This I Promise You (24 page)

Yes,
Summer acknowledged.
I’m such a chicken.

You are
, Lexi agreed.
But you’ve earned the right to be.

Do u think he’ll move on?

Do you want him to?

Thirty seconds passed before Summer answered:
No.

Lexi stared at the single word on the screen before replying:
Then don’t let him.

Her sister fell silent again.

When a gale of feminine laughter spilled from the parlor, Lexi smiled and typed:
I should get back to tea
.

Ok. Call me when u get home. Wanna hear more about ur trip.

Will do
.

After sending the message, Lexi took two steps toward the parlor doorway and then stopped. Deciding to get some fresh air instead, she turned and started across the foyer. Out of nowhere, a servant appeared to solicitously open the front door for her. She smiled and murmured her thanks before she stepped outside.

It was another mild day, sunny with only a hint of winter in the wind.

Taking a deep breath of the fresh country air, she crossed the large porch and sat on the white wicker love seat. When her phone buzzed again, she glanced down at the screen, grinning when she saw that Reese had sent a photo from Friday’s fundraiser dinner in Chicago. In the picture, Reese was flanked by Michael and President Obama. The two men were handsome and debonair in their black tuxedos while Reese looked absolutely stunning in the fire engine red Chanel dress that Lexi and Summer had helped her pick out. The dress perfectly accentuated her shapely figure, and the bold color complemented her glowing mahogany skin. Her upswept hair and makeup were flawless.

Her message read:
Meant to send this pic yesterday, but we were out pretty late. Look at us with the POTUS. Squeee!

Lexi grinned broadly and texted back:
Forget Obama. Girl, you look gawjus!!!

Aww, thanks, hon! It was so exciting to meet Pres Obama! It wasn’t Mike’s first time, so he wasn’t fazed. But I was fangirling all night. Can you tell by my Kool-Aid grin?

Lexi laughed.
Just a tad.

Lol,
Reese responded with a smiley emoji.
Obama’s even taller than I thought. But my baby’s got a couple inches on him.

So I see. Mike looks great as usual.

Doesn’t he? And speaking of fine men…

Reese sent another picture. This time she, Michael and President Obama were joined by a darkly handsome black man in an impeccably tailored tux.

Ooh!
Lexi wrote excitedly
. Who’s that tall drink of water?!

His name’s Royce Brand,
Reese replied.
He’s some Chicago heavyweight the Dems are pushing to run for office.

Girl, he is fine! Dayum!

IKR? If I weren’t happily married…Lawd! And would you believe he has three brothers?!

Lexi grinned and texted back:
Were they there too?

Sadly no,
Reese answered
. But when I chatted Royce up during dinner, he told me that his brother Roderick knows Manning because they both went to MIT. How’s that for six degrees of separation?

That happens to you a lot
, Lexi observed.
Didn’t Mike already know your brother-in-law, Warrick?

How bout that!
Reese marveled.
Small world, right?
Anyway, we’re heading down to the Magnificent Mile to do some shopping. Hope all’s going well with Q’s family. Your goddaughter’s named after the city of Savannah, so that should be a good omen.

Lexi smiled and texted back:
Have fun shopping. We’ll talk on Monday. I’ll bring coffee and beignets.

Yesss! See you soon!

A few moments later, Quentin’s mother and Olivia emerged from the house. When Georgina saw Lexi sitting by herself on the porch, she gave her a searching look and asked gently, “Are you all right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lexi said cheerfully. “Just enjoying this nice weather.”

“It is nice, isn’t it?” Georgina smiled up at the sky. “Savannah winters are child’s play compared to what we experience in Atlanta.”

“Yet another reason for you to come back home.” Olivia tucked her arm through Georgina’s and smiled at Lexi. “We’re heading down to the cemetery to visit Mrs. Weaver’s grave. We’ll be back before lunch.”

“All right.” Lexi watched as the sisters set off together, walking arm in arm. Long after they’d disappeared from view, she remained where she was, in no hurry to return to the idle chatter that awaited her inside.

“Mind if I join you?”

Lexi glanced around to see Georgina Harrington standing across the porch.

She smiled. “I don’t mind at all,” she said, patting the spot next to her.

Georgina walked over and joined her on the love seat. She carried herself with an Audrey Hepburn–like elegance and grace that seemed natural, not practiced. She was fashionably dressed in a cuffed black jumpsuit that was cinched at the waist with a wide red belt, and complemented by red Jimmy Choo peep-toe pumps. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a simple but elegant ponytail that showed off her fine bone structure and patrician features.

Lexi couldn’t help staring at her, struck by her uncanny resemblance to Quentin’s mother.

Georgina gave her a rueful smile. “I don’t blame you for making your escape,” she said, the sweet Southern lilt of her voice flowing out like warm honey. “I grow rather weary of discussing balls and fundraisers myself.”

“Oh, I wasn’t escaping.” At Georgina’s look of amused skepticism, Lexi laughed and held up her phone. “I got a text from my sister, and sometimes she worries when I don’t respond right away. Like she either thinks I’m mad at her or in some kind of trouble.”

Georgina smiled, nodding. “Lavinia gets that way too. I suppose it’s a good thing to have that kind of sisterly bond.”

“Definitely,” Lexi agreed.

“What’s your sister’s name?”

“Summer.”

“That’s a beautiful name.”

“So is yours.”

“Thank you,” Georgina said warmly. “I love being named after my father’s favorite sister. Sometimes they call me Georgina Junior, or Gigi for short.”

At that moment Mrs. Branford emerged from the house carrying a tray with two mugs of spiced cider and a plate of warm cookies. “Cook just whipped up a batch and thought you girls might like to have some,” she told them.

Georgina grinned. “When have you ever known me to turn down her sugar cookies?”

Mrs. Branford laughed. “Never, chile.” After setting the tray on the table, she unfolded the thick quilt draped over her arm and spread it across Lexi and Georgina’s legs.

They beamed their appreciation and chorused, “Thank you, Mrs. Branford.”

“My pleasure.” She smiled affectionately and patted Lexi on the arm. “I just checked on Junior, and he’s still sleeping like an angel.”

“Wonderful.” Lexi smiled warmly. “Thanks for taking such good care of him, Mrs. Branford. I really appreciate it.”

The housekeeper tittered and waved off her gratitude before going back inside the house.

Still smiling, Lexi picked up a warm sugar cookie and bit into it. “Umm,” she said, savoring the rich, buttery taste. “That’s delicious.”

“Isn’t it? These are my favorite.” Georgina grinned and helped herself to a cookie. “I really hope you and Quentin will join the family on Martha’s Vineyard this summer. We always have a wonderful time, and I think you will too.”

“I’m sure we would,” Lexi said with a rueful half grin. “What I’m
not
so sure of is whether Quentin would agree to go.”

“I know,” Georgina said wistfully. “He doesn’t seem to like us very much. But given what happened in the past, I can’t say I really blame him. I’d probably feel the same way.”

“Me too,” Lexi murmured, polishing off her cookie and brushing the crumbs from her fingers.

Georgina grinned wryly. “My younger cousins can’t stop swooning over him. Last night I overheard them arguing about who Quentin would escort to the debutante cotillion when they come out.”

Lexi chuckled. “Isn’t Quentin too old to be an escort?”

Georgina laughed. “Believe me, they’d make an exception for him. And it helps that he doesn’t look a day over twenty-five.” She gave Lexi an amused sidelong glance. “Is he a good dancer? Does he know how to waltz?”

“He does. His mother taught him when he was younger, and he taught me during college. And, yes, he’s a
very
good dancer.” Lexi grinned. “I’ll have to send you videos of his old step shows. He was amazing, and he’s still got the moves.”

“Ooh, I’d
love
to see that,” Georgina enthused. “There are so many wonderful things I enjoy about Greek life, but step shows have always been a highlight. Back in college—”

“All of what? A year ago?”

“No,” Georgina said with a laugh. “I graduated three years ago.”

“Ah.” Lexi grinned. “I stand corrected.”

Georgina chuckled. “As I was saying, I enjoyed performing in step shows as much as I enjoyed attending them.” She grinned. “Now don’t get me wrong. I love watching my suave Kappas twirl their canes, but there’s just something wickedly irresistible about those Que Dogs.”

“Better not let your father hear you say that,” Lexi warned.

They both laughed. 

After a few moments, Georgina took another sugar cookie off the plate and bit into it. “So what’s he like?”

“Who? Quentin?”

Georgina nodded, delicately munching her cookie.

Lexi smiled softly. “Where do I begin? He’s incredibly warm and generous, the type of guy who’d literally give you the shirt off his back. On the other hand, he’s ruthless and competitive and he has a brilliant mind, all of which make him a damn good lawyer. Every time I see him in action in court, I get goose bumps. He’s fiercely protective and loyal. He can also be very stubborn and brash. He says what he means, means what he says.” She smiled wryly. “I think everyone got a taste of that last night at dinner.”

Georgina giggled. “Did we ever. I don’t think anyone has ever spoken that way to Grandmother. I thought she was going to have the vapors right at the table!”

“So did I!”

The two women laughed like old friends.

“I’ve always been curious about Quentin,” Georgina admitted after another moment. “He’s the only cousin I’ve never met, and the circumstances surrounding his birth have always fascinated me. The way his mother stood up to her parents to be with the man she loved, even if it meant she’d never see her family again?
Wow
.”

Lexi smiled. “It’s all rather Shakespearean, isn’t it?”

“Very.” Georgina grinned. “Now that I’ve finally met Quentin, I’m even more in awe of him. Truth be told, I find him a little intimidating.”

“You shouldn’t,” Lexi told her. “Quentin is very down to earth. He has a wicked sense of humor, and he’s ridiculously playful once you get to know him.”

Georgina’s smile was wistful. “I hope I’ll get the chance.”

“I think you will.”

“Think so?”

“Sure,” Lexi said, bumping Georgina’s shoulder with her own. “You’ve got a lot working in your favor. You’re named after his mother, for starters, and you look just like her. Quentin adores his mama, so you’d probably become his favorite cousin in no time.”

“Awesome.” Georgina beamed, and Lexi laughed.

After another moment, Georgina smiled softly at her. “I can tell how much you and Quentin really love each other.”

“We do,” Lexi said simply.

“It’s so romantic,” Georgina said with an envious sigh. “You’re very lucky.”

It was an odd statement coming from a girl who’d been born into untold wealth and privilege, who’d had everything handed to her on a silver platter. A beautiful girl whose fair complexion and naturally long hair were celebrated throughout society and prized by men everywhere. 

As if sensing the turn of her thoughts, Georgina sighed deeply. “You know, everyone expects me to marry someone from a well-connected upper-class family. But I’ve yet to meet that special man I would want to spend the rest of my life with. I grew up with most of the guys I see at social functions, and many of them are dull and pretentious and full of themselves. As for the men at work, they pretty much fall into three categories: those who resent me because they think I benefit from nepotism; those who steer clear of me because they’re petrified of my father and grandfather; and those who care more about marrying into my family than actually getting to know me. The guys in that last group pursue me aggressively. But I don’t give them the time of day because I know they’re nothing but social climbers, and I have no interest in being anyone’s come up.”

“I hear you,” Lexi said sympathetically. “What you’re describing really sucks.”

“It does.” Georgina cringed, as if she’d suddenly heard her own words. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not sitting here trying to pass myself off as some poor little rich girl who can’t find true love. I know how tremendously blessed I am, and I don’t take those blessings for granted.” She sighed wistfully. “I just wish I could meet a man who has more to offer than the right name and pedigree. Someone who won’t care about impressing my family or getting his hands on my money. Someone who works hard and knows where he’s going in life without needing me to draw him a roadmap. Someone who likes to laugh and have a good time. Someone who’s strong and dashing and romantic, who knows how to wine and dine a woman without expecting anything in return. Someone who’s his own man in every way.” She grinned self-consciously at Lexi. “I suppose that’s a pretty tall order, huh?”