A day later, Jillian opened the boxes which had arrived from Kincade’s. She tossed tissue aside and pulled out the garments inside. There were gowns and robes in every color she could imagine. All were of the finest materials—silk, satin and lace. They were expensive and provocative without being gaudy or cheap. She had to admit, Quinton had wonderful taste. The note he’d written and sent with them also warmed her heart:
Can’t wait to throw each and every one of these on the floor.
It was signed with a big Q.
She was hanging the last one in her closet when there was a knock on her door. She slipped the note in the top desk drawer and said, “Yes?”
Gloria opened the door. “Mrs. Kincade, there’s a gentleman here to see you.”
“Do you know who it is, Gloria?” She wondered who could be visiting her. She’d only met Quinton’s lawyer and the mansion staff since arriving in Ashville.
“No, Ma’am. He said some friend sent him to see you.”
“Thank you, Gloria. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“I put him in the sitting room off the entry.” Gloria closed the door.
Still puzzled, Jillian came down the long winding steps and entered the large living room off the entry. Again she wondered why a strange man was visiting her. She’d never seen him before.
He was tall, but not as tall as Quinton. His hair was long and pulled back in a pony-tail. His eyes were black and his entire appearance gave her a hint that he had some exotic island ancestry in his genes. His muscles rippled through his tight white tee-shirt and his jeans looked as if they’d been painted on. He smiled when she entered and she noticed the perfect white teeth and the dimple in his chin. He looked to be around thirty years old.
“Mrs. Kincade?” He bowed to her.
“Yes, and you’re?” She didn’t offer her hand.
“I’m Stan Willoby. A friend of yours thought you might like to take advantage of my expertise.”
“What friend and what expertise?”
“The friend may want to remain anonymous, but I can tell you, I’m an expert at many things. I give great massages. I make the best martinis in town, I’m a good swimmer, and I always have wonderful conversations with my clients.” His black eyes seemed to dance. “I’m sure you’d like some stimulating conversation during your lonely day.”
Jillian frowned. “Why won’t you say sent you, Mr. Willoby?”
“I don’t think I should, but it was someone who was sure you’d want to meet me.”
“Why should I want to meet you?” Jillian didn’t mean to sound snappy, but this man’s arrival disturbed her. There was something about him she didn’t trust.
“Oh, lovely lady. You know it can get awfully lonely sitting around one of these big old houses all day, and you know yours is the biggest in the area. While you’re here trying to fill in your time, your husband is out doing only God knows what.” He flashed a smile. “Though we have some idea of what they would do with their young assistants, don’t we?”
Jillian didn’t hesitate. She stiffened her back and said, “Mr. Willoby, I’ll have you know, I’m not at all lonely, and I think you should leave.”
“Oh, come now, sweetheart. I’m friendly with the wives of some of your husband’s associates. I also know some of the girlfriends the men have on the side. In the meantime, the poor wives sit at home and grieve from lack of male attention. It’s that attention I’m willing to provide because I like older women. Why don’t you get the jump on your husband…
“Bertram,” Jillian called.
The butler appeared immediately. “Yes, Ma’am.”
“Please show this man out.”
“Yes, Ma’am. This way, sir.”
“Oh, Mrs. Kincade, you don’t want to throw me out. Think how lonely it’ll be when your husband stops coming home at night because he’s tied up.” He winked at her. “We both know that his being tied up means he’s out with a younger woman, don’t we?”
“Bertram, get him out of here, now.” Jillian’s voice rose.
“Sir, please come with me or I’ll have to throw you out physically.”
“I don’t think you can do that, old man, but I’ll leave for now.” He looked back at Jillian. “I’ll be waiting for your call. I know the time will come when you’ll be so lonely you’ll have a need for the company of a virile younger man like me. One who will give you untold amounts of pleasure.”
Jillian sank to the sofa after the man left. Almost instantly Gloria was on one side of her and Melba was on the other. “Are you all right, Mrs. Kincade?” Melba asked.
“I think so.” She looked as Bertram came back into the room. “Who was that man?”
“I don’t know, Ma’am, but I’m sure he won’t be back.”
“Bertram, you make sure he doesn’t bother this lady again,” Melba said sharply. “She doesn’t have to put up with the likes of him.”
“I will, Melba. You don’t have to worry. I’ll have him thrown off the property if he dares come to this door again.”
“Would you like some tea, Mrs. Kincade?”
“Yes, Melba. That would be nice.” Her voice was shaking.
Melba stood. “I’ll be right back.”
“Is there anything I can do, Mrs. Kincade?”
“Thank you, Gloria. I’ll be fine, but it shook me up a little. I can’t imagine anyone sending someone like that to see me.” She looked at the maid who was in her mid-twenties. “He said something about Quinton’s associates’ wives. But they don’t know me. I’ve only met a few of the people at the store. I can’t imagine anyone there sending him.”
“I’m sure he was just someone who read about your marriage, and wanted to see if you were like some of the society women around here.”
“What do you mean, Gloria?”
“There’s a certain few who are a lot younger than their husbands who married the rich men for their money. There are also the ones who are middle-aged and ignored by their husbands.” He voice faltered a little. “Both groups play around, if you know what I mean.”
Jillian stared at her. “I think that’s awful.”
Gloria smiled at her. “I figured you’d feel that way. You’re a nice lady, Mrs. Kincade. It’s too bad all the wives in the area aren’t like you. It’s a pleasure working for you.”
“It sure is.” Melba came back into the room. “Now, here’s your tea. Drink up and forget that sorry good-for-nothing fellow was ever here. We’ll see that he don’t come back.”
* * * *
Less than an hour later Quinton came out to the patio where Jillian was reading a western romance novel. “Are you okay?”
She was startled and almost dropped her book. “I’m fine.”
“Sorry I scared you, but I wanted to see for myself that you were all right.”
“What made you think I wouldn’t be?”
“I heard about your visitor.”
She frowned. “Who told you?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He smiled at her. “I can see my worries were unfounded. You look perfectly calm and relaxed.”
“I am.” She returned his smile. “I have to admit, his unexpected visit threw me for a little while, but the staff calmed me down.”
“Who was he, Jillian?” He stood before her and looked into her eyes.
“He said his name was Stan Willoby, and somebody sent him to visit me.” She shook her head. “I’d never seen him before, and he wouldn’t tell me who sent him.”
“I wonder who it could have been.”
She shrugged. “I have no idea.”
He motioned for her to slide over on the wrought iron love seat. She did and he draped his arm around her shoulder. “He must have upset the whole staff.”
“They were wonderful. Bertram threw him out. Gloria sat with me until I began to calm down, and Melba made me tea.”
“It seems my staff has taken a liking to my wife. I think they’d do anything to protect her.”
“They’ve been good to me. Just like you’ve been.” She smiled at him. “I bet it was Melba who called you. She was mad at the guy.”
“You’re easy to be good to, Jillian, and yes it was Melba. You’re not going to be mad at her for calling me, are you?” He squeezed her shoulders a little.
“Of course not. I’m glad she wants to protect me and I’m glad you think I’m easy to be good to. When I was trying to care for my aunt at home, she thought I was a tyrant.”
“I can’t imagine that.”
“Well, it’s the truth.” She reached over and rubbed his chest, slipping a couple of fingers between the buttons. “I’m glad you came home. It makes me feel good to know you care.”
“Of course, I care, and I’m glad I could help.” He reached up and took her hand. “You’d better stop taunting me like that or I won’t be able to go back to work.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Jillian, Jillian, when are you going to stop apologizing to me? I meant it as a compliment. Your touch turns me on, and I was referring to the fact that I might have to carry you upstairs instead of finishing the project I’m working on for a fall event at the store.”
“In that case,” she said and pulled her hand from his. Again she began to rub his chest.
He grabbed her wrist. “Stop that!” He was laughing when he said it.
“Okay. If I must, I guess I must.”
“Yes, you must.” He pulled her tighter. “Now walk me to the door and I’ll see you tonight.”
“Only walk you to the door?” She looked at him sideways. “What if I decide to give you another goodbye kiss?”
“You’ll have to make it a short one. It’s not far from the front door to the stairs. I might have to take you up them if you get too amorous.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.”