“Probably not, but the camellias have survived since the 1920s, so I’d like to keep them.”
Darcy made that notation on her worksheet. “Fine, we’ll prune them so they’re more attractive.”
“Darcy,” Griffin confided, “that was my former agent Karen Randolph. We parted company because I’ve insisted upon cutting back on my concert schedule. She warned it would ruin my career, to say nothing of what it would do to her income, and threatened I’d probably end up performing on cruise ships or in Las Vegas lounges.”
Darcy was enormously relieved to learn she hadn’t just observed a lovers’ quarrel, but she remained flippant. “Whatever. It really doesn’t matter to me.”
“Of course it does. I don’t throw beautiful women out of my house for no reason. Although sometimes, as you well know, they walk out on their own.”
Darcy shot him a harshly disapproving glance, but he wore an expression of such tender concern that she instantly regretted it. The infuriating man continually played on her emotions, and she feared she might soon become powerless to resist.
“Look, I’m wise to you, buddy, so give it up.”
“You’re wise to what?”
Darcy propped her clipboard on her hip. “You’re amusing yourself by distracting me, and you are definitely a distraction. But why don’t you just go on inside and practice scales? I’ll make my sketches on my own. I’ll show them to you when I finish and pick up that payment you owe us.”
Griffin’s glance narrowed menacingly. “This is strictly business. Is that what you mean?”
Darcy knew he couldn’t possibly be that dense. “You just came out of nowhere and—”
“No, that’s not true. I’ve been to Monarch Bay a dozen times in the last five years.”
“Be that as it may—”
“I like it here,” he continued. “The seaside scenery is spectacular. The people, with few exceptions, are friendly. Best of all, no one has any idea who I am.”
“Is that right?” A fiendish possibility took shape in Darcy’s mind. If he craved anonymity, she would post his address on the Internet.
“There’s something dangerous about your smile,” Griffin observed slyly. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing much,” Darcy nearly purred. “I was just considering how hard Christy Joy and I have worked to attract the very tourists you wish to avoid.”
“Don’t try selling maps to my house. I’m not a rock star, so you’d not make any money.”
“I don’t know. San Francisco is filled with sophisticated symphony patrons. They might all love to join you for afternoon tea.”
Griffin glanced away, but he appeared to be more amused than insulted. “Actually, that’s
not a bad idea. I could probably raise funds for some worthwhile charity hosting tea parties here. I could play a couple of tunes, pass a tray with cute little tea sandwiches and convince everyone I’m a lot of fun to know. Perhaps you could wear a French maid’s outfit and serve the tea.”
“That’ll be the day!” Darcy was tempted to hit him with her clipboard.
Griffin took note of the murderous gleam in her eye and backed away. “I’m only kidding, Darcy, but perhaps I should go work on my scales.”
Darcy was more angry with herself than him. When he turned everything she said to his own advantage, she should have been smart enough to keep her mouth shut. Then again, a glimpse of his smile was almost worth the cost to her pride.
Forcing her mind back to work, she stepped off the front yard and made a note of the dimensions. She also checked out the side yards and then paused on her way to the rear to listen, but the house was silent. It wasn’t until she reached the terrace that she found Griffin seated on the new bench.
She’d gloated upon discovering his desire for privacy created an unsuspected vulnerability, but watching him now, all alone, his thick black hair ruffled by the breeze off the ocean, she lost all interest in harming him. Instead, she sat on the terrace steps and made some quick sketches. When Griffin hadn’t moved by the time she’d finished, she took care to rap lightly on the bench before she joined him.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“No, I was just remembering how delicious my steak was last night. I’m sorry you missed it.”
“I avoid red meat.” She tapped her clipboard to focus his attention on her drawings. “In creating a natural landscape, I combine open spaces with carefully arranged groupings of plants so there’s a variety of colors, shapes and textures that appeals to the eye.”
“Fragrances are important too, aren’t they?”