Paige won’t respond well to that and I can’t blame her. I try forming a response, but she beats me to the punch.
“The boss is the worst part of the job, actually. Everyone calls him the Warden because he’s a drill sergeant in a three-piece suit. His concern for work is also his only unattractive quality at home. But he’s a sweetheart, and he’s worried about protecting his company, so who can blame him? It was my dream to work for Beatrice Nightingale Brandt before I knew Ward existed.”
Hold up. She just told my potential client the worst thing about me is that I expect hard work and care too much?
My God, she’s perfect.
“What made you want to work for Beatrice?” Mrs. Winthrope asks.
“When I was in the sixth grade, my parents enrolled me in this fancy academy called Murchinson. The school’s in the middle of a lot of acreage with beautiful trees and flowers, and the building is glass, so you can always see it. There’s a hanging garden in the rafters and a waterway inside. The building was set up to never interrupt the natural scene.”
“Does Murchinson have a boarding option? I think I’ve been there. One of my great nieces goes to school here in the States, because my nephew married an intolerable woman.”
I like Mrs. Winthrope more than her husband. She’s warmer and blunt, if a little heavy at times.
Paige nods. “There’s a boarding option, but my parents were local so I never took it. Anyhow, at first I thought the building was just beautiful, but then I realized with all the natural lighting and scenic beauty I thought better at school. I fell in love with learning. I had to know who designed it because I knew whoever it was—whatever company or person—I wanted to work for them one day.”
“How lovely!” Mrs. Winthrope gushes. “You were blessed with an inquisitive mind.”
“Better. I didn’t expect to find out the place was designed by a woman. That was just icing on the cake. I spent several years following her designs. Most of them are green, striking, and luxurious. That’s a rare combination. When you go the sustainable route, it’s really easy to come across as rustic or too drab. But Beatrice’s work doesn’t do that. She’s modern and sophisticated, in a class all her own.”
“Wow,” Mrs. Winthrope breathes. “I think you might be the most interesting person I’ve talked to tonight.”
“That can’t be true. There are so many people here with more experience than me.”
“A lot of old windbags if you ask me.”
Paige giggles. “I don’t know about that, but I really admire Beatrice. The arts can be cruel to women even now and she was a pioneer. I can’t imagine what she went through.” She shrugs. “I really wanted to learn from her, but she retired right after I started working there, unfortunately.”
I draw Paige closer. “You should visit her. She loves you, and I’m sure she’d still teach you anything you want to know.”
Mrs. Winthrope smiles at me. “Well, it seems Miss Holly would be terribly hard not to adore.”
I plant a kiss on the top of Paige’s head. “I agree.”
She looks up at me with blank eyes.
“I think the mister’s in the corner. They have an old bottle of aged brandy back there they’re selling by the shot.” Mrs. Winthrope takes a sip of her champagne.
I smile at her.
“I could use a shot myself.” I look at Paige. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you.”
She nods and we start toward the cash bar, but we pass Martin Walker on the way. He’s a major investor behind a lot of changes to the Chicago skyline.
“Hey, I haven’t seen you in a while,” I say.
“That’s right. Not since the big downtown renovations. How are you doing, Ward?”
“I’m good.” I motion to Paige. “This is my fiancée, Paige Holly.”
“She’s a beaut,” he says.
“She’s right here,” Paige says.
I can’t help but chuckle.
Martin holds out his hand. “My apologies, ma’am. Martin Walker, a pleasure to meet you.”
She shakes his hand.
“Are you just here for the alcohol, like me?” he asks with a snicker.
“No, I think Ward’s place on the lake needs some fresh art, and I might be able to fit in a sculpture or ten.”
His laugh makes me grin...or is it just her wit?
She can be wickedly adorable when she lets her guard down.
“He’s been a bachelor until now. Lucky for him he has you to come in and spruce