The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(36)

“Yes, you should,” Bianca told her. “You look great. If my monk-like son noticed, then my work here is done. Oh, there’s the doorbell. I’ll get it.”

Margot looked after her. “She’s in a mood.”

“Still think you’re not needed?”

Bianca returned with a tall, thin man at her side. Wesley Goswick-Chance wasn’t the most handsome man, but he had an air of confidence that was appealing. He wore glasses and a suit that had obviously been custom-made for him, and when he looked at Bianca, it was as if the sun had finally returned after a six-year absence.

Bianca waved toward Margot. “Here she is, Wesley. The woman who is going to fix me. Or at least try.”

Wesley smiled and shook Margot’s hand. “Lovely to meet you. I’m sure you’ll agree that my darling Bianca is exquisite exactly as she is.”

“I do agree. Completely.”

Wesley handed over a medium-size gift bag. “Just a little something.”

“Thank you. Shall I look inside now?”

“Whatever you’d like.”

Margot guided everyone to the seating area. Alec handed Wesley a Scotch and poured one for himself, as well. Margot opened the gift bag and pulled out a beautiful cardigan sweater. The wool was delicate and soft, dyed in what seemed to be a thousand shades of blue.

“It’s lovely,” she told Wesley. “Thank you so much. You’re very thoughtful. I will think of your wonderful country every time I wear it.”

“Oh dear God,” Bianca grumbled. “Isn’t that laying it on a bit thick? I mean it’s nice, but it’s a sweater.”

Alec looked uncomfortable but Wesley only laughed and captured Bianca’s hand in his. “My delightful Bianca always speaks her mind. It’s so refreshing.”

“It is,” Alec murmured.

Margot made a mental note to discuss erring on the side of graciousness when in a social situation. She would also have Bianca help her write her thank-you note.

She thought about how this Bianca—sharp, almost brittle—was so different from the woman who had negotiated who wore what and who sometimes insisted on ten-minute dance breaks during her lessons.

“Have you been to Cardigania?” Wesley asked her.

“I haven’t,” Margot told him. “But I hear it’s lovely.”

“It is. Bianca visited once, but only for a short time.” He squeezed her hand. “We’re trying to get something scheduled.”

Bianca offered a tight smile. “We are. I can’t wait.”

The words were right, but the panic in her eyes told Margot that Bianca was terrified to visit Cardigania and Margot had no idea why. The visit wouldn’t be for formal state business. No doubt they would do touristy things. Of course she would be meeting Wesley’s friends and colleagues and that could be stressful.

“Do you enjoy travel?” Wesley asked Margot.

“I do. Like most people, I have a bucket list of places I’d like to visit. My problem is I don’t really enjoy the one-week stay. I like to really get to know a place. Talk to the people and see what their everyday lives are like. Not that I don’t love a beautiful sandy beach like everyone else.”

Alec took his mother’s now-empty glass and rose. “Where have you traveled to?” he asked Margot.

“I spent a month in Thailand while I was in college,” she said, leaving out the part where she’d nearly flunked all her classes because of it. “I’ve been to Germany a few times, and in the did you really category, I’ve hiked through much of Patagonia.”

“Very eclectic,” Wesley said. “I’ve never been to Patagonia.”

“It’s beautiful. Rugged and impressive.”

She rose and walked to the food table, then carried several serving plates to the large coffee table in front of the sofa. If Bianca was going to keep downing martinis, she was going to need some food in her stomach.

She offered Bianca the crab puffs. The older woman took two and ate them, but wouldn’t meet her gaze. Margot knew there was important information to be had, if only she could figure out what it was. Later, she promised herself. Later she would make some notes and brainstorm what on earth was happening. It was just the four of them—Bianca shouldn’t be this nervous.

Conversation shifted to where everyone else had traveled. There was a second round of drinks for the three of them and a fourth round for Bianca. After an hour, Wesley rose and thanked them for the invitation.

“My love and I have dinner reservations.”

Margot told him it had been lovely to meet him, then let Alec walk him to the door. She carried the food back into the kitchen, thinking there was enough for twenty and not only would this be her dinner, but her lunch tomorrow and there would still be a ton leftover. Alec joined her a couple of minutes later and set down the platters he’d brought in.

“Your thoughts?” he asked, setting them on the counter.

She hesitated. While she wouldn’t discuss her client with him, she could certainly speak in generalities without violating any privacy. After all, he’d been right there.

“She was so much more nervous than I expected,” she admitted. “I know having me observing can be nerve-racking but I didn’t expect her to be so out of sorts.”