Page 38 of Touch of Class

“Thrilling,” Hugh said drolly, then turned to Gillian. “Better you than me. Either way, it’s lovely to meet you.”

Gillian extended her hand, posture formal, but her expression warm. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Your name has come up a few times in different contexts.” He shot a quick and pointed glance at Daphne. “Though no one mentioned …”

“Is it time to go to fencing?” Izzy asked.

“You’ve got a few minutes, Love.” Hugh smiled down at her, and Daphne said a little prayer of thanks for their daughter disrupting whatever train of thought Gillian had sparked. “Why don’t you wrap up here with Ms. Gillian while your mum shows me her new office? Then we’ll head out.”

“Okay.” Izzy glanced up at Gillian. “I mean, is it okay?”

“Of course. Math first, then swordplay. Sounds like a perfect evening.”

Hugh chuckled as he took hold of Daphne’s arm and guided her back across the hall. Then closing the door gently behind them, he leaned against the wall with a Cheshire cat grin. “I adore what you’ve done with the place, Darling, exquisite use of color and texture. The vibe is delightfully cozy. Now quick, tell me every single thing about the divine creature across the hall.”

Daphne rolled her eyes. “Not you, too.”

“I’m sorry. Is there another appropriate reaction to meeting Business Barbie over there?”

Daphne laughed. “Oh, she’d hate that.”

“Okay, but tell me I’m wrong. I’ve worked with the upper crust of society women and the corporate elite in three countries, and any one of them would gladly off her for a chance to steal a sliver of her bearing. The legs, the bone structure, the way the suit fits like God herself tailored it to her frame.”

“Okay, okay.” Daphne waved him off. “She’s put together, always has been, no need to belabor the point. She’s also smart and sharp-witted, and smells of oranges and something spicy. She probably doesn’t go around kicking puppies or anything heinous, but is this where we set the bar on humanity?”

“No, of course not. Most humans would faceplant into a hurdle that size, but I didn’t mean to trigger you. I’m just surprised. You undersold her quite a bit, and I also sort of got the sense you found her cold, like maybe even bordering on outright bitchy.”

“I didn’t go that far. I’d never talk about a woman quite that way.”

“But you’d think it.”

“Among other things.” Daphne softened. “Gillian is actually a bunch of other things, or she has the potential to be as the situation needs. She can be engaging and intellectual, confident and cool. Plenty of people find her inspiring in a variety of ways. I mean, I’ve never seen the appeal to quite that level, but she amasses a legion of followers wherever she goes. People trust her, and they’re loyal to her, and she seems loyal to them. I guess she’s not always an ice queen.”

“And if you knew all of this about her, why hasn’t it come up before? You’ve been in this office more than a month. I haven’t heard any of it.”

“Because I haven’t lived any of it. I mean, we talked a little bit, about Izzy.” Daphne remembered the sincerity of Gillian saying she was impressed with their family structure and the daughter they’d raised, but, honestly, she’d tried not to read too much into it. She didn’t trust the other shoe not to drop. Which was pretty unlike her, but Gillian had rarely appealed to her better impulses. “She’s all the things with all the people except me. It’s been true since high school.”

“No one is their most evolved self at sixteen. But what about now?”

Daphne shrugged.

He waited patiently.

“I guess she’s been better lately. Sort of. At least she’s not been outwardly snarky. She got me coffee one day, and she included me in the Halloween thing, even though she clearly didn’t know Robin had invited me.”

“That’s something, I suppose.”

“The good things I see in her are generally outside my sphere, though. She’s got excellent people around her, and she’s doing important work. I’ve watched her welcome clients over the last few weeks and joke with her team and run a business that’s doing legitimate good in the community. Most of all, she’s embraced Izzy with a level of genuine interest I’ll admit surprises me. I guess a part of me still has a hard time trusting it.”

“Trust it how?”

“It’s a bit like reading a great work of fiction or watching a well-made movie. She can be captivating, and I think within the various contexts she’s quite a sight to behold.” An image of Gillian in full costume drawing her bow sprang to mind unsummoned. “But I don’t live in a book or a movie. I’m real, and messy, and I know she doesn’t respect what I do. It’s like she’s got a script, and I’m over here trying to do improv.”

“Aw, you were so good at improv in college.”

“Damn right I was, but that’s not the point for Gillian. Nothing I do off the cuff will ever pass her vibe test. I don’t have a five-year plan or polished portfolio or an operation manual.”

“Honey, you’re a human, not a Chevy.”