Love Beyond Reason(9)

Despite Jace's size, Happy's gentle push provided enough impetus for him to collide into Katherine. He reached out and grabbed her around the waist before she fell backward. They stared at each other, their faces close as he pulled her back to her feet. The kiss of moments before was still imprinted on their minds. Neither had taken it lightly.

"Here I was worrying about Katherine having to go unescorted to a dance, and right out of the blue a handsome brother-in-law drops in." Happy continued chattering happily, oblivious to Katherine's covert signals that she cease.

"Dance?" Jace picked up on the idea. Did he have a radar device in his head?

"Yes! The faculty banquet and dance is tonight. Katherine's worked so hard on the arrangements. She's required to attend because of her job, and was having to go alone. Now you can take her. Do you have a tuxedo? Well, no matter. A dark suit will do just as nicely."

"Happy, you don't understand. Mr. ... uh ... Jace isn't staying. He just came by—"

"Of course I'm staying, Katherine. Do you think I'd leave you stranded without an escort for this evening. Besides I hadn't had time to tell you that the oil company I work for is drilling near here. I'll be around for a long time."

Katherine stared open-mouthed at this announcement, but Happy clapped her hands in glee. "Oh, Jace, you can't imagine how happy that makes me. I never like to think that a young wo- man is left so alone in the world. It will be such a comfort to Katherine for you to be here."

Jace was smiling benignly at Happy, but then he turned to Katherine. He impaled her with his eyes, and the message was clear. He was staying until he got custody of Allison.

"I've got to go now and carry my groceries in. I had just come in from shopping when I saw that cute little ... uh..." For once, Happy was at a loss for words.

"Jeep." Jace supplied.

"A jeep! How quaint!" Happy chirped. Katherine rolled her eyes heavenward. Apparently Happy wasn't aware that the big status symbol these days was a four- wheel drive vehicle. "You two have a nice visit. I'll keep Allison tonight and you can stay out as late as you want to."

"I've got to go for now too. Katherine, what time do I need to pick you up?" Jace settled one large hand on her shoulder in brotherly affection, and, in deference to Happy's curious eyes, she stifled the impulse to fling it off. Things were moving too fast. She couldn't think. How could she spend an entire evening with him?

"Seven thirty," she heard herself answer and wasn't even conscious of shaping the words in her mouth.

"Okay, then. Happy, can I carry your groceries in for you? A lady like you shouldn't be doing menial tasks like that."

Happy giggled like a young girl. "Oh. Jace, I miss having a man around to do things like that. I really do. My son, Jim, lives..."

Her voice trailed off as they descended the stairs to the lawn below. Jason Manning. He was disgustingly transparent. He was being charming and a perfect gentleman. Was it his intention to get to her through her friends? What was his game plan?

He frightened her. He thrilled her. She must have been insane to even let him come into the house. A Manning wasn't to be trusted. Hadn't she seen how shallow Peter Manning's charming veneer was? She must protect Allison. But how? Jason Manning was too handsome and glib. Katherine thought these characteristics were far more formidable than malicious meanness and disreputability.

* * *

The reflection in the mirror verified that Katherine's efforts in dressing for the dance hadn't been time wasted. She had soaked in a tub of bubble bath while Allison took her afternoon nap. The warm water was intended to ease some of her tension. Instead it had only made her more aware of the effect Jace's embrace had had on her body. She dried herself quickly, skimming over the most sensitive areas that continued to throb whenever she thought of his kiss.

Taking out the electric curlers, she began styling her hair. What should she have expected of Peter's brother? Peter had made a pass at her. He and Mary were already engaged.

One evening he had been waiting with Katherine for Mary to come downstairs. Katherine called up to her sister to hurry her along, uneasy being left alone with Peter even in her own house.

"You don't like me very much do you, Katherine?" he surprised her by asking. "Why not?" he insisted bluntly. "I'm quite charming when one gets to know me. I'd like for us to be friends."

He stood close behind her while she nonchalantly continued to water a plant near the window. His hand caressed her shoulder lightly. Her poise vanished at his touch. She turned quickly to face him, jerking his hand away.

"I don't know what you mean, Peter," she said sharply. "I don't know you well enough to say if I like you or not."

"Precisely my point!" he exclaimed, flashing her the famous smile that had been captured time and again in the society page photographs.

He reached out and put his hand under her elbow, squeezing it gently. "Why don't you and I have lunch sometime soon, and" – his eyes lowered to her lips – "get to know each other better."

She shuddered in revulsion as his body moved closer to hers. Loathingly she pushed him aside just as they heard Mary coming down the stairs.

Mary was blissfully unaware of his personality flaws, and, of course, Katherine never told her of the incident. Even then he had been playing his macabre games.