The Veiled Heiress

09-A Devious Plan

Emotions around the Collins/Gray house have been intensifying. Ashton and Tyler’s relationship is becoming more passionate. Whenever they are in the same room, their eyes stray to each other, stand so close enough that some part of their bodies is touching. Ashton is entrenching herself more into the family, eating meals together and watching movies with Tyler. Tyler makes it a habit of walking straight towards her when he enters the same room. It is becoming obvious to others that they are starting to fall for each other.

On the other hand, Lucinda and Henry’s relationship seemed to be waning. Henry was still angry over the partnership with Warrick. Warrick refuses to work with him, so all the details and planning are going through Tyler. Henry is beginning to feel that he has lost his place at his own company and makes him frustrated at home. Lucinda could care less about all the drama and just wanted the money.

Lucinda has been keeping a close watch on Tyler for the past couple of days. She supposes that he will take over the company sooner than later and is thinking of ways to seduce him into her bed, figuring that he would fall for her once he was there. She was also a little worried about his reaction to her words about Warrick. She wasn’t sure how close the two were but did not want Warrick to out her. Lucinda would lose everything if people found out she was once married to a billionaire. If men knew, her sob stories would not work as well, and she would not land as many as she does now. If she keeps Ashton and Tyler away from each other, then Tyler would not look at Lucinda so closely.

Lucinda also did not want Ashton to be happy. Why should that insufferable girl be happy when Lucinda must do all the work for their money? Her daughter was horribly spoiled by her father and brother, so now expects everyone to give her everything. Tyler may be getting wrapped around her finger.

She was sitting in the dining room watching the two sitting in the living room with their heads together. Who knew what they were talking about? Lucinda started plotting in her head of a way to separate them. All of a sudden, she got a really great idea. She picked up her phone to call someone she hadn’t thought of in over six months.

“It’s me,” Lucinda began the conversation. She listened as the other person responded, “Oh, I think she misses you like crazy. She has been mopey for the last six months. Honestly, it is driving me crazy.” She waited for the person at the other end of the line to continue the conversation.

“Well, that is the reason why I am calling you. I know she would love to see you. How about you come for dinner at our new place? Great! Let’s say sevenish? Wonderful, see you tomorrow,” Lucinda and her companion wrapped up some details about tomorrow’s dinner and hung up. She allowed herself a minute to smile deviously before talking to the maid and chef about tomorrow's dinner.

The next night, Tyler walked into the dining room as Lucinda was double-checking all the details for tonight’s special dinner. She had picked out the nicest China that they owned, as if royalty was coming. This puzzled Tyler greatly; they had not used any other dishes but their normal dishes since Lucinda and Ashton came to live with them.

“Are we having a guest?” Tyler queried, pointing to the extra chair and place setting.

“Oh yes. We are having someone very special coming to dinner tonight,” Lucinda emphasized the word 'special', smiling mischievously, causing Tyler to furrow his brow, reflecting that Lucinda was acting weird.

Just as Lucinda finished answering, the doorbell rang. She sent the maid to answer and bring their guest in as she straightened her dress and made herself look perfect.

A few minutes later, the maid entered with a young gentleman following a step behind.

“Mr. Jeffery Langston,” she announced to the room. Lucinda thanked her and asked her to bring Henry down to the table.

“Ah Jeff, right on time as usual. How wonderful to see you. I know Ashton was greatly excited to hear that you were coming for dinner. She left to get a new dress and haircut just to make herself pretty for you. Come have a seat,” Lucinda welcomed the guest. As she spoke, Henry entered the room still in his glum mood.

As they were taking a seat, Lucinda made introductions, “Please let me introduce you all. This is Henry, my sweet, wonderful beau, and his son, Tyler.” Lucinda pointed to each in turn. “Gentlemen, this is Jeffrey Langston, Ashton’s fiancé.”

Tyler looked up in surprise. Ashton has never said anything about a boyfriend, much less a fiancé. He knew her well enough by now to know that she would not play games like that. He looked over this so-called fiancé. Jeffrey was handsome enough, with a slight runner’s build, blonde hair and hazel eyes. He was almost as tall as Tyler himself, but there was something that made his appearance seem smaller. Tyler also noticed that his hazel eyes displayed a bit of arrogance.

Henry seemed pleased to meet someone who might take Ashton off his hands, “Pleased to meet you, Jeffrey. I did not know Ashton had a fiancé. What do you do and how did you meet Ashton?”

Jeffrey loved to talk about himself, “I am an attorney in my father’s firm. It happens to be the one Lucinda works at, so that is how we met. She introduced me to Ashton almost a year ago, and it was love at first sight. We have been inseparable since.”

Tyler was skeptical, “If it was love at first sight, why does Ashton not live with you?”

Jeffrey snickered, noticing that Tyler might have been jealous, “I am a little old-fashioned. I want to wait until after marriage to live together. I respect her virtue. Speaking of Ash, where is she?”

Lucinda answered automatically, “She should be home any minute.” As she made that comment, the back door opened, and Lucinda could see Ashton taking the stairs to her room.

“Ashton, please come into the dining room and have dinner with us,” Lucinda called out to her.