Chapter 5

            Julian was in a small pickle. He had to entertain potential Italian clients and their wives in twenty-four hours and he had no date. He would be a third wheel. He couldn’t risk being the third man out or awkward. The Italian clients could bring over three hundred million dollars of business to Beaumont & Blanchett Industries. The last thing he wanted was to offend them.

            Constance Van Dyke was supposed to be his companion tomorrow night, but she had to bail out on him due to her testing positive for COVID yesterday. Her symptoms were mild but she was still contagious. Julian had originally asked Ava Bartholomew since they got along so well on their two dinner dates last week. But she couldn’t accompany him because she had gone to Seattle to visit one of her sisters.  Caitlin couldn’t do it because she was in Orlando with Alexander.

            Julian really didn’t have a list of women at his beck and call like other billionaire playboys. He was stuck. He had half a mind to call a brothel he was aware of in the city to get a girl for the evening. However, he didn’t know how sophisticated those ladies were. He had only been to the establishment three times in his life. It was fine for a blue-ball emergency but he didn’t want to make a habit out of it.

            Normally, his father would handle this sort of thing, but he was off on a cruise with the new woman in his life. He wasn’t due back for another week at least. Alexander had nothing to do with the company. His sister, Cassandra, was out of the country so Julian couldn’t take her.

            Before he considered the prostitute option again, he called Constance for ideas.

            “I actually have someone in mind, but you’re not going to like it,” Constance said and then coughed a few times.

            “Who?”

            “Chastity.”

            “Ah, hell!” he shouted with disgust.

            “I know you two aren’t crazy about each other, but she knows how to conduct herself and entertain business associates. Plus, it would be good for her to go out for an evening. She’s been a bit of a monk since her and Ernest broke up.”

            I think I rather risk taking a prostitute.

                                                                                 ****

            Chastity was descending the staircase at the estate when Jerome, the butler, walked to the end of the stairs.

            “Ms. Chastity, Julian Beaumont is here to see you. He’s in the receiving room,” Jerome said. He was a tall, black man. He had been the butler at the estate since Chastity and Chelsea were eight-years-old.

            She physically recoiled. “Did he say what he wanted?”

            “No, ma’am.”

            Chastity had half a mind to tell Jerome to send him away. But her curiosity got the best of her. She thanked the old man butler and walked to the receiving room.

            Chastity walked in to see Julian holding a tumbler. He had fixed himself a drink. His blond hair was parted and combed to the right. He wore a dark blue suit with a multi-patterned silk tie.

            “I see you’ve already made yourself comfortable,” she said.

            He turned around to face her. “Well, I’m practically family. My brother is married to one of your sisters.”

            “Right. Jerome said you had asked to see me, but I assume he misheard. He’s getting up in years.”

            “No, he heard me correctly. Per Constance’s suggestion, I have come here to . . . invite you out tomorrow evening with myself and a few foreign businessmen – potential new business partners for B&B.”

            “Ah, yes. Constance told me about it before she got sick,” Chastity said. “Since you’re here, I take it there is no one else to be your companion for the evening.”

            “You take it correctly. Do you want to go or not?” he asked flatly.

            “Not really. Thanks, anyway,” Chastity said. She was about to turn around to leave when he spoke.

            “A stiff of a woman like you ought to be overjoyed that a man like myself would even consider taking your bitchy ass out,” he said nastily.

            Chastity turned around to face him. “You arrogant SOB. News flash. You’re not the end all be all of men – or human beings for that matter you reptile.”

            He actually smirked at her. “That’s the Chastity I know. I was beginning to worry when you didn’t respond to the last barb I gave you at the Browns garden party. All right, you little insect, what will it take to get you to go with me tomorrow night?”

            “I wouldn’t go out with you if you were –” she stopped as her mind engaged. Perhaps she could get something out of this. Not for herself but for the convent. “Hold on. Are you opening negotiations for me to get something out of this?”

            Julian looked at her with twisted lips. “Within reason.”

            Chastity took a few steps into the room. “There is a convent in Boston called Saint Barbara’s. The place is in need of a roof and decent landscaping. A donation from you – or Beaumont & Blanchett would be appreciated.”

            “How much of a donation?”

            “Seventy-five thousand dollars.”

            Julian laughed. “For one night? I can get blown just for a hundred dollars, woman.”

            He is too colorful and foul in speech. Downright ungentlemanly. The last thing I want to do is spend an evening with his uncouth ass. But the convent needs the money to make improvements on the property.

“Those are my terms. Either pay up or go stag on an evening surrounded by couples,” she said calmly.” She had asked her father to donate money to the convent a few days ago. His words were still ringing in her ears.

They’re already getting my daughter! I be damn if I’m going to give them my money, too!” he had shouted with resentment.

“Thirty thousand,” Julian countered seriously.

“Fifty thousand,” she shot back.

He looked at her for a moment. “Done. We’re going to a Broadway play. It’ll be opening night so dress formally. We’ll probably stop somewhere afterwards for drinks so be prepared for a late night. I’m sure you go to bed at eight like an old maid.”

“And I’m sure you go to bed late like a hooker on a Saturday night. What time are you picking me up?”

“Seven,” Julian swallowed the clear liquid that was left in his glass. “Any questions?”

“When will I or rather the convent get the money?”

“I will personally give you a check made out to them when I pick you up tomorrow night. Is that satisfactory?”

“It is. I would say it was a pleasure doing business with you but . . . you know,” she said with a shrug.

“Hell, fifty thousand dollars - it ought to be more than a pleasure and nothing else,” he said as he began to walk pass her. “See you tomorrow night you opportunistic wench.”

“Till tomorrow you ogre of the English language,” she said as he brushed past her.

“Ha. That was a good one,” he said as he left the room.

                                                                              ****

            The next day, Chastity arrived at Hilltop House for lunch with her twin, Chelsea, and to see her nephew, Davidson.

            Chastity entered the living room with Chelsea by her side.

            Derek was sitting on the sofa holding Davidson. “Oh, look, it’s Sister Bertrille,” he said with a smirk.

            “Good afternoon, Beelzebub,” Chastity said flatly.

            Derek chuckled. “How is our favorite nun?”

            “I’m not quite a nun, yet,” Chastity clarified.

            “No, but you’re close. I can’t wait until you become one.” Derek said.

            “Oh? Why?” Chastity asked.

            “So, I won’t have to look at your face so often. You’ll be in Boston,” Derek said with glee.

            “Derek,” Chelsea chided in a whine.

            “It’s all right, Chelsea. I’m looking forward to not seeing him as often myself,” Chastity said nonchalantly.

            “I feel the love. I do,” Derek said with a smirk.

            Chastity rolled her blue yes.

            “Give me the baby,” Chelsea said as she reached out for her child. “We’re going to have lunch with Aunt Chastity.”

            “Don’t worry, son. I’ll disinfect you afterwards,” Derek said as he handed Davidson over.

            Why am I surrounded by men who are complete asses?

            During lunch, Chastity told Chelsea about her evening tonight.

            “It could be fun,” Chelsea chirped and put a fork full of salad in her mouth.

            “Maybe with the Italians but not with Julian. I hope he behaves himself while we’re with his potential partners.”

            “I’m sure he will as long as you do.”

            “Of course. I’m doing this for the convent. I don’t want to ruin them getting a substantial donation.”

            “With that being said, did you tell Julian about your decision?”

            “No.”

            “Why not? Mother seems to be accepting it now so no reason to keep it a secret from the people who weren’t at that Sunday dinner,” Chelsea said.

            “True, but there’s no reason to advertise it either. Besides, it’s none of Julian’s business what I do with my life.”

            “I suppose not. So, what are you going to wear tonight?”

            “A basic black –”

            “Nooo!” Chelsea said loudly.

Davidson and Chastity looked at her with wide eyes. Little Davidson was sitting in a high chair.

“No black and nothing . . . boring or too conservative. This might be one of the last nights you can go out looking . . . well, like the attractive person you truly are.”

            “I’m not going to wear anything inappropriate, Chelsea.”

            “We’re the same size. I ‘m sure there’s something in my closet you can wear.”

            “Same size totally different taste.”

            “Just give it a shot. If you don’t see anything you like, we’ll run out to the store.”

            “Chelsea, I don’t have time for this. Julian is picking me up at seven.”

            “Please, we have plenty of time.”

            “Even if that’s true, I’m wearing what I picked out.”

            Chelsea grunted with disapproval. “Are you going to wear your hair down at least?”

            “Of course not. I don’t any other time.”

            “I know that’s why I asked.”

            Chelsea kept going on and on so much during lunch about how Chastity should dress up a little that she finally broke and went upstairs to look at some of her things.