The Dahlia Trilogy (The Gilded Flower Series) Page 21

  “So what do we do?”

  “We unwind a bit, take in a nice meal downstairs, maybe do a bit of yoga in the morning.”

  Dahlia scowls at him.

  “Get dressed,” Thomas commands, unzipping his own duffel. “There’s a wine and cheese in the sitting room downstairs, and our booking is for seven thirty.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Dahlia emerges from the bathroom dressed in a black, silk long-sleeved dress.

  “Now you look like your New York self.”

  Dahlia smiles. “I can’t wait to take it off.”

  Chapter 44

  “It’s déjà vu,” Dahlia murmurs as soon as the waiter walks away with their order.

  “What do you mean?”

  Dahlia gestures to the space. “We’re at a lovely candlelit dinner. I have no idea why we’re here, but now that I know you a little better, you’re up to something.”

  Thomas’s full lips curve up into a smile. He nods at the sommelier who presents a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino vintage 1997.

  As soon as the wine is poured, Dahlia leans in, “And this time I’m supposed to be your fiancé.”

  “Just have a little fun with it. I’ll talk you through everything when it’s time.”

  Dahlia feels a knot form in her stomach. Deep down she can’t help but wonder if she can trust him.

  Thomas sighs, noting the doubt in her expression. “Stop thinking that you can’t trust me. I’m not some agent for Gustavo.” He nods at something behind Dahlia. “We have a good vantage point from this table.”

  Before he can explain further, he pauses and says, “Don’t turn around, Dahlia. Edwin Archer just sat down to dinner with his wife.”

  Chapter 45

  Dahlia has to exercise incredible self-control to keep from looking at the Archers.

  Thomas takes her trembling hand into his. “Take it easy, Dahlia. This is just to observe.”

  “How did you know they’d be here tonight?” Dahlia asks in a hushed tone.

  “Credit card records show they eat here every Friday night. Must be date night,” he says jokingly. Thomas brings her hand up to his lips, kisses it gently and lets it go as soon as their first course of antipasti and a mixed green salad arrive.

  Dahlia picks at her food while Thomas tucks away the meal like he hasn’t eaten for days.

  “Eat, Dahlia,” he orders. “You’re supposed to appear happy and in love.”

  She finishes about half her glass of wine instead, enjoying the smooth way it goes down. “I’m dying to see them.”

  “Soon,” he replies. Thomas remains silent as he finishes Dahlia’s dish. Finally, he says under his breath, “Stand up and kiss me. Then turn around and make your way to the bathroom. Be sexy so he’ll notice you when you walk by. Pretend not to recognize him at first. Got that?”

  Dahlia nods, her heart beginning to pound. She rises slowly, afraid to make a mistake. She bends down and kisses Thomas on the mouth, his lips parting slightly for hers. They linger a little, the kiss becoming deeper and more sensual than either intended. “I’m scared I’m going to trip on my way over there,” she whispers in his ear.

  “You’ll be fine,” he says, kissing her cheek. He’s almost too good at this, she sighs.

  Fortunately for Dahlia, she remains upright for the short trek. In her high heels and short dress, it would’ve been impossible for someone like Edwin Archer not to notice.

  Chapter 46

  “Dahlia? Dahlia Baron?” Edwin reaches out his hand to catch her arm. She had been looking straight ahead, fixed on some antique object in an effort to not look his way.

  She stops abruptly and smiles sweetly. “Edwin, oh my God, what a surprise to see you here.” Dahlia offers a two-kiss greeting.

  “Yeah, likewise. What’s a city girl like you doing here?”

  Dahlia’s eyes widened. Thomas never prepped her with a story. “Oh, my fiancé and I are just up for the weekend. Needed to get away for a bit. Maybe do some antiquing.” She runs her hand nervously through her hair.

  “It’s definitely a great place for that. My wife and I made the move up here about five years ago, and we haven’t looked back since.” Edwin stands as soon as he sees his wife. Dahlia notices how he’s kept himself in shape, standing even with her in height, with a broad chest and shoulders. His wife approaches, a smile plastered to her face. She’s quite petite and conservative looking—not at all Edwin’s type, although he was fairly indiscriminate when he was single. She has an attractive face, dark hair and almond shaped eyes. Dahlia sees the jealousy radiating from them when she reaches the table.

  “Taylor,” Edwin says, not noticing, “This is Dahlia Baron. I’m not sure if you two ever met.”

  Dahlia extends a hand, which Taylor grasps weakly. “No, we’ve never been introduced.”

  Suddenly, Dahlia feels Thomas’s hand on her shoulder. “Am I missing the party?” He says casually.

  “Honey,” Dahlia replies, “I’d like you to meet Edwin and Taylor Archer. Edwin’s parents are friends of the family.”

  Thomas greets Taylor first, kissing the back of her hand, then taking Edwin’s hand firmly in his. “Pleasure to meet you both. It’s rare to ever meet friends of the Barons. I think Dahlia prefers keeping me in the closet.”

  “Yeah, well, he doesn’t realize that I’m doing him a favor,” Dahlia retorts.

  Edwin laughs. “She’s right. Taylor and I avoid my family as much as possible.”

  They make polite conversation for a few minutes, Taylor recommending a few antique shops in the town center, until Thomas says, “We’ve taken enough of your time. We’ll leave you to your dinner”.

  Dahlia’s eyes go wide. This can’t be it.

  “By the way, would you by any chance have the name of a realtor that you’d recommend for the area? Dahlia and I are quite taken with the town. We thought maybe while we’re here . . . .”

  “Absolutely,” Edwin replies eagerly before Taylor can stop him. “You guys should come by our place tomorrow as well. We’d be happy to talk about it more if you’d like.”

  Dahlia smiles brightly. “We’d love to.”

  Chapter 47

  “Is everything going as planned?” Dahlia whispers to Thomas as they move into downward dog.

  “Mmm-hmmm,” he grunts when they jump into chair pose. Dahlia struggles to hold her position while he seems to be flowing through the series flawlessly.

  “Does Vi know how flexible you are?” Dahlia asks, forcing Thomas to lose his concentration in crow.

  “Enough, Dahlia,” he warns. “Focus.”

  She does her best for the next hour, finding peace only at the end during the meditation.

  “Did I say something wrong?” Dahlia confronts him as soon as they return to their room.

  Thomas sighs. “I’m concerned about Vi. She hasn’t returned any of my texts.”

  Dahlia dials Vi from her phone, and it goes to voicemail. “I’m sure she’s fine,” she says, feigning confidence.

  “Perhaps,” Thomas replies, unconvinced.

  “Now let me lead this time,” Thomas instructs as they drive down Old Post Road. “Taylor is suspicious of you.”

  “Why? It’s not like I ever dated Edwin.”

  “You don’t have to. Women don’t trust beautiful women who aren’t their friends.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s a pretty biased perception.”

  “Women are territorial beings, Dahlia. Pure biology. Trust me. Just act like I’m the most important man in your life, and she’ll back off. Be friendly but not overly curious about her life, and she’ll want to share more about herself. She’s the competitive type.”

  “Fine, we’ll do it your way,” she concedes as Thomas steers the Range Rover onto a long gravel driveway. He pulls up in front of a large, two-story colonial with a wrap-around porch and stone steps leading up to the wood and glass front door. It screams “Happy Family Lives Here.” Dahlia swallows back her doubts as Thomas ring
s the doorbell.

  Chapter 48

  Dahlia’s face hurts from smiling so much. She nods politely as Taylor shows her around the house, clearly proud of the renovations she designed herself. Per Thomas’s instructions, she feigns interest when Taylor discusses the difficult choice between granite versus marble countertops in the kitchen and whether to go period in the great room or modernize. Dahlia tries not to linger over the family photos dotted around the house on small tables, but she manages to glimpse one of a young blonde girl.

  “Is she your daughter?” Dahlia asks, trying to sound as casual as possible.

  Taylor nods, a wide smile spreading across her face. “Marguerite. She just turned seven a couple of months ago.” She shakes her head. “They tell you it all goes by so fast, but you don’t believe it until you have a child yourself.”

  Dahlia turns away from the photo.

  “Is she around?”

  “She’s with my sister for the weekend. Get a load of this painting she just did,” Taylor says proudly as she picks up a piece of paper from a child’s craft table.

  Dahlia looks at it quickly and murmurs her approval. Her heart drops into her stomach.

  “Are you and Thomas planning on having children?”

  “Yes,” Dahlia replies anxiously. “I mean, one day. We still want to enjoy our time together. They say having children becomes all-consuming.”

  “That it does,” Taylor agrees, leading Dahlia up the stairs. “I didn’t think I’d be the one to say this since I loved my job so much, but I’m glad I stopped working. I can’t imagine my life without Marguerite. After a failed surrogacy attempt, adoption was our only avenue since I couldn’t conceive. Don’t ever give up if you really want a child. It’s so worth it.”

  Dahlia stops short on the stairs. “Everything alright?” Taylor asks from the landing.

  “Oh yes, sorry, just admiring the crown moulding. I’m coming.” Dahlia calls up.

  “It’s her, I swear it, Thomas.” Dahlia cups her face in her hands as soon as they drive away. They stayed longer than Dahlia would’ve liked. The Archers insisted they stay for tea, sharing how pleased they are with their daughter’s school and what an accomplished swimmer she is. Each minute was like a knife in Dahlia’s chest.

  He puts a reassuring hand on Dahlia’s back. “Yeah, I know. The resemblance to Shane is unmistakable. I saw a picture of Marissa on Edwin’s desk. He was showing me his collection of ships-in-a-bottle.”

  Dahlia wipes her tears and laughs. “Could they have been any more normal?”

  “Normal, as we know, is overrated. But they seem like quite a nice family.”

  She nods. “I know.”

  It’s that thought that keeps Dahlia awake that night. Now that she’s found Marissa, what’s she supposed to do?

  Dahlia gets out of bed. She pads over to the chaise and opens the shutters to look out into the woods behind the inn.

  No, this isn’t a life I could’ve offered her then, she thinks to herself. But I would’ve loved her more than anything or anyone else in the world. She deserves to know that.

  Chapter 49

  “What now?” Dahlia asks Thomas over croissants and coffee.

  He stretches out onto the bed. “You tell me. I’ve held up my end by tracking down Marissa. Now that we’ve found her, my job is pretty much done. Just keep in mind that to make it really official you’ll need to do DNA tests and the sort.”

  Dahlia nods. “Of course. I was merely hoping you’d have something wise to say.”

  “When have I ever said anything wise? Just go with your instincts, Dahlia. It usually serves me well.”

  “I was afraid you’d say that.”

  Dahlia takes a deep breath as she rings the Archer’s doorbell. Thomas squeezes her shoulder and whispers. “You can do this.”

  Taylor answers the door and smiles at them. “It’s nice to see you both again.”

  Dahlia smiles back. You probably won’t be thinking that soon.

  Taylor carries a tray of coffee, tea and digestives into the great room, all mirroring the setting the day before, right down to Dahlia’s nerves. She wipes her sweating palms on her gray jeans.

  “Edwin and Taylor. Look,” Dahlia begins.

  “We greatly appreciate you having us over again on such short notice,” Thomas cuts in.

  Edwin nods and places an arm around his wife. His physical gestures remind Dahlia so much of his father, the Senator. “Any time. It’s been nice to see someone from my former life.”

  “Right, well,” Thomas continues, “Dahlia and I have to share something with you, and I’m sure it’s not anything you’re expecting to hear.” He nods at Dahlia who looks down at the floor, suddenly feeling guilty for what she’s about to do. But either they know the truth about Marissa, which makes them as complicit as her mother, or they deserve to know the child they adopted had been taken from her birth mother.

  Chapter 50

  It takes Dahlia almost a half hour to tell her story, not leaving out a single detail, from her pregnancy complications to not finding out that Marissa was alive until a couple of months ago. Once the story is finished, she lets out a long breath and looks up from the floor.

  Taylor stares back at her wide-eyed and frozen, clearly in shock. Edwin is still pacing the floor, which he started to do as soon as Dahlia got to the part when she confronted her mother about it in the Hamptons three months prior.

  After a few moments of awkward silence, Thomas says, “This must be quite upsetting for both of you.”

  Dahlia shoots him a look and then returns her attention to Taylor. “I’m sure that’s an understatement,” she says. “I can’t imagine what must be going through your minds right now.”

  Edwin stops pacing and slams his hand on the black baby grand piano in the bay window. “No, Dahlia,” he shouts, “You can’t! If it were anyone else, I would’ve kicked you out of my house. Where in the hell do you get off coming into my home under false pretenses to sell me this bullshit.”

  Thomas rises to his feet, but Dahlia pulls him back down to his seat. “Don’t, Thomas.”

  “Do you think I’d come here and lie to you?” Dahlia asks. “You believe that I’d do that?”

  Edwin is about to say something, but Taylor cuts in, “No, I don’t believe you would.” A single tear runs down her face. She wipes it away. “What do you want from us? Because if you want your daughter back, the answer is ‘no’.” The calm chill in Taylor’s voice startles Dahlia. No, she would not give up her daughter without a fight. Dahlia would expect no less.

  Dahlia gets up and walks to the window facing the backyard where she sees a large swing set and tree house. “You’ve given her a wonderful home,” Dahlia says quietly.

  “She is my world,” Taylor replies, her voice trembling. “Please . . . ,” she chokes back a sob. Edwin returns to the sofa and holds a now crying Taylor.

  Dahlia rests her forehead on the window. Damn my mother for doing this, she wants to scream.

  She hears Edwin trying to console Taylor. “We won’t let her take our daughter away,” he declares. “She could be mistaken.”

  Thomas looks on, uncomfortable by the scene unfolding before him. “Fighting this will expose not only Dahlia’s mother but also your father to a great deal of scrutiny for what they did. I don’t think people will take kindly to a U.S. Senator taking part in an illegal adoption.”

  “My father can go to hell for he did. He told us her mother was a prostitute who abandoned her at some shelter.”

  “But you obviously knew the adoption wasn’t completely legal,” Thomas replies. “One day you were in the public eye, being groomed to follow in your father’s footsteps, then out of nowhere you disappear.”

  The look in Edwin’s eye confirms Thomas’s suspicions.

  “What is he talking about?” Taylor asks. “You swore you just didn’t want to be like him, selling favors and making empty promises to people.” She moves out of Edwin’s arms. “Tell me th
e truth, Edwin!”

  Before Edwin can answer, a little girl’s sing-songy voice bursts into the room. “Mommy, Daddy, I’m home!”

  Chapter 51

  Marguerite skips into the room followed by a woman who Dahlia can only assume is Taylor’s sister given her strikingly similar features.

  “Mommy, Daddy, look what Aunt Laurel gave me,” she says, holding up a snow globe of New York City.

  Edwin smiles and replies, “Come a little closer and show me.”

  “Marguerite likes to collect snow globes,” Taylor offers weakly.

  “Everything alright?” Laurel asks, looking at all the somber faces in the room.

  Her sister nods and stands. “Laurel, these are our friends, Thomas and Dahlia. They are just in town for the weekend.”

  Dahlia looks on in fascination as Marguerite shows off her present to Thomas. He was right, her resemblance to Shane is unmistakable. Dahlia fights to push away the tears that are threatening.

  Finally, Marguerite regards Dahlia with Shane’s dark blue eyes. “You want to see?” She asks.

  Dahlia nods. “Sure.” She kneels down on the floor and watches the white flakes swirl around.

  After a few minutes, Taylor says to Marguerite, “It’s almost time for dinner, honey. Why don’t you go take your bath?”

  “Are they staying for dinner?” She asks. “Maybe I can show them all my snow globes.”

  Taylor looks searchingly at Thomas and Dahlia. Dahlia nods.

  “Yes, I guess they will. Now run along with Aunt Laurel.” Taylor’s sister glances back at them before following her niece upstairs.

  Edwin runs both hands through his dark hair and starts to pace again. “I had no idea about Marguerite at first. I should’ve suspected something, since it was my father who brought her into our lives. But it was such a miracle. She was so perfect and having her made Taylor so happy. I was afraid what I’d find out if I questioned it.”