Evening Star (Star Quartet 1)

Aurora saw the almost imperceptible glint in Randall Bennett’s heavily lashed gray eyes. Such beguiling eyes they were until they flickered with greed.

“Are you interested in fine wines, Mr. Bennett?”

“My friends seem to trust my palate, Mrs. Van Cleve. But, of course, it is not simply the final product that I appreciate. I have a great interest in the science of the grape.”

“You never before told me that, Randall,” Giana said. She felt inordinately pleased. “Randall shares so many of your interests, Mother.”

“It would appear so, Giana.”

“Dinner is served, madam,” Lanson said from the doorway.

Randall rose quickly and looked from Georgiana to her mother. “How am I ever to make a decision with two such beautiful women?”

“You have two arms, Mr. Bennett.”

“A Solomon’s solution, ma’am,” he said and offered each lady an arm.

Aurora smiled as Randall gracefully seated her in the tall-backed heavy mahogany chair at the head of the table. She saw his eyes widen at the richness of the room, its golden-papered walls covered with fine paintings, and was pleased. When his eyes fell to the table, her smile widened. Cook had been surprised to hear that Aurora wished to have dinner served in the large, formal dining room, for only three people. And the silver dinner service was fit for royalty. Open your eyes, Giana. He does not love you, you foolish child. He loves only what you can bring him.

“Tell me, Mr. Bennett,” Aurora said with gracious interest over the first course of carrot soup, and turbot with shrimp sauce, “what are your interests?”

Randall sent a loving smile toward Giana, then gave Aurora a boyish grin. “Even though my uncle is of the aristocracy, ma’am, and thus takes little interest in worldly affairs, I fear that I am cut from a different cloth. As I have told your daughter, I am very much a modern man, and wish to make my mark in the business world.”

“What business were you embarked upon when you visited Geneva, Mr. Bennett?”

“My visit was primarily a family matter. As Giana has probably told you, my half-sister, Patricia, attended Madame Orlie’s seminary. I wished to assure myself that Patricia was happy and content.”

“Did you manage to ascertain if she was happy and content, Mr. Bennett?”

Giana giggled. “I fear, Mama, that Randall had little time for Patricia once he met me.” At Aurora’s arched brow, Giana added, “Oh, it was all my fault, Mama. Once I got to know Randall, I fear that I was loath to share his company, even with his half-sister.”

“And your friend Mr. Joseph Stanyon, what was he about whilst you were becoming acquainted with my daughter?”

Giana’s mouth dropped open. She had never told her mother the name of Randall’s business friend. She had not liked the man, with his smug smile and thick lips, nor the oily way he had eyed her.

“Ah, Mr. Stanyon and I no longer are associates, ma’am. I regret to say that his morals were not quite what a gentleman would approve.” He gave Aurora a deprecating smile. “At the moment, I am studying various business possibilities.”

“Randall is interested in shipping, Mama. He has told me on several occasions that he wished he could have stowed away as a cabin boy.”

“It is a very risky business, as I am certain you know, Mr. Bennett. The Van Cleve shipyards have been very fortunate.”

“They have had the benefit of your excellent management, ma’am.”

Aurora nodded. “I understand that your father, Mr. George Bennett, has been ill for quite some time now.”

Giana cocked her head at her mother, pleased that she was showing such interest in Randall, but perplexed as to how she knew so much about him and his family. Randall had always sidestepped her questions about his father. She was distressed to see him lower his head a moment, as if in silent argument with himself. She wished she could tell him that nothing about his family mattered to her.

Randall slowly raised his head, and Aurora was vexed beyond reason at the beautiful sadness in his eyes. He said slowly, “I have never wanted to upset Giana with the miserable truth about my father, ma’am, but since you insist upon knowing, I must tell you that his illness is the result of strong drink. My poor stepmother has had much to bear. It is only because of my uncle’s kindness that my half-sister, Patricia, is receiving her education in Switzerland.”

“Oh, Randall, how terrible for you. We will speak of it no more.”

Randall smiled. “Your dear mother has every right to know about my family, Giana, and of my father’s problems. You are her daughter, and I respect her for seeking to protect you from a gentleman who could possibly be after your fortune.”

“Well,” Giana said, smiling now, “since we love each other, Randall, she will never have to worry herself with protecting me again.”

“Allow a mother her concerns, my dear,” Aurora said. “If Mr. Bennett does not mind, surely you should not quibble.”

Lanson served a lavish second course of stewed kidneys, roast saddle of lamb, boiled turkey, knuckle of ham, mashed and brown potatoes, stewed onions, rissoles, and macaroni. Giana’s eyes widened at the array of dishes, and she cast a questioning look toward her mother. She knew that her mother rarely partook of traditional heavy English fare, preferring instead the lighter, more delicate French cuisine. She was on the point of making a small jest about it when she chanced to see Randall’s eyes resting fondly upon each dish.