Barbara Delinsky - Sensuous Burgundy

BARBARA

DELINSKY

Sensuous Burgundy

To my husband, Stephen

Contents

She was the image of composure as she entered

Maxwell kraig had been right. he was

By the middle of the week Laura congratulated

On one thing Laura and Max were in

As luck would have it, though Laura suspected 110

Her only consolation as she returned

Never had Laura taken such care dressing. 161

Laura passed the week before the trial in

In actuality it was a sizeable legacy he left

Are you all right? the concern in his

SHE WAS THE IMAGE OF COMPOSURE AS SHE

ENTERED the crowded courtroom and started toward the prosecutors table. Her gray suit, straight-skirted and seasonally chic for January in New England, made its intended understatement. Her sleek black hair was drawn into a sedate coil at the nape of the neck. She wore a minimum of makeup, highlighted by the deep burgundy tone on her lips, which matched that on the tips of her tapered fingers. The briefcase which swung by her side as her slim legs carried her forward, past row after row of hardwood benches, spoke of the efficiency for which she had become known. Yet the slight hush which Laura Grandines appearance caused reminded her that as a woman, no less a lawyer, she was as much on trial as the accused.

Some crowd for a simple arraignment, she observed under her breath to Sandy Chatfield, as she slid 2 / BARBARA DELINSKY

into a chair beside him. Darkly blond as his name suggested, the good-looking state trooper, assigned to the case from the start, was an invaluable assistant as well as a friend. Now Laura cast him a questioning glance, her blue eyes reflecting surprise at the turnout of students, family, press, and others to witness the brief proceeding.

Sandy looked at Laura with unabashed admiration.

Theyve braved the ice and wind just to see you in action, Laura. He grinned, winking in his boyish way, then growing more serious as he leaned closer. Actually, there is word going around that the boy has retained a new lawyer.

Immediately, Laura gave him her full attention, ignoring the notes which she had begun to remove from her briefcase. Are you serious? You mean, Fritz MacKenzie wont be representing him?

Looks that way.

In a spontaneous gesture she put a hand on her friends sleeve. But why? MacKenzie is one of the more capable lawyers in western Massachusetts. What happened? Amazed as she was by the turn of events, Lauras face remained calm.

The trooper arched an eyebrow in echo of his shrug, his voice hardening. Who knows! Rumor has it that the family has turned to some high-powered guy from Boston

Excuse me. A deep voice interrupted the interchange. Assistant District Attorney Grandine? The velvet-smooth sound brought Lauras head up with a SENSUOUS BURGUNDY / 3

start, her eyes riveted to the chocolate-brown orbs which were studying her.

Sheer force of habit drew her out of her chair, impelling her to offer her right hand to the stranger. Instinctively, she knew that the figure before her, towering over her in spite of her three-inch heels, was something other than the traditional court officer, visiting observer, or press representative. The attitude of self-command, conveyed by the firm set of his square jaw and the studied relaxation of his features, held a special significance, as did the vague familiarity of the ruggedly handsome face itself. As Laura struggled to make the identification, she was unaware that her brow had furrowed lightly. In response, the man before her broke into an open smile, his hand retaining its warm grip long after the handshake had stilled.

Im Maxwell Kraig. Ill be representing Jonathan Stallway. Dazzled by the even whiteness of his powerful smile, Laura steadied herself to cope with this revelation of his identity.

Denying the pulsing knot that had suddenly formed in her stomach, she returned his smile with her own, equally as open and conveying a self-confidence she was far from feeling. This is an honor, Mr. Kraig,

she said softly and evenly, as she had willed. Your reputation precedes you. I look forward to working with you. Then, abruptly remembering that they were not alone, and momentarily disturbed to have forgotten it in the first place, she disengaged her hand from his 4 / BARBARA DELINSKY

and gestured to her left. Id like you to meet Sandy Chatfield. He is my state trooper assigned to this case.

Her use of the possessive had been subconscious, though she was to later regard Sandy as a bodyguard of sorts. Now, however, it was peripheral vision that told her that Sandy had risen, her eyes held entranced by those before her as she made the introduction.

SandyMaxwell Kraig.

Only then did the attorneys gaze flicker, his scrutiny more shrewd as he extended his hand. Trooper Chatfield, its my pleasure, he acknowledged politely, his eyes sharp and assessing. Laura had always thought of Sandy as a tall man, yet, standing opposite Maxwell Kraig, he seemed suddenly smaller.

How do you do, Mr. Kraig, Sandy responded tautly. Welcome to Northampton. You must have just arrived. He spoke quickly, his distrust of the suave lawyers lawyer not hidden by the thickness of his New England twang.

This time there was a suspicious slash to the corners of his well-formed mouth when Maxwell Kraig grinned.

I didnt think you fellows would miss much, he granted. I drove out from Boston this morning. Its made for an early day, but I was able to use the travel time to plot my defense. I understand he switched his view, with instant effect, to Lauras deceptively composed featuresthat Miss Grandine is a formidable adversary. Its not every day that I have the op SENSUOUS BURGUNDY / 5

portunity to try a case opposite a woman, let alone such a distractingly beautiful one.

Impaled once more by his gaze, Laura felt herself stripped of all defense, sensing immediately the strength of his physical mien on his victimswitness and juror alike. Yet, something in his words, a subtle challenge just short of patronization, spurred her on.

Flattery will get you nowhere with this particular woman, Mr. Kraig, though a few more smiles like that will tip me off as to your charm before the jury. You wouldnt want to reveal all your secrets, now, she chided softly, any anger at his reference to her sex having melted beneath the glow of his warm brown eyes.

A darker eyebrow arched mischievously. I doubt theres much chance of that, though I will take your warning to heart, he jibed, a vaguely sensuous light passing from his eyes to hers, turning to faint amusement as Laura unsuccessfully sought a response. It was a mixed blessing when Sandy touched her elbow. For just as she was saved from having to provide a witty rejoinder, she had been so totally entranced by his compelling personage that she jumped in surprise at the sudden reminder of the other man, whom she had momentarily forgotten. Blushing, she turned to follow her friends gaze to the doorway in which the defendant now stood.

If youll excuse me, Miss Grandine, Trooper Chatfield The dark head nodded to each in turn before the tall figure turned and headed toward his client. 6 / BARBARA DELINSKY

Laura watched him go, released now from his eye hold long enough to examine the rest of him. What she saw was as compelling as those eyes had been magnetic. Dressed in an immaculately tailored navy three-piece suit, the man was as lean as he was tall, broad shoulders belying a slimness of waist and hips which showed itself in the litheness of his gait as he crossed the room. A crisp white shirt edged beyond the cuffs of his jacket and again above its collar, there shadowed by the thick brown hair which tapered neatly to that length. Laura had to admit that Maxwell Kraig was, beyond a doubt one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, let alone opposed.