Back on Blossom Street (Blossom Street #4)(50)

Colette’s heart ached for the little boy Christian had been.

“For a year afterward, Elliott buried himself in the bottom of a whiskey bottle, too immersed in his own grief to help Christian deal with his.” Elizabeth set her cup back in the saucer with a sharp clink. “My husband, God rest his soul, brought young Christian to me. Charles and I had never been blessed with a family. Unfortunately, we were of an age at which we didn’t have the foggiest idea what to do with a youngster. We kept him until Elliott had straightened himself out and then sent him home to live with his father.” She paused, shaking her head. “I regret that to this day.”

Colette tried to picture Christian as a hurting, motherless little boy but couldn’t. He seemed too self-possessed, too confident, too remote. Perhaps his childhood explained the unyielding exterior he presented to the world.

Only three times in all the years she’d known him had Christian revealed a different facet of his personality. The day of Derek’s funeral, the night of the Christmas party and just recently, when they’d gone to dinner.

“Did his father ever remarry?” she asked, wanting to know more details of Christian’s young life.

“Unfortunately, no. When he finished with alcohol, Elliott buried himself in his work. He traded one addiction for another, although arguably a less destructive one. Christian was raised by a series of housekeepers. I sent for him every summer and at Christmas, but as you can imagine, neither Charles nor I knew how to entertain a young boy.”

Colette smiled, picturing Christian sitting at that huge dining table for a formal meal.

“I did teach him to play bridge, and I’ll admit he’s quite good.”

Colette had never heard that he played any form of cards.

“Unfortunately, his relationship with Elliott is strained. My nephew decided long ago that Christian would one day take over his investment firm. Christian’s never shown the slightest interest in stocks and bonds. From the time he was a child, he loved to travel. Christian spent hours in this very library, studying maps and reading about faraway lands. He started the import business with an inheritance he collected from his mother’s side of the family.”

“He’s very successful at the business,” Colette said, and wondered anew why he’d put so much at risk.

“And an utter failure at personal relationships, much like his father. Elliott blamed the world for his loss and instead of getting on with life, he held his bitterness inside. I’m afraid Christian is more like his father than he realizes. He, too, keeps everything hidden. He refuses to get close to anyone.” Elizabeth shook her head sadly.

“He…he seems to have plenty of women friends.”

“Pieces of fluff,” Elizabeth said scornfully. “They never last long, do they? He woos them and then grows bored with them. Am I correct?”

Colette felt as if she was telling tales out of school. “Uh, that was his pattern when I worked with him. But I haven’t been with Dempsey Imports for the last four months, so I can’t say about more recent…relationships.”

The other woman put down her tea cup and studied Colette. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Colette felt the blood rush to her face. “I wouldn’t say that….”

The old woman gestured with one elegant hand. “Don’t bother to deny it. You wouldn’t have come here otherwise. Stand up,” she demanded. “I want to get a good look at you.”

Haltingly, Colette complied, thankful for her loose-fitting clothes.

“Straighten your shoulders,” Elizabeth snapped. “What’s the problem with young people these days? It’s a wonder you don’t all come down with back problems.”

Colette managed to restrain a smile.

“I like you,” Elizabeth announced abruptly.

This time Colette did smile. “I like you, too. Do you mind if I sit?”

“Go ahead.” Elizabeth nodded. “All I can say is that it’s high time my great-nephew settled down. I was beginning to wonder if he had the brains God gave a goose.”

Colette wanted to laugh at Elizabeth’s disgusted tone.

“Can you stay for dinner?”

“That isn’t necessary. I—”

Elizabeth cut her off with an imperious wave. Before Colette could stop her, she’d called for Doris, instructing the housekeeper to set another place at the table.

“Over dinner, tell me everything you know about Christian. I haven’t seen the boy in months and I’m starving for news of him.”

“I—”

“Elliott and Christian are my only living relatives,” Elizabeth said before Colette could attempt an answer. “One day this house will be his.” As she looked around, her gaze fell lovingly on the things in the room—the books, the antique desk, the rich Oriental carpet. “I’ll tell you right now, if he marries one of those…those girls he’s been dallying with for the last few years, I’d rather donate my home to the zoo. As I said, it’s time he settled down and married a lady.”

“I…I’m not sure I qualify as one,” she murmured.

The older woman’s gaze narrowed and she appeared to carefully choose her words. “You’ll do. Now, tell me about yourself.”