NRoberts - G2 Black Rose

 “That’s where I’ve heard the name,” Renthow spoke up. “I’ve read one of your books. I’m a bit of an amateur genealogist myself. Fascinating business.”

 “I think so. In any case, the Harper ancestors led me to Roz.” In a smooth move, Mitch lifted her hand, kissed it. “I’ll always be grateful.”

 “You know,” Renthow put in, “I’ve traced my ancestry back to the Fifes in Scotland.”

 “Really?” Mitch perked up. “A connection to Duncan Phyfe, before he changed the spelling?”

 “Yes, exactly.” Obviously pleased, Renthow shifted in his chair to angle toward Mitch. “I’d like to put something more detailed together. Maybe you can give me some tips.”

 “Happy to.”

 “Why don’t we all sit down for a few minutes?” Shelby began. “Then y’all can get acquainted while—”

 “We’re expecting friends,” Jan interrupted. “Our table’s full. I’m sure Rosalind and Dr. Carnegie can find another table. And we’ll all be more comfortable.”

 “Mama,” the word was a shocked whisper that Roz overrode with an easy smile. “We already have one, thanks. In fact, we’re going to steal this handsome young couple here. Shelby, why don’t I show you where we’re sitting, and Josh and Mitch can get us both a drink?”

 Hooking her arm through the girl’s, Roz led her away.

 “Ms. Harper, I . . . I’m sorry, Ms. Harper, I don’t know what’s the matter.”

 “Don’t you worry about it. Here we are right here. Let’s sit down, and you can tell me how you met that gorgeous young man before they get back. And you call me Roz, now. Why, we’re practically on a double date here.”

 She put the girl at ease, chattering away until their dates returned with drinks and canapés. Only when Josh took Shelby to the dance floor did Roz show any fire.

 “She didn’t have to embarrass that child the way she did. If she had a brain in that spiteful head of hers, she’d have known I wouldn’t have sat with them. That’s a sweet girl. I can only conclude she does not come by it naturally.”

 “You smoothed it over. One of the reasons I eased out of academia was to rid my life of these little snarling matches and petty grudges. But wherever you go, life’s just pocked with them, isn’t it?”

 “I suppose. I mostly stay out of this arena, too. I have no patience for it. But I feel obliged to make an appearance now and then.”

 “You’re not the only one,” he said, and linked his fingers with hers on the table. “How much is it going to upset you to know Bryce Clerk just came in, with that same blonde he was with when he tried to crash your party?”

 Her hand stiffened in his, then slowly relaxed. “I had a feeling he’d show. Well, that’s all right. I’m just going to slip off to the rest room for a minute, give myself a little talking to, and freshen up. I don’t intend to have another public scene, I promise you.”

 “Wouldn’t bother me.”

 “That’s nice to know, in case the talking to doesn’t work.”

 She rose, walked out of the room, and turned down the corridor toward the lounges.

 Inside, she freshened her lipstick and began to lecture herself on proper decorum.

 You will not lower yourself to his level, no matter what the provocation.

 You will not allow that silly girl to draw you into a catfight, even though you’d leave her bleeding on the floor without chipping a nail.

 You will not—

 Roz broke off the self-lecture when Cissy slipped in.

 “I had to use a chainsaw to sever myself from Justine Lukes. Bless her heart, that woman can talk you deaf, dumb, and blind without having a single interesting thing come out of her mouth. I wanted to get over to your table. I swear, Roz, could you look any more glamorous?”

 “I think I’ve reached the top of my game. How’d the visit with the in-laws go?”

 “If I’d’ve cold-cocked her with a cast-iron skillet, she wouldn’t have been any more stunned. I tell you, honey, even she couldn’t find anything to pick at, though I did have to spill wine on my new shirt as a distraction when she asked me about one of the shrubs. The one with the arching branches and all those white flowers? Smells delicious.”

 “The drooping leucothoe.”

 “I suppose. Anyway, I owe you my very life on this one. Isn’t that Jan’s girl you’re with?” Cissy sidled up to the mirror to fuss with her hair.

 “Yes, she’s with my date’s son, as it happens.”

 “Both of whom I’m just dying to meet. I do love adding to my quota of handsome men. I suppose you saw Bryce slither in.”

 She shifted her gaze from her own face in the mirror to Roz’s. “I broke away from Justine so I wouldn’t have to pretend to be civil to him. I don’t know if you’ve heard the latest, but—”

 She broke off, zipping her lip when Jan came in with Mandy.

 Both women stopped, but while Jan looked ready to move by quickly, Mandy marched forward and jabbed a finger at Roz.

 “If you don’t stop your harassment, I’m going to get a court order and have you arrested.”

 Entertained, Roz pulled out her compact. “I don’t believe attending a country club event could be considered harassment, but I’ll have my lawyer look into it in the morning.”