“Are we talking about the same Harvey Pace?” Phil said with a laugh. “A carriage ride! Sounds like you might be in serious trouble, my friend!”
Harvey laughed along, but shot me a quick warning glance. I beamed at him.
“I think it’s so nice,” Louise, Alan’s wife, said with a sigh. She was a thin, blonde woman in her forties who had probably been pretty a decade ago. Now she only looked bored, and a little wistful.
“Yes,” Harvey said. “But tell me, Louise, didn’t you and Alan just get back from Madrid?” He leaned in and smiled at the older woman, charming her shamelessly.
“Why yes, we did!” she said. “Oh, it was so beautiful there. Much nicer than last time we went, when it only rained…” She went on, excitedly relaying every detail of her and Alan’s anniversary trip to Spain, even pulling out her cell phone to show Harvey the many photos she’d snapped.
Not long after, the dinner courses started to be served. At Susan’s suggestion, I’d spent time during the week studying formal table manners. Although I’d been initially embarrassed by her implication that I didn’t know how to sit at a table without behaving like a barnyard animal, it had actually turned out to be quite useful. At what other time in my life had I had to choose between five different kinds of spoons?
The conversation at the table stayed with mundane topics throughout the meal: Janice’s redecorating projects and charity work, the tropical storm that had disrupted David and Barbara’s vacation on the coast earlier in the year, the ongoing tennis rivalry between Harvey and Alan. I was more or less well-behaved, asking clarifying questions here and there, but mostly smiling, nodding, and listening. Harvey seemed to relax a little.
After the meal was cleared away, Harvey excused himself from the table.
“The presentation will be beginning soon,” he said, looking at me with a trace of worry. “Will you be alright without me for a while?”
“Of course, darling,” I said, blinking at him innocently. “Go and work. I’ll get to know your friends a bit more.”
“Wonderful,” he said, smiling tightly. He bent down and gave me a quick kiss, then walked away, glancing back at me over his shoulder. I waved at him playfully.
“He certainly is attentive with you,” Janice said, looking pointedly at her own husband. She was the youngest of the three wives, at least twenty years her husband’s junior. Phil patted her hand.
“Our boy’s been bitten, that’s for sure,” Phil said. “I haven’t seen him like this with someone since Kate—”
“Phillip,” Barbara said, cutting in smoothly. “The last time I spoke with you, you and Janice were thinking of buying a sailboat. Whatever did you finally decide?”
Phil launched into an explanation of the pros and cons of various crafts, effectively turning the conversation from its previous track. I had to respect Barbara’s graceful handling of the moment, but I very much wished she’d let Phil say just a little more about that other woman, that Kate.
A little while later, Janice and Louise excused themselves to the ladies’ room, and I rose to join them.
In the powder room, I freshened up my lipstick and added a little powder to my chin and forehead. When I was satisfied with my reflection, I started to leave, but stopped when I overheard unfamiliar female voices around the corner of the restroom’s entrance.
“It’s ridiculous,” one woman said. “Who is she? Harvey looks like an idiot, fawning all over her, some woman he barely knows.”
“Someone told me she was British,” the other woman said. “An heiress.”
“Hmmph,” the first woman said dismissively. “Is that her angle? It won’t matter. Harvey’s not a relationship guy. Everyone knows that.”
“Maybe,” the second woman said reluctantly. “But I still think they’re so gorgeous together. Maybe he’s just been waiting for the right one.”
“Harvey meets the right one a couple of times a week,” the first woman said. “Just wait and see. He’ll get his fill of his little English friend and be making the rounds again before you know it.”
I decided that I’d heard enough. I walked around the corner with my head held high.
“Excuse me,” I said, moving past the gossiping women. They had the grace at least to turn red when they saw me. I didn’t look back at them as I left the powder room and returned to our table.
“They’re about to start,” Louise said, touching my arm as I sat back down.
The lights in the room lowered, and the stage was illuminated with spotlights. There was a podium on one side of the stage, and a long table covered in several white sheets on the other side. A slim, brunette woman, perhaps in her late thirties, approached the podium. Her hair was pulled back from her face in a tight bun; she wore a sharp black skirt suit. Even from across the room, she radiated confidence and enthusiasm. She stepped forward to the microphone.
“On behalf of Lifesong Electronics and Jenson Pace International, I would like to welcome everyone here tonight,” she began. “This evening represents the collective efforts of many good people. I would like to introduce you to one of them, the CEO of Jenson Pace International, Mister Harvey Pace!” She stepped back from the podium, clapping her hands. Harvey walked from the side of the stage to the podium and was greeted by loud applause from the room. I clapped as well, watching Harvey with rapt attention. Harvey looked out at the audience for a long moment before he started to speak.
“It’s a good day for American business,” Harvey began. A few people in the audience shouted agreement. “It’s a good day for global communications, and for small businesses that want to compete like big ones.” More applause, and a few whistles. “It’s a good day for innovation, and for faith in the talent and dedication of what I truly believe is the finest technology design organization in the world!”
His voice rose as he spoke. By the time he finished, the room was on its feet, clapping and cheering.
“I’m going to hand this off in a moment to Mister Chris Hill, who, of course, is the genius without whom today would not be happening. Chris is going to tell us all about the products we’re launching today, products that are going to change the lives of people all over the world.” Harvey turned, looking offstage. “Chris, on behalf of everyone at Jenson Pace, let me just say that we’ve never been more proud to have Lifesong as part of the Jenson Pace family of companies. You should be proud as hell, man.” Harvey turned back to the audience. “And every one of you should be proud. Give yourself a round of applause!” He waited for a moment while the audience applauded itself. I looked around, smiling and nodding at the men around the table as I clapped. Phil winked at me.
“Now, for the man you’ve been waiting to hear from, Mister Chris Hill!” A short, slight man wearing black jeans and a windbreaker walked onstage. He first shook hands with Harvey, then the two men had a quick hug, thumping each other on the back heartily.
I recognized Chris Hill from television and news; seeing him in person was surreal. He’d started a software company out of his college dorm room when he wasn’t old enough to drink. Now, not quite thirty, he was considered one of the most talented programmers in the country. I didn’t realize that his company, Lifesong, was owned by Jenson Pace.
Everyone sat down again as Chris Hill started speaking. While he certainly had everyone’s attention, he didn’t have nearly the same charisma as Harvey did onstage. I found my mind wandering as Chris Hill pulled the sheets, one at a time, unveiling the new line of Lifesong products. The audience acted suitably impressed as the inventor explained the features of each product. A Powerpoint presentation was projected onto a huge screen behind him, detailing the specifications of the new devices.
The presentation lasted about forty-five minutes. When it was done, the brunette who had introduced Harvey came back onstage and encouraged everyone to enjoy dessert and cocktails while publicity photographs were taken and the orchestra prepared to return.
I was sipping mineral water and eating a sli
ce of impossibly fluffy lemon pie when Harvey returned to the table. He laid a hand on my shoulder, and I put my hand over his.
“You’ve neglected your lady terribly tonight,” Louise said. “She’s been a real trooper, chatting with all of us, telling us some great stories.”
“Has she?” Harvey said. He smiled, but there was something dangerous behind his expression.
“I’m sure you’ll make it up to me,” I said, raising an eyebrow wickedly. “You always do.”
Harvey’s expression didn’t change, but I didn’t miss the flush that crept up his neck.
“The musicians have started, Alice,” Harvey said. “Shall we?”
“Of course,” I said, taking his hand and letting him lead me onto the dance floor.
Even though I knew he could dance, I was surprised by how adept he was. He led with smooth confidence, guiding and spinning me so competently that I hardly had to think about the steps. I found myself genuinely enjoying myself as we shared a waltz, then a foxtrot. It had been years since I’d danced with a skilled partner and I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.
“May I cut in?”
It was Phil, tapping Harvey on the shoulder. I felt Harvey’s hands tighten on my waist for a brief second before he released me and stepped back.
“Of course,” Harvey said.
Phil was not nearly as skilled as Harvey was, but he danced passably. His hot hand pressed against the bare skin on my back; he smelled of alcohol and pipe tobacco.
“Have you worked with Harvey for long?” I asked conversationally.
“Since he stepped in after his father’s death,” he replied. “Taught the kid everything he knows.”
“Oh,” I said. “Isn’t that nice.”
“Yeah, Harvey’s done alright, for such a young pup. I still think he’d have been better off leaving the company in more experienced hands, but he wasn’t going to hear of that. They know everything at that age, you know.” He smiled at me, and I wasn’t sure I liked what I saw in that smile. “Well, at your age, too, I suppose.” He spun me, and then pulled my body a little closer.
The song could not have ended soon enough. The final notes were still playing when Harvey was suddenly back. He put a hand on Phil’s shoulder.
“Come to take her back, have you?” Phil asked. “Fine, then, she’s all yours. Thank you for the dance, dear.” He pulled me in for a hug, and pressed a moist kiss onto my cheek. I laughed nervously and untangled myself from him as politely as I could.
A moment later, I was swaying with Harvey as the orchestra played a slow, jazzy number. He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, then leaned in for a soft kiss. I pushed up onto my tiptoes to kiss him, then laid my head on his chest. The sound of his heart mingled with the rhythm of the music.
This is almost how it would feel, I thought to myself, if he actually did love me. It’s really quite nice.
I sighed and relaxed against him.
We took a break from dancing after that. Harvey mingled with other guests in the room, shaking hands and introducing me to more people than I could ever hope to remember. I laughed and chatted along with him, laughing at their jokes and telling hastily-invented stories of mine and Harvey’s courtship. Despite my failure to be the shy, coy English rose Harvey had imagined me to be, I felt that the evening was going well. Everyone seemed to genuinely like this Alice Clarke. It might not have been the approach Harvey would have preferred, but he would just have to deal with it.
After hours of dancing and chatting and sipping champagne, Harvey finally told me it was time to go.
“I’ll get our coats,” he said, caressing my shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a group of women watching us. There was no doubt in my mind that they thought Harvey would be taking me home and to bed with him tonight.
“Thank you, darling; I am tired,” I said to Harvey, smiling at him gratefully.
He brought me my wrap, and I followed him out to the street. A moment later, our limousine appeared. Ted got out and opened the door for us. Harvey helped me into the car and slid in beside me.
The moment the car door closed, Harvey’s face changed, affection replaced with fury.
“Have you lost your mind?” he asked, as the car pulled away from the curb and merged into the flow of traffic.
“What?” I asked. “It was fine; they liked me.”
“I specifically, specifically told you to stay quiet, play it shy,” he said. “You ignored me entirely.”
“It didn’t feel right,” I said. “I thought it would be best to go with what felt natural; that’s what I do when I’m onstage.”
“This isn’t some filthy community theater, Alice!” he said, his voice rising. “This is my life! If you can’t follow instructions, this isn’t going to work.”
“I know what this is!” I shot back, feeling my own anger build. “And it’s my life, too! I know what I’m doing, Harvey! You hired a professional, and now you want me to behave like… like a potted plant or something!”
“Yes, I hired a professional, or I thought I had,” Harvey said. “But it seems I was wrong.”
He turned away from me. We rode the rest of the trip back to my apartment in icy silence.
Ted stopped the limousine in front of the building and opened the car door. Harvey stepped out so I could get out of the vehicle. I stood on the sidewalk facing him; his expression was hard.
“I’m going to have to think more about our arrangement, Alice,” he said. “This may have been a terrible mistake on my part.”
He got back into the car. Before Ted closed the door, Harvey addressed me one more time.
“I’ll be in touch in a day or so and let you know if we can continue with this.”
The door closed, and a moment later, the car pulled away and disappeared into the night.
I shivered in the chilly night air, hugging my wrap around me.
What had I done?
CHAPTER SEVEN
I sat at the dining table in my new apartment, drinking coffee and trying unsuccessfully to read a novel I’d picked up in town last week. For the hundredth time, I checked my phone, but there was no call from Harvey. It had been two days, and I hadn’t heard a word from him.
I’d broken down yesterday and called Mick, but he’d only said that I should “stand by.” Stand by. Easy for him to say. Restless didn’t begin to describe how I was feeling. Was the job over? Why didn’t he just fire me and get it over with?
I heard another phone buzz; the sound came from the bedroom. I went and found my other phone, the real Alice’s phone. It was Rose, again. She’d been calling since yesterday, but I hadn’t answered the phone. I dreaded telling her how my first public night out with Harvey had ended.
Can’t put it off forever, I thought, and pressed the “answer” button.
“Alice, hey!” she said, when I picked up.
“Hi, Rose.”
“Hi yourself,” she said. “Is everything okay? I saw pictures of you and Pace online. You look so beautiful, Allie!”
“Thanks,” I said.
Something in my voice must have given me away, because Rose was instantly suspicious.
“What?” she said. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “He wasn’t happy with how I played the role. He wanted me to be reserved, and… I went in a different direction.”
“Allie! Why?” she said, her voice rising. “Why didn’t you just do it how he told you?”
“It’s hard to explain!” I said. I was getting angry now, too. “You don’t know what this is like! You’re not the one here living this.”
“Well, did you fix it?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “He hasn’t spoken to me for days. He says… he has to think about whether he’s going to keep me on.”
“Alice, no!” Rose said. “I can’t believe this! You might have ruined everything.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I said, starting to cry. “God,
this is just such a mess, Rose.” I sniffed hard. “Maybe it’s for the best, though, me getting out now.”
“Don’t even think that way,” she said firmly. “If there’s any way to fix this, you’ve got to. You’ve just got to see this through.”
“I just don’t know if I can,” I said. “He was so angry.”
“Just try,” Rose said. “And, if he keeps you, you need to play it his way until we’re ready to expose him. Bite your tongue for once, and just do as he asks. You’ll make him pay later.”
“You’re right,” I said, wiping my eyes. “I know you’re right.”
“Let me know what happens,” she said.
“Okay, I will.”
“Love you, Allie.”
“Love you, Rose.”
I ended the call, feeling both better and worse than I had before I talked to her. On one hand, I was relieved that I’d finally told Rose what had happened. On the other hand, my worry over Harvey’s decision about whether or not to fire me had only grown larger.