Read Online Hot and Irresistible by Dianne Castell - Free Book Online
Authors: Dianne Castell
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having a second martini with Daddy on the veranda then heading off to Savannah Bistro or the country club or a benefit at the Mansion. Brie kissed Aldeen’s cheek. “’Evening, Mama. It’s a mighty beautiful evening, don’t you think?”
Aldeen’s red lips thinned and her gray eyes got a little beady. Brie knew this look, the same one she got when committing such cardinal sins as ordering a beer instead of white wine or wearing jeans out in public or taking Alvin Holman to the high school senior prom. Public school boys did not attend private school dances, no matter how nice they were.
“Lord have mercy,” Aldeen started. “And Saint Peter save us all, BrieAnn. I think you’re trying to put me in the grave, I swear I do.” Mama fanned herself with her hand and sat down on the little stone bench by the azaleas. “What do you mean by being out all night and most of the day on the river with that Beau Cleveland person? Tongues are wagging all over Savannah. This will ruin you to the core. How are you ever going to align yourself to a respectable man, a respectable family like the Laskins, when you associate yourself with the likes of the local gangster?”
Aldeen’s brow furrowed, trapping her perfect makeup into little creases across her forehead. “And look at you now, not a speck of color anywhere. Beige is not a color. And your hair is flat as a pancake and you don’t have on lipstick. And have you been sweating? Do I see perspiration? Have I not taught you better than this? You’re not getting any younger, you know. Thirty is borderline old-maid status.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about Beau, Mama. He and I are ancient history.”
“Well bless the heavens for that much.” She let out an exaggerated sigh. “Your father is a judge and up for reelection, for crying out loud, and you simply cannot go running around with the local riffraff. I’m going to the club tonight and I’ll simply tell everyone you were out at the Cove getting a donation for the Telfair Museum auction next month. No one will say anything, heaven knows all their daughters have more sordid pasts than this and I’ll be expecting you for supper Sunday night at the usual time and don’t be late.” She started to get up and Brie pulled her back to the bench.
“Mama, what was that last part you sneaked in there? You got that look in your eye. Did you go and invite Lamont? For God’s sake tell me you didn’t invite Lamont without even asking me!”
Aldeen tossed her head. “He may just drop by and you need to be thanking me instead of getting all huffy. The man’s a prize. You give him a chance now, you hear. Your children would be smart and rich and you’d be living in the biggest house in Savannah, just consider that.”
Aldeen’s tirade faded, but the children reference was loud and clear. Children meant BrieAnn Montgomery would have to be in bed or another such intimate position with Lamont to have those children. Oh dear God! Sex with Lamont! “Mama—”
“Do not Mama me, young lady. You be on time Sunday and wear that new blue dress with the sweetheart neckline and the pearls your daddy gave you for Cotillion. And speaking of your daddy, he’d be pleased as punch to have you with Lamont and married into the Laskin family. Your daddy nearly had a coronary when he heard you were spending time with a common crook, and Beau Cleveland is that and then some.”
“But—”
“No buts,” Aldeen cut in. “You know I’m right and you know your daddy only wants what is best for you. He may look the other way to what goes on out at the Cove because of the charitable good that comes from it, but he most certainly does not want his daughter involved in any way.”
Brie watched Aldeen head for Jones Street. Deep down, Brie knew Beau was not the man her daddy would have picked for his little princess and no matter how old she was, she’d always be his princess. They had a bond, as if Daddy could almost tell
Aldeen’s red lips thinned and her gray eyes got a little beady. Brie knew this look, the same one she got when committing such cardinal sins as ordering a beer instead of white wine or wearing jeans out in public or taking Alvin Holman to the high school senior prom. Public school boys did not attend private school dances, no matter how nice they were.
“Lord have mercy,” Aldeen started. “And Saint Peter save us all, BrieAnn. I think you’re trying to put me in the grave, I swear I do.” Mama fanned herself with her hand and sat down on the little stone bench by the azaleas. “What do you mean by being out all night and most of the day on the river with that Beau Cleveland person? Tongues are wagging all over Savannah. This will ruin you to the core. How are you ever going to align yourself to a respectable man, a respectable family like the Laskins, when you associate yourself with the likes of the local gangster?”
Aldeen’s brow furrowed, trapping her perfect makeup into little creases across her forehead. “And look at you now, not a speck of color anywhere. Beige is not a color. And your hair is flat as a pancake and you don’t have on lipstick. And have you been sweating? Do I see perspiration? Have I not taught you better than this? You’re not getting any younger, you know. Thirty is borderline old-maid status.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about Beau, Mama. He and I are ancient history.”
“Well bless the heavens for that much.” She let out an exaggerated sigh. “Your father is a judge and up for reelection, for crying out loud, and you simply cannot go running around with the local riffraff. I’m going to the club tonight and I’ll simply tell everyone you were out at the Cove getting a donation for the Telfair Museum auction next month. No one will say anything, heaven knows all their daughters have more sordid pasts than this and I’ll be expecting you for supper Sunday night at the usual time and don’t be late.” She started to get up and Brie pulled her back to the bench.
“Mama, what was that last part you sneaked in there? You got that look in your eye. Did you go and invite Lamont? For God’s sake tell me you didn’t invite Lamont without even asking me!”
Aldeen tossed her head. “He may just drop by and you need to be thanking me instead of getting all huffy. The man’s a prize. You give him a chance now, you hear. Your children would be smart and rich and you’d be living in the biggest house in Savannah, just consider that.”
Aldeen’s tirade faded, but the children reference was loud and clear. Children meant BrieAnn Montgomery would have to be in bed or another such intimate position with Lamont to have those children. Oh dear God! Sex with Lamont! “Mama—”
“Do not Mama me, young lady. You be on time Sunday and wear that new blue dress with the sweetheart neckline and the pearls your daddy gave you for Cotillion. And speaking of your daddy, he’d be pleased as punch to have you with Lamont and married into the Laskin family. Your daddy nearly had a coronary when he heard you were spending time with a common crook, and Beau Cleveland is that and then some.”
“But—”
“No buts,” Aldeen cut in. “You know I’m right and you know your daddy only wants what is best for you. He may look the other way to what goes on out at the Cove because of the charitable good that comes from it, but he most certainly does not want his daughter involved in any way.”
Brie watched Aldeen head for Jones Street. Deep down, Brie knew Beau was not the man her daddy would have picked for his little princess and no matter how old she was, she’d always be his princess. They had a bond, as if Daddy could almost tell
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