Page 32 of One Hot Deal

The limousine parks in the gravel drive, directly in front of the steps that lead up to the doorway of Sommerleigh House.Kendall, the butler, rushes out of the house to retrieve our luggage, rejecting the offers of Hugh and Derek who want to help the chap.

"No, sir, no," the butler insists."You lot should go inside.I will bring you an aperitif to prepare your palates for dinner."

What a dedicated man that Kendall is.I have no servants, and I rather doubt Hugh likes having anyone at his beck and call.But he inherited Kendall, no doubt, and wouldn't want to put him out of a job.

The limo driver ends up helping Kendall, though I hear the butler trying to shoo the man away as we enter the house.Hugh leads us down the long hallway to the drawing room, where we take our seats to wait for Kendall to bring us our drinks.A few minutes later, Lady Sommerleigh walks into the room and sits down on the sofa beside her son and Avery.Rosalyn Parrish won't be Lady Sommerleigh anymore after Saturday, but we still address her by that title until then.

Kendall arrives a moment later, carrying a tray of drinks."This is Dubonnet Rouge, a fortified wine.Enjoy your aperitifs, and I shall let you know as soon as dinner is ready."

I'm sure he added the explanation of what Dubonnet Rouge is strictly for Derek and Avery.They are, no doubt, unfamiliar with aperitifs.

Kendall discreetly bustles out of the room.

The wine is delicious, and dinner provides more than nourishment.It gives us all a chance to chat to each other and discuss how good the food is, and the happy couple inform us of the plans for the wedding and the festivities that will follow.

Since Hugh and Avery decided who would sit where during dinner, I find myself sandwiched between Derek and Lady Sommerleigh.Rosalyn is a lovely dinner companion.We've chatted a few times before, but I haven't visited Sommerleigh often and she rarely goes into the city.I'm closer to Rosalyn's age than to Derek's, though it hardly matters.We will never see each other again once I have that "bun in the oven," as Derek phrased it.

After dinner, we retire to the drawing room once again to partake of a digestif.I've never cared for after-dinner digestive drinks, and I doubt Hugh or Rosalyn do either, but I think they're trying to give their guests a memorable evening.I appreciate that, so I accept the digestif I'm offered—a glass of port.Not my favorite type of wine.But I can't deny the port the Parrishes have provided is much tastier than others I've had.They have excellent taste.

By the time the port is done and the conversation has waned, I'm yawning.The grandfather clock in the corner tells me it's now after ten o'clock.No wonder I'm sleepy.I rise at five a.m.every morning, but I woke even earlier today thanks to a filthy dream I had last night, a dream that involved Derek Hahn and a vat of whipped cream.

"I think Diana is ready for bed," Derek announces."I'll escort the lady to her room."

Hugh winks at Derek."Oh, yes.You definitely should take the lady to bed."

Avery elbows him in the side."Behave, Hugh."

Rosalyn laughs."That will never happen.Hugh was the naughtiest child in the entire Parrish family."

"That's a story I need to hear sometime," Derek says."But not tonight."

I rise from my chair."Rosalyn told me where my room is.I can find my own way, thank you."

"Not without your bodyguard."Derek approaches me and offers his arm."Might as well give in.I know how to make a stubborn client do what I say."

A quick glance around the room confirms what I suspected.Everyone is watching us as if they think we are…a couple.I don't care what they think.So I march past Derek, pausing at the doorway."Are you coming?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Derek follows a bit behind me until we reach the stairs to the upper floor.Then he cups his hand around my elbow as we ascend the steps.There really is no point in arguing with a stubborn man under these circumstances.Once I go into my room, he can't order me about anymore.We've just reached the landing when a commotion erupts downstairs, and I hear a familiar voice.

"Wow, this is amazing!"Pippa exclaims."But where are Derek and Diana?"

"Up here," Derek shouts."You missed dinner."

Pippa runs up the stairs and needs a moment to catch her breath."We went to a restaurant for dinner and had all sorts of seafood that was soooo yummy."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," I say."But now it's bedtime."

"Can't sleep.I've had too much fun."Pippa yawns."May I please watch TV with Sally?That's Rupert's daughter.Please?"

"You just yawned, pet.That means you need to go to bed."

Pippa's shoulders fall."All right."

Derek slaps her arm."Don't worry, kiddo.We've got all week to have bunches of fun.Better sack out now so you'll have the energy for all the great things we'll do tomorrow."

Pippa grins."You're right.Where's my room?"

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