Matchmaking at The Towers

Elinor and Frank and the Tea Party Pt. 4

Lane noticed a stirring around the table. The food and drinks were a success, and the meal evidently was coming to a close. A couple Ladies and Dan were playing with their fans. Isabel had stood and gone to where Ayla was seated, and sprawled on a cushion behind her. They had started a conversation.

"Issy, how are you doing? I had thought that your father might be able to come."

"He is not so well-liked by most of these people and was afraid that his presence would have cast a pall over Lane's party. He really respects Lane and didn't want to spoil this for him."

Ayla's brows shot up momentarily and she nodded in understanding. "Please tell him that we did think about him." Isabel's face went blank. She recovered quickly.

"Thank you, Ayla. I cannot believe that you treat me so well, especially since I persist in flirting with your Lane." She added quickly, "He did not flirt back by the way." Ayla was working very hard not to laugh, and finally she smiled softly.

Lane tapped a teacup to get everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen." He bowed his head slightly to Dan and Frank. "I do hope you have had a good time so far. I invite you now to explore the Nippon Garden, or the rest of the Towers Conservatory if you so desire. I am going to play with my new koi pond. You are welcome to join me." He stood and asked the Geishas to assist anyone who needed assistance getting up from the low table or walking in the sandal clogs.

Lane allowed the Geisha girls to re-sword him and offered his arms to Olivia and Elinor. Olivia declined, said she wanted to confer with Lisa about her assistant, Ellen. Lane nodded cordially and glanced down the table at Ayla. She and Isabel seemed to be talking quite comfortably, so he didn't feel too guilty about deserting her. He offered his arm to Elinor, who emulated his elegant style and rested her hand on his arm as he led her toward the wooden bridge over the pond.

Frank was conversing with Denise, but had an eye on Lane and Elinor. Lane at that moment bent down and murmured to Elinor, who laughed and leaned against Lane. Frank frowned and excused himself from his current conversation and walked as slowly as he could manage, following his wife.

Lane and Elinor had stopped on the expansion in the middle of the bridge. The koi had gathered under them, hoping that Lane had brought them some more bread. Lane put his arm around Elinor's waist to support her as she leaned over to look. From inside his sleeve, he produced a set of the hair sticks wrapped in a dark blue silk ribbon. She clapped her hands to her mouth and exclaimed. "They are so beautiful. I was jealous of the other ladies that you had given them to. Oh, thank you so much, Lane." She stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips. Instinctively, he placed his hands at her waist and returned just the tiniest pressure to her lips.

An angry male voice growled from a lot closer than Lane would have thought, "Get your hands off her, you bastard!" Frank grabbed Lane's arm and turned him away from Elinor.

"Frank," exclaimed Elinor, "What are you doing?"

Frank punched Lane on the chin. Lane could have blocked him easily, but thought better of it. He whined to himself, ("Damn...Not my pretty face...") He staggered backwards as Elinor stepped in between them. Frank was pushing at Elinor's hands as she tried to hold him off Lane. Lane rubbed his chin and looked perplexed.

"Frank...take it easy, sir. This isn't what it looks like." He gallantly set Elinor aside and stepped up to allow Frank another shot at him.

He made as if to take a swing at Frank, and Elinor screamed, "Lane, don't you dare hit him!" She threw herself against Frank and took his face in her hands. "Frank...dear...I was thanking Lane for a gift. He's not interested in me."

Frank and Lane both said, "Why not?" They looked at each other and almost laughed. Elinor looked confused.

Frank looked at Elinor and said, "We need to talk." He sent a significant look in Lane's direction. Lane bowed deeply and disappeared into the foliage. He glanced back in time to see Frank throw his arms around Elinor's neck, crushing her lips in a fervent kiss. She snaked her arms around his chest and leaned into the kiss. He heard Frank tell her in a "masterful" voice, "I'm taking you home to show you how much I do love you."

Lane mumbled as he rubbed his chin again, "I guess it was worth it. Good boy, Frank. You better not disappoint me...or her."

Calling Airen, Lane requested that Airen do some research on Frank and his business. "Something must be very wrong for him to have gotten into the state he's in. If we can help, we will." They could, and they did. In a few weeks, The Towers had a new supplier contract with Sabat Industries

He wandered on into the gardens, hoping to stumble across Ayla. (...Ah, well...there's always tonight...)