The Grooms

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“I’ll see you in an hour or two sweetheart” Rose called out moving with surprising speed for a woman of her age. You look absolutely stunning” she said once she was half way the stairs that lead to the door. Lin stood in the column of her unzipped of her white silk dress, and heaved out a breath. Typical it thought, she was just typical, her godmother has been forever shoving men into her path, which left her in the irritating state of having to push them out again.

Marriage was something she had firmly shoved off in her life plan, after growing up in a house where manners precedence over love and casual affairs was politely ignored, Lin have no intention of ever finding her self in the same sort of situation-ship or relationship. Men were fine as decorations but as long as she runs the show, and at the moment her career is much more important than having someone to dine with on weekend nights.

She intended to continue her steady climb up the family cooperate ladder at Benson’s. In ten years, according to her she would take over as CEO.

It was another show she intended to run, Benson’s wasn’t just a department store, it’s an institution. Being single and remaining that way insured she could devote all her time and energies to maintaining the company’s reputation and style.

She wasn’t her mother. Lin thought with a faint frown marrying her brows, who thought of the company as her personal closet, or her father who had always been considered with bottom line profit than innovations and traditions. She was, Lin thought to herself. And to her Benson was a responsibility and a source of joy to her. It was what, she supposed her true family.

Some people might find that sad but she found it comforting.

With a quick move she zipped her dress up, part of her responsibility at Benson cooperation was to mingle, to attend social functions, to her it was simple a matter of changing gears.from one kind of work to another. The after hours work called on training she’d received throughout her childhood and was second nature to her now. And the “job” often meant being linked with the proper escort.

At least this time her aunt Rose didn’t have any real interest in making a match. It would just be a matter of making small talk with a virtual stranger for the evening, and God knew she was an expert in that area. She turned and pick up the pear and diamond drop necklace, she’d already picked up to match her dress. The room reflects her taste, simple, and elegant with a dash of flash. The antique headboard of carved cherry, the highly polished surface of lovely tend occasional tables topped with designed flowery vases of fresh flowers or carefully chosen accessories. Her home now she thought with quiet pride. She’d made it her own.

There was a cozy sitting area in front of a small marble table like fireplace and a dainty ladies’ vanity displaying a collection of boldly colored perfume bottles. She selected her scent, absently dabbling it on, while she allowed herself to wish, just for nothing but to quietly spend the lovely evening at home She’d put in ten hours a day at Benson’s. Her foot hurt, her brain was tired and her stomach empty.

Pushing all that aside, she turned to the chevalier glass to check the line and fit of her grown, it was cut straight at the bodice and flowed without fuss to the ankle leaving her shoulders bare, she added the short jacket, flipped into her heels and check the contents of her evening bag.

When the door bell rang she only sighed once, at least he was prompt.

She remembered Armstrong vaguely from childhood, she’d been much too nervous and impress from meeting the president to notice much else, but she’d heard of him off and on over the years.

An artist she reminded herself as she started walking down the stairs. Of the modern school, which she didn’t pretend to understand. Lin preferred the classics in all things. Had there been some scandal about him and a ballet dancer a few years back? Or had it been an actress.

Ah well she thought. She supposed the son of a former president would make news over trivialities and being the grandson of Damon Wilson would only intensify the spotlight. Lin was much happier working backstage herself.

And obviously the man couldn’t be such a hit with the ladies if he couldn’t even get his own date on a Saturday night.

Putting on her company smile, Lin opened the door. Only years of education by Swiss women and the discipline they’d instilled, kept her mouth from dropping wide open.

This man—this very dangerous looking man in black tie, with hair color of her prized dining room table and eyes sparkling green they burned—needed his grandmother to find him a date?

“Lin benson?” He had to have the wrong house was all Armstrong could think. The shimmering willow stem in white silk was nothing like the spindly little girl he remembered rather than dandelion fluff her hair was spun gold curved sleekly around a face that might have been carved from ivory, her were a soft and misty blue.

She recovered her how do you do smile never flattering as she offered a hand. “Yes. Wilson Armstrong ?”

“Wilson Damon is my grandfather”

“Armstrong then”. Normally she would have invited him in, played hostess for a short while and give them both an opportunity to get somewhat comfortable with each other. But there was something not quite safe about him, she decided. He was too big, too male, and those eyes were far too bold “well” deliberately she stepped out and closed the door behind her “shall we go?”

“Sure”. cool his grandmother had said, and Armstrong decided that the old woman man had hit the mark. Definitely an ice princess for all her glamorous looks, it was going to be a very long evening.

Lin look one look at the ancient and tiny sport car at the curb and wondered how the help she was supposed to fold herself into it wearing this gown.

Aunt Rose ,she thought, what have you gotten me into?