Package Deal(32)

“I’ll bet they were pleased.”

Once they reached the party, he took her coat and led her toward the bar. The party was billed as a faculty affair but spouses were sprinkled throughout the crowd.

“You know everyone, don’t you?” he asked as he placed a glass in her hand.

“Most everyone,” she replied.

“How was your Christmas?” Her necklace glinted in the light, teasing him to look for the birthmark just below the front edge of her neckline.

“It was okay. Cece enjoyed being home more than I did. She had fun in the snow and seeing some of her old friends again. I’m glad I don’t have to shovel it or warm up the car so my feet don’t freeze. And, she enjoys my mother—”

“But not as much as your mother enjoys her, I’ll bet.”

“I suppose.”

He placed their drink glasses on the table and reached for Amanda’s hand. “A slow dance, what I’ve been waiting for.” He steered her toward the center of the dance floor. Two dances later, he maneuvered them closer to the open doors near one end of the large room. “It’s getting a bit warm in here. How about a quick escape onto the balcony?”

“Won’t it be cold out there?”

“I don’t think so, and if it is, we can go back in.” He had an overwhelming desire to kiss Amanda, but before he could put his plan into action, Eugenie Freeman interrupted.

She thrust her champagne flute at a passing waiter, cooed to Marcus, and grasped his arm, forcing him to turn away from the balcony doors. “Oh, you handsome man. Where have you been all evening? I was looking for you.”

“Eugenie, you know Amanda Gardner, don’t you, from the English department?”

The buxom woman glanced briefly at Amanda. “No, I don’t believe I do.”

“Ah, but you were both at Dean Morrill’s house last fall, at the meeting of new faculty. How are things in the music department?”

“Fine, just fine.”

“Excuse me a minute, Marcus.” Amanda eased away from him. “Greg is asking for me.”

He nodded as Eugenie grasped his hand and pulled him in the other direction.

“We must dance, Marcus. And the band just picked up the beat a bit with a rock number I dared them to play.Besides, it’s much too cold to go outside.” Before he could object, she pulled him onto the dance floor and clutched him close to her ample bosom, her wide hips bumping and grinding to the music of a fast number.

But his eyes remained on Amanda as she moved away. And as soon as he could do so, he extricated himself from Eugenie and headed in Amanda’s direction. She was near their table and about to sit down when Carlton backed into her and almost fell. She reached out to prevent the wine glasses from sliding to the floor. Then Carl pulled her into his arms and onto the dance floor.

As soon as it was appropriate to do so, Marcus approached them. “Time for me to cut in.” He took Amanda’s hand from Carlton’s. “Thanks, Carl.” He moved her quickly away from her office-mate.

“Thank you for that. He must have been drinking the entire night,” she whispered in his ear. “I felt like I had to hold him up. How was your dance with Eugenie?”

“She’s been stalking me since early fall quarter. I told her you and I are going steady, but she won’t back off. I may have to marry Cecelia sooner than we planned so Eugenie will leave me alone.” He winked at her.

“Because you like blondes?”

“Right. And brunettes, too,” he murmured.

“Eugenie is a blonde.”

He pulled her closer. “She’s not my type. Doesn’t know a thing about Marguerite Henry.”

Amanda chuckled. “Does Eugenie know she’s been disqualified on that basis?”

“No, and don’t you dare tell her. I’m afraid she’ll go out and buy all of Henry’s books and then I’m sunk! You and Cecelia will have to fight her off to protect my honor.”

Amanda laughed out loud. “Then I think we should leave, before she comes looking for you again.”

“Good idea.” He helped her on with her coat. “I need some coffee—and I’d prefer to watch the ball drop without mobs of people around.”

“You mean without Eugenie to crush you in a bear hug and kiss you within an inch of your life,” Amanda corrected, giving him a wry smile.

“How’d you guess?” He laughed and escorted her to his car. “Politeness only goes so far.”

At his house, Marcus started the coffee while Amanda turned on the TV to watch the ball descend in Times Square.

“You’d better hurry, or you’ll miss it!”