New Episode of The Orchid Lover ~ Chasing the Prey!

https://www.amazon.com/author/jajackson
http://jajackson.webs.com/
http://www.authorsden.com/jajackson                                https://www.amazon.com/author/jajackson

 

Hello Everyone,

 ~

Here’s Another episode of

The Orchid Lover

Sorry I haven’t posted to in a while. I’m going to try and get something up at least once a month….Enjoy!

*12-09-2012 *

The Orchid Lover – Chasing the Prey

Let the Games Begin….

 

 

Larentia’s eyes sparkled dangerously as she exploded into the room. The ice blue sequins on her dress caught the light of the rock crystal chandelier. She radiated a bold sensual energy as she honed in on her target.

Across the room, Desmond Garcia stood by a cluster of ferns at the edge of the massive bar set at the end of foyer. He was talking to a woman and a man.  

Larentia quietly studied him. He was dressed elegantly and held himself in a cool assured happy manner. She watched him as he stood smiling contently. He was happy. If happiness was power it wasn’t right that Desmond Garcia held so much of it she thought.

For a few minutes Larentia stood there and watched Desmond as he spoke to the man and woman. 

The woman was in her early sixties. She was tall and thin and buxomly. Her facial features looked perfectly preserved as if she’d just had a recent shot of Botox.  She was wearing a tight black dress that showed more cleavage than needed.

The man she was standing next to was balding with wrinkles across his forehead and bulging eyes. He was shorter than the woman.

All of a sudden the woman looked up at Larentia. Her eyes tightened as if sensing Larentia was some kind of threat. She nodded a greeting and tapped the man on the shoulder.  The man shook Desmond’s hands and the two walked away.

Desmond Garcia’s eyes captured Larentia’s. His eyes appraisingly came to rest at the Orchid in her hair. He flashed her wide grin.

Larentia ran her hand lightly across her smoothed perfect hair.  The style reminded her of the old 1920’s. She quickly closed the distance between them.

“The wine color on the lip of that orchid you’re wearing is exquisite.  It’s a Cattleya hybrid species, right?” he asked but didn’t wait for her to answer. “I’d know that one anywhere,” Desmond smiled.

Larentia flashed him a wide grin. “You know your orchids Desmond,” she nodded briskly. “I believe congratulations are in order.”

Desmond laughed softly. “Yes I’m a very happy man, who’s now engaged.”

 “A happy moment like this deserves to be toasted,” she said gently. “Please have a toast with me Desmond. I want to congratulate you and my cousin on your engagement,” her eyes darted around the room as she caught sight of her cousin. She raised a surprised brow. “It looks like Camille is talking with that gentleman. Would you like me to get her attention?”

His eyes followed her gaze.  He smiled softly.  Camille was preoccupied talking with Hudson Stone. He was a tall man with thick wavy dark hair that was just beginning to tinge with gray.

Desmond knew Hudson Stone had two fondnesses in life. One was for drinking martinis.  The other was hearing himself talk.  He was a professor from UC Berkley who loved the sound of his own voice.  He was sure the professor was giving Camille an ear full on his latest discovery. For a brief moment he felt sorry for her.  He quickly lost the thought.

“No, Camille is enjoying Hudson’s conversation. Let’s not bother them,” he answered thinking quickly that if Camille wasn’t listening to the professor he might be next in line to have his ear talked off.  He shrugged with the thought and turned his attention back to Larentia.

Larentia looked back at him quickly. “Good, here comes a waiter and it looks like he has my favorite sparkling Spumante and some sugar cubes.”

Desmond regarded her briefly. He watched as she took a sugar cube and placed it in her glass.

 “You like to add sugar cubes?”

“Yes I love to,” she said, “The sugar cube makes the taste better. Would you like to try a glass Desmond?” she asked passing him a glass.

 “Sure, it does look tempting,” Desmond said, as his eyes intently studied his glass. “I did hear that sugar intensifies the favor?”

 “To me it does,” she said holding up her glass. “Here’s to finding true love,” Larentia said raising her glass.

For a moment Desmond hesitantly turned his glass of champagne around in his fingers.

Nervously Larentia bit her lip and continued to stare at him.

 Finally, he smiled slowly. “Yes, here’s to finding true love,” he said, as he clanked his glass with hers.  

The two sipped their champagne silently.

All at once Larentia broke the ice.  “You know you are awfully calm for a man who’s watching his fiancé share a conversation with her old flame…….Oh, what am I saying. I meant to say old friend,” she corrected.  

Desmond’s eyes flashed coldly for a brief moment.

She softly smiled and sipped her champagne. From the cold expression that flashed crossed Desmond’s face, she knew her words had found their target. She watched as Desmond slanted his gaze in Camille’s and Hudson’s direction.

Desmond blinked rapidly. For the first time he noticed the way Hudson let his hand tenderly caress Camille’s arm.  Camille looked on as if she was under a hypnotic spell.

Desmond made a wry face and remained silent. His fingers toyed with the drink in his hand.  “You knew about Hudson and Camille?” he hesitated. “I mean the rumors. You’ve heard about the rumors?”

Desmond looked hurt.

As if reading his thoughts Larentia said. “Rumors…..Rumors…Rumors. You know Desmond someone once said that rumors where the kin-folk of lies.” her voice was low and pleading. “I mean, you shouldn’t believe anything that you hear.”

Then she gulped down her drink as her eyes watched his. “Desmond, you should finish your champagne.  It will calm you,” she said.

Time seemed to stand still.

All at once Desmond threw back his head and finished his drink.

Larentia waived her hand. “Oh waiter,” she said quickly waiving at him. 

She took the empty glass from Desmond’s hand and placed it on the waiter’s tray.

The waiter stood still while she filled the fresh glasses with the sugar cubes.   

 “Here’s a fresh glass Desmond,” she said placing another glass of champagne in his hand.

Desmond held his glass as his eyes traveled around the room.

When his eyes darted back and rested on Larentia’s, he seemed to stare straight through her and looked at the end of the bar.

A tall man in a classic black suit nodded greetings to Desmond. He then walked silently across the room before coming to rest at the end of the bar. 

Desmond nodded. “Larentia I think I’ll go mingle with the rest of the guests,” he said nodding and heading toward the man at the end of the bar.

Larentia stood and watched him as he walked away. She noticed that his movements with slightly slow.   Her eyes darted across the room where her cousin Camille had stood earlier with Hudson Stone. She noticed they were both absent from the room. She wondered where in the hell the two had gone.

 

A half hour later, Larentia made her way out of the ladies room at the end of the large foyer, behind the stair well.

A man grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the stairwell. “Get back to our prey!” a familiar voice hissed out low.

“Delmar where did you come from?”

He gripped her arm tighter. “Don’t worry about it. Now get back to Desmond, and get his arse down the hallway.”

Delmar abruptly released his grip.

“But how?” she asked rubbing her wrist but not waiting for his response. “And exactly where am I supposed to take him?”

Delmar smiled enjoying the expression of pain he’d inflicted etched across her face. “Tell him Camille asked him to come,” he shook his head. “I don’t know. Make up a lie and tell him something. Then take him down the large hallway just past the statues of Eros and Aphrodite. There’s a small private room just on the left. There’s a little scene of grown folks lust being played out there I think he should know about,” he grinned out in a condescending voice. “Now go and get him now!” he commanded.

 

Minutes later, Larentia looked relaxed and in complete control of herself, as she strolled with Desmond Garcia down the massive hallway. Her eyes looked innocent and grew large as saucers as she edged him on. She hoped her voice was believable as she said. “Camille asked me to come and get you. Apparently she spilled something on her dress and wants to borrow your coat to cover it.”

Desmond didn’t reply as he followed her.

“Camille is in there,” she said pointing to the door.  She took a step back.

With a thrust Desmond swung open the door.

“What the hell!” Desmond snapped. Anger seared across his face.

Camille jumped out of Hudson’s arms immediately.

Desmond closed the distance between them. His hand lashed out across her face. “Camille you little slut!”

Camille grabbed her face. Tears streaked down her face as she grabbed her dress and ran from the room.

Hudson Stone stood their laughing nervously. “Oh Desmond this isn’t what you think.”

“I saw you kissing her!” Desmond hissed nastily.

“Oh that…..Yes, well it was only just a little kiss, a little tiny one,” Hudson said wearily.

 

Stay tuned…….to be continued…



10-14-2012 The Orchid Lover –A Brilliant Idea …Let’s put the plan into action…

10-14-2012 The Orchid Lover –A Brilliant Idea …Let’s put the plan into action…

The next morning, Larentia stretched luxuriously against the soft Egyptian cotton sheets.  She knew the best when she felt it and Delmar Devereaux had spared no expense when he’d brought the expensive linens for the bed she’d slept in.

 At the thought of Delmar’s name she reached out and checked the covers next to her. They hadn’t been touched. She had slept alone.

A soft knocking at the door caught her attention.

“Did I wake you, Larentia?” Delmar asked as he quickly entered.

“No,” she said propping up in bed. “Look Delmar I’m sorry about last night. I don’t want you to think I was trying to get you to sleep with me.”

Delmar looked disapprovingly. “You? Oh I never gave you a second thought. Wishful thinking on your part,” he shrugged as he took a seat by the bed.

Larentia’s eyes sparkled dangerously.

Delmar ignored her and shrugged.  “Look Larentia it’s after eleven o’clock in the morning. I’ve just got off the phone with my secretary, Emma Hyde. She has finalized the arrangements for a Cocktail Party.”

“A cocktail party, Larentia repeated.

Delmar sighed and rose out of the chair. He paced the floor. “You remember last night, when I said we had to think of something right?”

“Yes, we haven’t discussed…”

He turned and faced her. His eyes held hers unflinching. “Larentia you really must get your thoughts in touch with your brain. I had a brilliant idea and I’ve thought up a plan,” he said ecstatically.

She flashed a big smile. “What is it?”

“I have arranged a cocktail party in the honoring your cousin and announcing her engagement to that man. What’s his name Desmond Garcia? At the Hotel De Monterey.”

Larentia laughed. “What? How are you going to get the two of them to agree to attend a cocktail party you arranged in their honor?” she didn’t wait for an answer. “When is this cocktail party supposed to happen?”

Delmar frowned. “Why do you think I pay assistance Larentia?” he asked curtly. “Now get up and get a shower. Curl your hair and get yourself made up. Get your nails done and find a dress and whatever you need to look your best.  This cocktail party is going to happen tonight. It’s all been arranged.”

Larentia blinked back at him in astonishment.

“Oh hell,” he said reaching into his breast pocket.

 He pulled out his cell phone and pressed a button.

“Hello Emma,” he commanded. “I need a full beauty makeover crew at my home right away. Make sure they are complete with a few cocktail dresses.”

Larentia was stunned into silence.

Delmar cleared his throat. “Oh yes the ladies measurements are five feet eight inches tall, breast size thirty eight double-D, waist twenty four inches and hips thirty seven inches.”

Larentia stared back at Delmar with her mouth opened.

 

 

♥♥♥♥

 

 

Hours later, at the Hotel De Monterey, Larentia listened attentively as Delmar gave her instructions.

Larentia looked down at the iced blue sequined dress she wore. It shimmered like the dark blue of the Pacific Ocean in the hotel’s lighting.  The neckline plummeted and showcased her breast i an alluring manner.

She stared back at herself in the mirror in front of her. She didn’t recognize herself. The makeup artist had accented her cheekbones with a dark wine color and brushed back her hair and coiled it at her neck. She wore a white orchid with a deep wine lip color to accent her check color.

Larentia knew she’d been done up as bait for Desmond.  She even felt like a sexy human orchid.

 “You just make sure you drop that little pill in Desmond’s glass when he’s not looking. Right before everyone starts to leave,” Delmar said looking annoyed as he sat in the big chair in the lobby of the hotel.

The crush of people and music had started to get to him. Delmar rubbed his brow. “God if I knew this many people would show up to say congratulations to the lucky couple. I would have thought of another idea.

Larentia swirled her drink around in her hand. “Gosh I hope this plan of yours work Delmar. I’d hate to be accused of spiking Desmond’s drink.”

Delmar chuckled under his breath. He stared back into the large mirror across from him. It afforded him the opportunity of seeing every angle in the hotel foyer. “Being accused is not a crime. Getting caught would be your problem, Larentia darling,” he smiled smugly.

Larentia tilted her chin. “What will happen to my cousin?”

“Don’t worry about your cousin. Just whisk Desmond out to my limo. The rest will take care of itself.”  

Delmar Devereaux stood and reached out his hand. “Come Larentia we have prey to catch. We must now put our brilliant plan into action.”  

 

 Stay tuned…….To be continued…

 

♥♥♥♥

10-03-2012 The Orchid Lover –A Flash of Light -The Story continues….

The foggy mist slowly cleared as Larentia drove her car around the curve. The headlights of her car shone on the house as it came into the view.

 Delmar Devereaux called his home the Casa de Delmar.  What he described as a home was really a rusty elegant old mansion nestled on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Larentia pulled her car onto the private road. She checked the clock on her dashboard. It was almost three in the morning. Her eyes glanced at the car thermometer it read thirty eight degrees Fahrenheit. It was a good thing Delmar was expecting her it was cold out.

She drove a short distance and made her way the curving driveway and parked her car.  She reached over to the empty seat next to her and retrieved her coat.

She got out of the car and grab her overnight bag. The dark sky broke into crack of thunder as lighting exploded.

Quickly she made it to the front door and rang the bell.

Delmar answered the door. He grinned wide. “Ah you made Larentia. I knew you would come. Quickly come inside its cold out.”

 Larentia stepped into the foyer. Her eyes glimpsed a person staring.  

Standing off down the hallway she saw a lithe silent gray hair old woman staring back at her.

“Who’s that?” Larentia asked.

“I’m Lupe Clay the housekeeper. Who are you?”

Delmar softly smiled. “Lupe this is Larentia Acca Baptiste she is harmless.”

Lupe stood her ground. Her eyes looked Larentia up and down slowly. “She’s not harmless. Not wearing a fur coat that expensive.”

 “My fur coat is none of your concerns. Beside it faux fur,” Larentia said in her defensive.

 Delmar shook his head. “Lupe my dear go back to bed. I’ll show the young lady to her room.”

Lupe nodded as she walked away.

Delmar took her bag. “Come follow me. Your room is right down this hallway.”

♥♥♥♥

 

Thirty minutes later Larentia stood by the fire and watched Delmar as she told him the details of her Cousin Camille’s engagement. Delmar sat on the edge of the bed with his head buried in his hands.  Larentia felt that familiar fire flutter inside her as she watched him.  He was tall, strong and handsome. My stupid cousin Camille doesn’t even realize Delmar is the better man, she thought. 

“Delmar, you should get over Camille. She’s not worth it. You should have seen how her eyes lit up with selfish greed when Desmond gave her that seven-carat emerald-cut diamond ring,” she said, as she closed the distance between them. She on the bed next to him and brushed her body close.

Delmar sighed and looked up at her suspiciously. Sometimes he hated the games women played.

He shrugged. “Seven-carat emerald cut diamond. You seem to know the size of it exactly, he nodded. “Larentia any particular reason why you do?”

Larentia laughed outright. “When I was a child I dreamed of being a gem cutter. I read everything about diamonds and gem cutting. I can spot the size and cut a mile away.”

Delmar’s stare was calculative. “Try that one again Larentia,” he said keeping his voice even.

“Okay maybe I fudged a little. So I dated a gem cutter once,” she shrugged. “He taught me a lot.”  

 “Now that one I will believe,” Delmar said leaning back. “I should get going and let you get some rest.”

Larentia snuggled close to him. She took his took his and guided it to her left thigh.  Her eyes looked up into his. 

 Delmar Devereaux jaw tightened. “What is this?”

“Don’t tell me you’re not interested?” She asked as he eyes narrowed into slits.

Delmar started to laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to proposition me. You want to give me your body for a place to lay you head?”

Larentia drew back and frowned. “I was just suggesting that we occupy our time in the pursuant of pleasuring each other.”

Delmar laughed out loud. “I don’t think so honey. I don’t know where the lady has been,” he shook his head. “In my experience a lady that offers up her wares so quickly and so freely has a flair for a line of profession that has known to be very close to streetwalking. You now the profession that brings its income from a line of work also known as prostitution.”

 Larentia face hardened.

Delmar started to rise off the bed. “Get some sleep Larentia. I need you to have your head clear and fresh in the morning. We need to think of a plan of action on how to break up things between your cousin Camille and that Desmond man. And who knows maybe even get you a seven-carat diamond ring in the process,” he laughed out.

All at once lightning flashed. It illuminated the window.

Larentia reached out her hand and grabbed his arm. “Delmar your house is so big and eerie, even creepy. “Please can’t I just sleep with you? We don’t have to sex or anything. Just keep each other warm and…”

The room went completely dark.

Larentia sobbed out.

A flash of light illuminated the window.  

“Larentia I don’t believe you are acting. I believe you are afraid of thunder and lightning?”

Immediately she threw her arms around him and burst into tears. “Yes…..Yes!”

 

Stay tuned…….To be continued…

The Orchid Lover, Camille’s Truth 09-24-2012 The Story continues….

Days later, Desmond had been deeply hurt by the arrival of the vase of flowers for Camille. He’d anguished for days thinking about it. But now he had to let it go.

A day ago he and Camille had talked about what happened. He had listened attentively as she told him her story. Carefully he’d watched her eyes. They’d told him all he needed to know.

In addition to that, a passing remark made by his housekeeper Consuelo, had helped him make up his mind and quick. From her he had learned two things that eased his conscious. One was that her cousin Larentia; had been overhead by Consuelo on the phone talking about seeing Camille with Delmar the whole time. She had even laughed that she heard her cousin tell Delmar she was in love with Desmond.

Desmond had been furious when he heard what Larentia had said. He felt this way because Larentia had not said one word in her cousin’s defense to him.

Secondly Consuelo had mentioned that Camille had been thinking about going home. And that wasn’t what he wanted. To him this was Camille’s home as well as his. At the moment Consuelo told him. He’d made up his mind and forgiven Camille. Now he just needed to make sure she knew that he felt that way.

Anxiously he waited for Camille to come to the conservatory.

Carefully he tended to his new orchids. He smiled with his thoughts. The orchids weren’t new at all. In fact the flowering orchids were two years old. Many of the business trips he had made were for developing and growing his own orchids.

He’d learned the asymbiotic germination or flasking method on one of trips to nursery he owned in Maui Hawaii. During his learning experience he had kept extensive records on growing orchids. It had taken him twelve months to get his first pods to ripen. But they did. After that it had taken just under another year to get his plants to bloom. The last two years he’d spent learning his craft had been well worth it as he looked at the flowering exotic orchids all around him.

The one he stood in front of was blooming beautifully. It was from the Cattleya hybrid species. The flower’s petal segments were broad, well formed and very fragrant. The healthy petals outer rim was a waxy white color that mellowed into to a light pink color with a vivid deep magenta lip. It was his pride and joy. It was his prize. He’d even given the prized orchid a name, Camille’s Truth.

Looking at the beautiful orchid he knew it would be just the thing to let Camille know how much she meant to him.

 

♥♥♥♥

 

Camille sighed heavily making her way to the conservatory. Her feet felt like anchors as the heels of her shoes softly clipped as she walked.

Days before she had tried to explain to Desmond about what had happen the day she had seen Delmar Devereaux. It had happened over a month before.

 

Her thought drifted to that day...The pictures were clear in her mind.

 

Innocently she had occupied her cousin Larentia Acca Batiste to the Farmers Market in San Juan Bautista. Little did she know it was the Annual BBQ Rib Cook-off and Classic Car Show Festival?

Main Street in San Juan Bautista had been lined with vendor tents of various sizes as far as the eye could see. Parked up and down Main Street end to end was some of the most beautifully restored, mint condition, classic old cars of every make you could think of.

Main Street was alive with locals and tourist enjoying the day.

Her cousin Larentia had seen a hat she liked at one of the vendor tents. The hat vendor had been crowded with regulars and tourist vying to make a purchase.

Hovering people loudly chattered and haggard over items, the noise in the tent seemed to grow louder. Camille thought she’d found a hat she like. She picked it up and examined. Then someone lit a cigarette. The smell overtook the air. Camille felt like she was suffocating. She became so overwhelmed that she went to put the hat down. Annoyingly a shopper grabbed the hat out of her hands. Rather than get into an altercation with the woman she decided to leave the vender’s tent for some much needed air.

Stepping out of the vendor’s tent she took in a deep breath and walked down the side walk a few steps. Suddenly she collided with someone.

“Are you hurt?” A man’s deep voice asked as his hand grasped her arms steadying her. He pulled her against his chest.

She recognized the voice. She looked up into familiar slanted black eyes under winged brows. “Delmar Devereaux,” she said drawing in a deep breath. “What are you doing here?”

A smile curved the corners of his mouth. “Well I’ll be Camille Baptiste,” Delmar smiled wickedly. He looked longingly at her lips. He wanted to taste them. Christ she felt good in his arms. He took a deep breath. Her perfume was intoxicating. He felt like he just took a drug.

“Well Camille I’m not going to lie. You do feel good in my arms.”

Unsure of herself she pushed. “Please let me go Delmar.”

“No….I….I mean sure. If you promise to go somewhere we can talk,” Delmar said.

The gravity in his voice startled her. “No,” she whispered “Now answer my question what are you doing here Delmar?” She asked wrenching out of his grasp.

“I’m here for the Classic Car Show. I’m here showing off my mint conditioned, fully restored 1934 black, convertible Pierce Arrow. You remember it don’t you?

“Oh, yes I remember your baby.”

“Well baby is parked right there,” he pointed across the street. And my other baby is right in front of my eyes, he thought. He cleared his throat. “Please come go over with me and have at look for old times’ sake,” his eyes pleaded.

It was a reasonable request she thought. Plus they were out in public. She nodded. And together they walked over.

They reached the car and he casually said. “I’m so glad I ran into you. There is so much I want to say Camille. I heard you were seeing that guy Desmond Garcia. He’s a very lucky man,” he said as his eyes roamed up and down her body.

Once upon a time Camille cared about what Delmar thought. She felt the best thing to do now was to stay silent and just ignore him and his roaming eyes.

Delmar ran his hand across his chin. He continued. “I’ve got to say this. Once I heard you were with him it made me think. You know, I never realized how much I took you for granted. Did you know I never told you how much you mean to me,” his words were laced with a deep sadness as he looked at her.

His hand reached out and touched her hair. “My lovely Camille I’m so sorry for all that I did to you.”

Camille recoiled at his touch. Delmar’s smooth words were just that. Smooth words that held no meaning.

“I got to get going. My cousin will be looking for me,” Camille said.

“No, wait. Hear me out Camille. I have a proposition for you,” Delmar said running his hand across his pencil-thin moustache. “I want you to marry me. I’ll do right by you. I’ll give you everything you ever wanted,” he paused. “And I’ll stop seeing other women. I’ll be faithful. I swear it.”

Camille stared back at him dazed. She studied him as the afternoon sunshine caressed his face. Some people were full of lies. Some people were full of secrets. Some people were mean and spiteful. Delmar Devereaux was a man capable of being all those things.

“No, I’m sorry Delmar. I can’t. You see I’m in love with Desmond Garcia. But thank you for apologizing. For you I know that took a lot of effort,” she said softly before turning and walking away.

Delmar Devereaux smoothed his moustache and watched her leave. His thoughts raced. He’d think of something. All he needed was for that something to reach the person he wanted it to, Desmond Garcia. Let’s see if your intended would still want you after I’m done with you. He thought as he smugly smiled watching her walk back across the street.

 

 

♥♥♥♥

 

 

 

Slowly Camille’s thoughts returned to the present as she lingered at the door of Desmond’s conservatory watching him enjoy his orchids. She realized now Delmar Devereaux had purposefully bumped into her that day she and Larentia went to the Farmers Market in San Juan Bautista.

Quickly she shook out her thoughts and entered the conservatory.

“Camille?” Desmond called out. His brows rose as he looked up. He smiled softly. “Oh good you’re here. Please close the door and the drapes so that we can’t be disturbed.”

Resigned Camille obeyed and closed the door tightly behind her. She walked over and pulled the cord. The drapes closed quickly. She turned and strode closer into the room. She swallowed nervously. Desmond voice seemed so calm. She wondered if he hated her. Her life was such a mess she thought.

“Camille you look so sad. Come and sit down. I want to talk to you,” Desmond said. “Come I have a present for you.”

She managed a smile. “A present for me…But?”

His dark eyes were smiling. As he pulled her close to him. His hand reached out and touched her face. “I’m not angry at you my love. I want you to know that I trust you and I believe you. The journey of love we have been on together these past four weeks have been the most blissful time for me. I don’t want it to end,” he said kissing her tenderly on the forehead. “I hope this present shows you how much you mean to me,” he pointed. “This orchid here is named in your honor. It’s called Camille’s Truth.”

“Oh Desmond it’s beautiful.”

“Do you forgive me for ever doubting your love for me Camille?”

She looked into his eyes. “Desmond you know I do.”

Desmond smiled and took her hand. He placed a small box in it. He closed his fingers around hers.

Camille looked into his dark eyes.

“Go on open it,” he smiled.

Anxiously she opened the black velvet box. Inside the letters said Tiffany? Camille opened the box and she was speechless. A platinum five carat pear cut diamond solitaire stared back at her.

“Are you happy with the ring my love?” Desmond asked.

“Oh yes….Yes…Yes….Yes Desmond. I am,” she said breathless.

Then Desmond did the strangest thing. He turned around and in a loud clear voice he yelled at the closed door.

“Larentia! Did you catch what your cousin just said?” Desmond’s booming voice commandingly asked. “You may as well open the door. I know you are out there.”

Slowly the door to Desmond’s conservatory opened and Larentia stepped inside. She looked flushed and anxious. “I wasn’t eavesdropping,” she said softly and quietly with contempt in her voice.

“Eavesdropping? Larentia you? I never accused you of such a thing,” Desmond said giving her a piercing stare. “Please come in and hear the news. Your cousin Camille has just agreed to be my wife. Isn’t that wonder news?” Desmond didn’t wait for her to answer. “We should celebrate tonight, all three of us. Where should we go?”

It was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

“Oh I can’t go anywhere tonight,” Larentia nervously said. I…I…err,” she stammered. “A friend called. She ah….Had some really bad news and I promised I’d go and cheer her up. I have to leave right away.”

Desmond gazed at her comprehendingly. “What a shame. I take your friend may need you to stay with her? How long do you think you be staying there?”

Larentia frowned. “I don’t know?”

Desmond’s eyes flashed dangerously. “I take it then Larentia you don’t have a regular residence?”

He felt Camille flinch in his embrace. He quickly gazed between the two cousins and knew he spoke the truth. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Camille held a love for her cousin that was faithful.

He turned his attention back to Larentia. His eyes soften as he looked at her. He knew he spoke the truth. The girl was homeless.

“I’m not an unkind man Larentia. You are welcome to stay here as long as Camille wants you too. But please remember to respect the privacy of me and my future wife,”he said.

“Thank you Camille…..And Desmond,” Larentia said as she slowly lowered her head. Quickly she turned and left the room.

Stay tuned…….To be continued…