger she sent him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She met his gaze with a determined lift to her chin. She was upset, more upset than she’d been since the first morning of their marriage. Glenn had let her walk into the party, knowing the resentment his coworkers felt toward her because he was leaving. “When we arrived tonight, I kept feeling these weird vibes that people didn’t like me. Now I know why—”