“She’s Claire’s daughter,” Bettina clarified, her tone flat.
“How was the children’s museum?” Claire asked. “Did she behave herself?”
“She was a perfect angel.”
“I don’t believe you,” she replied, all too aware that their exchange was being closely observed.
“You know she always behaves for me,” Linc said, shifting his attention to Honey. “Don’t you?”
“Yes.” The little girl patted his cheek with her palm and giggled.
“They had a fire truck exhibit. She was a huge fan.”
“Whoooo, whooo.” Honey sounded more like an alarm than a train.
“It was nice of you to take your housekeeper’s daughter to the children’s museum,” Genevieve murmured, mild judgment in her tone.
When Claire stiffened at the remark, Linc shot the woman an uncompromising look.
“She’s catering my mother’s party as a favor. The least I could do was save her from having to hire a babysitter today.”
While everyone nodded, Claire stood frozen with humiliation. Once again, it was pretty obvious in the eyes of many people that a clearly defined line existed between the haves and those who work for them.
“Why don’t I take Honey now,” Claire said, sliding around the outer perimeter of the room in Linc’s direction. “You should sit down and visit with these ladies. I can bring you a plate if you’d like to taste the food.”
“No, thanks. Honey and I are going to hang out in the kitchen with you while you finish up.”
Curiosity was almost palpable in the dining room.
“Before you go, Linc,” Genevieve said. “Can you give Claire permission to work our fund-raiser? She won’t do it without your approval.”
Linc shook his head. “She doesn’t need my permission. She’s free to do whatever she wants with her weekends.”
All eyes turned in Claire’s direction as he finished speaking, and she felt like a rabbit that had stumbled into a wolves’ den.
“Then I guess my answer is yes,” she said, eager to escape a situation that had suddenly become awkward and embarrassing. More than anything, she wished the scene with Linc and Honey hadn’t played out in front of these women. Gossip around town already had it that there was something going on between her and Linc. Thanks to his arrival, it was pretty obvious that Claire and her employer were friends and possibly a little too comfortable with each other.
As she left, her gaze fell on Bettina. Linc’s mother wore a slight frown. Claire returned to the kitchen, hoping Bettina wasn’t concerned that Linc had babysat Honey.
“Thank you for watching Honey for me today so I could concentrate on getting everything ready,” she said. “If you want to leave her with me and head out...”
“I don’t have anything else to do this afternoon, so I’m happy to hang out with her until you’re done here,” Linc said, setting Honey on the ground and finding her a couple pots and a wooden spoon. He then demonstrated drumming on the cookware and the toddler set to work making noise.
“Thanks,” Claire mumbled, rinsing the last of the plates and loading them into the dishwasher.
While she finished up, Linc leaned on the counter and surveyed the leftovers. “How did the tasting go?” He reached out and snagged one of the appetizers, popping it into his mouth. “This is fantastic. What is it?”
“Puffed pastry with caviar.” Claire dodged around Linc and began packing up the leftovers. “Your mom liked everything.”
“Terrific.” He tried a tartlet with goat cheese and fig and moaned appreciatively. “Then why are you upset?”
“I’m not upset.”
“Is it because they badgered you into catering the charity polo match next week?” He grinned at her over a shot glass of gazpacho. “Don’t do it if you think it’s going to be too much.”
“It isn’t that...” She trailed off, not wanting to get into her concerns right there in his mother’s kitchen.
“Is it the reason my mother is having the party?” He lowered his voice until only she could hear him. “Are you worried that I’m going to meet someone? Because if that’s it, you don’t need to give it a second thought. I’m only going through the motions to satisfy my mother.”