Daniel was the one with his hands on the reins, thoughright behind her grandfathers. He knew the business, every aspect of it, and with the scope of their various concerns, she was glad. Perhaps her grandfather could control everything, but he was the only man who could. People tended to think of the company as one giant prize. It wasnt. It was a giant jumble of various enterprises, and it took a variety of talents to keep it in its current excellent shape.
Griff always told her that his expertise was looking good and pretending to be busy, whether he was or wasnt. And, of course, being charming. He had a point. She couldnt help but like Griff herself.
Eileen was her first cousin, an only child like herself. The boys were the grandsons of her grandfathers brother, who had perished in the ever precious Old Country. Douglas had outlived not only his brother, but also his two sons and his nephew, the boys father, Steven. Jillian often thought of how it must have pained him to lose so many people he had loved so much. But he never faltered; he went on, giving his devotion to the remaining Llewellyns. No one had been forced into the business; they had come because of the same fierce sense of family pride and loyalty.
You know, Griff said, wagging a finger at her, you could do a lot worse. I am handsome, witty, urbane and charming.
Of course I could do worse. But youre my cousin. So, Griff
Dont you remember playing naked together on those fur rugs when we were babies?
Griff, we never played naked together on any fur rugs.
I guess not. If we had, you would have remembered.
She groaned and laid her head on the desk. Griff, whats your problem? Youre cute, youre
Cute? I want to be sexy and devastating.
Okay, youre sexy and devastating.
Thats better.
And Im really trying to finish up and get out of here today.
Im really here on an errand of mercy.
Oh? she queried carefully.
Its Halloween. I didnt want you going home alone. You know, poor little rich girl, all alone in the family mansion. That big old place where none of the rest of us are invited to live.
She leaned back, grinning. You are such a pathetic liar.
Well, in a way, but not really. I dont want to live in the family mansion. I like my privacy. And believe it or not, the family fortune isnt my bag, though I do like to live with a certain style.
Griff, I have no fear of you ever changing.
He grinned. Im worthless, totally. And happy. And smart enough to be grateful.
You pretend to be worthless, but you know youre not. Anyway, I need to get out of here.
So you can sit by the fire like a little old lady and hand out candy to the kiddies? No. Ever since Milo died, you dont do anything or go anywhere. Its time for you to start doing things again. Youre not a mole. Not to mention, youre far too young andyes, good-looking. Why, Jillian, some people might even call you beautiful. Thanks to good family genes, of course. And right now all that beauty is just being wasted. You need to get out again.
She felt a rush of air escape her. It was odd how life went on, but that, at strange moments, grief would come sailing back and, like a blanket, wrap itself around her. She had known what she was doing when she got married. She had always known she would lose Milo.
And she knew that Griff really was here to help her.
So she smiled. For your information, I am going out.
A date? he queried.
Maybe.
With Robert Marston? he asked carefully.
Robert Marston? she repeated impatiently.
Robert Marston had just started working for the company. He wore Armani just as well as Griff did, but he came with sharp, very dark eyes and, in Jillians opinion, a sharperpossibly darkermind. He was handsome, intelligent, deep-voiced and very articulate. He had gone to school with Theo, and spent the past five years with one of the fastest-growing computer companies in the world. He was the type of man who walked into a room and drew attention. By his physical nature he seemed to exude authority.
She had felt wary of him from the moment she had first seen himand that had actually been from quite a distance. She didnt even know the color of those dark eyes of his. There had been far too many rumors flying about for her to willingly meet the man her grandfather had brought into the business.
Was he stepping on her cousins toes? Or were her cousins in agreement with the situation, content for Marston to be the one with the power? Somehow, she doubted it.
Why on earth would you assume Im going out with him? she asked too sharply. She had wanted to convey courteous impatience. She was afraid that her tone had given away concern.
His grin told her that he had, indeed, heard far more than impatience in her voice. Well, are you going out with him?
No, I havent even met him yet. I saw him across a room. And I dont believe in going out with business associates.
So?
Im going out with Connie.
With Connie? he repeated. Was that relief she heard in his voice? Connie had been one of her best friends forever, way back to grade school. Connie was also her administrative assistant. And since it was such a family enterprise, Connies husband, Joe, also worked for the company. He was on Daniels staff.
Yes, Connie and I are going out. As we do every Halloween, she reminded him.
He dropped his teasing manner for a moment and looked at her seriously. Youre really going to go
Christmas shopping, yes.
As everyone does on Halloween, he responded with a fine line of sarcasm.
Its a personal tradition, she said with feigned indignation. It was a strange tradition, she knew, and it had started when they were little kids who went trick-or-treating together. Now Connie had two daughters, a dog, a cat, a bird and in-laws coming out the kazoo, so she traditionally started her Christmas shopping on October thirty-first, convinced that the best Christmas sales came on Halloween, when everyone was doing last-minute scrambling for a costume. They had a great time shopping, then going trick-or-treating with the girls, and then, usually, just spending the evening together checking out the acquired candy.
All right, Griff said. Just so long as youre really going out.
I really am.
Not to baby-sit or hand out candy.
No. Her voice was steady. She wasnt baby-sitting, and she wasnt handing out candy.
And youre really going to have a good time.
Really.
Because if you came with me, Id show you a good time, you know.
Im sure you would.
He slid off her desk at last, brushing her cheek with his fingertips. Id show you off to all my friends. You are gorgeous, you know.
She caught his hand and squeezed it. Thanks, Griff.
Oh, by the way, Daniel asked to see you. His office.
When?
Griff looked at his watch. Hmma while ago, I guess.
Griff, why didnt you tell me?
Im sure its nothing. He placed his hands on her desk and leaned toward her again. Why dont you defy him? Just go home!
Because it might be important, she said impatiently. She stood and walked past him.
When?
Griff looked at his watch. Hmma while ago, I guess.
Griff, why didnt you tell me?
Im sure its nothing. He placed his hands on her desk and leaned toward her again. Why dont you defy him? Just go home!
Because it might be important, she said impatiently. She stood and walked past him.
Hey, Jillian?
She turned back.
Happy Halloween. And merry Christmas shopping.
Eileen Llewellyn paced in front of the storyboards set up in her office, looking at the newest sketches for the catalog campaign. Of medium height, with coal-dark hair that was expertly styled to flatter her heart-shaped face, she was elegant, efficient and a picture of total sophistication. She liked business suits with tailored jackets, short skirts and high heels. She walked with an aura of confidence and authority. One look from her cool blue eyes could silence a room. She had been born to soar in the business world.
But at the moment she was agitated. She groped for the pack of cigarettes on her desk, slipped one out without looking and lit it, grateful in the back of her mind that the company owned the building and she could smoke in her own office whenever she damn well pleased. Exhaling a cloud of smoke eased her aggravation slightly, but still, she continued to stare at one storyboard, in particular. It showed a woman in an off-the-shoulder, long-sleeved, dramatic gown with a flowing skirt; it somehow had the look of something from another time, another world. The woman was draped across an iron chair near a fireplace, and a man was bending down before her, his fingers brushing the bare flesh of her throat while he set a locket around her neck. It was a wonderful sketch. Striking. Seldom could one piece of art speak so clearly, especially in the commercial world. The artist was to be highly commended. It conveyed everything it should. The timelessness of a gift of fine jewelry. The pure romance of such a gift. The class, refinementmore. It was wonderful. What she could do with this one sketch alone
But, damn, it was irritating.
There was a tapping on her door.
Im busy, she called out sharply.
The door opened, anyway.
Theo walked in. He was a tall man, imposing in stature. Though barely thirty, he had already acquired a few gray strands in his dark hair. They gave an impression of wisdom and authority. He knew how to use his physical presence well, but he didnt intimidate her. She glanced at him over her shoulder, irritation evident in her eyes.
Theo, I said
Yeah, I can see youre busy, puffing away.
What do you want?
Its great, isnt it? I want to use it for more than just the catalog. I want to pull some of the ads weve already got for December and rush this in, instead.
She flashed him a frown. Theo, its way too late to go changing the Christmas ads! December magazines are already on their way out.
I was thinking newspapers. And maybe a television campaign, after Christmas.
Television? Its a sketch!
Theo was silent for a moment, arms folded over his chest, eyes on hers. He smiled slowly. We both know the real thing isnt a sketch.
No, the real thing wasnt a sketch. It was Jillian. A perfect likeness. The woman was tall, elegantly slim, but shapely, as well. The hair was long and a beautiful reddish blond. The eyes were deep green, like expensive emeralds. It was Jillian.
And she had been drawn with love. Or at least with pure infatuation.
Eileen? Theo said.
She let out a sigh of impatience, stubbing out her cigarette. Jillian is a designer. Yes, shes good-looking, Theo, really good-looking, but she isnt an actress.
She could carry this off, and we both know it.
Brad Casey in art must have a hell of a crush on her. Besides, who knows if shed even be willing.
Brad Casey saw something and used it in this drawing. As to Jillian being willing? Our Jillian? She is Llewellyn Enterprises. She lives and breathes the company.
Careful. She gets angry when you say that, Eileen warned.
He arched a brow. Hmm. Im just a hard-working second cousinyoure a direct descendant of the old boy, just like our Jillian.
Well, she said sweetly, leaning back against her desk to light another cigarette and survey him with cool blue eyes, Grandfather doesnt seem to care about that, does he. No one compares with Jillian, but youre right up there, arent you, Theo?
Eileen, it sounds as if we need to supply your office with a scratching post.
Would you stop, Theo? I didnt start this. Look
Eileen, you know Im right, you know this is brilliant. Pure accident, and yes, that poor sod Brad Casey probably does have a crush on Jillian. But its perfect.
A hard rap on the door interrupted them. Griff swept in, bearing a silver tray with a tea serving and Halloween cookies. He slid the tray onto Eileens desk and looked at the sketches.
Wow! Our golden girl is a beauty, isnt she? I mean, for real. No wonder the old boy dotes on her.
Griff, some of us want to get out of here today, Eileen said, walking around behind her desk.
Television spots would be perfect, Griff told Theo. I heard you through the door, he said in response to Theos quizzical look.
Thanks for the input, Theo said briefly. Whats with the cookies?
The old boy sent them out to all of ushis idea of trick-or-treat, I guess, Griff said. I gallantly swept them from the hands of the young office assistant about to hear you two airing the family laundry.
We werent airing the family laundry, Eileen said impatiently.
Think Jillian will be willing? Theo asked Griff.
We can persuade her.
I want to move on this before Marston gets any more involved.
Endear Jillian to us before Marston gets his hands on her, huh? Griff teased.
What are you talking about? Theo asked impatiently.
Hes brilliant, right? And the old boy has pulled him in above all of us.
Theo turned away, studying the sketches again. Dont be ridiculous. I suggested Marston. I went to school with him.
Hell be just like Big Brotherwatching, Griff said.
This is a company, not a kingdom, Theo said impatiently.
But Eileen was studying Griff thoughtfully. Douglas Llewellyn is all about family. Marston is nothing, really, not without Eileen said.
Jillian, Griff said. Ah, but then
What? Eileen asked.
Theres you, of course. Another direct descendant. You could slip in and cut her out of the running, keep an eye on him.
Griff, youre ridiculous. Ive been engaged for
Oh, yeah. You and Gary Brennan have been engaged for whatfive years? You wont give the poor fellow a wedding date. He might want you to go by Mrs. Brennan. Horrors, Griff said with a shudder. Would you give up the family name, Eileen? Even for love?
Many businesswomen keep their maiden names, Griff, Eileen said icily. I adore Garywe just havent had time to plan a wedding.
No time in five years. Imagine that, Griff said with mock solemnity.
I told youI adore him, Eileen said sharply.
Im sure you do. But youd throw the poor boy to the sharks in two seconds if he were any threat to your position at Llewellyn Enterprises, Griff teased.