Read Online Night of the Magician by Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page B

Introduce us. dear!“
    Ariana sighed. “Philomena, this is Lucian Hawk. Lucian, my aunt.“
    Lucian dropped one of the bags he was holding and stepped pointedly around Ariana in order to accept Philomena
    ’s delicately held fingers. He inclined his head with a gracious manner which Ariana presumed he had developed in the course of performing before an audience. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Miss Warfield.“ The words were gravely polite, but the topaz eyes gleamed as he continued, “And I appreciate your efforts on my behalf with the desk clerk.“
    Philomena glowed. “Well, I wouldn’t have bothered,“ she confided as they both ignored Ariana, “if you’d been that Richard Dearborn person Ariana’s been seeing so much of lately. But I had a lovely chat with Drake this morning, and he told me all about you. I came to the conclusion that you may be just what Ari needs. In the past four years she’
    s become terribly, terribly cautious about interesting men.“
    “I understand,“ Lucian said, nodding.
    “Aunt Phil that is enough!“ Ariana interrupted vengefully, wondering what in the world Drake had told her.
    “Lucian, stop encouraging my aunt, do you hear me? Both of you are causing me untold humiliation. Just look at all these other people watching us! Aunt Phil, that was a perfectly ridiculous little plot you were concocting with the desk clerk. It wouldn’t have worked at all and you should have known it! If Lucian and I had arrived to find only one room, I would have shared yours!“
    “Oh, dear.“ Philomena appealed to Lucian. “She’s so unimaginative, isn’t she? Well, I did my best It was worth a try. Come along, both of you, they’re just starting to serve tea and I’m sure you could use a cup after that long drive.“
    Ariana turned a helpless look on her escort, but Lucian merely smiled kindly and took her arm to guide her in the wake of Philomena.
    One thing which could be said about Philomena, Ariana consoled herself despairingly as her aunt commandeered a table and ordered a sumptuous tea, there was never any lack of conversation in the older woman’s vicinity. Philomena kept up a lively monologue while she arranged tea and scones. Most of the discussion was aimed at Lucian, who listened attentively. Ariana could only set her teeth and endure. For his part, Lucian appeared entranced.
    “Has Ariana always been so interested in financial matters?“ he inquired blandly, oblivious of the seething glance bestowed on him by the lady in question. He lathered butter on a scone and took a satisfyingly large bite as Philomena responded with an indulgent chuckle.
    “Oh, my, yes. Since she was in high school. Always seemed to have a talent for handling money, didn’t you, Ari?“
    Before Ariana could answer, Philomena plunged on. “Naturally Drake and I are both extremely grateful, you understand, Lucian.“
    “You are?“ He looked across at Ariana who sat in tense silence.
    “Definitely. Drake and I, I’m sorry to admit, would undoubtedly be flat broke today if it weren’t for Ari. My nephew and I are both quite talented in our own fields, but we have absolutely no feel for money at all. We simply enjoy spending it. It’s Ariana who has invested our earnings over the years for us and built them into comfortable amounts.
    Drake and I both recognized what an asset she was early on and started turning everything over to her as soon as possible. I don’t mind saying she’s made us a nice little mint, bless her heart I do so like having money to spend, don’t you?“
    “It can be… very convenient,“ Lucian admitted, still watching Ariana, who was, in turn, focusing totally on the contents of her teacup.
    “Everyone likes money.“ Philomena nodded complacently. “And Ariana is so good to Drake and me. Why, she doesn’t even charge us a cent in commission! But she can be awfully proud, too. After that messy business four years ago when she lost everything of her own and was