Anna watched it unfold from the upper levels of the plantation manor, laughing out loud when she caught sight of Julian planting a particularly large water balloon on the head of the head gardener, soaking the poor man from head to toe. Judging by the speed the man was chasing the young teenager, it would be only a few moments before young Julian found himself at the receiving end of a fully blasting water hose. She allowed herself a few more moments before descending the main staircase to greet the group of people that had congregated in the front foyer, waiting for her.
Said group watched the finely dressed beauty come down the stairs with an easy grace, dressed in a classic Chanel ensemble of peach colored pencil skirt and matching blouse, silver colored stilettos clicking sharply against the marble floor as she approached them. Her dark hair was brushed back into its familiar bun, her facial features remaining soft despite the severity of the style, the smile on her lovely face welcoming and warm.
“Dear Mayor and esteemed council members, how wonderful of you to visit.” She held out her hand to be kissed by the men and graciously kissed the cheek of the only woman in the group. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Beaming, Mayor Clarkson took her offered arm and led her into the drawing room, where they each took seats amongst the antique chairs placed charmingly throughout the late 19th century décor of the room. “Mah deyah Miss D’Ancanto, the pleajuh is all ours, especially when we get to enjoy Willowbend’s famous hospitaliteh.”
Winking at the red cheeked portly man, she thanked the house servant who had followed them into the room with fresh lemonade in a tray laden with crystal glasses. She rose to serve each of her four guests, before settling back into her chair, legs pressed together in a slight angle with ankles demurely crossed. Gratefully drinking the cool beverage before speaking, the Mayor dabbed at the perspiration that had beaded on his face with a well used kerchief, looking to his fellow council members before speaking again.
“We came in the hopes y’all would agree to attend a little soiree that the Caldecott Chambah of Commahce is hostin’ at the town Arboretum next month.”
Anna raised an eyebrow, politely interested. “A little soiree, Mayor Clarkson?”
He nodded, looking to the elderly woman sitting beside him to continue. With an excited look on her face, Councilwoman Wilkins declared, “We wah hoping Miss D’Ancanto, that y’all would agree to perfahming a song to help benefit the Biloxi Children’s Hospital.” Her Mississipian accent was thickened by her enthusiasm as she continued, “Sev’wal communites aw calling upon their most famous sons and dahtahs to join in the festivities and we would be evah so grateful if y’all would agree to repwahsent the fair town of Pearl River, mah deyah.”
Four pairs of eyes looked to her expectantly. She felt a weight form in her stomach and sink at the prospect of singing in front of an audience again. Clearing her throat delicately, she reached for a decanter and poured herself some lemonade before answering, the clinking sound of crystal ringing loudly in contrast to the room’s sudden silence. Aware they were waiting for an answer, she told them, “It has been some time since I have performed.”
The guests exchanged anxious glances. Councilor Adams spoke next, his southern gentleman drawl distinct, proper and very slow. “Miss D’Ancanto, we would never think to place you in an indelicate predicament if we thought for a moment that you would not be delighted to partake in this most deserving event.”
Anna bit her tongue, making sure not show her annoyance at the pomposity of the man. Smiling sweetly, she concurred. “Of course not. I would be honored to perform and I am humbled that I have been chosen.”
They stood up happily, rushing to shake her hand in gratitude and as fast as they had come, they left, in a flurry down the front steps, disappearing into the black town car waiting in the driveway. As the large vehicle drove away, Anna could hear masculine laughter coming from within the manor, and eyes narrowing, she spun around and stepped back inside to face its owner.
“You could have rescued me.”
Scott shook his head. “There was no way I was going to interfere. I’ve had enough run-ins with the gentle southern folk of Pearl River to know to stay out of their way when they want something, present company included.”
Anna crossed her arms across her chest petulantly when he took her into his arms, determined to stay annoyed. “Where’s my knight in shining armor?”
Scott took her earlobe into his mouth and whispered huskily, “He only appears when he knows you need it, sweetheart.” He kissed her neck just below said earlobe and laughed seductively when he felt her shiver in pleasure.
Grabbing his shoulders, she shamelessly exposed more of her throat to his delicious mouth. “Hmmm,” was all that she could come up with in retaliation.
Grinning at her reaction, he said in a perfect mimicry of Councilwoman Wilkins, “Why, Ah do decleah my deyah Miss D’Ancanto, that y’all aw simplah the easiest pushovah this side of the Mason-Dixie Line.”
She rolled her eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he hit the mark. She pushed away from him and said in a more serious tone, “I mean it, Scott. I really don’t want to perform.”
“You’ve performed in the largest opera houses throughout the world, Anna. Singing for a few hundred people should be a piece of cake in comparison.”
Sighing, she placed her hands on her hips, exasperated. “That was almost four years ago.”
Taking her into his arms again, he told her, “I’ve heard you sing every day during my visits here. Your voice is as beautiful now, as it was then.”
“Teaching snippets here and there is not the same, Scott. Performing takes a lot out of me, there’s a lot a preparation required. Emotionally, I need to be able to sing publicly again.”
He grinned rakishly, hugging her tighter. “Well, that’s settles it then. Think of me and you’ll have all of Mississippi at your feet, ‘Anina’.”
She laughed, kissing him lightly on the lips. “Conceited man.”
“Hmmm…..” was all he could come up with in retaliation before claiming her mouth with his. They deepened their kiss until the exaggerated sound of a throat being cleared behind them sprung them apart.
Face hot with embarrassment, Anna looked at Nanna guiltily, stealing a look at an unapologetic Scott who still kept his arms around her waist, turning her around to press up against his back as he greeted the diminutive woman. “Hello, Miss Nanna.”
“Mr. Summers.” The head housekeeper ignored Anna entirely. “Ah trust you had a pleasant flight in last week?”
He nodded, yelping when Anna pinched him for kissing the nape of her neck. “I did, Miss Nanna. Thank you for having a room prepared for me.” He stole a wry look at Anna and she sucked her cheeks in to prevent herself from laughing. Before leaving to visit her family last week, Nanna had arranged to put Scott in the furthest room away from the back entrance that led to the small gardener’s cottage which Anna had renovated into her own living quarters.
The older woman’s disapproval at the sight of the blatant physical affection was clear. Icily, she informed Anna, “Anina, Ah need you in the kitchen to go over the menu you want set out for tonight’s supper, looks like no one thought to confirm it while I was away.”
Peeling Scott’s arms from around her waist, she gave him a quick kiss and whispered, “I’ll see you later.” She followed Nanna’s retreating form, adding nonchalantly over her shoulder, “Oh, can you check what’s going on in the back with the students, Scott? I thought I heard some kind of disturbance out there.”
“Sure thing, honey,” she heard him reply, all business. Within minutes she could hear his yells as he got pelted relentlessly by what sounded like thirty two water balloons.
No, make that thirty three.
It was difficult keeping a straight face as she listened to Nanna give instructions to the manor chef.
Kitty was more than just concerned. She was downright scared. Catching sight of the expression on his wife’s face, Bobby sat down beside her on their bed, pulling apart the tie that she managed to mangle seconds earlier.
“Baby, worrying about it won’t make it better.”
She looked at him, biting her lower lip. “But I should have told her as soon as I found out this morning.”
Bobby placed a loving hand on the pregnant bump belonging to the love of his life. “But you didn’t.”
“Because you told me not to. And now I’ve changed my mind.”
“No.” He stood back up and faced the mirror, trying to get the tie right himself.
Unhappy with her husband’s response, she got up from the bed and straightened her dress over her ripe, six month pregnant body. “Robert Drake, I can still tell her. At least it will give her some time to get used to…”
“No,” he repeated, more forcefully, catching her eye with his reflection. “It’s complicated enough as it is. It’s her birthday, so let her enjoy it. Just tell her tomorrow morning.”
Kitty took a deep breath, unconvinced. Seeing that he was getting nowhere, she slapped his hands away and within a few deft moves, had his tie perfectly knotted under his throat.
Iceman took Shadowcat into his arms and kissed her tenderly. “We are going to have a wonderful time tonight, kitten. It could be that you’re wrong about how Anna will react, anyway. Since Scott arrived last week, the two of them have been at like teenagers. It’s only been a few months since he last came here and yet they can barely keep their hands off each other. They’re happy.”
Kitty nodded, accepting his hug. Her husband of three years was right. Scott and Anna did look pretty happy, and besides, she had a tendency to make things bigger than they were. She’d let Anna enjoy herself, it was her birthday after all.