Home » The Archives » Chapter 14 » New Beginnings
| Re: New Beginnings [message #2323 is a reply to message #2322] |
Mon, 30 July 2012 18:24   |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma:
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Sunday, January 20, 2069, 7:30 p.m., New Hampshire (1:30 p.m., January 21, Tracy Island)
"This is a lovely place," Dianne said, looking around, taking in the snow white tablecloths, the sparkling crystal and the gleaming silverware. They were in the dining room of the Mount Washington Hotel, seated in a slightly out of the way corner. "I can see why they want you to dress up in order to dine here."
Jeff tugged a little on his black bow tie. "If I'd known black tie was optional, I would have worn something more comfortable."
Dianne leaned across and clasped his hand, smiling. "You look fabulous, dear. I do like you in a tuxedo; you wear it so well."
"And you are a vision in white," Jeff replied, raising her hand to his lips.
"Thank you," she said, with a gracious nod. "I wasn't sure if this dress was going to work here," she added, gesturing to the tea length white dress with its intricate beadwork. "But it seems that white is in, no matter what time of the year."
The sommelier arrived at that point, bringing the bottle of wine they'd ordered, and pouring it into delicate stemware before departing. Their waitress came next, bringing the salad course of their meal. She disappeared as quickly and quietly as possible, leaving the two in their secluded corner. Jeff was sitting just so; he wasn't easy to recognize from the back, and from the angle at which he sat, he also obscured much of Dianne's form as well.
"So, did you enjoy the skiing?"
Dianne smiled and sighed, a contented sound. "Oh yes. I haven't skied much before, but the slopes here are perfect for someone like myself."
"Even if you had to start on the bunny slopes?" Jeff asked, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
She pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow. "At least I didn't fall down."
"True." He shifted in his chair a little, wincing.
"The Jacuzzi and I will work those pains right out," she promised, smiling coyly.
"Something to look forward to, then." His tone was husky, and sent a frisson of excitement up her spine.
They applied themselves to their meal, finishing their salads, the conversation centered around the food, the atmosphere, and their activities of the day.
"Perhaps we should come back tomorrow and take a sleigh ride before more skiing," Dianne suggested.
"That sounds like a fine idea. I'll ask the concierge about it on the way out; make sure that people who aren't staying here can hire the sleigh."
They were halfway through their entrées when someone came up behind Jeff. "Jeff? Jeff Tracy? Is that you?"
Dianne looked up and smiled. "Mr. Dandridge! How nice to see you again!"
Jeff swallowed his mouthful, patted his lips, and turned to shake his old friend's hand. "Dandridge, you old... gazelle! How are you?"
Both Dianne and Wilbur Dandridge laughed at Jeff's gazelle comment, but the woman on Dandridge's arm just rolled her eyes. "You remember my wife, Eunice, don't you?"
"Of course!" Dianne offered her hand, and Eunice, a heavily made-up, middle-aged redhead took it firmly, smiling. "You were at our wedding!" Dianne gestured to a chair. "Please sit down and join us."
"Don't mind if we do, for a few minutes. anyway." Dandridge pulled out one of the empty chairs for his wife, seating her by Dianne, and took the seat on the other side of Jeff for himself. When Jeff made to motion for the waitress, Wilbur shook his head. "No need, Jeff. We've already eaten. And don't stop because of us. The food's no good cold."
"So, what brings you to New Hampshire?" Dianne asked of Eunice, taking a bite of her meal once she'd finished speaking.
"Oh, Wilbur is looking into expanding his company and building a manufacturing plant somewhere around here," Eunice said, waving a dismissive hand. "He's been looking at some of the older towns, where there are buildings already available." She glanced around as if seeing the room for the first time. "We were going to go back to New York on Friday evening but then it snowed..."
"Yes, yes," Dandridge said. "I decided that we could stay on for the weekend; take a little break from work."
"Get in a little skiing?" Jeff asked.
"Oh, no!" Eunice shook her head, her eyes wide. "We're not into winter sports much." She wrapped her arms around herself and shook a little. "Too cold."
"Are you staying at the hotel?" Dianne patted her lips and sipped her wine. Holding out her glass, she gave Jeff a look that asked him to refill it for her, which he did.
"Yes, it's such a lovely place. The view of the mountains... just spectacular!" Eunice smiled dreamily.
"Then you might want to consider a sleigh ride," Dianne suggested. "We're going to look into it ourselves for tomorrow."
"That's a great idea!" Dandridge exclaimed. "Hon, let's do it!"
Eunice leaned forward and put a hand on Dianne's arm, as if confiding in her. "It does sound romantic, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it most certainly does."
There was a brief pause, then Dandridge asked, "So, what bring you up here, Jeff? Business or pleasure?"
"Pleasure," Jeff replied. "We're celebrating my birthday... albeit a bit belatedly."
"Then happy birthday!" Eunice was all smiles. "I must admit, Jeff, you're looking good for a man of... what is it now?"
"Fifty-nine and holding," Dianne quipped.
Those at the table laughed, and there was a brief interruption as their waitress came by, asking if they were ready for dessert. Jeff indicated that they weren't quite done, and she promised to come back in a few minutes.
"So, are you staying here, too?" Wilbur asked once the waitress had left. "We could meet for a nightcap."
Jeff shook his head. "No, we have a little place not far from here. I bought it for Dianne last year and we're staying there for the week." He sipped his wine, then patted his lips. "You're welcome to drop by any time."
"Wish we could, but I'm due back in New York on Tuesday," Dandridge said, his tone sad. "I mean, the boss can justify taking a day off here or there to be with his honey, but not too often." He turned to Eunice. "Right, dear?"
She nodded slightly, her smile becoming strained. "Yes, Wilbur." Dianne reached out and put a hand on her arm as Dandridge continued, unheeding.
"You were pretty smart to retire when you did, Jeff. It's more cutthroat now than it's ever been." He shook his head. "And the tech piracy that's going on, I tell you...!"
Eunice took her husband's hand. "Now, dear, let's not talk shop. Jeff and Dianne are on vacation, and we still are, too."
He put his hand on hers and patted it. "You're right, honey, you're right." He turned to Dianne. "Say! Have you seen that Duchess of Royston lately? What a funny old gal she was!"
"We saw her in England on New Year's Eve," Dianne replied, sipping her wine. "She was in fine fettle then and dancing with all the young, handsome men."
"At Lady Creighton-Ward's party? We got an invitation this year but with business the way it is..." Dandridge shook his head.
"Oh, you must come next year," Dianne insisted. "Eunice, you would have such a good time."
"I'd love to," Eunice said softly. "But..." She made a fluttery motion with her hands.
"Don't you worry. We women must stick together." Dianne's tone was conspiratory. "We'll get you and your husband to that party by hook or by crook."
"There they go plotting again," Dandridge said genially. "I swear we men are never safe when the ladies put their heads together like that."
At this point, the waitress returned, and the Dandridges took that as their cue to leave. "Well, it was nice seeing you both," Wilbur said, standing and pulling the chair out for his wife. "I'll take your advice on that sleigh ride. It'll be nice treat before we leave."
"You do that, Dandridge," Jeff said, holding out his hand. "It was good to see you again." Dandridge took his hand and shook it.
"Good to see you again, Dianne." The ladies shook hands with each other, and with the other's husbands.
"And to see you, too, Eunice. I meant what I said about that party."
Eunice just smiled, then took her husband's proffered arm. Once they were out of sight, Jeff turned his attention to the dessert menu.
"Something chocolate to share, Dianne?"
Dianne started a little. She had been watching the Dandridges go, a thoughtful look on her face. "I'm sorry, love. What did you say?"
Jeff smiled as the waitress walked away. "You snooze, you lose, love. I just put in our dessert order. You'll have to put up with whatever I chose."
"Oh, really?" Dianne gave him a calculating look, a slight smile on her lips. "Well, I'm sure you chose wisely. After all, you don't want to sleep in one of the guest rooms tonight, do you?"
Jeff laughed, and took her hand. She squeezed his and said, "Happy birthday, love."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
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