When the Walls Fell (14 page)

“If there’s anything I can do to hurry it along, old man,” Max added. “Don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Very kind of you,” Simon said flatly.

“I have to admit I find most business rather tedious,” Max said as the waiter returned with their wine. “Life’s too short to spend it sitting behind a desk. Did you know that there are tribes of Negro half-men, barely the size of a child, in the darkest jungles of Africa. And legends of gold beyond your wildest imaginings in the hidden tombs of the Pharaohs of Egypt.”

Simon coughed and nearly choked on the wine. They’d both had their share of the “Kings” of Egypt during their last adventure. Elizabeth cast Simon a pleading glance.

“I’m sure it’s fascinating,” Simon said in a voice so dry it could have been vermouth.

“It is,” Max said earnestly, missing the barb. “Of course, it’s not for everyone. The world needs bankers and insurance salesmen. No offense, old man. But for some…” he said as he turned to Elizabeth. “That’s not enough, is it?”

Elizabeth ignored the question, knowing any answer would lead to a path she’d rather not go down. “Max is planning on racing his car from Paris to…”

“Peking to Paris, actually.”

“Right. Peking to Paris. Isn’t that interesting, Simon?”

“Fascinating.”

The conversation ground to a fine-grained halt. Apparently, in some cases, silence was more awkward than golden. Simon’s last jab had ended the round and left both men sitting in their corners prepping for the next. Before the bell could ring, Elizabeth jumped into the fray.

“Simon has travelled quite a bit himself,” Elizabeth said quickly.

Simon narrowed his eyes, but caught her expression. She wasn’t going to put up with much more. Just a peek of her pique seemed to do the trick and he leaned back in his chair. “Europe and Asia, primarily. Good experience for a boy.”

Max chuckled at that and leaned back in his chair to mirror Simon.

Elizabeth sighed quietly. Men. “I haven’t traveled much.”

It was true enough, a little time travel not withstanding. She’d seen a few states, but had never even left the country. The closest she’d come was a border town in Texas on a prom night best forgotten.

“You’ve traveled across America. That’s more than most,” Max said. “I’m amazed the men of New York let you leave, actually. However, their loss is my most pleasant gain.”

Elizabeth blushed and thought she could actually see a puff of steam come out of Simon’s ears.

The waiter came just in the nick of time to ward off any biting reply Simon might have been about to make. Whatever it was, he washed it down with a half glass of fine wine.

Once they’d placed their orders, the awkward silence returned.

“So, Cross,” Max said draining his own glass. “How do you know our dear Elizabeth?”

“Dear Elizabeth,” he said between clenched teeth and a tight smile. “Old family friend.”

“Did you go to school with her father?” Max said. Elizabeth saw Simon’s jaw clench at the dig. “I’d very much like to meet him some day.”

Elizabeth’s chest tightened the way it always did when someone reminded her that she’d never see her father again. Everyone said the feeling would fade away in time. She was still waiting.

“I didn’t have the honor of knowing Elizabeth’s father,” Simon said. “I very much wish that I had.”

That made Elizabeth smile. Her father and Simon couldn’t have been more different. And yet, she knew they would have somehow gotten along. What she wouldn’t give to have seen them meet for the first time.

“My father passed away,” Elizabeth explained for Max’s benefit.

“I didn’t realize,” Max said, but she waved away his apology.

““It’s all right. Both of my parents are gone. I’m the last of my kind.”

“A rare and beautiful thing. Just what every adventurer hopes to find,” Max said as took hold of her hand brushed a light kiss across her knuckles. “Treasure.”

Elizabeth felt a blush steal up her cheeks and took a quick sip of water. “Fool’s gold.”

“Hardly. Isn’t she lovely when she’s embarrassed?” Max said with a smile. “I think I could grow quite used to seeing that.”

“Really?” Simon said casually. Or at least it sounded casual to the uninitiated. Elizabeth knew better. And that was definitely steam.

Oblivious, Max continued on. “What man wouldn’t? Surely, you have no shortage of suitors back home.”

Elizabeth stole a quick glance at Simon. “It’s complicated.”

“A beautiful and charming woman like you. How complicated can it be?”

Elizabeth fiddled with the collar of her blouse and resisted the urge to look at Simon. “You’d be surprised.”

“New York must be filled with blind men and idiots. Present company excepted, of course,” Max said with a nod toward Simon. “You should be proposed to regularly. In fact, I may take it upon myself to remedy the situation.”

Elizabeth laughed. Simon did not.

***

The rest of dinner was a mixture of tense and tenser. Max was either unaware, didn’t care or enjoyed discomfiting Simon. Whatever his reason, he continued to court Elizabeth subtly and not so subtly through the entire meal. Maybe Simon was right. It looked like to Max, their outings had been dates.

Elizabeth tried to steer the conversation to safer ground. She asked about Max’s mother, his car, anything to keep him and Simon from sparring.

Finally, blessedly, the dinner ended. Now, she just needed to get this party train back to the station with as little blood spilled as possible.

When they arrived back at Mrs. Eldridge’s house the tension was as thick as the evening fog. The two men escorted her to the front door. Max took her hand and kissed it as he bowed, bidding her goodnight.

Simon kept his distance and stared at her for a long moment. His expression said everything he couldn’t. He bowed curtly and headed back down the walk without so much as a word.

She wanted to call out to him, to invite him inside. But judging from his body language, he needed some time to unwind. He was cranky, and she could hardly blame him. If their positions had been reversed, the cat would have had claws. As they say, tomorrow was another day. And, she guessed from the milkman’s wagon that clattered down the street, only a few hours away.

“Give you a lift, old man?” Max said to Simon.

“No, thank you.”

Max shrugged and started up his car. With a loud backfire that cut into the quiet, he drove off.

“Goodnight, Simon,” Elizabeth said.

Simon lingered at the end of the walk for a long moment. He looked like he was about to say something when he mumbled a goodnight, stuffed his hands into his pockets and headed off into the cold night.

***

Elizabeth undressed and slipped into her silk nightgown, which was actually fancier than any dress she’d ever owned. She hated sleeping in something she was afraid to wrinkle. The floor was chilly under her feet as she walked across the room to close the heavy drapes. She had a beautiful view of the side garden. The moon hung just over the large Magnolia tree that stood sentinel in the side yard. Oversized white blossoms caught the moonlight.

Something tinked against the glass of her window and made her jump. The hell? There it was again. She peered out into the darkness and saw a shadowy figure step out from under the Magnolia tree. There was no mistaking who it was—Simon.

Quickly, she undid the window lock and raised the lower sash. An absurd image of him holding a boombox over his head as a Peter Gabriel song played flashed into her mind. Of course, in this case it would probably be a Victrola playing Rachmaninoff.

She started to call out to him, but realized how late it was and waved a hand indicating that he should wait there.

As quickly and as quietly as she could, she made her way down stairs and slipped out the side door. She hurried across the cold, dewy grass.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“About bloody time. I’ve thrown half the rocks in the yard.”

“Is something wrong?”

He shook his head and reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “No,” he said a bit hoarsely. “No. I just…” His voice trailed off and he shook his head again.

His strong hands held her arms and pulled her into his embrace. His arms circled her and held her to his chest. His clothes were chilled and damp from the night air. She could feel as much as hear his deep sigh.

When they pulled apart, Elizabeth rested her hands against his chest. He looked at her in that way that always made her heart skip a beat—tender, intense, absolute.

Elizabeth felt a surge of guilt. She knew she’d made the right decision. He could have come with her and chose not to. And yet…

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said as she leaned into his warmth. Simon was always warm. Her own personal heater.

“Yes, you are,” he said covering her hand with both of his. “Back inside, your hands are ice cold.”

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment and then said, “Come with me.”

Simon shook his head. “I should go. I just needed to see you again.”

She spread out her arms in display. “Behold the Elizabeth.”

Simon chuckled, but it faded quickly. “There is one favor I’d like to ask though. Harrington.”

“He’s harmless.”

“But you’re not.”

“Me?” She hadn’t done anything. What on earth was he talking about?

“He’s falling in love with you.”

Elizabeth waved her hand dismissively. “It’s been two days.”

Simon shrugged. “You’re potent.”

It took her a second to realize that Simon was completely serious. “He’s just flirting.” A lot.

“Perhaps,” Simon said. “And if he isn’t?” He let the question hang in the air between them.

“Then I’m being unfair to him, aren’t I? Because there’s only one man I love. Only one man I’ll ever love.”

Simon nodded almost imperceptibly.

“That’s you, by the way.”

She smothered his smile with another kiss.

His hand came up to cup her cheek and he pulled back. “You’re freezing. You should go inside,” Simon said rubbing her arms gently.

“Come with me.” She wanted him. She wanted to wake up next him again.

Simon smiled. “I don’t think Gerald would approve,” he said with a nod of his head toward the side door.

Standing in the shadow of the doorway was Gerald, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

Elizabeth had to laugh. “He’s just looking out for me. He means well.”

“In that case, give him my thanks.”

“He’ll love that,” she said with a laugh.

Simon turned her slightly to obscure Gerald’s view and then caressed her cheek gently and kissed her once more. “Goodnight, love.”

But he didn’t let go and she didn’t want him to. She could see his struggle and, despite what he’d said, she wasn’t sure he could let her go. Unless she wanted to spend the night standing out here in her shift, it was up to her. She savored the last bit of his warmth and eased back out of his arms.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Elizabeth said, letting her hand linger on his chest. “Just the two of us this time. I promise.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

Elizabeth gave him a sly little smile. “I hope you do.”

His eyes narrowed and she thought she heard him groan. “Goodnight, Simon,” she said and then walked back across the lawn to the door and past a scowling Gerald.

“Goodnight, Gerald,” she said without pause or explanation. She started up the back stairs but heard him grumble, “Englishmen.”