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Malcolm took her hand. “You look lovely, my dear.”
Judy’s fingers fluttered to the simple strand of pearls at her throat. “I guess I didn’t understand how formal the event is. I should have worn something finer, I think. And brought my blinking nose.”
“You are lovely no matter what you wear,” his grandfather said, bestowing a courtly kiss upon her hand. “And this is my grandson, Brennan.”
Judy turned eyes the color of root beer on him and smiled with sincerity. Oh, yes, he could see the softness in this woman, the very feathers for which his grandfather had been searching. His mind flashed to another woman with soft brown eyes and an unpretentious nature—a woman he had to stop picturing naked. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Poche. My grandfather has told me how much he admires you.”
“Well, your grandfather is as charming as you are, no doubt.”
Brennan turned to his grandfather. “I’m off and shall see you both at City Park.”
Judy nodded and took a few steps toward the Jackson Pollock hanging above the mantel, giving Brennan the opportunity he needed to whisper in his grandfather’s ear.
“Take her to Gigi, or Margaret Pride will eat her alive and wash her down with champagne.”
Malcolm straightened. “Yes, we should be leaving, too. I’ve a special little treat for you, Judy, and I won’t hear of your refusing me.”
“A treat?”
“I want to spoil you a bit, my dear. Say you will let me.”
She shook her head. “I don’t need spoiling.”
“Adieu,” Brennan said as he headed toward the garage, checking his pocket for both his keys and his money clip. Yes, Judy reminded him of Mary Paige, and he rather liked that about the woman.
“This is going to be quite a chore,” his grandfather called back, obviously exasperated with the angelic Judy and not bothering to temper it in front of the woman.
Brennan shook his head. Do-gooders and angels. He hoped the Christmas season would be over soon.
He also hoped his grandfather left him well enough alone. He didn’t need lessons on living—particularly those that contradicted all he’d learned from the same man. And he didn’t need to change all that he was just because certain people made him feel like—
Bah…he wasn’t thinking about it.
* * *
MALCOLMWATCHEDJUDYas she set her chin at a ridiculously high angle. Where was his sweet, reasonable Judy? “Come now, Judy, I want to treat you to something most women would love.”
“I’m not most women. What I’m wearing suits me. I’m not flashy and don’t wear jewels. In fact, I’m almost embarrassed to ride in a chauffeured car to a party. Feels wrong.”
Gator drove the sedan through the ornate iron gates enclosing the Henry mansion and onto the street. Malcolm shifted next to Judy, wishing he’d been more specific about what was appropriate dress for the event. Of course, Judy was right. She looked lovely wearing light pink lipstick and tasteful clothing. But no one would be dressed so plainly and the thought of Barracuda Margaret making Judy feel less than what she was angered him. Character counted and a person shouldn’t judge by outer trappings. Wasn’t that what his point was about when he’d dressed as a homeless man? He should let Judy be and admire her for who she was, not what the glittering, phony society would think of her.
Still, something inside him wanted to lavish this woman with something as beautiful as she was. Silks to slide against the softness of her skin, amber jewels to match her eyes, and beautiful heeled shoes to finish off those legs he’d once caught a glimpse of when he helped her hang the new shelves for the academic center at Holy Trinity.
“Please,” he asked, pouring all the desire he had for her into that one word.
Judy tilted her head, an endearing habit, and those eyes narrowed. “Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
“Not even if you wore a burlap sack and scuba flippers.”
“Now that would be something.”
“I’m not trying to change you, but when you care about someone, you enjoy doing nice things for them.”
“Care about me?” Her throat worked as she swallowed hard.
He nodded, unable to look away. “Did you think I asked you to be my date tonight because—”
“You care for me?”
