Chapter Twenty-One: Dirty Little Liar
Catherine was used to bright lights and cameras. Even in her sky-high heels, she had no trouble walking out on cue, smiling brightly at Polly Peters and kissing her lightly on both cheeks. The audience went crazy, clapping and cheering. Polly's Late Show was a huge hit and being invited on as a guest was sure to restart Catherine's modeling career!
The one thing Catherine did not like was being seated right next to Thomas Culpepper. Each time she looked his way her pulse gave a little flutter. His eyes were just as blue as she remembered, and his smile still made her heart turn flips. Catherine had to remind herself that he was nothing but a dirty liar and was only using this TV appearance to bolster his business!
"So the island drug lords put out a contract to have you killed?" Polly asked, leaning very close and showing breathless interest. Of course she was talking to Culpepper and not to Catherine. "But you stayed on Puerto Tranquilo anyway. You must be so brave!"
"Well, I was sort of scared," the billionaire said, managing to sound boyish and bashful instead of arrogant and boastful. "But I had a very good reason to stick around." He glanced at Catherine, and without saying a word made it clear they'd hooked up big time in the tropics. The audience was mostly women, and they all sighed as if he'd said something sweet and captivatingly romantic.
"Mr. Culpepper is such a smart man . . . and so modest!" Catherine smiled sweetly, getting a huge laugh. She waited for the laughter to die, and then added at just the right moment, "That's why he's going into business with Anne, of Cleves Cosmetics." Catherine made sure the camera caught her lovely profile when she turned to gaze admiringly at Mr. Culpepper. It was good for Anne's business if the billionaire boy was with them. But Catherine felt like a dirty little liar.
The truth was, Thomas Culpepper had made out with her just one time in the back of a limo, late one night when she was worried about her friends. But that was all that had happened between them! The man Catherine truly loved was thousands of miles away. And now the villainous Culpepper was using her harrowing ordeal to make it sound like he'd been the true hero all along.
"I can't stand that man!" After the show was over, Catherine couldn't wait to get backstage and change into her street clothes. Just then the door opened and Anne of Cleves Cosmetics came in, wearing a huge smile and carrying a big bouquet of red roses.
"These are from Mr. Culpepper," Anne announced, proudly placing the roses in a crystal vase. "He wants us to join him for a late supper at that trendy new London restaurant, Dans Le Noir."
"I'm not hungry." Catherine put on a pout, even though the beautiful red roses secretly made her want to smile.
"But you have to eat, darling." Anne smelled the roses, closing her eyes and letting out a big sigh. "Mm, what a heavenly fragrance. What I wouldn't give for a night with Thomas Culpepper!"
"Well, you can have him all to yourself tonight. I'm going home. My shoulder is killing me!" Catherine scowled fiercely as Anne's ever-reliable housekeeper Mrs. Holliday helped her climb into sensible blue jeans and a thick warm red wool jumper.
"Suit yourself, darling. I'll tell Mr. Culpepper you were tired after all the excitement." Anne shrugged, and kissed Catherine good night. "I'll be staying in town for the next few days, but Mrs. Holliday will get you back safely to my place in the country."
Catherine felt worried and a bit uneasy on the ride back home. "Anne has done so much for me," the girl sighed, gazing out at the empty London streets. "But I wish I could go back to modeling, and sharing a flat with other girls. I don't like being mixed up with that lying Culpepper." She yawned, feeling fearfully tired suddenly. "All those shady deals!"
"Don't you worry, my lamb. My lady will protect you." Mrs. Holliday pulled Catherine closer, allowing the willowy young girl to rest her head on the supporting strength of her shoulder. "Remember, she's the one who rescued you from Henry Tudor!"
The stressful TV appearance and Anne's late night date with Thomas Culpepper were apparently both a smashing success. Mrs. Holliday's round, red face was wreathed in cheery smiles when she brought up Catherine's breakfast tray the next morning.
"Well, well. Sleeping Beauty is still in bed!" Setting down the tray, the housekeeper yanked back the crimson bed curtains, laughing as Catherine moaned and buried her face in a sky-blue satin pillow.
"Is Anne expecting me at the afternoon photo shoot?" Catherine couldn't help it, she'd overslept once again. Thankfully Mrs. Holliday was already pouring a morning coffee to get her going.
"Anne's got two new girls for the perfume ad," Mrs. Holliday said, uncovering a bowl of fresh fruit on ice and flaky French pastries still hot from the oven. "Your job is to help Reverend Meeps with the church's annual Winter Clothing Drive."
"Reverend Meeps is coming to see me?" Catherine forgot about the photo shoot. Last night she'd dreamed about meeting Antonio in an English church. Maybe it would all come true. Maybe Reverend Meeps could marry them!
"He isn't coming to see you, ducky." The housekeeper chuckled. "He's waiting to see you. He's been waiting since nine o'clock."
"Well, why didn't you come up and wake me?" Catherine guiltily crammed a cream-filled French pastry into her mouth, visualizing the meek and kindly old minister waiting patiently downstairs while she lounged around in bed eating pastries and fresh fruit. A beautiful, lazy, spoiled little liar. That wasn't who she was. Was it?
"There's no hurry," Mrs. Holliday said, in her throaty voice. "I made the Reverend some tea, and he's quite comfortable in the study. I told him you were better, but naturally still a bit tired, what with going on television and all. And he said something about wanting to hear all about your South American adventures."
"I must see him," Catherine announced, gulping her coffee and taking complete control of the situation. "Send him up at once!"