If At First

Part 10 - Chapter 9

His brow creased slightly and that little crinkle between his eyes appeared. "It's been a few weeks, hasn't it?"

Short memory. "I saw you this morning, it's been more like nine hours."

"Is that all it seemed to you?"

He laughed at my puzzled expression. "But that's all it's been."

"You've been counting?" He retorted in a low voice, his eyes were bright in the slowly dying light.

My recent discovery that Haven might be something close to a nice person, seemed to be confused by this provocation, and I was reminded how draining our conversation at Fitch's house had been.

"Is it just part of your game to be charming?"

He looked surprised. "I think I've already mentioned how I feel about games. But tell me more about how you think I'm charming."

Oops. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"Do you think I'll be charming later then?" He smiled.

"No," I answered, smiling back. I felt his eyes follow me as we crossed the room, like a tiger playing with its food. Obviously he's aware that I find him unforgivably gorgeous, and is making no attempt to discourage it. C'mon, try harder Tabby.

"Would you prefer I talk about the favors you're doing that dress?"

"I would not." I knew my face just turned crimson, and spun toward Darling and my grandmother to keep him from seeing it. He's messing with you, Tabby. He's just messing with you.

Our brief exchange had gone unnoticed by the other two members of the party. Apparently Haven and I were only present to distract one another so Nana and Darling could chat without interruption. But every now and then Darling would erratically make some general comment to one of us, creating the illusion of our being including in their conversation.

"My Haven has been such a gracious host." Darling began when she saw us approach "He's had to put up with his father's and my intruding on him entirely unexpectedly, and engaging nearly all of his time. He's so good to us. He didn't even know he was joining us tonight until an hour ago!" She laughed and winked at him with an affectionate smile. "I'm terrible aren't I?"

"Careful," Haven responded amiably, "you'll ruin my reputation. I've been neither gracious or good. It's your house; you're welcome to it."

Darling turned to him. "Come to think of it Haven, I meant to ask why you're even in Townsend, you haven't been here for years, I thought you couldn't stand the place." He grinned at her without answering, and she patted his arm. "I can never guess what you'll take it into your head to do sometimes. It's too bad Harlan couldn't be here tonight, he was called out of town on business, so I'm afraid you're stuck with the two of us. Still, I'm sure he would have loved to meet you, Tabitha ...and to see you again, Rose. Drinks anyone?"

With the lift of a finger, servants appeared. One held trays of glasses, while another poured wine into each. The label on the bottle read Casey Vineyards.

Though I was well aware that I should have been on the edge of my seat, wondering when they would all find out what an imposter I was, I couldn't help but feel at ease in Darling's presence. She was, well, darling. And such a whirlwind of energy, it was difficult to think of anything else.

"Why don't we sit down to dinner?" Haven invited, "It would be impolite to keep you waiting."

I could only assume this comment was in reference to our tardy appearance tonight, and because my grandmother was currently inattentive, I answered with an overly sweet smile. "But we would never mind waiting if it was worth it."