A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [17]
“I wish I had you alone someplace,” he leaned down to murmur in her ear.
She wished he had her alone someplace, too, but since that was not the case they needed to make the most of it. Besides, even with the hypocrites present, the engagement party had turned out to be a nice affair. At least Brian’s family seemed to be enjoying themselves. His grandparents seemed amused by her mother’s outlandish extravagance. It would probably surprise Karen to discover most people would feel the same.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look?”
“Yes,” she said, remembering when he’d done so. It had been when he’d arrived at her parents’ home with his mother and grandparents. After introductions had been made he had eased to her side, slid his arms around her waist and whispered the words in her ear. He had also told her just what he intended to do when he got her alone later. She had looked up at him with a hopeful look in her eyes and smiled.
Trying to quell the heat she felt at the memory, she glanced around the room. Was that her father talking with Brian’s mother? Well, at least one of her parents had the sense to display good manners.
“It seems your dad and my mom have a lot to talk about,” Brian said, grinning and following her gaze across the room to the couple.
She smiled back at him. “Yes, it looks that way. It’s good to know there’s another Lawson and Sanders pair getting along besides us.”
“So you enjoy traveling, Rita?”
Rita Lawson glanced up at the tall, refined and handsome man. Erica’s father. She wasn’t stupid. She was well aware that Erica’s mother had sent him to keep her entertained. Karen Sanders had downed her snooty nose at her the moment they’d been introduced.
Brian had warned her about what to expect. She just hadn’t expected his tip-off to be so darn accurate. There was definitely a distinct chill in the air. But Rita would be the first to admit she wasn’t feeling any negative vibes from Wilson. He seemed to be a genuinely kind man with smiling eyes. He may have been drafted to keep her out of the way but she had no problem with his doing so. She enjoyed their conversations.
“So how often do you travel outside the United States?” he asked her.
They were outside strolling along the patio that overlooked a huge lake. Other guests were mulling around, and on occasion a number of people had come up and to introduce themselves and to assure her that Brian would be marrying a lovely girl. Rita was just as quick to inform them that Erica would be trying the knot with a kind and gentle man who loved her very much.
“I travel outside the States at least twice every month,” Rita answered. “The company I work for provides landscaping for businesses abroad and I help design exactly what they need.”
“That’s sounds like an interesting profession.”
She glanced over at him. There was a gentleness in the lines etching his eyes and the grin that marked his lips appeared unguarded. Genuine. Although she hadn’t spent a lot of time in the company of Erica’s mother, she couldn’t imagine Karen and Wilson Sanders sharing a life together. He seemed so warmhearted and friendly. What could have brought two totally opposite people together in marriage?
Admonishing herself for conjecturing on a subject that didn’t truly concern her, she turned around and steered Wilson back toward the house. For some reason her stomach had begun to tighten in knots. Wilson had gotten quiet and she felt he was no longer with her to merely take her off his wife’s hands. No longer there to spy on her and report back to his wife.
To keep the conversation going, she asked, “What about you? Do you travel a lot?”
“Yes, every chance I get. I love international travels. I’ve gotten to the point where I have a good staff to run the company and my services are more valuable as an ambassador.”
She nodded. She could definitely see him fulfilling that role. “Have you ever been to Dubai?”
“Yes, it’s one