Dealing for a Kiss

St James Family Seat in Warwickshire

The party was in full swing when Michael Swindon walked in. He greeted the Duke and Duchess at the door, spotted his parents, and made his way to them. He had dropped off the limelight a few years before, leaving behind the rumor that he was heavily in debt. That rumor greatly thinned out the herd of people who called themselves his friends and that was fine by him. At least now he knew who his true friends were. Even his own parents didn't know the extent of the wealth he'd amassed in the past four years. Making him one of the richest men in the country according to his business advisor. For now, it was important that only a few people knew of his true circumstances. It was bad enough he had a title and some wealth to inherit. If people found out what he was worth, his life would become unbearable.

"Hello Mother, Father, how are you both doing?" He kissed his mother on the cheek and bowed slightly to his father.

"You're here!" June Swindon replied happily. She looked her son over, shook her head sadly at what she saw.

"Michael, I've told you, if you need money we can help you with your debts. It's nothing to be ashamed of. All your father owns will belong to you one day anyway, the only difference is you're getting some of your inheritance much earlier." June Swindon whispered to her son.

She looked critically at his suit and asked: "How old is that suit you're wearing?"

"Mother, please be happy I made it to this party at all." A frustrated Michael snapped. "My disagreement with my neighbor earlier today could easily have prevented me from coming out tonight!"

His face promptly changed as he remembered the encounter with his impossible neighbor. A woman the superintendent called "Mad"! She was probably mad for all he knew! He still could not believe her hostility towards him. He was the injured party! Michael still had twelve days left in that London apartment and there was no way he could put up with the constant noise coming from her apartment! Noise at all hours!

Michael snapped out of his musing with his mother's question. "Neighbor?"

"Yes mother, remember I'm staying in London for two weeks while work is being done on my estate. Apparently, the apartment I'm renting is directly opposite a factory!" Michael retorted.

June alarmed that his financial troubles was the reason he could only afford an apartment opposite a factory, replied "your father and I will be happy to open the London apartment for you. Your safety is more important than your pride son!"

Michael frowned, confused. "What are you talking about, Mother?"

"Your delicate financial troubles?" June whispered.

Michael laughed then quietly informed his mother of the address he was staying at in London, which increased her bewilderment.

"That's one of the most exclusive addresses in London! However, can you afford it?" June asked confused.

"Oh, it belongs to an old university friend. He's letting me use it while I'm in London." Michael explained.

"Okay, that makes sense. But how can the residents allow a factory to operate there?" June puzzled.

"I don't imagine it's an actual factory Mother, but with the noise coming from there at all times of the day, it might just as well be!"

"So what are the property managers going to do about the noise?" June asked.

"Nothing I'm told. They say it's because she's a longtime resident. They promised to have a word with her. So it means I must endure it until they talk to her!" Michael finished furiously.

Considering what he was paying for two weeks, he didn't deserve that level of stress and aggravation. She was an artist according to the property manager. More like a factory worker from all the weird noises coming from her apartment. She wasn't even a sculptor because he'd asked. So what could she possibly be doing that was generating the endless noise? One type of noise after another. Lodging that complaint with the management office probably explained her rudeness that morning. Not that his complaint had made a difference anyway. They had politely informed him that as a temporary resident; he didn't have the same rights as long-time residents. He promised himself that he would find out what was really going on in that apartment if they didn't resolve it in the next few days. At the very least, he would like to discover what was going on in the apartment. The fact she had kissable lips was no excuse for rudeness! Michael thought.

Michael realized where his thoughts were heading and stopped them immediately! He refused to think anymore about what was really bothering him about the encounter. No, he would not think of that now. He had to focus on getting to know Isabelle again. Perhaps they could make another go of their relationship. If for nothing else, it would get his mother off his back! He had promised his parents he would try, and so he would.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changed. He looked up to see what had everyone riveted and then he saw her. Isabelle, Margaret St James. The younger daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Salisbury. She was a true vision of loveliness. Her beautiful honey blonde hair shone like silk, Michael still remembered running his fingers through it when they made love. Her slender figure, long kissable neck, and well-proportioned bosom peeked out from the navy blue gown she wore, daring every man in the room to stare at it and her. Isabelle was just breathtaking! She looked directly at Michael and smiled and he was hooked just like that. Michael was back in secondary school again with that feeling of helplessness he always felt in her presence. Her smile always had the power to take his breath away. She was in her element as she walked down the stairs. She waved and acknowledged her guests like a queen waving to her subjects. Many of the male guests looked mesmerized and paid her homage in return.

Isabelle's father received her at the bottom of the stairs, showing everyone that she was single and very much on the marriage market. There was a mad dash to secure a dance with her, extend dinner invitations and secure an introduction from every eligible man in the room and some that were not. Michael probably would have been one of those men had he not been at the receiving end of her disloyalty in the past. All that attention was a complete turnoff for him.

He stood back, watched the show for a while, and then decided to leave. He didn't want to make a fool of himself again. She was entirely too lovely for a red-blooded male like himself to resist. As he turned around to find his parents and tell them he was leaving, he heard Isabelle call out his name. Michael knew it would be rude to ignore her, so placing a polite smile on his face, he turned around and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek as was appropriate. Michael complimented her on her looks and asked how she was doing. All the while he couldn't stop staring at her lips. Michael remembered how soft those lips were and he had a weakness for soft lips, he always had. He had never found one as soft as Isabelle's and as he looked into her eyes, he could tell she knew the effect she was having on him.

Immediately, Michael got control of his emotions, quickly made his excuses and left her presence. Isabelle looked disappointed but Michael didn't care. He needed to get away fast before he caused a scandal or worse made a complete fool of himself.

He found his parents on his way out, told them about another engagement he had to attend. His mother protested, but he explained that he had fulfilled his promise to attend the party. He had made no promises on how long he would stay. Michael noticed that people treated him differently now they thought he was a "no good" impoverished Earl. Some even speculated that he was a "secret" gambler even though there was no evidence of him ever having gambled or visited a gambling den. This made it easy to leave a party like St James's without being stopped by too many people.