this is my sister Melanie. Mel, Claude Montgomery.”
The seas parted and disappeared into the background. It was only the two of them waiting to cross that great divide.
Melanie reacted first. “Alan has been singing your praises,” she said, extending her hand toward him.
Claude took her slender fingers in his hand and brought them to his lips. He placed a feather-like kiss on the back of her hand. “Your reputation precedes you,” he said, his voice low and throbbing like distant thunder.
“I do hope that’s a good thing,” she said forcing herself not to concentrate on the currents of electricity that shot up and down her arm.
“Most definitely. Can I get you a drink?”
“Thank you. Yes.”
He raised his hand and signaled for a waiter, who was at their side almost instantly. He plucked a glass of champagne from the tray and handed it to her.
“Thank you.” She took a tiny sip. “Alan says you’re chief of staff for Senator Lawson. I’m surprised we haven’t met before.”
“I try to stay away from these shindigs whenever possible,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. Melanie grinned.
“I’ll let you two get acquainted. I’m going to look for my son and company,” Alan pressed Melanie’s shoulder and walked off.
“So, Alan tells me that you are the consummate matchmaker.”
Melanie lowered her gaze for a moment. “That’s the rumor,” she answered, her tone teasing. “And I understand that you may be interested in our services.”
Claude drew in a long breath. “I’ve been considering it for a while now,” he said, the levity gone from his voice. “My job takes up a great deal of my time and I believe I’m reaching the point where I’d like to come home to more than paperwork, my BlackBerry and cognac.”
Hmm, he likes cognac. A man with taste.
“I see. Believe me, I totally understand. If I didn’t know better I’d think I was talking to my brother.”
Claude chuckled. “I don’t think Alan will ever settle down again. He lives and breathes his job.”
“Tell me, what type of woman are you looking for?”
His deep gaze played across her face, like the sun warming the earth, and something stirred inside of her.
“There you are.”
They turned in unison to see Senator Lawson come up beside them.
“Melanie. Melanie Harte?”
Melanie beamed. “How are you Bradford?”
He captured her in a hug. “I had no idea you’d be here. What a pleasant surprise.”
“It’s good to see you, too.”
“I knew her grandmother, God rest her sweet soul. I watched this little lady grow up. Her grandmother introduced me to my late wife Louisa and the rest is history,” he ended with a wistful chuckle. He lowered his voice. “I understand you took over the business.”
Melanie nodded. “I did, along with my nieces and nephew.”
“Wonderful! We’ll have to talk before the night is over. I want you to meet my son Rafe.” He looked around. “If you’ll excuse me, I want to catch Senator Morgan before he tries to slip out.” He lightly bussed Melanie’s cheek. “Don’t leave before we talk.”
“I won’t,” she promised, squeezing his hand.
The newest Supreme Court justice walked by and waved at Melanie.
“Congratulations,” Melanie mouthed.
“Call me,” she said in return before being swept into a crowd of senators vying for her attention.
“You travel in lofty circles,” Claude said, finishing off his drink.
“My grandmother and then my mother traveled in these circles all their lives. They made sure that I knew everyone that they did. I really don’t think about it much. It’s part of my life, which happens to help with the business that I’m in. I’m totally unimpressed by status and celebrity at this point. Once you strip that all away, the real person emerges. That’s who I want to get to know. And most of them, once you get beyond their public personas, they’re just regular folks with the same wants, needs, flaws and fears as everyone else. They simply have the money and the power to hide it better than the rest.”
“Point taken.” He paused a moment. “So what do you see beneath my layer?”
She looked up into his eyes. Her heart suddenly thumped. “That’s what we’ll have to find out. Won’t we?”
“You’ve been monopolizing this beautiful woman all night, Claude.”
Claude turned to his left. “Rafe. Your father was just looking for you.”
Rafe chuckled and his light-brown eyes sparkled in the light. “I’m sure he was,” he murmured, the hint of his Louisiana accent seeping through. He stepped closer and zeroed in on Melanie. “Raford Lawson,” he said, taking her hand. “Melanie Harte.”
“My pleasure.” He kissed her hand. “Dance with me.”
She hesitated a moment. “Of course. Please excuse me, Claude.”
Claude gave a short nod of his head as Rafe escorted Melanie onto the dance floor.
“So Melanie Harte, what brings you to this stuffy affair?” He took her hand in his—the other went to the small of her back as they swayed to the music.
Melanie laughed lightly. “My brother Alan invited me.”
He arched his neck back and looked down into her face. “Alan Harte is your brother?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Well I’ll be damned,” he said over his laughter.
“You’re that Melanie Harte. Your grandmother fixed up my daddy and mama.”
“So the story goes.”
He stepped back, released her and made a gallant bow. “I am in the arms of greatness,” he teased.
Melanie shook her head and chuckled. “You are much too dramatic.”
He swept her back into his arms and whispered deep in her ear. “I’ve been called much worse.”
They danced together for two more songs before Melanie begged off.
“Save the last dance for me,” Rafe said with a light kiss on her cheek.
He was definitely a charmer, she thought
