I dont mind sharing, he said.
* * *
WELL DONE, VIOLET SAID. Now that everything is settled, would you care for a cup of tea, Mr. James?
Tristan was trying not to fist-pump. Actually, Id rather head back to the city right away, Tristan said. I need to pack a few things.
You didnt bring your things along? Violet asked.
I suppose I wasnt sure that youd let me stay. He stood and gave them a smart bow. But now that I am, Im anxious to move in and get started. Ladies, Ill see you tomorrow.
Do be sure to arrive by seven tomorrow night, Rose said. Billy Farnsworth-Chadwick will be doing some scenes from Othello in our little theater, and hes asked Violet to dust off her Desdemona. She hasnt done that role since she was a stand-in opposite Olivier in London.
I wouldnt miss it for the world, Quinn said.
Lily walked out the front door and held it open for him before they both went down the front steps. I probably shouldve warned you about the aunts, she said.
No, he said. Theyre wonderful. Did she actually play opposite Laurence Olivier on the stage?
You can never be sure with the aunts, Lily said. Sometimes their stories are true. And sometimes theyre just wishful memories. I usually dont try to differentiate between the two. As long as theyre happy, so am I.
When they reached the car, Tristan took her hand and pressed his lips against her wrist. A shiver skittered down her spine as the aftereffects of the simple kiss seeped through her bloodstream.
It had been a long time since a man had placed his lips on her body. And he hadnt been able to hide the fact that he was attracted to her. Surely there was some way she could make that work to her advantage.
For now shed simply keep her eye on him. Shed find out the real reason for his appearance here and if he was working for the family, shed send him packing.
I suppose Ill see you tomorrow, then, said Lily.
Is there anything youd like me to bring you from the city? Quinn asked.
Not that I can think of, Lily said. Just bring me something interesting to read. Your novel would be nice.
He chuckled softly before slipping behind the wheel and starting the car.
Goodbye, Lily, he said.
Goodbye, Quinn. Lily stepped back from the car and watched as he drove off, a small cloud of dust trailing after him.
She would have to keep a clear head if she was going to figure out his motives. He was quite a charmer, and shed have to keep her wits about her. If he wasnt who he claimed to be, shed find a way to expose him.
Expose him... Lily smiled to herself. It wasnt often that someone young and attractive wandered into camp, but Lily usually took advantage when it happened. A summer romance was always good for the creative juices. In the past, shed done her best work while indulging in a little affair.
She shook her head. She had to remember that Quinn wasnt all he appeared to be. For now and the near future, she would keep Quinn at a safe distance.
She shivered, then rubbed her arms against the goose bumps that prickled her skin. It was at that moment she realized she wasnt wearing underwear beneath the loose cotton shift she wore.
Lily groaned, then turned and headed back to her cabin. She was used to running around in anything that she tossed on. With a dangerously attractive man nearby, she might actually have to put some thought into being more conservative with her wardrobe.
* * *
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, our firm has been working on this case for over three years and we have very little to show for it. The three sisters are still living happily on the property with no plans to vacate. I propose to get close to them, to live with them at the colony and find out what they really want. The big question I will answer is, what settlement would make them happy?
Tristan scanned the conference room, searching for support for his unconventional idea. The law firm of Forster and Dunlap was not the kind of establishment that encouraged unconventional ideas. In fact, from the start, Tristan had felt like the odd man out among so many straightlaced and buttoned-up lawyers. But the firm had offered a start to a guy who was high on charisma and a little low on his law school GPA.
Getting through law school had been much tougher than Tristan had ever imagined. But then life had never been easy for himor his two brothers. From a young age, theyd been forced to fend for themselves, first because their parents hadnt cared, then because their parents had abandoned them and then because theyd been in the foster care system.
He and Thom and Jamie had survived, but just how, hed never been able to explain. Maybe it was the strength theyd found in each other, or the stubborn resolve they all had to survive and succeed.
Hed worked his way through college with the help of grants and odd jobs, but law school had been a different story. The expense and the expectations had almost killed him. Hed held down both a job and a full schedule of night school classes. That usually left no more than four or five hours to sleep at night.
But Tristan had been determined. At first, he had wanted to prove to the world that the eldest of Denny Quinns boys was more than just a criminals son. And then hed needed to prove to himself that he was safe. That there would always be food in the refrigerator and a warm place to sleep.
He cleared his throat, waiting for some reaction from the partners in front of him. Sure, his idea was a little out there. But theyd tried everything else and it had failed. Now was the time for creative solutions. And hed already been invited to stay at the colony. Why not use that stroke of luck to their advantage?
Bob Forster, one of the two senior partners in the firm, finally decided to comment. Just how are you going to carry off this charade? Youre not a writer.
Thats a minor detail, Tristan said. Im sure Ill have to provide some type of work at some point, but Ill do my best to delay that. My sole focus will be to spend time with the Pigglestone sisters and try to get to know them better. If I can get them to trust me, they may consider an offer from us.
Reggie Dunlap, the other half of Forster and Dunlap, chuckled softly. Ill say this. Its a damn creative approach to our problem. Youre nothing if not charming, Quinn. Ill give you that. So, how long do you think it will take before we have an answer?
That depends, Tristan said.
On what? Forster asked.
On how long I can pretend to be Quinn James. And how long it takes for the sisters to trust me.
What about Lily Harrison? Forster asked. Shes the one who has the most influence on the old ladies. How are you going to deal with her?
I suspect shell be the easiest, Tristan said. After all, he could already sense she was attracted to him. He wouldnt be surprised if shed been the one to convince the sisters to offer him a spot at the colony.
Still, shell be the most suspicious. And Im not satisfied that youve covered yourself on the writing angle. You need a manuscript.
Tristans assistant, Melanie Parker, timidly raised her hand. Legal assistants usually didnt speak at partners meetings, but this wasnt just any meeting. Melanie?
IId like to offer a suggestion, she said. I do a little writing myself and Ive been working on a novel for about a year now. Its a legal thriller with some romance thrown in. Its almost done. I could give it to Tristan to use as his own writing.
IId like to offer a suggestion, she said. I do a little writing myself and Ive been working on a novel for about a year now. Its a legal thriller with some romance thrown in. Its almost done. I could give it to Tristan to use as his own writing.
Thats very generous of you, Tristan said.
Who knows, she said. Maybe youll be able to make a connection with a famous writer wholl help me get it published. At the worst, I could get some criticism or helpful notes.
Tristan didnt have the heart to tell her that the colony was made up of retirees and has-beens. He doubted there was anyone there who had any connections at all to publishing. But Melanie was a good person who was helping him out. If this plan worked, hed find a way to make those connections for her. Tristan almost hoped that the book was bad, though. It would make Lily less suspicious.
Its a good plan, Reggie said. He stood up, effectively calling an end to the meeting. Youve got a month, Quinn. You get the job done properly, youll be up for junior partner.
Tristan stood as the partners left the conference room. When they were gone, he let out a tightly held breath. Thank you, he said, smiling at Melanie as he flopped back down in his chair. I think your suggestion sealed the deal.
Maybe I shouldnt have brought it up, she said. Now everyone will wonder if I have plans to be an author, instead of the best darn paralegal at Forster and Dunlap. Maybe it would be better if you told them all that my book is really, really bad.
Tristan gathered his papers and tossed them into his briefcase. I doubt its bad, he said. I think youd make a great author. He paused and snapped his briefcase shut. Dont you ever wonder what youre really supposed to be doing in this world? I mean, maybe you were meant to be a writer and not a paralegal.
Id like to think so, Melanie said. When you read my book, will you promise to give me your honest opinion?
Tristan met her gaze and saw a vulnerability there that hed only seen on a few prior occasions. Hed come to depend on Melanie over the three years theyd worked together. In truth, he felt somewhat protective of her, almost as if she were his little sister. Her dark hair was always pulled back in a haphazard bun and her horn-rimmed glasses sat on her nose at a perpetually crooked angle. She also seemed to prefer frumpy business suits that could only be described as unflattering.
There were times when hed caught her looking at him with an odd expression on her face, and he wondered if she might harbor some unrequited feelings for him. But then shed return to business as usual and hed realize that there was at least one woman in the world who was immune to his charm.
So, why dont we get a copy of your manuscript and lets talk about it.
Really? I havent told anyone that Ive been writing. Youll be the first to read it.
Whats the title?
Legal Tender, she said.
Nice title.