* * *
The guests continued to arrive until the crowd swelled to over one hundred. Ivy’s feet began to feel as if she had danced with every man at the party. As she took a break from the dancing and sipped a glass of wine, Darren caught her arm. Beside him stood a lovely young woman, with long, curly blond hair and lively hazel eyes. Her blue strapless gown displayed a luscious figure.
“This is Sara Davis.”
Ivy smiled. “Hello, Sara. A friend of Aunt Tru?”
“Yes. I worked here during college to pay for my tuition.”
“What do you do now?”
“I’m teaching at the local elementary school. Miss St. Martin has followed my progress since those years I worked here. I was delighted to be invited to her party.”
How like Aunt Tru, Ivy thought.
“Your friend, Emery Norton, has just been telling me that you’re a rich, successful artist, Ivy,” Darren said. “I’m proud of you. I always knew you could do anything you set your mind to.”
Ivy smiled and sipped the tart red wine. “Emery loves to embroider the facts.”
“According to him, yours is a name to remember. Norton seems to think you’ll go on to even bigger and better things.” He caught her arm. “Come on. Let’s dance.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She put down her glass and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. Over his shoulder she noted the blonde’s look of disappointment and felt a momentary twinge of pity.
As they moved, Darren touched the emeralds at Ivy’s throat. “If you play your cards right, I think you could persuade Aunt Gertrude to let you keep these. She’s feeling so mellow tonight, she’s in the mood to grant all kinds of unexpected favors.”
“Don’t be silly, Darren. What would I want with Aunt Tru’s jewelry?”
“Are you kidding? Those stones are worth a fortune. I know jewelers who could sell them tomorrow.”
“But the antique setting is priceless. The necklace has probably been passed down through generations.”
He shook his head before twirling her dramatically. The skirt of her gown billowed about, then floated gracefully around her calves.
“Then ask her for them anyway and give them to me. I’ll find a good use for them.”
Ivy laughed. “You’d look smashing in emeralds.”
“I know a great hock shop where I could get a pocketful of money for them.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Darren. These are part of Aunt Tru’s family collection. That means that some day they’ll belong to you and Caine. You’re her only heirs.”
“Some day can be a long time.”
“What’s the hurry?”
The music ended. “I’ve always been a man in a hurry. Haven’t you noticed?”
Ivy took his arm and walked from the dance floor. “Where are you hurrying to this time, Darren?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Somewhere. Anywhere.” His voice was suddenly bleak. “I want Melanie back.”
His statement surprised her. “I thought she was off on some actor’s yacht.”
His eyes clouded. “I’ll win her back. All I need is a break.” He turned, and focused on Ivy. “How much can you get for a painting?”
She blinked at the unexpected question. “It depends. Each one is different.”
“But give me an average. A hundred? A thousand? A hundred thousand?”
She was relieved when David Tisdale interrupted them.
“I’ve been waiting for my chance, Ivy. Let’s dance.”
She caught his hand and gave Darren a brilliant smile. “Catch you later.”