Belinda (14 page)

His gaze raked over her. “So I see.”

If she wasn’t mistaken, his eyes lit up with
that hot expression he sometimes got when he looked at her. Her
legs became buttery, and she hung on to the doorknob, gazing up at
him.

“I couldn’t let us part with that terrible
misunderstanding between us, Belinda,” he said as he came into the
room.

She closed the door and stood leaning against
it. “I know. I feel rotten myself.”

Reeve was acutely conscious of being in
Belinda’s bedroom. He moved as far away from her as possible and
stood with his back to the window while she hugged the door. Coming
to her bedroom had been a mistake. But he wasn’t about to back out
now.

“Belinda, the fault was entirely mine.”

“Oh, no,” she said, still hanging on to the
door. Why couldn’t she have discovered she loved Reeve two weeks
ago? Why did it have to be tonight? If she’d had a little time to
live with her love, she might have been able to handle seeing him
in her bedroom. As it was, she was about to go all to pieces right
in front of his eyes. She could just see herself, Belinda Stubaker,
breaking into twenty-two pieces and flying all over the bedroom.
She guessed her heart would land at his feet.

They were both silent for a long while,
looking at each other, then they spoke at the same time.

“Belinda...”

“Reeve...”

“Ladies first,” he said.

“I was mad tonight. I shouldn’t have said all
those things I did.”

“You had a right to be mad.”

“You’re being too kind.”

“You’re being too forgiving.”

Both of them gave a half smile in the way of
people who are feeling a bit relieved. Belinda relinquished her
hold on the doorknob, and Reeve left his haven by the window. They
moved instinctively toward each other, then Belinda pulled
back.

Land, what was she doing, heading Reeve’s way
in her pink trousseau gown like some floozy? The next thing she’d
be telling him was that she loved him!

Half-angry at herself now, she retreated a
step back and sat down in front of the vanity, being careful her
robe covered Virginia.

“I probably shouldn’t have come tonight,” he
said. “This can wait until tomorrow.” He started toward the
door.

“No. Wait. I just didn’t want you to get the
wrong idea. I didn’t want you to think that I was the kind of woman
who entertained a man in her bedroom—in addition to being the kind
of woman who needs a whole bunch of making over.”

She guessed the devil made her add that last
part. Reeve’s face got tight and a muscle started jumping in the
side of his jaw again. Well, what did it matter when you got right
down to it? She was leaving anyhow. She figured it would be easier
to get over a broken heart if she didn’t have to see the man who
broke it every day of her life.

“Belinda, I want you to understand my motives
and to understand why I took the approach I did.”

“All right. I’ll listen.” She would try to
act as graceful as possible under the circumstances, and when he
had finished she might as well go ahead and tell him she was
leaving. No use putting it off until tomorrow. Tomorrow wouldn’t
change a thing. She’d still be loving Reeve, and he’d still not be
loving her back.

“I’m a businessman and I’m known for making
quick decisions, then following through.”

She could tell he was more comfortable now
that he was discussing business matters, and that made her mad all
over again. She was merely a business matter to him. She wadded a
piece of her robe in her fist and squeezed it so hard she guessed
she was ruining the fabric.

“That’s how I approached this situation,
Belinda—as a business decision.” He carefully avoided calling her a
project. “I sincerely thought I was doing the best thing for you,
as well as for Mark and Betsy.”

She hoped she didn’t cry, though it was a
real possibility.

“You see,” he continued, “if Sunny had lived
she would have taught the children about the arts, about music and
literature and theater and dance and great paintings. It occurred
to me that you would enjoy exposure to the arts, too, and at the
same time I would be helping Betsy and Mark.”

Belinda thought for a long time before she
answered him. What would happen if she stayed? She had said she
wanted to be a new woman and had even given herself a new name, but
a person was more than a name. Reeve was offering to make her a new
woman in ways that other people would notice.

“Does the offer still stand?” she asked
quietly.

His smile was beautiful to see. And it broke
her heart. Why couldn’t he smile like that about
her
instead of about his
project?

“Does that mean you’ve changed your mind?” he
asked.

“Yes, I’ve changed my mind.” She stood up so
she could be tall and look him in the eye. Her daddy had taught her
to look a person straight in the eye when you wanted him to know
you meant business.

“Great,” he said. “We’ll start Monday, if
that’s all right with you.”

“Monday’s fine.”

“I’ll notify all the tutors.”

“No.”

“No?”

Land, what had she done now? She was arguing
with him again, and he was her boss. She reckoned the devil had
grabbed hold of her brain, or maybe it was love making her act so
foolish. But what did it matter? It was too late to take her words
back now. She might as well say what had just popped into her
head.

“You’re the one who wants me to learn all
those artsy things—I guess you’ll be the best one to teach me.”

“You want
me
to be your tutor?”

“Why not? You want me to be the pupil.”

She figured he’d fire her now. She folded her
hands across her stomach, waiting for the ax to fall. The room was
so quiet she could hear the minutes marching by.

Suddenly Reeve laughed. Belinda felt as if a
big rock had been lifted off her chest.

“Why not?’’ he said, as much to himself as to
her. “Why not, indeed?”

“Does that mean yes?”

“Yes. Be ready for your first lesson on
Monday evening.”

“I will.”

After he left, she turned around and faced
the mirror to see if she looked any different. She didn’t; it was
the same old Belinda staring back at her. It seemed to her that
women who had completely lost their minds ought to show it in some
way, develop warts on their nose or pointed eyebrows or something
to let the rest of the world know so they could run like
rabbits.

She walked toward her bed, got under the
covers and sighed. How was she ever going to take lessons from
Reeve without showing her love?

She switched off the lamp, then just lay
beneath the cool sheets staring at a patch of moonlight on the
ceiling. On the other hand, at least she would be able to
see
him. If she couldn’t have him, seeing him would be the
next best thing.

o0o

Reeve left Belinda’s bedroom, secretly
delighted with the turn of events. He didn’t know why he hadn’t
thought of being her tutor in the first place. It was logical. He
was here, and he knew exactly what he wanted the finished product
to be like. Why trust Belinda to the hands of strangers?

Tomorrow he would outline his plan for her
transformation. When he had finished with her, Belinda Diamond
would be the toast of Tupelo.

o0o

From: Belinda

To: Janet, Catherine, Bea, Joanna, Molly,
Clemmie

Re: Good news, bad news

Everybody has gone to church, so I’m here on
this fabulous front porch with my laptop. The bad news is that I’ve
fallen head over heels in love with my boss, who only sees me as a
nanny. The good news is that he also sees I have a brain, and he’s
going to be my teacher. It will be a sort of private finishing
school. I’m excited to get the opportunity to better myself. Still,
my heart is breaking, and I don’t know what to do about that.

XO

Belinda

From: Molly

To: Belinda, Janet, Catherine, Bea, Joanna,
Clemmie

Re: A Bright Idea

If this man thinks he can break your heart
and get by with it, he’s in for a big surprise! From what daddy
said, Reeve Lawrence is used to getting everything he wants. What
he needs is to think he can’t have you, Belinda! Go out with other
men! I know a ton in Tupelo. All I have to do is snap my fingers,
and you’ll have so many cute guys taking you out, it’ll make
Reeve’s head spin!

Hugs,

Molly

From: Joanna

To: Belinda, Molly, Janet, Catherine, Bea,
Clemmie

Re: The Plan

OH, I LOVE IT!!! You have a great figure,
Belinda. Show it off. Let Reeve see what he’s missing!!! Hey,
Molly, what about that guy you used to date, the body builder? He
was HOT!!!

BIG HUGS!

Joanna

From: Clemmie

To: Belinda, Molly, Joanna, Janet, Catherine,
Bea

Re: Another thought

I’m the last one to give advice about men,
but I do know about independence. You need to drive, Belinda. I’m
going to come over to Tupelo and teach you how. Just name the
weekend you’ll be free.

Much love,

Clemmie

From: Janet

To: Belinda, Molly, Joanna, Clemmie,
Catherine, Bea

Re: Finishing School

What qualifies Reeve Lawrence to think he can
personally oversee
your education!!!

XO

Janet

From: Catherine

To: Belinda, Molly, Joanna, Clemmie, Janet,
Bea

Re: Broken heart

Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry your heart is
broken. You know, Molly’s plan just might work. Take it from one
who lived with the expert on manipulation. That may be the only
useful tool Mother gave me.

The education idea sounds intriguing, too.
Janet, I’ve seen wealthy, successful men in New Orleans who are
better qualified to teach the fine art of living than some of the
finishing school mistresses I’ve known. Go for it, Belinda!

XOXO

Catherine

From: Bea

To: Belinda, Molly, Joanna, Janet, Clemmie,
Catherine

Re: My Two Cents

I like
the plan,
and I like the
bizarre
education!
Kick butt, Belinda!

Hugs,

Bea

o0o

On Monday evening while Belinda supervised
the children’s bedtime preparations, Reeve waited in the den. He
could hardly wait to get started.

When she came through the door, he nearly
fell off his chair. What was that
thing
she was wearing?
It looked like one of those skimpy outfits he’d seen on the Miss
America Pageant Quincy was so fond of watching.

She sat down and crossed her legs, her
long and lovely
legs.

“Well, Teach, the children are in bed. Let’s
get started.”

He cleared his throat and tried to
concentrate on the business at hand.

“I’m going to take a scattergun approach to
your lessons, Belinda.”

She clutched her heart. “Do anything you
want, master, just don’t throw me in the briar patch.” Her
imitation of Brer Rabbit was perfect. And it gave Reeve his first
glimpse of the way to successful teaching. Apparently Belinda was a
great mimic and had an ear for language. He would not lecture her;
he would
involve
her.

“This area is rich with the arts, Belinda.
Tupelo has ballet, symphony, community theater and an excellent art
gallery. We will take advantage of every performance and every
exhibit. Memphis is only a hundred miles away. The Orpheum often
has great productions.”

“That sounds like fun, not lessons.”

“Learning can be fun.” Reeve stood up and
began to pace. “But don’t be fooled. We will discuss each artist,
each composer, each play, each ballet.”

Belinda looked rapt. Or perhaps she just
couldn’t breath in that tight little top.

“At home we will concentrate on reading. I’ve
made up a list for you, two books a week. You’ll find all the
material here in my library. If you discover you need more time,
let me know. We’ll work it out. Also, the books that you have
already read we’ll cross off the list.”

Belinda crossed her legs and watched,
astonished, as Reeve passed a hand over his face. Good Lord, was
Molly’s plan that easy?

“Poetry is meant to be read aloud.” He stared
at her legs a minute and then cleared his throat. “We’ll start
tonight with the poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

He opened a slim volume of poems and started
reading. But he decided towering over her was wrong and so he sat
down beside her. His first mistake. How could he read with her
ripe plums
on such enticing display?

He cleared his throat and continued reading.
She was leaning close to him, now, so close he could see the
perfect little vee of her cleavage.

“ ‘How do I love thee? Let me count the
ways,’“ he read. At that moment he looked into Belinda’s eyes. His
heart kicked hard against his ribs. Like a man in a dream, he
slowly closed the book.

“It’s getting late,” he said. “We’ll finish
this poem tomorrow night.”

After she had left the room, he sat for a
long time gazing at the closed door. Reeve didn’t often indulge in
self-analysis, but it didn’t take much to know what had happened in
his den tonight. The love poems had become much too personal.

He got up and carefully placed the book back
on the shelf. Then he put on a CD—Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique.” It
had been one of Sunny’s favorite symphonies. The magnificent music
soothed Reeve and helped him put the evening into perspective.

He was a man without a woman, a lonely man.
And Belinda was a beautiful, desirable young woman. It was only
natural that he should imagine he had directed the love poems to
her.

He hadn’t done that, though. He and Sunny had
often sat side by side on the sofa on warm summer evenings, taking
turns reading the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Reading her
work aloud this evening had brought all those memories back. He
hadn’t really been reading them to Belinda; he had been reliving
the past.