The Invitation (Matchmaker Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

man—it had worked so well with Deirdre, then Leah … Where were the men?
    Concealing her concern behind a gracious smile, she turned to VanBaar, who had rejoined them with a suitcase in either hand. “We don’t expect you wait on us. Please. Just tell us what to do.” She reached for her bag, but Samson drew it out of her reach.
    “Chivalry is a dying art. You’ll have plenty to do as time goes on, but for now, I think I can manage two bags.”
    Chivalry? Shaye thought, amused. Plenty to do? she thought, appalled.
    Victoria was thinking about the good-looking young men she didn’t see. “Is this standard service given to all the members of your group?” she ventured, half teasing, half chiding, and subtly fishing for information.
    “No, ma’am. We men fend for ourselves. You and your niece are the only women along.”
    Swell, Shaye groused silently, just swell.
    Victoria couldn’t have been more delighted. “How many others are there, Professor VanBaar?”
    He blushed. “Samson, please.”
    She smiled. “Samson, then. How many of us will there be in all?”
    “Four.”
    “Four?” the women echoed in unison.
    “That’s right.” Setting the bags by his booted feet, he scratched the back of his head. “Didn’t Garrick explain the situation?”
    Victoria gave a delicate little cough. “I’m afraid he didn’t go quite that far.”
    “That was negligent of him,” Samson said, but he didn’t seem upset, and Victoria saw a tiny twinkle in his eye. “Let me explain. Originally there were to be just two of us, myself and an old college buddy with whom I often travel in the summer. When Garrick called me about your joining us, I saw no problem. Unfortunately, my friend had to cancel at the last minute, so I hoodwinked my nephew into taking up the slack.” He stole a glance at Shaye’s dismayed expression. “It takes two to comfortably man the boat, and since I didn’t know whether either of you were sailors—”
    “We’re not,” Shaye burst out. “I don’t know about my aunt, but I get seasick.”
    “Ignore her, Samson. She’s only teasing.”
    “ Violently seasick.”
    “Not to worry,” Samson assured her in the same kind tone that made it hard to hold a grudge. “I have medicine for seasickness, though I doubt you’ll need it. We shouldn’t run into heavy seas.”
    At that moment, Shaye would have paid a pirate’s ransom to be by her lonesome in the Berkshires. A foursome—Victoria and Samson, Samson’s nephew and her. It was too cozy, too convenient. Suddenly something smacked of a setup. Could Samson have done it? Or Garrick? Or … She skewered her aunt with an accusatory glare.
    Victoria had her eyes glued to Samson. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.” She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “Now then, I believe you said something about a tour?”
    *   *   *
    N OAH V AN B AAR WAS nearly as disgusted as Shaye. Arms crossed over his chest and one knee bent up as he lounged on a hardwood bench within earshot of the three above, he struggled in vain to contain his frustration. He’d had other plans for his summer vacation, but when his uncle had called, claiming that Barney was sick and there was no one else who could help him sail, he’d been indulgent.
    Samson and he were the only two surviving members of the VanBaar family, but even if sentimentality hadn’t been a factor, Noah was fond enough of his uncle to take pity. He knew how much Samson looked forward to his little jaunts. He also knew that Samson was an expert sailor and more than capable of handling the boat himself, but that for safety’s sake he needed another pair of hands along. If Noah’s refusal meant that Samson had to cancel his trip, there was no real choice to be made.
    Naturally, his uncle had waited until last night to inform him that they wouldn’t be sailing alone. Naturally, he had waited until this morning to inform him that the pair joining them would be female.
    Noah didn’t