“No, gorgeous would describe you.”
Audrey squealed, spun around and stepped back, losing her balance and starting a slow topple backwards. Rich leapt forward and managed to catch her under her arms before she hit the ground. “Marcus, must you always scare women like that?” he scolded. “Are you all right, Audrey? This lout is my best friend, Marcus Webster; he’s the Philosophy Department. He tends to forget how big he is and how he comes across in first impressions.”
“Especially sneaking up on a woman on a dark street at night,” Audrey muttered.
Marcus had the sense to look abashed, although his eyes were twinkling, “I’m sorry, Audrey. I was quite mesmerized by the scene before my eyes and forgot myself.”
She shot him a dark look, but refrained from commenting. She knew Rich hadn’t heard what Marcus had said to her, but she couldn’t mention anything about it without giving away what Marcus had overheard her whisper. Her frustration ran strong and she stamped her foot.
Rich promptly gave her a hard spank. “We’ll have none of that.” He was standing directly behind her and with Marcus blocking the view from the other direction, he knew that no one could see what he had done, not that there was anyone in sight. “Okay, I obviously missed something in those opening few moments, but get yourself under control. Remember why you are wearing those shoes.” She growled. “What the hell did you say to her, Marcus?”
“I told her that she was gorgeous,” came the prompt answer.
Rich raised an eyebrow and turned Audrey to face him, but kept her between them, tucked out of sight from any bystanders. “I’m failing to see why that is so objectionable to you.” She rolled her eyes and he spun her and spanked her again. “Marcus knows about my ‘hobby’ shall we call it? I have no problem delivering as many behavior correctors as I need to, to get you back on track for this Gathering. In the meantime, all the shrimp is being gobbled up by everyone who isn’t hung up on a street corner trying to maintain order in their departments. Explain why you are angry about Marcus giving you a compliment.”
Since Rich had spun her so he could spank her, Audrey was facing Marcus. She bit her lip, tears gathered and she shook her head, refusing to answer. Marcus reached out and freed her lip just as Rich’s hand smacked her again. “Enough, Rich. She almost bit through her lip on that last one. I caught her voicing a private thought and embarrassed her. I’m sincerely sorry, Audrey. It will remain private, I promise you.”
She hung her head and whispered, “Thank you.” She sighed, but her voice was stronger, “I apologize for my temper about being embarrassed. It certainly wasn’t your fault. I’m just a bit emotional today.”
Over her head, the two men snapped their eyes to each other in sudden suspicion. “Are things good between the two of you now?” Rich asked sternly. Audrey and Marcus both nodded contritely, caught each other’s eyes and laughed. “Now what?” Rich demanded.
“Pax, Thornton Wellington Hamilton,” Marcus pleaded.
Rich started to round on him, but was distracted by Audrey’s giggles. After a lifetime of experience he knew what was coming and sighed. Well, at least the sparkle was back in her eyes, replacing the temper and the tears before that, probably Marcus’ intention when he’d uttered his complete name. God, if she was this mercurial every month he was in for a very rocky five years. “Okay, go ahead and explain,” he growled, “But let’s keep walking while you talk, at least you are capable of doing both at the same time. I have my doubts sometimes about that ability for my colleague here. The shrimp is going to be completely gone by the time we get there.”
Audrey reached out to slap his arm, caught herself in time and changed it to a caress, but knew she hadn’t fooled him. “I’m sorry, Rich. Maybe after the Gathering we can go somewhere and I’ll buy all the shrimp you want since the delay is my fault. But I really want to know how you came to be called Rich when your name is, is…” she giggled unable to complete her sentence.
“We all know, now, what my name is,” he said darkly. “And I want a lot of shrimp.”
“You’ll have it,” she promised, “Please don’t be angry, you’re really just embarrassed like I was. We were having such a nice walk, shall I tell you about trade routes again?”
He chuckled, “I wish I had been able to sit in on that lecture. It must have been a doozy. I was trying to guess what your topic was, based on watching you, and I was way off.”
“Trade routes?” Marcus echoed in confusion. “Is that why you were laughing when I came up? I haven’t seen you laugh so hard in years. What is so funny about trade routes?”
Rich shook his head, “Sorry, you had to be there. Actually, you had to be inside my head. Go on and tell her how come I’m called Rich.”
“I named him,” Marcus said proudly to Audrey. “I moved to town when I was six and here was this geeky kid, owned every gadget you can ever imagine, wealthy only child, indulged by his parents. When I learned that his name was Thornton I just laughed and refused to call him that. I called him Ritchie Rich after the cartoon character. The other kids thought it was a good name and started calling him that, too. Thornton didn’t seem to mind it too much. When our teacher was in a car accident and we got a long-term substitute she thought his name really was Ritchie Rich for the first couple of days. He finally told her to call him Rich and that’s what he’s been called ever since.”
“I didn’t like Ritchie, but I don’t mind Rich,” he explained mildly. “People assume that it comes from Richard since very few people know my real middle name. And it had better stay that way,” he added menacingly.
“Yes, Boss,” Audrey said with a giggle as they entered the conference room. The room had an unusual design with the main space two steps down from the entryway. They were, in effect, on stage.
Every person in the room turned at the sound of her giggle and saw Audrey clinging to Rich’s arm and laughing up at him; there were several sharply indrawn breaths. “Damn lucky dog,” one grey-haired man muttered to another and there were many ‘here, heres’ echoed around them.
Boxford put his drink down on a nearby tray and swept towards them. “You’ve finally consented to grace us with your presence,” he snapped.
His display of temper surprised her, and Audrey’s eyes grew wide as she took a half step back, attempting to get behind Rich. He patted her hand, clearly comforting her; he knew they were playing to the room and Boxford had botched it. But he didn’t let his small victory show. “So sorry sir, Audrey tripped on the dark sidewalk and hurt her foot.” As he knew they would, every eye in the room ran down those incredible legs to check her feet for injury. There were assorted murmurs of concern.
Marcus, who had ghosted in behind them, and was now situated halfway across the room leaning against a wall, laughed and silently applauded them. He leaned over to check out the refreshment table and sent a sorrowful negative shake of his head. The shrimp were all gone.
Rich sighed. “We had really hoped to be here for the very beginning of this celebration. Congratulations Martha.” He bowed in her direction. The woman blushed with pleasure.
Audrey perked up, ignoring the hovering college president. “Oh, yes! Congratulations, Martha! I’m so excited that my first time attending one of these Gatherings is to honor the accomplishments of another woman. Especially,” her eyes swept the room as she descended the steps and moved through the crowd to approach the scientist, “since there are so few of us here at Wheatleigh. I am so sorry we were late arriving and distracted everyone from your triumph.” She leaned down and lowered her voice, and yet, everyone in the room could hear her clearly as she confided, “Those dark streets are so dangerous; I’m lucky I didn’t break my leg.” The collective eyes made another journey down said appendages and heaved a collective sigh of relief that they had remained undamaged.
Ignoring