Page 23 of Brant
The jacket was a black cashmere and was new. Her makeup was minimal. She had selected a bottle of Cabernet from the shelves in the huge pantry and almost stopped at a florist to buy flowers. She decided against it at the last minute. She had no idea what the woman's preference was and besides, Angeline O'Keefe had a vast amount of flowers at her place.
The townhouse was elegant and in a very exclusive neighborhood. She had been here that one time for the Christmas dinner and knew it boasted a doorman and a lobby.
Parking the vehicle and figuring that she was running a little behind, she grabbed her purse and the bottle of wine and hurried toward the treated glass of the front door. It was swept open as soon as she stepped forward, the doorman, a different one this time, giving her a dignified bow and informing her that Ms. Angeline said to come straight up.
She took the elevator up to the penthouse, marveling at the speed of the car.
The door to the apartment was already open. Taking a deep breath, she headed in, where a uniformed maid stood waiting to take her coat and gloves.
"Ms. Angeline is in the blue salon. It's on your left," the woman told her politely.
"Thank you. I brought this-" She lifted the bottle of wine.
"I'll take it."
"Thanks." Taking another breath, she hurried toward the room, barely taking the time to admire the elegant setting.
Angeline, looking magnificent in a teal blue sweater set, rose from her position on a throne-like chair, tawny eyes watchful as Indigo walked into the room.
"You're prompt."
"A little late, but there was traffic and I spent a longer time at my brother's than planned."
The woman gestured toward a chair next to the large bay window. "I asked Myrna to bring us something to drink. White wine?"
"Yes, of course."
As if on cue, the faithful housekeeper came bustling in with a rolling tray.
"We'll help ourselves. Thanks, Myrna. We'll be ready for dinner in about half an hour."
"Yes, ma'am." The woman bowed herself out of the room and closed the doors behind her.
"How's the young man doing? Your brother?" Angeline poured the wine and handed her a glass.
"Much better, thanks for asking."
"I just spoke to Brant. I told him I invited you for supper. He seemed pleased."
It took every ounce of her strength to compose herself and school her expression, but Indigo hoped she did.
"I see."
"He hasn't called you, I take it?"
"It doesn't matter. We don't have that kind of relationship."
Angeline eyed the girl thoughtfully and wondered at how much her opinion of her had changed in so short a time. "He warned me not to do or say anything to upset you. Grilled me for ten minutes on what I was going to say to you." She sipped her wine,her eyes amused. "I would say that the platonic relationship you two had before has now changed. He sounds like a man who cares a lot."
Tamping down the shocked surprise and pleasure she felt at the woman's words, Indigo sternly reminded herself that he had left without a word to her, except for a terse note.
"He does not have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."
"I'm sure you can. Now, let me tell you why I invited you to dinner," she added. "There's a charity that I'm very interested in, and I'm sure it will be of interest to you too."
Chapter 7
Juliet brought the glasses of beer over and slid across from her in the corner booth.
