Page 11 of High Value Target

Tinsley opened the door and walked out.

Her mother put her hands to her mouth. “Oh, Tinsley. It looks stunning on you.”

She walked to the standing mirror in the corner near the French doors. They led out to the verandah that ran the length of the back of the house and overlooked the pool. The stables were visible in the distance.

Tinsley wasn’t looking at the view; she was studying her reflection with a critical eye. The dress fit well enough. Like a glove, really. The neckline dipped, showing a daring bit of her cleavage, and the fabric wrapped around her waist and hips, giving her a real Jessica Rabbit, va-va-voom.

Tinsley turned, studying the side and back. “You don’t think it’s too much?”

“Not at all. And I know the perfect necklace to wear with it.”

“The pearls? I took them off in the bathroom.”

“I was thinking perhaps my diamonds.” Her mother approached behind her and reached around to clasp a circlet of perfect emerald cut diamonds. It was a necklace her father had bought her for an anniversary present one year.

Tinsley had always thought it was the most beautiful thing. Her hand lifted to it, her fingertips brushing over the settings. “Oh, Mother. Are you sure?”

“Positive. There. It’s fastened.”

“Mother?”

“Yes, dear?” Loretta studied the mirror.

“I overheard Father on a call when I came home. It sounded like someone was threatening him. Do you know what that’s about?”

“I don’t. Threatening, you say?”

“Yes, and then Daddy threw a figurine against the wall. You know, the one Aunt Jane gave him for his fiftieth birthday?”

“Oh my.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Loretta called out, and Tinsley expected her father to walk in, but was shocked when the reflection in the mirror was Grady instead.

She whirled. “What are you doing here?”

“Ma’am. Miss Wyatt. I just wanted to know if you’d be leaving the estate again today?”

Her mother answered for her. “She won’t. There will be a small cocktail party this evening to welcome her home.”

“I see.” His eyes took in the room and then the gowns on the bed. “Formal?”

“Those are for the ball this weekend,” Loretta explained. “Are you finding your room to your liking? Is there anything you need?”

“Thank you, ma’am. It’s fine. And the proximity to Miss Wyatt is ideal.”

“Proximity?” Tinsley practically squeaked.

“Thank you, Grady. If there’s nothing else…” Her mother hinted he should withdraw.

He paused at the door and turned with a grin. “I’d go with the red one.”

“No one asked for your opinion,” Tinsley snapped, but the door was already shut. She whirled on her mother. “You put him in thenext room?”

“Now, Tinsley, he needs to be close if he’s to be of any use.”

“This is ridiculous. I won’t have it.” She stomped her foot.