To Trap A Temptress (Southern Sanctuary - Book 2) (20 page)

“Nell,
Darling… come in.”  Dressed in a long sleeve grey silk dress Alma was
looking the epitome of health and well-being.

“I
was told there was a problem?”

“Yes,
my ankle.”  Alma swivelled in her chair holding out a slim toned ankle for
inspection.

“Hhmm.”
Nell pulled a chair up next to her Great Aunt and took a seat.  Gently
lifting the suspect appendage in question onto her lap.  “Let’s have a
look shall we.  Can you tell me what happened specifically?”  She
enquired as she began her examination, no discolouration, no puffiness, no
swelling… unsurprisingly no nothing.

“I
just took a slight stumble, new shoes.  I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“Well
I’m glad you called, at your age we can’t be too careful.” 

“My…
age?”  Alma sounded slightly indignant.

“Well
I don’t want to sound alarmist but there are a number of age related reasons
why you may no longer be as steady on your feet as you once were.”

“Oh,
it was just a small misstep really, hardly anything at all.”

“Does
it hurt?”  Nell rotated Alma’s foot gently.

“Not
really.”

“Mmmmhhh.” 
Nell filled the note with worried concern.

“What?”

“Did
you lose consciousness when you fell?”

“I
didn’t fall, I just went over slightly on my ankle.
 
I’m sure it’s just a sprain.”

“There
seems to be no pain… or obvious injury.  I’m wondering if the problem
isn’t your ankle but your balance, we could be talking low blood pressure,
inner ear problems, sugar, any number of things.”  Nell rotated the ankle
once more.  “I’d like to run some tests… blood, urine, the usual.”

“Ouch.” 
Alma jumped in her chair.

“Pain?”

“Yes,
right there where your thumb is.”

“Oh
well maybe we are talking just a simple sprain then.” Nell bit the inside of
her cheek to keep from laughing.  “Let me wrap it up, with elevation and
rest it should be as good as new in a few days.”

“Excellent.” 
Alma visibly relaxed as Nell pulled out a large bandage and got to work. 
“How was Fiji Darling, did you have a nice break?”

“Lovely,
beautiful resort, excellent weather.  Highly recommend it if you need a
place to relax and refresh.”

“Sounds
gorgeous… you didn’t meet any nice young men?” 

“I’ve
been meaning to speak to you about that.”  Nell glanced up to find Alma’s
brown eyes assessing her intently.

“You
did meet someone?”  There was a flare of triumphant in her Aunt’s face.

“Oh
no.”  Nell laughed.  “A holiday fling… me?  Not really my
speed.  But I did have some time to think whilst I was away and I’ve
decided I’d like to hire your services.”

“My
services?”  For the first time during the examination Alma actually looked
pale.

Nell
nodded, smiling.
 
“As a match maker.”

Alma
visibly winced and Nell had a suspicion it was nothing to do with her
ankle.  “Really, you’d like my help?”

“Yes
to meet someone nice, maybe someone with similar interests who works in the
medical field.  Someone who is in touch with his gentler side.  I
want what Hadleigh has with Vaughn.”  Nell shuddered slightly.  “Just
not the warrior part… too scary.”

“You
think Maat’s warriors are scary?”

“Who
wouldn’t?  One of them was in Fiji, he hooked up with some bimbo at the
bar the first night.  You know the type, all boobs and no brains. 
Obviously the girl doesn’t have a self-protective instinct in her body… the man
looks like a serial killer for Goddess sake.  I danced with him at
Hadleigh’s meld party and was lucky to walk away with my liver intact.” 
Nell applied the clips to keep the bandage in place.  “Done.”  Gently
she placed Alma’s foot on the floor.  “So will you help me?”

“Help
you?”  Alma stared dubiously down at the large lump that was now her
bandaged ankle.

“Match
making?”  Nell gave her Aunt a sunny smile. “To find someone… nice?”

“Oh…
yes… I’ll look into it and get back to you.”

“Excellent.” 
Nell stood up, smoothing down her dress.  “Now someone from my office will
drop off a boot later today.”

“Boot?” 
Alma sent her a confused look.

“For
your foot.  I know they’re a little bulky and unattractive but at your age
we can’t be too careful.  If you’re still in pain in a week I can take
another look, maybe get an x-ray.  Until then keep it elevated and wear
the boot everywhere you go and I do mean everywhere.”

Nell
was still laughing as she made her way down the council building steps and
across the town square to the Council Special liaison offices.  She found
her sister Darcy sitting in her usual spot on top of her completely empty desk
in the middle of her office that always appeared to be in a state of perpetual
chaos.

“You
know I’m beginning to think you may have hoarding issues.”  Nell commented
drily winding her way past stacks of books, pamphlets, folders, files and
scrolls.

“Sssh,
lower your voice and tread carefully.”

“Problem?”
Nell came to stand by her sister. 

They
may not share similar tastes but she could still admire Darcy’s style. 
Currently her sister was rocking a hot pink tartan micro mini, a white corset
tank top over which she’d layered a hot pink shirt, opened but tied at the
waist.  With her Louise Brooks short dyed black blunt cut hair Darcy
always looked as if she’d just escaped from a convent school where she majored
in burlesque. 

“I
don’t share this with many people but the reason I always wear boots is because
a lot of the books in here bite.”

“Really?” 
Nell eyed the mess and deciding to err on the side of caution, hopped up on the
desk next to her sister.

“Well
that and they make me look hot.”  Darcy eyed her white thigh high lace up
boots with admiration.

“Yes
they do.”  Nell had to agree, though where Darc found thigh high hot pink
stockings was anyone’s guess.  “I was hoping we could talk, do you have
ten minutes?”

There
came a rustle of paper and the sound of something leathery moving in a far
corner of the room which pulled Darcy’s attention for a split second. 
Immediately she held her hand up signalling for silence, her laser sharp ice
blue eyes scoping the room.  A minute passed and nothing else happened,
Darcy relaxed, leaning back on her hands she began swinging her legs.  “So
you’re here to tell me why you’ve been acting so strangely the last four days?”

“I
haven’t been acting strangely.”  Nell tried to keep her voice even and her
heartbeat under control, Darcy was a master at body language, once calling her
out on a lie when all she’d done was blink one too many times.  Her little
sister could be very scary indeed.
 
She
supposed that’s why she made such an awesome Special Liaison Officer for the
Council. 

“Let
me see.  Since you’ve returned from holiday you’ve ever so sweetly but in
no uncertain terms pushed back on your service for adding non-emergency house
calls to your schedule without checking with you first.  The girls on
reception think you’ve got your period by the way, that’s why they keep offering
you chamomile tea.  Because the all that’s good, kind and obliging Doctor
Nell never says no.  Then there’s cousin Carl… sorry we both know he
prefers to be called Doctor Langtry.  Who has never met a tee off time
early enough for his liking.  What did you say to him Tuesday when he
tried to take yet another half day, dumping all his patients off on his
favourite patsy?  Oh and by patsy I mean… you.  Let’s see… oh yes I
believe you told him that if he ever tried to skip out on his responsibilities
again you would take his favourite putter and refresh his proctology skills.”

“I
never said that about his putter.”  Nell spluttered in her defence.

“Oh
sorry did I say putter… I meant to say his favourite driver.”  Darcy shot
her older sister an amused knowing smile.

“Honestly
how do you always know this stuff?  I was alone with Carl in the tearoom
when I said that?  And I only resorted to the threat regarding his driver
after I checked the records and realised Carl had taken seventeen early days
last month… seventeen!”

“I
did know that actually… I just didn’t know that you cared.  You always
seemed more than happy to fill in for him before.  But you’ve been cutting
down on your hours at the hospital, insisting non-emergency patients make
clinic appointments, working less in your greenhouse and you’ve just come from
binding an imaginary ailment for Great Aunt Alma… the dreaded family match
maker.  So tell me Sweetness what exactly is going on?”

“I’m
really not all that sweet.”  Nell insisted, half amused, half horrified at
Darcy’s recounting of her activities.

“And
it’s unlike you to prevaricate.”  Darcy turned her head, giving her sister
her full attention. Something was different?   Not the outfit, that
was modest, stylish and elegant.  Her hair as was Nell’s usual practise
when she was working was pulled back and off her face.  The shoes were a
little racy… Kurt Geiger if Darcy had to guess, but expensive slightly
impractical shoes were her sister’s weakness.  No it wasn’t her outward
appearance that had changed… there was something about Nell’s eyes, a
knowledge, a light. “Oh good Goddess, you’re in love!”  Darcy hissed out
the accusation. 

Somewhere
in the room something moved again, this time sending a stack of books toppling
to the floor.  Darcy still looking at Nell with horror filled eyes yanked
a knife out of her boot whip fast and flung it across the room.  Something
in the shadows squealed in pain and then abruptly fell silent.

“Darc..”

“Don’t
you Darc me.  It was Great Aunt Alma wasn’t it?  First Hadleigh and
now you!”  Darcy’s eyes narrowed in thought.

“Darcy
don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“Now
you’re coming to her defence?”

“Not
at all, her methods would put Machiavelli to shame and are infinitely more
convoluted.”  Nell couldn’t help but issue a small happy laugh.  “But
the results...”

“Goddess
look at you, all dreamy eyed and exuding happiness pheromones… move over you
might be contagious.”  Darcy scowled at her sister, shaking her head in
disgust.  “I can’t believe the manipulative merry matchmaker managed
another hook-up under my watch… and my sister to boot.  I just don’t know
if I can let it go Nell.”  Darcy had gone that eerie still calm,
signalling she had shifted into super-villainess mode; plotting revenge,
payback and pain with serenity in her ice blue eyes and a small smile of
anticipation teasing the corners of her cupid bow lips. 

“No!” 
Nell held up a hand and used her sternest tone of voice.  “I am already
dealing with it Darcy.” 

“But...”

“No. 
And no whining about it.  When she comes after you the ban is lifted.”

“I’d
like to see her try.”

“Just
remember she’s a respected member of the council and family.  Not to
mention her big brother is the head of the council.  Great Uncle Edward
will come after you like the proverbial if he catches you plotting against
Alma.”

“When
do I ever get caught?”  Darcy scoffed, sending the tips of her hair
swinging about her ears.  “So you and the ‘Double-wide Warrior’ huh?”

“His
name is Drum.  And how did you guess it was him?”

“Duh!” 
Darcy rolled her eyes.  “Well this explains why you’re no longer playing
the part of the pushover, you finally have a life.  So if you didn’t come
here to rub my nose in the news of your hot, hot luv.  Then why are you
here?”

“I
need your help with the wedding.  There’s a timing factor involved which
is proving challenging.”

“And
by that you mean to tell me you’re getting married when exactly?”

“This
Sunday.”  Nell felt colour bloom in her cheeks.

“Wow
the Double-wide moves fast.”  Darcy studied her sister, noting the sparkle
in her eyes and the constant smile that never left her face...  ugh, those
in love were so disgustingly happy, it was kind of sickening.  Hmmm, but
still maybe she could use the wedding to her own advantage.  “You’ll be
inviting all of Maat’s warriors to the wedding I presume?”

“Of
course, they’re Drum’s brothers.  Why?”  Nell’s eyes narrowed as she
regarded her sister with sudden suspicion.  “You’re not interested in one
of them are you?”

Darcy
smiled her level three quirky evil smile.  “Not in the way you’re
implying, no.”

“Darcy
what are you planning?  Whatever it is I’m warning you now, no bloodshed
on my wedding day, no torturing any of my guests, no threats… in fact I don’t
want you even glaring at anyone with intent.”

“Oh
you, so stuffy.  What’s a family party without a little bloodshed?”

“Not
this party.  Not my wedding.  Promise me.  Promise me Darcy or I
swear to the Goddess I’ll tamper with your hair care products and make you
balder than a newborn baby’s butt.”