The Edge of Eternity Page 5

  Paul couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from her. The way she looked, the way she moved…how would he ever get over her?

  She lifted the pearls to her neck and struggled for a moment with the clasp. Looking up, she said almost regretfully, “Do you mind?”

  “No, of course, not.” He walked over and took the necklace from her as she swept back her hair.

  He’d forgotten how enticing the back of a woman’s neck could be. Especially Elizabeth’s. Her skin was pale and unblemished. As smooth as silk.

  His fingers brushed against that creamy skin as he finally managed to get the necklace fastened. The ornate clasp was adorned with a tiny pearl and the engraved initial of the famous maker, and Paul remembered that he’d given the strand to Elizabeth for Christmas the year he’d made partner at the firm. She’d cried when she’d opened the velvet box, and her reaction had almost brought him to tears.

  “Got it,” he finally said, and Elizabeth stepped quickly away from him, letting her hair fall back into place.

  “Now I’m ready,” she said briskly as she picked up her wrap and evening bag from the bed, then walked over and grabbed her key from the nightstand. “Just in case I want to come back before you do,” she explained, slipping the key into her purse.

  They walked out together. Paul made sure the door was locked and then they headed down the walkway toward the hotel. It wasn’t far. He could see the lights blazing from the arched windows just ahead, but the paved walkway was slippery and not all that smooth.

  He glanced down at Elizabeth’s heels. “Can you make it okay in those?”

  “I’ve been wearing heels for years,” she said airily. “I’ll be fine—”

  At that exact moment her heel caught on something and she stumbled. Paul grabbed her arm to steady her and suddenly they were standing face-to-face in the moonlight, cocooned in soft mist and silky darkness.

  Her eyes were like cool, liquid crystals. They were the most beautiful eyes Paul had ever stared into, and for a moment he could have sworn he saw something—an invitation—in those glimmering depths.

  He moved his head ever so slightly toward hers, and she stiffened, as if reading his intention in his eyes. “We should probably go. You don’t want to be late.”

  The moment lost, Paul dropped his hand from her arm. “Yes, you’re probably right.” They walked along in silence the rest of the way. As they neared the terrace, he said, “So is Frankie coming up this weekend?”

  “Yes, I think she planned to drive up late this afternoon. I don’t know if she’s here yet, though. I haven’t talked to her.”

  “I’m surprised you both could get away from the shop this weekend,” Paul said.

  Elizabeth slanted him a glance. “Worried about your investment?”

  “No, not at all.”

  They were nearing the pool area now. Paul could tell that the water was heated by the steam rising from the surface. The bluish glow from the underwater lights shimmered eerily on the undulating vapor.

  “Paul…”

  “Yes?”

  She paused. “Regardless of what happens between us…it won’t have any bearing on the agreement you have with the shop, will it?”

  “Why would it?”

  She drew her shawl more tightly around her, as if suddenly chilled. “Frankie is a little concerned that you might try to call in the loan.”

  He cocked his head slightly. “And what do you think?”

  “I think you’re an honorable man. You wouldn’t do something like that.”

  “Did you tell her that?”

  “Of course I did. But she doesn’t know you like I do.”

  At least she still had some faith in him, Paul thought grimly. He wanted to take comfort in her defense of his honor, but the very fact that she’d brought up her partner’s concerns meant that she wasn’t quite as sure of his intentions as she tried to let on.

  “I have no desire to call in the loan,” he said coolly. “Why would I? If I let the interest accrue, I stand to make a killing.”

  Elizabeth bit her lip. “Maybe, if you’d charged the going rate. But you gave us very generous terms, and I want you to know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. We both do. It’s just that…”

  “Frankie doesn’t know me the way you do,” he repeated. He gazed down at her in the ghostly light. “Did it ever occur to you that you might not know Frankie as well as you think you do?”

  Elizabeth frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

  “She’s very good at marketing your designs. I’ll give her that. The deal with Nordstrom was a masterstroke. But when it comes to accounting matters, I think you’d be wise to keep a firm hold on the purse strings.”

  He started to turn back to the hotel, but Elizabeth grabbed his arm to stop him. “You can’t just drop a bomb and walk away like that. What did you mean by that, Paul? Do you know something I don’t?”

  He hesitated. He’d wanted to talk to her about a concern he had with her partner for some time now, but he’d never found the right moment. They barely spoke two words to each other these days, and Paul had a feeling that Elizabeth wouldn’t appreciate his meddling into her business affairs, even if his intentions were honorable. “My accountant found some discrepancies in the financial statements Frankie put together before we signed the loan agreement. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it.”

  “What kind of discrepancies?” Elizabeth asked anxiously.

  Paul glanced around as music and laughter drifted through the open terrace doors. “This isn’t the time or place to get into it. We’ll talk about it when we get back to Seattle.”

  “Paul—”

  He put his hands on her shoulders. “It’s probably nothing. I’m sure Frankie has a good explanation, but until we know for sure…watch yourself, okay? Especially if you’re serious about dissolving the partnership. Take my advice and hire yourself a good attorney, because I guarantee you Frankie will be looking out for her own best interests.”

  Chapter Five

  Elizabeth found it ironic that Paul had warned her about her partner in much the same way that Frankie had cautioned her about him. Apparently neither of them trusted her to look out for herself. Elizabeth supposed that was only to be expected after her erratic behavior of the past eighteen months and she tried not to resent their advice.

  As soon as she and Paul entered the room, he was swept up in a conversation with several of his colleagues. Excusing herself, Elizabeth walked around the room searching for a spot where she might make herself as inconspicuous as possible. She found an alcove near the bar and settled in to watch the crowd. After a while she grew restless. She hadn’t realized that she’d been searching for Paul until she finally spotted him again. He had his back to her, but she knew it was him, even from across the room.

  He was still talking to the same circle of acquaintances that had drawn him in earlier, but now a woman stood at his side. As she turned to say something to Paul, Elizabeth caught her breath. It was Nina Wilson.

  She looked ravishing in a vivid green dress that complemented her hair and molded to her womanly curves. As Elizabeth stood watching, Nina put her hand on Paul’s arm, and he leaned down to hear what she had to say. It was a familiar, intimate gesture that made Elizabeth’s heart pound in agitation.

  She couldn’t look away, and as if sensing the power of her stare, Nina scanned the crowd. As her gaze met Elizabeth’s, she looked momentarily surprised and then she smiled.

  She turned back to Paul and said something else that made them both laugh.

  Angry and humiliated, Elizabeth hunted for the nearest exit. Finding an open French door, she hurried out to the terrace, her eyes burning with tears. She leaned against a column and gulped in cool air.

  How dare he? How dare he bring that woman here? How dare he have the nerve to ask Elizabeth to come as a favor to him when he probably knew all along that Nina Wilson would be here, too?

  Elizabeth still didn’t understan
d why the prospect of Paul’s infidelity mattered so much to her now that they were divorcing, but it did. It mattered terribly.

  “I’m not the only one who doesn’t like crowds, I see,” a voice said from the darkness.

  Elizabeth spun. She’d been so caught up in her righteous indignation that she hadn’t noticed anyone else on the terrace. She still couldn’t see him. Not at first. Then the mist swirled a bit as he stepped out of the shadows, a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed all in black.

  A fist of fear tightened around Elizabeth’s heart as she stared at him. He was a big man, and they were all alone out here. And there was something…unsettling about the way he had appeared.

  Taking a deep breath, she finally found her voice. “I didn’t know anyone else was out here. I’m sorry if I intruded on your solitude.”

  “An intrusion that I welcome,” he said in a deep, fluid voice. “I’ve had enough seclusion to last me an eternity.”

  Chill bumps rose on the back of Elizabeth’s neck. His voice was like a cold, dark river. “In that case, I’m surprised you don’t like crowds,” she tried to say lightly.

  “It isn’t a crowd of strangers that can alleviate loneliness, but the company of someone special.”

  He came out of the shadows then, and Elizabeth saw his face for the first time. He was older than Paul, probably around forty, and not nearly as handsome. But there was something compelling about his aristocratic features. High cheekbones and a long, patrician nose. A chiseled jaw and thick, black hair swept back from a wide, noble brow. His eyes were what held Elizabeth’s attention, though. They were dark and glittering, like a pair of black diamonds.

  As his gaze burned into hers, Elizabeth was surprised to feel a flutter of attraction in her stomach.

  She glanced over her shoulder at the terrace doorway. “I should probably go back inside.”

  “No, don’t run away.” His voice was softly coercive. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

  “I’m not afraid of you,” Elizabeth denied.

  “You are a little.” He gave her a knowing smile. “But that will pass.”

  “Look, I don’t…” Elizabeth wasn’t certain what she’d been about to say. Her own thoughts seemed foreign to her at the moment. How could she be attracted to another man? Hadn’t she just mentally berated Paul for inviting Nina Wilson up here for the weekend?

  “Do I know you?” she asked hesitantly. “You seem…familiar to me.” She winced as she said it. It sounded like the worst kind of come-on line.

  But the stranger merely shrugged. “We’ve never met, but I have seen you.”

  “Where?” For some reason Elizabeth thought of all those times back in Seattle when she’d felt someone watching her. Her heartbeat quickened as he took a step toward her. Was it possible he’d followed her up here?

  “I saw you when you arrived earlier today,” he explained. “I was out strolling about the grounds.”

  Elizabeth remembered the feeling she’d had on the front steps of wanting to pull away from Paul, as if someone had been compelling her to pull away. But that was ridiculous. She was letting her imagination run away with her. And she’d been standing out here talking to a stranger long enough.

  “I really should get back in. It’s been nice talking to you, Mr…”

  “Latimer. Roland Latimer III.”

  He moved even closer then, and Elizabeth let out a quick breath. It frosted on the night air. Funny, she hadn’t thought it that cold, but suddenly she was shivering. She drew her shawl tightly around her shoulders. “How do you do, Mr. Latimer?”

  “Roland, please.” He reached for her hand, holding her so lightly that Elizabeth could barely feel him as he drew her palm to his mouth. His lips were as cool and soft as the mist, but when he lifted his gaze, Elizabeth saw flames of desire in those black eyes.

  She quickly pulled her hand away.

  “Elizabeth, is that you?” someone called behind her.

  She whirled in relief. “Frankie!”

  “I’ve been looking for you all evening,” her partner said accusingly. “Where on earth have you been?”

  “I’m glad you made it.” Elizabeth sounded breathless and excited, although she wasn’t quite sure why.

  Frankie searched her face. “What are you doing out here? Are you okay?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Frankie glanced around the terrace. “Who were you talking to just now?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Frankie, I’d like you to meet Mr. Latimer—” She turned. No one was there.

  “Mr. who?”

  Elizabeth glanced about the terrace. “He was here a minute ago. You must have seen him when you came out.”

  “I didn’t see anyone,” Frankie said. “I thought you were talking to yourself.”

  “Talking to myself? Why would you think that?” Elizabeth demanded.

  Frankie hesitated. “I saw Paul with that woman inside. I figured you’d come out here to let off some steam.”

  Elizabeth turned back to the shadows, searching. “Her name is Nina Wilson,” she said absently. “She’s Paul’s assistant.”

  “So?”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “So maybe we were wrong about the situation at the restaurant.”

  “Because, God knows, no man has ever had an affair with his assistant,” Frankie said snidely.

  “That was uncalled for,” Elizabeth said with a quick stab of anger.

  “You’re right. I was out of line.” Frankie put a hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “I’m sorry. It’s just…I’m worried about you. You’re not yourself. Like right now. You seem so distracted.”

  “I just asked my husband for a divorce,” Elizabeth said bitterly. “I think I’m entitled to be a little distracted.”

  “Of course you are. I just don’t want you to—”

  “Go off the deep end again?” Elizabeth’s mouth tightened. “That’s what you’re getting at, isn’t it?”

  Frankie sighed. “No, it’s not. I don’t want to see Paul take advantage of you, that’s all.”

  “He won’t.”

  “I know you think you can trust him because of your history together, but people change. Especially people going through a divorce.”

  Elizabeth had always tried to keep her personal and professional lives separate, but she hadn’t realized until tonight how very little regard her business partner and her husband seemed to have for one another. She couldn’t help wondering why.

  “Lizzy…” Frankie glanced over her shoulder as someone came out on the terrace. She took Elizabeth’s arm and pulled her toward the shadows. “Did you know that Dr. Summers is here?”

  Elizabeth stared at her in shock. “My Dr. Summers?”

  Frankie nodded. “I saw him a little while ago.”

  “But…how do you know it was him?” Elizabeth frowned. “You’ve never met him, have you?”

  “No, but I was with a group of people at the bar and we all introduced ourselves. He said his name was Julian Summers, and then someone called him Dr. Summers. Tall, blond, very good-looking?”

  “It sounds like him,” Elizabeth admitted reluctantly.

  Frankie looked anxious. “Why do you suppose he’s here?”

  “I have no idea.” Elizabeth had gone to her therapist’s office two days ago for a session. She’d told him all about her weekend plans with Paul. He’d been given the perfect opportunity to mention that he was coming up here, too. But he hadn’t said a word, and now Elizabeth felt oddly betrayed.

  “After I found out who he was, I kept my eye on him,” Frankie said in a hushed tone. “I saw him talking to Paul.”

  Elizabeth bit her lip. She didn’t want to hear any more of this, but she couldn’t seem to resist questioning Frankie. “What did he say?”

  “I don’t know. I wasn’t close enough to overhear the conversation, but they seemed pretty intense.” Frankie paused. “I don’t want to worry you, but there’s something about this whole setup that bothers me. Think ab
out it. Paul gets you up here on some lame pretext, and then we find out that his mistress—”

  “We don’t know that she’s his mistress.”

  Frankie rolled her eyes. “True. We haven’t caught them in bed…yet. Okay, we find out that his assistant and your therapist are also up here.”

  “It could be just a coincidence,” Elizabeth insisted.

  “Do you really believe that?” Frankie gave her a strange look. “Paul is the one who found Dr. Summers for you, isn’t he?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Because I guess I have to wonder, if push came to shove in a divorce settlement, which one of you would have his loyalty.”

  Elizabeth gazed at her in astonishment. “If you’re suggesting that Paul would somehow try to use Dr. Summers against me, then you’re even crazier than I am.”

  “Maybe I am crazy.” Frankie shrugged. “But I don’t think so. A man like Paul is used to getting what he wants and he’s not afraid to pull out all the stops. He may have been a good guy in the past, but who’s to say he doesn’t have a dangerous side? A vindictive side? So watch yourself, okay?” She glanced uneasily over her shoulder. “And for God’s sake, be careful.”

  INSTEAD OF RETURNING to the party, Elizabeth headed back to the cottage, where she could be alone. Paul would probably wonder where she’d gone off to, but she had no desire to go back inside and see him with Nina Wilson.

  Undressing and slipping into her nightgown, Elizabeth crawled into bed and pulled the downy covers up to her chin. The room was warm enough, but she couldn’t seem to stop shaking. She didn’t think she would be able to sleep, but almost instantly she grew drowsy. The next thing she knew, she heard the door to the guest cottage open and close softly when Paul returned from the party.

  Raising herself on her elbows, she called out to him. “Paul? Is that you?”

  He came into her room then, looking young and movie-star handsome in his dark evening suit. He’d turned a lamp on in the other room, and as he stood backlit in the doorway, Elizabeth could see mist glistening in his hair. “Why did you leave without telling me?” he asked worriedly.

  “I…had a headache. I decided to come back here and rest. I would have told you, but you were busy. I didn’t want to bother you.”