It Began with a Man in a Mansion

By Diane M. Pratt

Allie is enjoying herself at her company's anniversary party, although she's pretty sure she'll be happier when she's finally able to snag the attention of the bartender. What she doesn't anticipate is being offered money if she pretends to be Lucien's date for the night, but after Lucien is able to secure her the much-needed ginger ale, she agrees, imagining the story she'll be able to tell her friends later. Except the pretense turns into something she never expects when she agrees to Lucien's simple request. All thanks to Chase Kneeland, the gorgeous IT guy, who has a "simple request" of his own that Allie finds irresistable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diane M. Pratt
• Release date: Dec 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393155911

Diane M. Pratt

Diane M. Pratt lives on Cape Cod where she avoids the summer traffic by hiding at home with her trusty laptop, long-suffering husband, and all the chocolate she can find. Escaping from reality in a romance novel, the ultimate goal a happy ending, is her idea of a good read.  

Book preview

Chapter 1

IT HADN’T PROMISED to be the party of the century, and since Allie had kept her expectations of the evening at a reasonable level, she was pleased to realize she was actually having fun. Runson Database Management’s tenth anniversary was the reason she and a thousand of her Runson colleagues had been invited to take over the historic Bismark Estate in western Massachusetts to be wined, dined, and generally appreciated. The mansion was gorgeous; breathtaking, really, and Allie wondered about the history of the place and the families that had lived there over the past century and a half. Western Massachusetts, nowhere near the ocean, didn’t seem the place for the rich and famous to decide to settle, but maybe there was an interesting story she needed to research. She would have preferred being outside exploring the grounds, but that wasn’t an option as the invitation had been clear it was to be strictly an indoor event. Every door she’d seen so far had been closed, so she couldn’t even stand in a doorway and gaze longingly outside, wishing she could walk barefoot through the grass and check out the trees. She bet there were beautiful gardens just begging to be enjoyed, especially since it was late June, but, alas, she wasn’t to be afforded that privilege.

The cocktail hour was in full swing and she had staked out a spot near the bar, hoping to find Cari, but so far she’d had no luck. Nor had she been able to capture the attention of any of the bartenders, but that was understandable as the thirsty guests outnumbered the servers by a good ten to one. Maybe they could all tell she’d bought her dress off the clearance rack, and even though she loved it, especially the swingy skirt and blue jewel tone color, it was probably not going to measure up to most of the other dresses tonight.

I’ll give you a hundred bucks to talk to me. An extra fifty if you smile and laugh a few times.

Allie heard the male voice and grinned, wondering who he’d directed his oh-so-interesting offer to. When she felt a tap on her arm, she turned to see a guy smiling at her. Although smiling was an exaggeration, since his face looked more pained than anything. Excuse me?

I’ll give you a hundred bucks if you talk to me for ten minutes, and smile and laugh a few times.

She knew he couldn’t be some weirdo off the street if he’d made it past the gatekeepers at the front door who hadn’t let her pass until she’d shown them her Runson ID. He could have been a weirdo colleague she’d never met, since she spent all her time in tech. support, rarely branching out into the other departments. He seemed normal enough, except for the crazy request. He was about her height, slightly younger than she, possibly late twenties. Maybe he had already reached his boredom limit and was surveying randomly selected females in the various rooms of the mansion, trying to see if it was true that everyone had a price.

Here’s a free smile. He was a nice-looking guy, even if he wasn’t her type with his dark hair cut in a high fade, but she wasn’t in the market anyway. However, this was a party, his request was interesting, and she could certainly be friendly.

He returned the smile with one considerably more natural than his original. That’s a good start. I’m Lucien.

And I’m wondering what you’re up to.

That’s actually a long story. Can I buy you a drink?

It’s open bar. He was making the smiling part easy.

What are you having?

Ginger ale. If I ever get there. She watched him signal one of the bartenders with more luck than she’d had and in less than a minute she had a glass in her hand. Thank you. She saw Lucien drop bills in the tip jar, and decided he hadn’t displayed any weird tendencies yet, although he did keep glancing around her shoulder. Maybe you could give me the thumbnail version of your long story.

Do we have a deal? Lucien asked.

You pay me for talking to you? Tell me your story first. There was no way she was going to let him pay her for a conversation, but when she told this story to one or two select friends, she wanted it to be good.

I want my ex to be jealous.

It was a challenge not to roll her eyes, but he had snagged her a ginger ale complete with cherry, so she conquered the urge. That’s a reason, not a story.

She’s over there in the corner surrounded by about twenty guys.

She’s the one you keep looking at with that impressive frown?

Am I frowning?

Look at me, Lucien. She hadn’t expected to be a relationship counselor tonight. It was supposed to have been just drinks, some hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, and some speeches. When he finally met her eyes, she smiled. "Now you smile. Maybe the latest attempt was the best he could manage, so she’d have to go with it. Keep smiling and tell me what happened, so I can get into character for this."

Kaylee broke it off because she thought I was cheating on her.

Were you? Because I think cheaters are despicable and not only will I not smile at you, I might say something loudly enough that everyone around knows exactly what you are. She continued to smile, momentarily giving him the benefit of the doubt.

No. I’d never cheat on her. Or any girl. My boss told me to take a client to lunch, an attractive female client, and Kaylee saw us together and jumped to the wrong conclusion.

You told her it was a client?

Yes. She didn’t believe me. I just want this fixed.

You really think talking to me is going to help?

Is she looking at me?

Maybe if I knew who she was I could give you an answer. The guy was almost pitiful, but he was certainly sincere.

Long, brown hair, wearing a red dress, Lucien said.

Don’t turn around. I’ll look for her. Allie laughed in case Kaylee was watching, but there had to be about a zillion people in the palatial room and she didn’t know how she was supposed to find one. Do you have a picture of her in your phone?

Hundreds.

Of course, it would be hundreds. I only need one. She watched him pull his phone from a jacket pocket and tap the screen, hoping he wouldn’t show her any photos she really didn’t want to see. She reminded herself to smile, and wished Cari was here to share in the whole experience.

Here. He held the phone out.

Very pretty. She linked her arm with his. No extra charge for this. She would have winked but didn’t think poor Lucien would be receptive. Let’s take a little stroll so I can look around. I’m trying to find my friend, so we can accomplish two things at once. Keep smiling.

Are you looking for your boyfriend? Because I don’t need any more trouble than –

Relax. It’s not a boyfriend. She wondered about Kaylee not believing poor Lucien, then reminded herself she didn’t know their history. Surveying the room, she spotted a red dress, saw long brown hair, and decided it looked like Kaylee. She was still surrounded by several guys, but not the twenty that Lucien had reported on. Okay, I see her. She heard him sigh. Keep smiling and don’t stare at her. Why don’t we go into the room with the hors d’oeuvres? She’ll see us walk by, and maybe that’s all it will take.

You think so? What if she thinks I’m cheating on her?

Didn’t you just tell me she broke up with you?

Yes.

Then you aren’t cheating on her. She released you. Into the sea. Where there are other fish.

Okay. Maybe you’re right.

So, Lucien, what department are you in? Time to focus on something besides Kaylee.

Sales.

You like it?

The pay is good.

She wondered how many times she needed to tell him to smile. Lucien? When he looked at her she pointed to her mouth.

Right. Sorry.

When we walk by, you need to be smiling, and looking like you’re having fun. Are you having fun? Now she was just teasing him, but the man needed to get the right attitude. When his elbow tightened around hers and he led her to the edge of the crowded room, but not near where Kaylee and her audience stood, Allie looked at him, seeing a difference in his expression.

You know what? Lucien asked. As of this second, I’m going to have fun. This is a party, and I’m not going to spend it staring at Kaylee, wishing she was with me. Because I’m with you.

That’s a good attitude.

What’s your name?

I thought you’d never ask. I’m Allie.

Nice to meet you, Allie. I’m Lucien. But I already told you that, didn’t I?

She guessed he was thinking aloud, and let the question pass. Let’s get something to eat.

When we walk by Kaylee, I’m not going to look at her.

You have come a long way, Lucien, and I’m proud of you.

Are you laughing at me?

She laughed. That was part of the deal, wasn’t it? And I’m not laughing at you. Think about how we look from a distance. The guy needed thicker skin, that was for sure.

Right. Laughing is good.

It’s the very best. When Allie saw Lucien’s eyes remain on hers as they passed within ten feet of Kaylee, she decided there was hope for him yet.

Chapter 2

CHASE WAS WONDERING if it was worth battling through the throng to reach the bar since it was so close to the end of the designated cocktail hour. He was ready for food and decided he’d hung around Kaylee from customer service, as she’d introduced herself to Matt and him, for long enough. She’d been acting as if everything he and Matt had said was the funniest thing she’d ever heard and he wondered why. Then Matt excused himself, heading for the bar, leaving Chase alone with her. She took the opportunity to put her hand on his arm, and he looked down, wondering about this new development.

Chase, let’s go find the buffet. Are you hungry?

This wasn’t the way he’d expected the night to go, but he was hungry and in the surprisingly strong grip of a very small hand. Sure.

Are you with someone? I mean, married, or in a relationship, or something?

The questions had become personal, and he’d have to thank his so-called friend, Zane, later for failing to get his butt to the party on time. He hadn’t worked for Runson all that long and had expected to meet people from other departments tonight, since his job in IT was more electronic than face to face trouble-shooting, but Kaylee seemed to have different plans for him. He knew he could lie but that wasn’t his style. Not with anyone. She stepped in front of him, where she would have been blocking his escape if he’d been planning to run. Her grip on his arm tightened and she leaned closer.

Listen, I need you to do something for me, Chase. I just saw my ex with someone, and I need you to pretend you’re with me.

Ah. Not into games like that.

She shook her head. "This isn’t a game, it’s a deal. Or think of it as a business transaction. A service. I’ll give you a gift card to have your car detailed. I’ll pay you cash. Whatever. I need you to do this for me."

Where was Zane tonight? He’d said he was coming, and Chase knew he would have been all over this deal, probably pushing for the detailing and the cash. Judging by the desperate look in Kaylee’s eyes, she would have agreed. I don’t think so.

"Please. Just for tonight."

Tears would be next. He’d seen it happen before, and had hoped never to see it again. He looked at his watch. Two more hours to go. He guessed he could pretend for two hours. Let’s go.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

She’d spoken quietly and released the death grip on his arm.

Yeah.

We’ll go to the buffet, I’ll find a table close to Lucien’s but not too close, so he can see me with you, and we’ll stay at the table and talk to each other and look into each other’s eyes, and things like that. It’s too bad there won’t be dancing.

Real shame about that. He walked beside Kaylee as he looked around for his old buddy, Zane, wondering if he’d be able to convince him to stand in. One fake date should be as good as another. His plan might have worked if he hadn’t seen Zane otherwise engaged with yet another girl Chase had never met.

The line for the buffet was about a mile long, probably a good thing. Speeches would start as scheduled no matter which stage of the meal the guests had reached. At this rate, he and Kaylee would have about ten minutes to finish their meals, and he would have upheld his part of the deal. He glanced at her as they stood in line. She was pretty enough, and small, the top of her head not reaching his shoulders. He wondered what had happened between her and the ex.

Kaylee? She’d stepped in front of him, and she spun around. The noise level was impressive, and he didn’t want to have to raise his voice but he was missing some crucial info. Where is he?

You mean Lucien?

That’s the one.

He’s seventeen people ahead of me in line. With that girl in the blue dress and heels that make her even taller than him. She crossed her arms, frowning. He always told me he liked it that I’m petite.

Venturing into TMI-land. If Zane came along now, Chase might offer to detail his car twice if Zane agreed to wait in line with him. Behind his fake date. The line’s moving. When she hurried to catch up, he looked ahead for a blue dress and saw the back view of her. Blue shoes, too. Had to be the one. The ex’s new girl. He checked his watch and wondered if it were possible for time to move backwards. Then he wondered why people broke up if all they wanted was to get back together. That had to be why he’d been lassoed. He reviewed the few relationships he’d had, trying to picture himself using a fake date to try to get back together, but the image wouldn’t come. Which made perfect sense. Kaylee. When she turned to him, he asked, Who ended it? You or Lucien?

What difference does it make?

And there you have it, folks. She’d faced forward so fast her hair had slapped against his jacket. The good news was, they were closer to reaching the buffet tables. With luck, there would be something left when they got there.

Chapter 3

THIS TABLE, KAYLEE said, putting down her plate and pulling out a chair, pushing aside the white linen tablecloth when it brushed her knees.

Chase watched as her eyes focused like lasers on the ex and the lady in blue, then he sat beside her where his view of the proceedings would be just as unobstructed. He hadn’t seen where Zane ended up and had given up hope of rescue. Luckily, four other guys sat at the table with them, which would have improved the situation had they been inclined to speak, but speed eating seemed to be all they were interested in.

While Kaylee spent considerable time slicing her meal into pieces small enough for a chipmunk, he eyed Lucien and his date, then glanced at Kaylee again. Old Lucien had upgraded from a girl to a woman, and shallow or not, he’d have done the same. What he didn’t understand was why the guy seemed more interested in what was on his plate than the brunette beauty beside him. Either Chase had chosen the wrong foods from the buffet or the guy’s priorities were badly skewed. When he saw Lucien stand, he looked at Kaylee to see if she’d noticed, but she was still operating on her salad. Keeping his eyes on Lucien, he said, Your guy is headed for the buffet. Alone. This could be your chance. That got her attention, and she looked from the lady in blue to her ex, then frowned. No, it was more like a pout.

He hasn’t suffered enough yet, she said.

Better not waste any time pondering that one. He focused on Lucien’s date instead. She looked to be enjoying her meal, and lay her fork and knife on the plate while he watched. When she stood, her eyes aimed at either Lucien or the buffet, Chase stood. Want anything else from the buffet?

No. I’m full.

Her stomach must have been the size of a grape. He kept his eye on the blue dress as he made his way to the food. She stopped at the dessert table, and he changed direction to follow. Lucien was returning to the table and Chase wondered if he would detour by Kaylee, but he wasn’t going to take his eyes off his quarry, even if he didn’t know what he would do if he caught up with her. Dessert seemed to be on the minds of half the room, and it was a challenge not to lose sight of her. A challenge he wasn’t up for, apparently, because she’d gotten what she wanted and started back to her seat before he even reached the table. He took a plate and snagged a couple of brownies he could