ZenithRising (14 page)

She was explaining the finer details of her dream, analyzing
it as quickly as she related it. She probably had no idea how hard it was for
most people to do that.

“I agree with all your conclusions,” he told her when she’d
finished. “The maid is either the one we need to save or she’s the key to the
one who is. And the only way to figure it out is to walk in her shoes.”

“So we’re going to spy on her?”

He loved the way her eyes widened when her interest was
piqued. “Have you got a better idea of how to spend the day?”

Following Shannon turned out to be a simple matter because
the bungalows were apparently her assigned area and they could simply sit
outside or stroll back and forth and watch the girl go in and out of each
building. Even at the end of her shift they were able to follow her into the
working areas of the hotel because of the pass Mr. Eckhart had provided Noah.

Nothing of interest happened all afternoon until the end of
her shift. Another maid slipped her a piece of paper and whatever was written
on it completely changed Shannon’s demeanor from sad to glowing. She was in
such a great hurry to leave the hotel, she accidentally walked right into
Maggie in the staff hallway.

“Oh goodness,” the maid gushed with a quick head bob.
“Apologies.”

“It was our fault,” Maggie said quickly and looked up at
Noah. “Darling, this is the very helpful maid I told you about. Shannon, this
is Mr. Nash.”

“’Tis a pleasure ta be sure. I was told of yer generosity,
sir. Thank ye kindly. And congratulations to ye.” She made a partial curtsy and
hustled past them.

Noah noted the girl’s flushed cheeks but she seemed to be
more excited than embarrassed. “Something important was in that note.”

“Agreed,” Maggie said. “Let’s see where she’s rushing off
to.”

As they followed Shannon at a discreet distance through a
maze of hallways, Noah asked, “What was she congratulating me for? Did she hear
about my big movie deal?”

Maggie chuckled. “No. She thinks you’re going to be a
daddy.”

He stopped in his tracks and gaped at her.

She tugged on his hand to keep him moving. “No, I told you I
can’t get pregnant, but it was all I could think of to get her talking.”

Maggie abruptly blocked him from taking another step and put
her finger to her lips. Only then did he realize Shannon had turned a corner
and her footsteps could no longer be heard. The sound he now heard made him think
of…
two people kissing
.

“I’m so sorry,” a man’s voice gushed in between kisses and
soft moans. “I was a fool. A complete idiot. Please say you forgive me. I’ll
die if you don’t.”

“’Tis no matter now,” Shannon replied in a tone filled with
unconditional love.

“Oh!” the man exclaimed after another few seconds of
making-up sounds. “What was that?”

She giggled. “’Twas just yer babe sayin’ hello.”

He sighed aloud then there was more kissing before he spoke
again. “I can’t wait to see him.”

“It might not be a boy ye know.”

He snorted. “If it’s not, we’ll just have to try again.”

The next sounds Noah heard assured him they were
sufficiently distracted and he took the opportunity to peek around the corner
and get a look at the guy. He couldn’t see all of his face yet there was
something familiar about him.

“My motorcar is right outside,” the man said after a moment.
“I can take you home but I must come right back. There’s something I need to
take care of before it’s too late. Tomorrow we can start making our plans. By
next week, I’m going to make everything up to you, including making sure our
baby is born with the last name of Martin.”

“Oh…my…god,” Maggie blurted out as soon as she was certain
the couple had left through the exit door near their rendezvous. “I thought my
head was spinning with possibilities before! Any chance he was
not
the
Martin announcing his engagement tonight?”

Noah grimaced. “I guess it could be a coincidence or another
family member but I think the article mentioned Broderick was an only child and
this guy bore a resemblance to the photo in the newspaper. What has me more
confused is he sounded truly sorry about screwing things up with the girl. I’d
bet he’s really in love and wanting to make an honest woman of her. Either that
or he’s a world-class actor. What feeling did you get?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think he was acting. From
what I heard, that guy was ready to do whatever he had to for Shannon and their
baby. He hurt her by running away but I don’t think he’d ever hurt her
physically.”

“Well, there’s still a chance her death has nothing to do
with their relationship but if I heard correctly, he may be planning on
spilling the beans to the family when he gets back here. No matter how much or
how little he actually tells them, if he says he’s backing out, somebody could
be pissed off enough to do something drastic.”

“Too bad we can’t just transport ourselves to wherever that
conversation is going to be held. Maybe tonight’s party will be canceled,”
Maggie said, frowning. If that happened how would they ever complete their
assignment?

He squeezed her hand. “Have faith. We have an ambitious
politician, a very wealthy family and a guest list of prominent people. They
may have to switch gears but there will be a party.”

“Then we’d better get going,” she said, giving him a push
back the way they’d come. “We have less than two hours to get into our party
clothes and get there on time. We definitely won’t want to miss any important
preannouncement announcements.”

As they headed back to the bungalow, Maggie’s brain worked
frantically to sort out all the pieces they had so far. Now more than ever,
Shannon seemed to be the target but there were simply too many possible
threats. Noah seemed to be deep in thought as well but her intuition told her
his mind was on a different track.

They were inside before Noah revealed his thoughts. “Come
sit with me for a minute,” he said, drawing her over to the couch in the
sitting room.

She was thinking of how little time they had with only one bathroom
but he looked very serious. She quashed her practical side and sat down with
him.

“We need to talk,” he said though his gaze was still
wandering as though he hadn’t quite worked out how to start.

She tried to make a joke. “Aren’t those the scariest four
words ever said in a relationship?”

“We are in a relationship, right?” When she didn’t
immediately respond he elaborated. “I mean, I know it’s only been a few days
for you but it’s been half a lifetime for me. Understand, I’m not trying to
push you into saying or doing anything you’re not ready for but under the
circumstances I really need to get something out of my head. I empathized with
that guy. He didn’t seem like the kind of man who would be careless and even
though he freaked out at first he came back and wanted to do the right thing—”

“What in heaven’s name are you talking about?”

“I said I wouldn’t mind if you got pregnant. But it wasn’t
about doing the right thing. It’s because I’d be happy about anything that kept
you in my life, in a real relationship. The feelings I have for you go so far
beyond the physical, but if that’s all you want from me…”

His hand closed over her breast and kneaded the flesh.

She tilted her head to press her mouth to his and her nipple
tightened in his fingers. A minute ago her thoughts were fully focused on their
quest yet in an instant her body was once again in such need of his, all else
was pushed aside. Her tongue fenced leisurely with his until his hand eased
down over her hip and under her dress. As his fingers slipped into her drawers
she parted her thighs so he would have no problem discovering how very wet she
was already. For him. Just for him.

He found her clit and coaxed it out of hiding in two
strokes. It would have been easy to climax but she wanted to show him how much
she liked having him inside her. She stood, pulled down her drawers and made
quick work of getting his trousers and shorts down his thighs. He was fully
erect and, like her, ready to fuck without further play or delay.

For a moment he appeared to be amused by her rush but then
she asked for a favor she was sure would tickle his fancy in another way
entirely. “There is something I’d like you to do for me one day soon.”

“Anything,” he said seriously.

She climbed onto the couch with one knee on each side of his
hips and poised her cunt on the head of his cock. “The next time you massage my
feet—and I do want you to do that again—I would really, really like you to
paint my toenails.”

His eyes grew wide and in one swift move, her pussy
swallowed his entire shaft. The only word for the expression on his face was
rapture. “I love fucking you, Noah Nash. Just like this. Nothing between us.
And now I want to make you come inside me. Without you doing a thing to make it
happen.”

She closed her mouth over his and ravaged that part of him
as her vagina tightened around his erection. With her thighs clenched against
his sides, her hips raised and lowered in rapid, hard pumps. She gave him no
chance to do anything but submit.

As much as she enjoyed his lovemaking, being in complete
control of both of their pleasure was thrilling in a totally different way. She
could see and feel how close he was to climaxing and wanted to make sure she
came along on this ride with him.

She leaned back, pressed his hands to her breasts then
rapidly rubbed her clit as she continued to pound her hips against his. Her
insides tightened as the pleasurable sensations rose higher and higher until it
was no longer possible to hold back the release. As soon as her orgasm began
his cock pulsed and flexed and spilled his seed into her.

The look of utter happiness on his face was enough to make
her want to do it all over again but relieving her own sexual tension allowed
their mission to come forward in her mind again. She leaned forward and
whispered in his ear. “Race you to the bathroom.”

He smiled and tried to hold on to her but she got away
before his hands regained their connection to his brain.

* * * * *

As soon as they reached the hotel lobby they knew the affair
had not been canceled. Elegantly attired and bejeweled women and tuxedoed men
were conversing in small groups. Outside, a line of shiny black motorcars were
depositing more, similarly decked-out guests. Maggie was glad they had opted
for the finest ensembles their wardrobe had to offer. Noah looked absolutely
dashing in his long tails and white silk cummerbund and tie. Maggie had chosen
a full-length, sleeveless, satin turquoise sheath with an overlay of extremely
sheer silvery gauze. She felt like a fairy—albeit a very wealthy one. She was
pretty sure the gemstones in the white-gold choker necklace and matching
teardrop earrings were real diamonds.

A number of people glanced their way, obviously making
guesses as to who they were. Not having any idea who they should or shouldn’t
be seen talking to, they made their way toward the ballroom where a line of
guests had formed. The final confirmation was on a large sign set on an easel
that read
Gaviston–Martin Engagement Party
. In much smaller print
busybodies were notified this was an invitation-only affair.

“Curiouser and curiouser,” Noah whispered. “Makes me wonder
if sweet Broderick chickened out after all.”

She frowned. “That doesn’t feel right. Something else must
be going on.”

When they’d reached the front of the line, Noah handed their
invitation to the man at the door and they were directed toward a table behind
him.

“Ah, the moment of truth,” Noah murmured in her ear. “Now we
see just how good you were at promoting me.” Because the tent cards were
arranged alphabetically, it was easy enough to find one for
Mr. and Mrs.
Nash
. Inside was a number two which made Maggie give him a pleased smile.

Once the question of seating was settled, she was able to
appreciate the fabulous, old-world-style décor of the ballroom. If she didn’t
know better, she might have thought they had just time-traveled again.
Renaissance-aged murals covered the walls and everything seemed to be gilded.
Ornately sculptured, marble columns were spaced along the outside walls and
divided the room into three areas. To one side was a dance floor and platform
with an orchestra that was playing quietly enough to allow conversation. The
reception area they were in had a long bar set up—obviously no one expected
this party to be raided. A squadron of tuxedoed young men was offering hors
d’oeuvres from gold platters. Golden stanchions topped with lion heads and
brown velvet ropes prevented guests from entering the dining area but Maggie
could see the gold lamétablecloths and white
orchid centerpieces.

Hundreds of little mirrors cut in the shape of stars hung
down from the glass-domed ceiling, imitating the real starry night sky above.
Maggie caught sight of the waning moon and felt a strong shiver. It was a clear
reminder that their time was slipping away.

“We have to figure this out tonight,” she told Noah. “We’re
not going to have another chance.”

“That sounds ominous. A feeling?”

“Yeah. A really strong one.”

As more guests entered it was impossible not to be pulled
into conversations but they soon discovered most of these people were more
interested in boasting about who they were and how they knew the hosts than
learning anything about the Nashes. His being a bestselling author was enough
for them to be accepted in their midst and no one cared if his wife had anything
to say.

Although they were fairly certain Robert Davenport was not
the one they had come to save, they kept their eyes open for his appearance
just in case. If Mr. and Mrs. Davenport had been invited as guests, they had
chosen not to attend. They also stayed alert for any sign of gangsters—as if
they would recognize one on sight—or any conversations that appeared to be
unusually secretive. Absolutely nothing seemed out of the ordinary for the
occasion.

The engaged couple did not make an appearance but both sets
of parents arrived in time to greet guests as they entered the dining room.

The receiving line moved too quickly for Maggie and Noah to
do more than introduce themselves. The Gavistons appeared to be in their
fifties and had an air of royalty about them. They smiled politely but did not
seem impressed by anyone they were meeting. The Martins, however, were
hand-shakers. They looked younger than the other couple and seemed genuinely
happy about their son’s choice of bride.

On the way to their table, Noah said, “Not too hard to tell
which man is the politician and which one has old money. Makes me wonder what
Gaviston will get out of this match.”

“Maybe he’s just giving his daughter what she wants. Females
were starting to demand a few rights about now.”

“Or maybe he thinks he’s buying himself a future president.”

As they had hoped, they were assigned to a large round table
right in front of the head table. They quickly took seats that gave them a
chance to observe all six of the key players without being conspicuous.

Amelia and Broderick were not brought in until everyone was
seated and their entrance was accompanied by a romantic violin and piano duet.

Amelia was a thin young woman with light-brown hair, pale
skin and unusually large eyes. She looked like a strong wind would blow her
away but when she looked at her fiancé, those big eyes were filled with
adoration. She definitely did not look like a woman who had just been dumped.

Broderick was definitely the young man Noah had seen kissing
Shannon a short while ago. He was very good-looking, with dark hair parted in
the middle, a thin moustache and a sexy smile that probably had a number of
females besides Shannon O’Toole spreading their legs for him. But as Maggie
watched him she decided the smile he gave Amelia did not reach his eyes.
Instead of giving his fiancée a loving kiss on her lips he gave her a brotherly
peck on her temple then cast a quick yet meaningful look at the woman on the
other side of him—his mother.

“Did you see that?” she murmured to Noah.

“I see a couple who look more like they’re entering a
business partnership than a happily ever after. And I’d bet my next royalty
check that girl does not know what he’s been up to.”

“I agree but I was talking about the way he looked at his
mother when his attention should have been on his fiancée. I’ll bet your next
royalty check he told Mama and she convinced him to go through with things as
planned.”

“You mean this party or the wedding?”

“Does it matter? At least one other person now knows there’s
somewhere else he’d rather be.”

Speeches were given in between meal courses and French
champagne flowed freely the whole time. Dessert and coffee was being served
before anyone at their table attempted to engage them in conversation. A plump,
white-haired man on the opposite side had to repeat Noah’s name twice before he
could be heard.

“I heard we had a famous author at our table,” he said
loudly enough to get everyone else to stop their conversations. “I’ve been
thinking of doing a little writing myself now that I’ve retired. Got any
suggestions?”

Maggie turned her attention to Noah and gave him an
encouraging smile.

“Write what you know,” Noah replied. “And if you don’t know
anything about what you want to write, research it. That’s what I’m doing now. I’m
working on a murder mystery with some high-society people and politicians. I
thought this party would be the perfect place to pick up some gossip. Got any
for me?”