Chesapeake Blue (Chesapeake Bay Saga 4) - Page 46

  "Drusilla." Katherine swept up, resplendent in military blue. "Don't you look lovely? But I thought we said you'd wear the white Valentino." She kissed Dru's cheek and, with an indulgent tsk-tsk, brushed her fingers over Dru's hair.

  "And Seth." She held out a hand to him. "How wonderful to see you again. I was afraid you must be stuck in traffic. I was so hoping you and Dru would come stay with us for the weekend so you wouldn't have that terrible drive."

  It was the first he'd heard of it, but he rose to the occasion. "I appreciate the invitation, but I couldn't get away. I hope you'll forgive me and save me a dance. That way I'll be able to say I danced with the two most beautiful women in the room."

  "Aren't you charming?" She pinked up prettily. "And you can be certain I'll do just that. Come now, I must introduce you. So many people are looking forward to meeting you."

  Before she could turn, Drusilla's father strode up. He was a striking man with silver-streaked black hair and hooded eyes of dense brown. "There's my princess." He caught Dru in a fierce and possessive embrace. "You're so late, you had me worried."

  "We're not late."

  "For heaven's sake, let the girl breathe," Katherine demanded, and tugged at Proctor's arm.

  In an instant, Seth had the image of Witless trying to wedge his way in between Anna and anyone who tried to hug her when he was nearby.

  "Proctor, this is Drusilla's escort, Seth Quinn."

  "Good to meet you. Finally." Proctor took Seth's hand in a firm grip. Those dark eyes focused on Seth's face. Studied.

  "It's good to meet you." Just when Seth began to wonder if he was about to be challenged to Indian-wrestle, Proctor released his hand.

  "It's a pity you couldn't make time to come down for the weekend."

  "Yes, I'm sorry about that."

  "Dad, it's not Seth's fault. I told you—both of you—that I couldn't manage it. If I—"

  "Dru's shop is terrific, isn't it?" Seth interrupted, his tone cheerful as he took champagne from a tray offered by a waiter, passed flutes to Katherine, to Dru, to Proctor before taking one for himself. "I'm sure the business aspects are complicated and challenging, but I'm speaking aesthetically. The use of space and light, the evolving blend of color and texture. One artist's eye admiring another," he said easily. "You must be incredibly proud of her."

  "Of course we are." Proctor's smile was sharp, lethally so. She's my girl, it said as clearly as Katherine's tugging had done. "Drusilla is our most cherished treasure."

  "How could she be anything but?" Seth replied.

  "There's Granddad, Seth." Dru reached down, gripped Seth's hand. "I really should introduce you."

  "Sure." He shot a beaming smile at her parents. "Excuse us a minute."

  "You're very good at this," Dru told him.

  "The tact and diplomacy department. Probably get that from Phil. You might've mentioned the weekend invite."

  "Yes, I'm sorry. I should have. I thought I was saving us both, and instead I put you in the hot seat."

  They were stopped a half dozen times on the way to the table where Senator Whitcomb was holding court. Each time, Dru exchanged a light kiss or handshake, made introductions, then eased away.

  "You're good at it, too," Seth commented.

  "Bred in the bone. Hello, Granddad." She bent down to kiss the handsome, solidly built man.

  He had a rough and cagey look about him, Seth thought. Like a boxer who dominated in the ring as much with wit as with muscle. His hair was a dense pewter, and his eyes the same brilliant green as his granddaughter's.

  He got to his feet to catch her face in two big hands. His smile was magnetic. "Here's my best girl."

  "You say that to all your granddaughters."

  "And I mean it, every time. Where's that painter your mother's been burning my ears about? This one here." Keeping one hand on Dru's shoulder, he sized Seth up. "Well, you don't look like an idiot, boy."

  "I try not to be."

  "Granddad."

  "Quiet. You got sense enough to be making time with this pretty thing?"

  Seth grinned. "Yes, sir."

  "Senator Whitcomb, Seth Quinn. Don't embarrass me, Granddad."

  "It's an old man's privilege to embarrass his granddaughters. I like your work well enough," he said to Seth.

  "Thank you, Senator. I like yours well enough, too."

  Whitcomb's lips pursed for a moment, then curved up. "Seems to have a backbone. We'll see about this. My sources tell me you're making a decent living off your painting."

  "Quiet," Seth told Dru when she opened her mouth. "I'm lucky to be able to make a living doing something I love. As your record indicates you're a strong patron of the arts, you obviously understand and appreciate art for art's sake. Financial rewards are secondary."

  "Build boats, too, don't you?"

  "Yes, sir. When I can. My brothers are the finest designers and builders of wooden sailing vessels in the East. If you visit Saint Chris again, you should come by and see for yourself."

  "I might just do that. Your grandfather was a teacher. Is that right?"

  "Yes," Seth said evenly. "He was."

  "The most honorable of professions. I met him once at a political rally at the college. He was an interesting and exceptional man. Adopted three sons, didn't he?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "But you come from his daughter."

  "In a manner of speaking. I wasn't fortunate enough to have my grandfather for the whole of my life, as Dru's been fortunate enough to have you. But his impact on me, his import to me, is every bit as deep. I hope he'd be half as proud of me as I am of him."

  Dru laid a hand on Seth's arm, felt the tension. "If you've finished prying for the moment, I'd like to dance. Seth?"

  "Sure. Excuse me, Senator."

  "I'm sorry." Dru turned into Seth's arms on the dance floor. "I'm so sorry."

  "Don't be."

  "I am. It's his nature to demand answers, however personal."

  "He didn't seem to want to roast me over an open fire, like your father."

  "No. He's not as possessive, and he's more open to letting me make my own decisions, trust my own instincts."

  "I liked him." That, Seth thought, was part of the problem. He'd seen a shrewd and intelligent man who loved his grandchild, and expected the best for her. Who obviously concluded that she'd expect the best for herself.

  And the best was unlikely to be a stray with a father he'd never met and a mother with a fondness for blackmail.

  "He's usually more subtle than that," she said. "And more reasonable. The situation with Jonah infuriated him. Now, I suppose, he'll be overprotective where I'm concerned for a while. Why don't we just go?"

  "Running away doesn't work. Believe me, I've tried it."

  "You're right, and that's very annoying."

  She eased back when the music stopped, and saw Jonah over his shoulder. "If it's not one thing," she said quietly, "it's two more. How's your tact and diplomacy holding up?"

  "So far, so good."

  "

Lend me some," she said, then let her lips curve into a cool and aloof smile.

  "Hello, Jonah. And Angela, isn't it?"

  "Dru." Jonah started to lean in, as if to kiss her cheek. He stopped short at the warning that flickered in her eyes, but his transition to a polite handshake was silky smooth. "You look wonderful, as always. Jonah Stuben," he said to Seth and offered a hand.

  "Quinn, Seth Quinn."

  "Yes, the artist. I've heard of you. My fiancée, Angela Downey."

  "Congratulations." Well aware dozens of eyes were on her, Dru kept her expression bland. "And best wishes," she said to Angela.

  "Thank you." Angela kept her hand tucked tight through Jonah's arm. "I saw two of your paintings at a showing of contemporary artists at the Smithsonian last year. One seemed a very personal study in oil, with an old white house, shady trees, people gathered around a big picnic table, and dogs in the yard. It was lovely, and so serene."

  "Thanks." Home, Seth thought. One he'd done from memory and his rep had shipped back for the gallery.

  "And how's your little business, Dru?" Jonah asked her. "And life in the slow lane?"

  "Both are very rewarding. I'm enjoying living and working among people who don't slide into pretense every morning along with their wing tips."

  "Really?" Jonah's smile went edgy. "I got the impression from your parents that you were moving back shortly."

  "You're mistaken. And so are they. Seth, I'd love a little fresh air."

  "Fine. Oh, Jonah, I want to thank you for being such a complete asshole." Seth smiled cheerfully at Angela. "I hope you're very happy together."

  "That was neither tactful nor diplomatic," Dru admonished.

  "I guess I get the calling an asshole an asshole from Cam. The restraint for not busting his balls for calling your shop 'your little business' is probably Ethan's influence. Want to go out on the terrace?"

  "Yes. But… give me a minute, will you? I'd like to go out alone, settle down. Then we can make the rest of the rounds and get the hell out of here."

  "Sounds good to me."