No Stranger to Scandal

Nine



That night, Hayden drove the rental car up the mountainside to Lucy’s aunt’s lodge. They’d spent the afternoon visiting Barbara Jessup’s friends whom Angelica had interviewed and checking the phones at each house. Most had taps. There were a few more people he wanted to interview in the morning, then he and Lucy would catch a lunchtime flight back to D.C. But before that, there was dinner with some of Lucy’s family to contend with.

He cast a quick glance over to the passenger seat. Lucy was staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

“So who will be there tonight?” he asked.

She turned to him, tucking a few strands of shiny blond hair behind one ear. “Aunt Judith and Uncle Piers—it’s their lodge. My cousin Philip and his wife, Rose. She didn’t mention anyone else, but with Judith, nothing surprises me.” She reached over and laid a hand on his thigh. “Hayden, I’m sorry you were dragged into this.”

“It’s no trouble. Besides, maybe I’d like to meet some of your family.” It was true—his curiosity was piqued about the Royalls. During his marriage, he’d thought Brooke’s family wealth had been the cause of her pampered-princess ways. But Lucy’s family was much richer than Brooke’s, and Lucy hadn’t shown a sign of the high-and-mighty or petulant behavior that Brooke had wielded like a weapon. Lucy had obviously been raised very differently.

He covered her hand on his thigh with his palm. “But if you’re really sorry, how about you make it up to me later?”

She laughed. “Deal.”

Lucy directed him to the house and when he turned into the drive, he gave a low whistle. “When you said lodge, I was expecting, I don’t know, a lodge. Not a mansion.” The place was huge—four stories built into the side of the mountain so each level was stepped in as it went up. Glass and wood everywhere, a soft golden glow coming from many windows, and a carpet of spring flowers that wove around paths. It looked like it belonged in some kind of fairy tale.

“Aunt Judith likes her little comforts,” Lucy said with an ironic twist to her mouth.

He chuckled. Going by what he could see of the house, that was something of an understatement.

Judith met them at the door, taking Lucy’s hands and squeezing. “Lucy, dear. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see you in town today.”

“Me, too,” Lucy said with genuine warmth.

“And Mr. Black.” She turned a welcoming smile to him. “I’m glad you could come.”

He shook her hand. She was tall, with glossy silver hair that came to just under her chin and hazel eyes that reminded him of Lucy’s. He liked her already. “Call me Hayden.”

“Then you must call me Judith. Please, come in.”

She led them through a house that was all soaring glass and warm wood tones. Fires crackled in grates as they went past, and thick wall-to-wall carpets kept the rooms toasty from the spring-night air in the mountains.

They emerged from a hallway into a large library with soft yellow walls, fresh flowers on small tables and built-in bookshelves on each wall. Three people were already standing in the room, each holding a sparkling crystal glass—he recognized them from Lucy’s descriptions as Piers, Philip and Rose. Piers and Philip came over to give Lucy hugs, and Judith performed the introductions.

Within minutes, Hayden had a martini in his hand and was ensconced in small talk with Philip that mainly revolved around skiing and red wine. Every so often he met Lucy’s eyes across the room and lost his place in the conversation, but he seemed to cover well enough for Philip not to notice.

Partway through a discussion on the finer points of choosing a good merlot, Judith interrupted them to lead the group into the dining room—a room with spectacular views of the town below. Hayden found himself seated with Lucy on one side and Rose on the other and served stuffed mushrooms that appeared to be a traditional family favorite. The main course followed and conversation flowed smoothly among the group.

“So, Hayden,” Judith said in a deceptively sweet voice once the plates were cleared. “Are you married? Single?”

Hayden cleared his throat. “Widowed.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Judith’s tone was sympathetic, but she clearly intended to pursue the topic. He shifted in his chair and prepared to redirect the conversation.

“Hayden has a little boy,” Lucy said from beside him. He held back a smile—she’d dived in to protect him from her family. She was a good woman, that Lucy.

“How old is he?” Judith asked.

Hayden took a sip of his wine. “He just turned one.”

“Such a lovely age,” Judith said. “I remember when Philip was that little. He was so sweet, always rushing up with flowers he’d picked for me.”

Hayden saw Philip look across the table at Lucy and share a glance of amused exasperation. Either not noticing or not minding, Judith continued. “And Philip was always being carried around by one of his sisters when he was one. He milked it for all he was worth.”

“Smart boy,” Hayden said to Philip and grinned.

Philip tilted his head in acknowledgment. “What’s your boy’s name?”

“Joshua. Josh.” His chest hurt, missing his little boy—he hadn’t been away from him overnight since Brooke died and he’d taken complete parental responsibility. He was already looking forward to seeing him again the next afternoon.

Judith leaned forward. “Do you have a photo of him?”

Hayden found one in his wallet and passed it across to Rose, sitting to his side, just indulging in a quick look himself first. “It’s a couple of months old now, but he looks much the same. Just bigger.”

“He’s gorgeous,” Rose said, and passed the photo along the table. Hayden’s chest expanded an inch or two. Josh was the best son a man could hope for.

“So you’ll be on the lookout for a new mother for him?” Judith asked, smiling to cover for her complete lack of tact.

“Mom,” Philip interjected good-naturedly. “The man lost his wife not long ago. Give him a little peace.”

“It’s okay,” Hayden said. “It has only been three months, but, no, I won’t be looking for a new mother. I won’t marry again.” He resisted the impulse to glance over at Lucy and gauge her reaction, but she’d known their relationship was only temporary. This shouldn’t be too big a shock for her.

“Maybe with time...” Judith began but let her words trail off when Hayden shook his head.

“It’s not about time, or healing. It’s about parenting. This might sound selfish, but I’m not prepared to share decision making about Josh ever again.”

Judith’s brows shot up with unbridled interest. “You didn’t agree with your wife’s philosophy on child raising?”

“Not even close to agreeing with it,” Hayden said with blunt honesty, which seemed to please Judith. “In fact, I was locked out of most of the decisions. Obviously, I should have challenged it at the time, but I didn’t. I won’t risk a situation where I don’t have a say about my own son again.”

“What about love?” Judith asked, leaning back in her chair, wineglass in hand. “You can’t control that.”

“Love isn’t the most important thing. Josh is,” Hayden said. There was nothing he was more certain about in his life. “I know I’m not a perfect father. I’m still learning as I go, but I have a clear vision of what I want for him, and I won’t compromise. Even for someone I loved.”

“Aunt Judith,” Lucy said, “I was thinking I might show Hayden your garden before dessert. Even at night, it’s gorgeous. Besides, I think Hayden’s put up with enough of the Royall inquisition for one night.”

The others laughed, including Judith. “Go ahead,” she said, waving an arm in the direction of the door.

“C’mon,” Lucy whispered.

Hayden followed her down a hallway into a small room full of boots, coats and paraphernalia, glad for the chance to be alone with her for a few minutes. Her family seemed nice enough, but he’d choose time with Lucy outside in the dark without question.

She took two coats down from hooks and handed him one. “It’s quite cool at night.”

He held her coat for her to thread her arms through, then pulled the larger one on before following her outside. The landscaped side yard was terraced and bursting full of spring flowers, most of which had closed their buds for the night, yet still looked magical in the moonlight.

“I’m sorry about Judith’s questioning,” Lucy said as they walked along a winding paved pathway. “She means well, but she’s used to being the matriarch and pretty much being able to do and say as she pleases.”

He found her hand and intertwined their fingers, loving the slide of her skin against his. “I didn’t mind. She reminds me of my mother. A bit nosy, but good people.”

They walked farther along, then Lucy stopped and pointed up to the sky. “There’s the moon. I wonder if it’s waxing or waning—living in the city I lose track.”

“It’s nice,” he whispered. “But it’s not the prettiest thing out here.” Cupping her cheek in his palm, he brushed a thumb over her lip. She was so beautiful. Incandescent. And when she looked at him with those hazel eyes filled with rich desire for him, he was lost. He dipped his head and found her mouth, waiting and ready for him. With excruciating patience—he couldn’t afford to get carried away in her aunt’s garden—he kissed her, just lightly, a gentle sweep across that landed at the corner of her mouth, a hint of teeth as he nibbled on her lush bottom lip. She shuddered and moved in closer. Her lips were beguilingly soft as they moved beneath his, but still he held himself in check. Then she sighed and her tongue slid against his and suddenly the kiss was carnal and he was helpless to pull it back. He tightened his hold on her and she pushed her hands under his coat, to move across his chest.

They were seconds away from being completely undone, so he wrenched his mouth away but stood, chest heaving, for long minutes before he could get his throat to work.

“Lucy,” he finally said. “Unless you’re ready to go back to the chalet right now, we need to stop doing that.”

“You’re right.” She squeezed her eyes shut, but didn’t let her hold on him loosen.

“And if we go inside now, with the way you look, all rosy cheeks and puffed lips, they’ll have no trouble guessing what we’ve been doing.” He said the words calmly enough, but he hated the need for secrecy. If he could walk back into that room and have everyone know he’d kissed Lucy senseless out in the moonlight, he’d be the proudest man in the state. She was the sort of woman a man was proud to have by his side. Instead, they had this mess of rules and secrets that sat more uncomfortably inside him each day. He rubbed a hand through his hair. “How about we talk for a couple of minutes? Till we lose that just-kissed look.”

She dug her hands deep in the pockets of the coat and looked up at him. “You really believe what you said to Judith about not sharing Josh again? That you’ll always be a single father to him?”

“I do.” He’d given it a lot of thought over the past three months. It was the best arrangement for everyone, no question.

“That’s kinda sad,” she said softly. “I don’t want to think about you being alone for the rest of your life.”

Her sympathy didn’t sit well. This was his choice and he was happy with it. “It’s not the rest of my life. Only until Josh is older. And I wouldn’t always be alone. Just never married again.”

She looked out at the view of the town below. “That’s still sad.”

With a finger, he turned her face back to him. “You only think it’s sad because you have such a good heart.”

“You have a good heart, too,” she said, but there seemed to be more behind her words. Was she having second thoughts about ending their arrangement? Perhaps this sympathy was Lucy’s way of telling him he didn’t have to be alone, that she wanted things to continue. His chest constricted painfully. He couldn’t let her start thinking that way, let her be set up for disappointment.

“Maybe once I had a good heart,” he said carefully, needing her to understand this. “But it’s jaded now. Yours is fresh and pure—” he laid a hand over her chest and could feel her heartbeat “—far too pure to be polluted by someone like me. I hate to admit it, but the sooner I’m out of your life, the better for you. Though I can’t deny I’ll miss you like crazy once I’m gone.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” She drew in a long breath. “Maybe if I’m up in New York—”

“No.” Though he flinched as he said it. “The cleaner the cut, the better. Remember our rules? No emotional entanglement, just physical. If we let it linger, it’ll turn into something neither of us wanted. Something that might become bitter, and I don’t want anything to tarnish the memories I’m taking of you.”

“I’ll cherish these memories forever,” she said, and he could see her eyes glistening in the moonlight.

Unable to help himself, he kissed her again, pulling her flush along his body in the moonlight, wanting to create as many memories as he could before the inevitable moment their time expired.

* * *

Lucy and Judith carried the dessert plates into the kitchen an hour later. “Thank you for inviting us. It’s been lovely to see you.”

Judith pulled her into a hug. “I wish we saw you more.” After long moments, she released her and began piling the plates up. “Shame that man of yours is so dead set against marriage.”

“He’s not my man,” Lucy said and turned the tap on to rinse out the wineglasses.

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s yours, even if it’s just for now. Besides, you had no lipstick left when you came in from the garden.”

Without thinking, Lucy touched two fingertips to her lips, then dropped them when she saw Judith’s knowing smile. Lucy shut the tap off and leaned back on the bench to face her aunt. “It’s temporary. Even if he was interested in anything longer term, with the way people treat me, the expectations they have of me because of Daddy and Graham, the last thing I need is an older man who’s already well connected and wealthy. They’ll think I’ve taken the easy route again, found someone to look after me.”

“Maybe,” Judith said and scraped some scraps into the bin. “But I like him.”

“I like him, too.” Lucy bit down on her bottom lip. It was the first time she’d admitted to herself or anyone that she really did like Hayden. Maybe she was even coming to love him. But defining her feelings was a pointless exercise—no matter how she felt, their fling would end soon.

Judith smiled at her. “The one thing I’ve learned over the years about relationships is that liking each other enough is all that matters.” She tucked some of Lucy’s hair behind her ear then rubbed her arm. “It’s all that matters.”

Lucy smiled back, but didn’t reply. From where Judith stood—thirty-two years into a happy marriage with her college sweetheart—things might seem that simple. But for the rest of the world, relationships were complicated, messy things that sometimes had luck on their side and sometimes didn’t.

Maybe if she’d met Hayden in ten years’ time, things would have worked out better for them—she’d have already established herself, would know who she was without being surrounded by strong men, and Hayden would have an eleven-year-old son and be more relaxed about having a woman in his life. Their age difference might not matter so much if they were thirty-two and forty-two instead of twenty-two and thirty-two. But things were what they were, and wishing for them to be different wasn’t going to help her when it was time for Hayden and Josh to leave D.C.

* * *

Four days later, with one arm around Lucy’s waist, Hayden shut off the faucet in her bathroom’s oversize shower with an elbow and slumped against the wall, chest heaving. They’d made love in her bed, then he’d suggested a shower before they both went to work, but seeing Lucy’s water-slicked body had made the end result of that idea inevitable. It was probably a good thing their time together was only a fling—if this arrangement was permanent, it just might kill him.

Lucy looked up at him with a satisfied gaze. “Your imagination is a beautiful thing, Hayden Black.”

“I aim to please,” he said, grinning, and summoned the energy to step out of the shower. He passed a fluffy blue towel to Lucy, but regretted it when she patted herself down and wrapped it under her arms, tucking a corner in to keep it in place. He let out a resigned sigh. Damn shame to cover up a body like that.

She glanced over at him, one eyebrow arched. “Are you going to towel off, or are you trying the drip-dry method?”

“Just admiring the view,” he said, then ran the towel over himself till he was dry enough. “What have you got today?”

She walked through the connecting door to her bedroom and pulled pure-white underwear from a drawer. “More research into your background. Graham is going to run the exposé next week, whether I’ve got enough material or not.”

She dropped the towel and stepped into the white panties. Hayden swallowed. “Good luck.”

The idea of the exposé airing didn’t thrill him, but in his line of work, it was a cost of doing business. He had no deep, dark secrets, no skeletons in his closet. And if they made up stories, he’d deal with that when it happened.

“Give me some hints.” She’d put on the white lace bra and was sitting on a velvet-covered stool at her dressing table, brushing out her damp hair. “Did you cheat on a high-school history exam? Were you involved in a street brawl?”

“Okay.” The mirror on her dressing table showed another perspective of her movements, giving double the impact and mesmerizing him. “This is the one and only lead I’ll give you. I organized a boycott of the school cafeteria when I was a junior.”

Her eyes brightened and met his in the mirror. “A radical political statement? Please tell me you burned a flag.”

“Eight kids got food poisoning in the same week and no one would look into it. We boycotted until the school board sent someone in. They fired a couple of staff who weren’t following safety procedures and tightened up the practices.”

“Yeah, that’s just the kind of story we need,” she said, throwing him an ironic smile over her shoulder. “You’ll come off looking like a hero. Fighting for truth and justice since you were a kid.” Her words might have been flip, but her eyes shone with pride, and it made his chest swell a little.

He grinned. “Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it. Maybe I can find a different angle.” She crossed to her closet, took out a pale green blouse and slipped it on. “What are you doing today?”

He pulled on his trousers, then socks and shoes, giving himself a moment to decide how much to tell her. Lucy had proved herself trustworthy in this investigation several times, but this information was a whole new level—today he was going to a judge to get permission to perform surveillance on Angelica Pierce. The slightest slip to someone Lucy trusted, like Graham, who leaked it to Angelica, would make the whole exercise pointless.

She stepped into soft cream trousers and secured the buttons before resting her hands on her hips. “Some supersecret mission?” she teased.

He rubbed a hand across his jaw. “It might be better if I don’t tell you.”

“You’re joking, right?” she said, her voice incredulous. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me, even not telling Graham about Angelica being Madeline Burch. Why wouldn’t you trust me now?”

She was right, but this was different. “You’ve been great on this investigation. The difference is you’re helping out to try and clear Graham’s name. If it comes down to it, you’ll choose Graham over any other option.”

“Of course I’ll stand by Graham,” she said, her voice carefully controlled. “He’s innocent. Are you telling me you’ve got evidence on him?”

He shook his head, conceding her point. “No, but I don’t think it will be long. And if you had to choose between the truth and your stepfather, where would you stand, Lucy?”

Eyes blazing, she seemed to grow about two inches. “You’re questioning my personal integrity now?”

The accusation hit him square in the chest, but he didn’t waver. “Most people have a line in the sand somewhere. Many don’t know where that line is until they reach it.”

“And you, the famous investigator—who even as a child stood up for truth and justice—do you have a line?” She stared at him, waiting while he didn’t answer. Then, suddenly, her eyes softened. “Josh,” she said.

He nodded, every muscle in his body tight. He’d let Josh spend his first nine months being raised Brooke’s way, against his better judgment. Nothing, nothing was more important than Josh. And there was nothing he would choose over Josh’s best interests ever again. Not a woman. Not his career. Not his own life. Josh was his line in the sand.

Lucy’s line was Graham. And Graham was tangled up with Angelica, he had no doubt.

“Tell me honestly,” he said, sinking down onto the side of her bed and resting his hands between his knees. “Let’s say Graham had done something illegal, not phone hacking, some other crime, just to take it out of this context. Hypothetically, if Graham had done something illegal that had hurt someone else, would you turn him in?”

She frowned. “That’s an impossible question. No one could answer that without knowing what the crime was.”

“That’s an answer in itself.” Hedging her answer just showed that there were crimes she would cover up for Boyle.

She crossed her arms under her breasts and tapped a foot on the carpet. “Then you answer a question for me.”

“Sure.”

“Is whatever you’re doing today legal?”

“Of course it is,” he said, taken aback at the question.

She waved away his implication of being affronted without pausing. “Is it ethical?”

“To me, without question.” Everyone had their own ethics and principles, but he was pretty certain his plan would be within Lucy’s framework of ethics, as well.

She sat down on the edge of the bed beside him. “Then tell me what it is and I swear I’ll help you.”

Hayden looked at her, weighing the options, then made his decision. He could use her help, and if she’d given him her word, he could trust her. “I’m getting an order from a judge to put Angelica under surveillance.”

“That’s it?” she asked skeptically.

“If this leaks back to her, say, via Boyle, the surveillance will be pointless, so I have to be extremely careful. But understand, I have the evidence to get the judge’s order for Angelica. If I had evidence on Boyle, I’d get an order for him today, too.”

“Key word there is if. If you had the evidence on him.” She arched an eyebrow. “You don’t have it because it doesn’t exist.”

“The surveillance on Angelica will flush something out on Boyle.” Though he knew nothing would convince her until he uncovered the evidence. “You still willing to help?”

“You betcha,” she said without hesitation. “I want to be there when Angelica incriminates herself and whoever’s been helping her.”

“You and me both.”