Gift of Gold

special?” Verity asked uneasily.
    Caitlin took another sip of coffee. “I have been giving the matter much thought. Jonas, you’re the one who gave me the final inspiration. In three weeks I’m going to hold a Renaissance costume ball here in my home. I’m going to recreate a sixteenth century court setting as closely as possible. We will eat, drink, and converse as any wealthy gathering would have done back at the height of the Renaissance. The ball will be held on Sunday evening. On Monday I will conduct the auction. What do you think?”
    “I think,” Jonas said, “that it sounds like a hell of a lot of work.”
    “Oh, it will be, but Tavi and I have little else to do. The preparations should be amusing. We have already started the research.”
    “It sounds magnificent,” Verity said thoughtfully. “But it’ll cost a lot of money to organize something like that.”
    She didn’t say aloud that the idea was far less appealing today than it might have been yesterday. After last night, Verity was not feeling a great deal of interest in the Renaissance. But then, it wasn’t her party.
    “Money is not a problem,” Caitlin said easily. “I have the freedom to indulge myself. And I’m glad you like my whimsical little notion, because I would very much like for you and Jonas to attend.”
    “No, thanks,” Jonas said mildly. “Sounds too rich for my blood. And Verity has to run the No Bull Cafe on Sunday evenings.”
    “In three weeks we’ll start closing on Sundays,” Verity pointed out, annoyed at the way he had answered for her.
    “I believe Laura Griswald mentioned your winter routine,” Caitlin murmured.
    Verity sighed. “It sounds fantastic, but I’m afraid Jonas is right. You’ll he entertaining people who are accustomed to moving in the social stratosphere. I’d feel out of it, Caitlin. You can understand that. Besides, what you’re planning is going to be basically a business affair. You don’t need me. I’ll come for a visit afterward.”
    Caitlin leaned forward, her cool fingers touching Verity’s hand. Her eyes were deep and filled with urgency. “Please, Verity. I want you to come. It’s important to me. I have no other close friends to invite except Tavi and yourself. The others who will be coming will all be strangers who will be indulging me out of a morbid curiosity. I would like to have you there as my friend. I’ll pay for the rental of your costumes and I’ll cover all your other expenses.”
    “Caitlin, that’s not necessary,” Verity interrupted quickly, flicking a glance at Jonas. She could see the disapproval in him and she felt momentarily trapped between two opposing forces. For an instant she had the unsettling sensation that she was merely a pawn being tossed back and forth between these two. But that was ridiculous.
    “Humor me, Verity. I’m going to need you when I sell
Bloodlust.
”
    A dish clattered loudly as Tavi moved away from the table. Jonas said nothing but Verity could feel his aggressive anger. She knew he wanted nothing to do with Caitlin’s Renaissance ball or the aftermath.
    Well, he didn’t have to attend, Verity rationalized as she gave in to the appeal she saw in Caitlin’s face. She knew then that, for whatever reason, Caitlin needed her.
    “All right,” Verity said finally. “If you really want me there, I’ll be there.”
    Caitlin closed her eyes and nodded in relieved satisfaction. “Thank you.” She turned to Jonas. “What about you, Jonas? Will you escort your employer?”
    Verity hastened to get Jonas off the hook. “I don’t think this is going to be Jonas’s idea of a fun time,” she said lightly. “I’m sure he’d rather go fishing with my father.”
    “It’s definitely not my idea of a fun time,” Jonas agreed harshly. “But if Verity insists on attending, I’ll come with her.”
    Caitlin looked satisfied. More than satisfied, Verity decided with sudden perception. She looked almost triumphant.
     
    Two hours later Verity was still trying to work through her astonishment over Jonas’s willingness to accompany her to Caitlin’s party. She got into the passenger seat of her compact while he tossed their bags onto the backseat and slid behind the wheel. She waved at Caitlin and Tavi, framed in the open doorway of the steel-gray house. Tavi did not wave or smile back. Caitlin lifted one hand in farewell and turned to go inside.
    “All right, Jonas, let’s have it. Why are you going to come with me to