Page 32 of Irish Thoroughbred
“It’s nothing.” He shrugged off her thanks and, drawing out his wallet, handed her some bills. “I’ve made arrangements for you to charge whatever you need. Trish will be there to see to the details, but you’ll need some cash as well.”
“But, Travis, it’s so much, I can’t…”
“Don’t argue, just take it.” He closed her hands over the bills in a final, impatient gesture. “Give it to Trish to hold for you, and for heaven’s sake, Dee,” he added with exasperation, “buy yourself a purse. I’ll see you this evening.”
He strode down the long corridor, leaving Adelia staring after him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
When Trish arrived, she greeted Paddy with an affectionate kiss and told him firmly that anyone could see he was faking and enjoying being the center of attention. After a brief visit, she hurried Adelia out into the corridor and hugged her with enthusiasm.
“I’m so happy about you and Travis.” Her eyes shone with affection. Adelia began to feel the first weight of guilt. “Now I have the little sister I always wanted.” Adelia was treated to yet another hug. “Jerry sends his best.” She referred to her husband, her face wreathed in smiles. “The twins went wild when I told them that Dee was now their aunt. They claim that makes them Irish and soon they’ll be fey, too.”
Adelia responded with smiles and agreeable murmurs,hating herself for the deception and wishing with all her heart that she could confide in the woman whom she felt was a true friend. But she had given Travis her word and she would keep it.
Hooking her arm through Adelia’s, Trish began to stroll toward the elevator. “Travis has given me firm instructions to see that you buy a complete wardrobe.” She grinned with obvious pleasure as the elevator began its slow descent to the ground floor. “Of course I told him that I would be more than happy to follow orders and spend his money with abandon.”
“He said you should hold this for me.” Dee handed Trish the wad of bills, which she accepted and placed absently in her tan leather bag.
“This is going to be fun.”
Adelia smiled faintly.
If Adelia was under the impression that this shopping expedition would follow along the lines of her first, she was soon enlightened to the contrary. Trish ignored department stores for the more exclusive shops. Adelia began to feel as if she were caught in the backlash of a tropical storm. She was whirled through shops while Trish made selections, dismissed or accepted articles with a nod or murmur to the sales clerks. Purchases mounted into an alarming mountain, leaving Adelia dizzy and confused.
Evening dresses that shimmered and flowed, sportswear Adelia considered suitable for royalty, soft, cobwebby lingerie that seemed too fragile to be real; all were tried on, inspected thoroughly by Trish’s critical eye, then approved or rejected. Italian shoes and handbags, French scarves and negligees were included with a nod for foreign craftsmanship.
“Trish, surely Travis didn’t mean for me to buy all this,” Adelia objected, looking uneasily at the stacks of boxes and bags. “One person couldn’t live long enough to wear all those clothes.”
“You’d be surprised,” Trish murmured absently as she surveyed a long, sweeping evening gown in brilliant green silk. “You’ll be doing a lot of traveling, and there are parties and official functions…” Her voice trailed off as she held the gown in front of Adelia and narrowed her eyes in consternation. “Travis was very specific. He told me to see to it that you have everything necessary and to ignore the arguments you were sure to give me. That is precisely what I’m doing. Here.” She thrust the gown into Adelia’s hands. “Go try this on. Green is your color.”
“We can’t buy anything else,” Adelia stated flatly, attempting to hold her ground. “There’ll be no room in the car for us when the packages are put in.”
“Then, little sister, we’ll hire a van.” Giving her a shove into the dressing room, Trish gave her attention to a white linen blouse.
Late that afternoon, Adelia stared at the packages that lay piled high on her bed. With a weary sigh, she turned and left the room. Hannah greeted her as she stood in the downstairs hall, unsure whether she should stay in the house or seek out Travis at the stables.
“Mrs. Grant, how’s Paddy?”
“He’s looking just wonderful. I left him only an hour ago.”
“You poor thing, you look all in.”
“I’ve been shopping. I think cleaning out the entire stable would be less of a chore.”
Hannah chuckled. “A cup of tea is what you need. Just sit down and I’ll bring you one.”
“Hannah.” She stopped the plump woman before she could bustle away. “Could I… would you mind if I came into the kitchen and had one with you?” She made a small, helpless gesture with her hands. “I’m not used to being waited on.”
The round face brightened, and a motherly arm slipped around Adelia’s waist. “Just you come with me, missy. We’ll have a nice cup of tea and a little chat.”
It was there Travis found them together an hour later. He stood in the doorway watching in amused amazement as Adelia and Hannah worked on dinner preparations, chattering like lifelong partners.
“Well, well, well, a miracle in this day and age.”Two heads turned toward him as he gave his brief, charming grin. “I never thought I’d live to see the day when you’d let anyone work in your kitchen, Hannah.” He glanced from his housekeeper to the small woman at her side. “What kind of Irish charm did you use on her, Dee?”
“Just her charming self, you young rascal,” Hannah stated with great dignity. “Now, missy”—she removed the vegetable parer from Adelia’s hand—“you just run along now and keep that man out from under my feet. He’s always been a nuisance in the kitchen.”
Travis grinned again, serenely unperturbed. “Come out on the terrace, Dee,” he invited and captured her hand. “It’s too nice to stay indoors.”
