Greg blinked at the suggestion. He'd been planning this trip for months and was pretty sure it had just been a lucky break for Marguerite. Before he could say so, Jeanne Louise led the twins into the room, and asked, "What's everyone doing up here?"
"I suppose Thomas is on his way up here, too," Lissianna said with exasperation, as the twins waved at Greg in greeting.
"You suppose right." Thomas was yawning and stretching as he entered the room. "Who could sleep with all that racket downstairs?"
"They've started vacuuming the hall outside the living room," Jeanne Louise explained. "It's what woke us up."
"So, what are we all doing up here?" Thomas asked.
"Lissi was about to untie Greg," Elspeth announced.
Lissianna scowled at her cousin as the others turned on her in horror.
"Do you think that's wise?" Jeanne Louise asked with concern.
"You can't!" Juli gasped. "He's supposed to cure your phobia. He can't go until he's done that." There were nods of agreement all around at this.
"So... What?" Lissianna asked. "We just keep him here against his will? He's hardly likely to want to cure me when he's being held here like this," she pointed out, and seven sets of eyes turned to survey him.
Greg tried not to scowl, but his need to use the bathroom was growing painful.
Lissianna moved to his other wrist and continued, "The fact is, the man's supposed to be on his way to Can-cün for the first vacation he's had in years and isn't pleased to be stuck here instead."
"Couldn't you at least wait until Aunt Marguerite wakes up and talk to her about it? Elspeth asked, but much to his relief Lissianna shook her head.
"No, it will be dinnertime before she wakes up."
"So?" Mirabeau asked.
"So, by then it might be too late for him to get another flight down to Cancun today," she pointed out. "Guys, he's promised to help me when he gets back. I've had this phobia my whole life, another week or so isn't going to matter... if he can even cure it," she added doubtfully.
Greg frowned at her lack of faith. He was considered one of the best in his field. If anyone could cure her, it was he.
"Oh, I'm sure he can," Elspeth said quickly. "He'll help you beat it, Lissi, then you can feed like the rest of us."
"What if he goes to the police or something?" Jeanne Louise suddenly asked.
"He won't go to the police. He climbed into the trunk himself, and it will show that on the parking garage security tape," Lissianna pointed out, using his argument.
"But--" Jeanne Louise began.
"I'm untying him and taking him home," Lissianna said firmly, then propped her hands on her h*ps and turned to face her cousins. "You guys might want to go downstairs while I do it so you won't get in trouble for being involved."
Greg held his breath as the cousins all exchanged glances, then closed his eyes as hope began to build in him when Jeanne Louise said, "Well, if you're determined to set him free, I'll help."
"We'll help," Elspeth corrected, and there were nods all around again.
Lissianna smiled faintly. "I don't need any help."
"Sure you do." Thomas countered. "First, you need a ride, and second, it will spread the blame around. The more of us involved, the less trouble you'll be in."
"Honestly, Thomas, you are truly wicked when it comes to getting out of trouble." Jeanne Louise looked impressed. Greg was pretty impressed himself.
"That's sweet, guys, really," Lissianna said. "But you don't have to--"
"Neither do you," Elspeth pointed out. "But if you're in, we're in."
"One for all, and all for one, huh?" Lissianna asked with gentle amusement, then much to Greg's relief, gave in. "All right, but if you're coming, you'd best get dressed."