Double Trouble: Thirteen; Happy Halloween, let's play dress-up!
by Cariad
 

Double Trouble
~Thirteen~
“Jules, stand still!” Holly shouted. They had argued about every little piece of ‘Holly’s’ ensemble for her date with Jonathan Hotchkiss. Julia wanted something with a slit up to her thigh. Holly argued she would never wear anything that risqué. Julia, however, refused to touch many of Holly’s formal clothing, wondering why her sister chose to disguise her stunning figure in loose gowns. They had compromised on a form-fitting black velvet gown. Holly agreed that the black-on-black patterned roses were subtle enough for her taste and though it was sleeveless, the neck was high enough not to reveal cleavage. Julia was glad that her sister compromised on something that accentuated all her curves. However, Holly’s version of a made-up face and Julia’s version differed considerably as well. “Remember,” Holly said, “you have to be me tonight, and I think the family is well aware about my views on makeup!”

Julia huffed, and crossed her arms under her chest. Even Holly did not argue about the elbow-length black satin gloves. Holly, Julia noted, was a piece of art. After they returned to the mansion, Julia had forced Holly to don the outfit Julia had been wearing earlier. It was classy-enough that Julian would not make ‘Julia’ change to greet Johnny in the foyer along with the rest of the family. Julia also forced Holly, once again, to actually wear makeup with ‘everyday’ clothing. “And you remember, Hollis, that Daddy is ‘Daddy’ not ‘Father.’ If you go outside to see me to the door of Johnny’s car, no one will miss you if you slip out then. I’d love to give you a ride down to the beach, but that would make Johnny suspicious.”

“Are you sure that I won’t get blisters walking in these shoes?” Holly asked. She normally did not wear platform boots.

Julia laughed. “You’ve danced in heels before, have you not?”

“But that’s different,” Holly protested, “by the end of the evening, they’re usually on the floor under the table! Why do you think I always wear flowing long dresses! So they can’t tell when I’m barefoot!”

“If you can survive to the beach,” Julia said with a quirky half smile, “I’m sure, your gentleman will gladly assist you back. You never told me he was hiding a hot bod underneath that nerdly exterior!”

Holly blushed but said nothing.

“Ready to witness the performance of a lifetime?” Julia asked. Holly grinned.

“I don’t think so, Jules, dear. I’ll be winning the Oscar this evening!”

Just for practice, Julia held out a hand seeking comfort, one of Holly’s unconscious gestures. Holly took the outstretched hand and they left Holly’s room. Julia stopped suddenly as the front door opened and slammed shut. “I’ll have to make an entrance,” she whispered. “You warm up the crowd.” Holly nodded as she moved to the front, but she stopped as suddenly.

“Gwen’s on the stairs,” she hissed back, “and I can’t be sure, but I think Ethan just came over. He was livid when I left him. He must have decided to come over and confront Father… Daddy.” Both leaned forward to catch the ensuing conversation yet stay completely out of sight.

“Gwen!” they heard Ethan say, surprise covering the anger he felt. “I didn’t realize you would be here.”

“Mother has moved into the Mansion as will be her right as Mrs. Julian Crane,” Gwen said smoothly. “I had to come to keep an eye on her.”

“You’re looking well, Gwen.”

There was a long pause.

“I get along,” Gwen finally said.

“Gwen…”

“Yes?” she asked, jumping on his question.

“I don’t know if I ever told you that I was sorry.”

“I don’t need this from you, Ethan,” Gwen snapped. “Too little too late.”

“I am sorry,” Ethan said again.

“You should probably go, Ethan,” Gwen said. “My brother is coming by tonight, and you’re not exactly popular with Mother and Julian.”

“I know, Holly told me this afternoon. If it weren’t for Theresa…”

“Don’t say it,” Gwen interrupted. They heard muffled steps hurrying down the stairs.

Julia pushed Holly forward again. “Remember,” she hissed, “Julie is supposed to be friends with Theresa!”

Holly stumbled forward, wondering what she could say to Ethan when the doorbell saved her. “I’ll get it!” she called and ran down the stairs (managing not to trip in Julia’s boots). Ethan was nowhere to be found. She opened the door to reveal a masculine figure swathed in darkness. “Hi Johnny,” she said, making calf-eyes at him. He brushed her off and stepped into the lighted foyer.

He was dressed all in black, a black suit over a black shirt and tie. Only a red handkerchief neatly folded in the pocket showed any splash of color. His dark auburn hair was immaculately styled, and piercing gray eyes looked at the world with an air of haughty disdain. Holly, in her sister’s borrowed shoes, was at eye-level with his sensual mouth, his lips pressed tightly in a line. Without the shoes, she would probably tuck comfortably under his chin—not that Holly wanted to test her theory. Her impression of Johnny Hotchkiss remained unchanged. He was a snob and as cold as her grandfather. She wanted nothing to do with him.

“Poopsie!” Rebecca Hotchkiss called as she swished over to him. She stood on her tiptoes, grabbed his head, pulled him down to her level, and planted insincere kisses on his cheeks. He brushed off his mother as he had Holly moments before.

“Mother,” he intoned in a deep voice. Holly was sure her sister would be drooling puddles at that voice. She, however, remained unimpressed. But the show must go on, so she gave a little shudder of appreciation. Rebecca wasn’t the only one who could play like she was attracted to someone!

Julian also appeared, shot a glance at Holly and looked around for her sister. Giving a nervous smile, he extended a hand in greeting. “Jonathan,” he said. “So good to see you again. Would you like a drink as we’re waiting.”

“Mr. Crane,” Johnny replied, “I hope your daughter won’t keep me waiting long. I have reservations at the Seascape, and I abhor being late.”

“She’ll be down in a second, Daddy,” Holly said and then flashed a flirtatious grin at Jonathan. Get down here, Jules, she thought at her sister.

Wherever Gwen had disappeared to after she ran down the stairs, she emerged once again. “GQ,” she said with warmth.

“Little sister,” Jonathan replied; though he was the younger of the two. He smiled for the first time since he stepped into the Crane Mansion. “Father’s not to happy with you,” he warned playfully.

Gwen rolled her eyes. “Father hasn’t been happy with me for a long time,” she said bitterly. “When Ethan dumped me on my wedding night, he told me I didn’t apply myself enough to keep him. When Ethan turned out to be a Bennett, he yelled at me for wasting ten years on someone who was not a good prospect.” She shrugged. “But you’re looking well,” she said, brushing imaginary lint off his broad shoulders.

Just then, Julia appeared at the top of the stairs; striking a haughty pose and letting everyone drink in the sight of her. Jonathan Hotchkiss turned the full force of his charming smile on the figure at the top of the stair. Holly knew her sister would be unable to resist, and probably would run down the stairs and rip his clothes off right there in the foyer! She flashed her sister a guarded look and a flick of her fingers. “Behave,” she told Julia silently. Julia grinned and descended the stairway one elegant step at a time.

Jonathan’s face glowed in appreciation. “Holly,” he rumbled, “You look absolutely ravishing this evening.”

Julia beamed under the compliment.

Holly covered her sarcastic laugh with a polite cough.

Jonathan offered an arm to Julia, and she took it with delight. “I’ll need my cape, of course,” Julia said.

“Of course,” Jonathan agreed. Holly supplied the item in question to Jonathan’s outstretched hand. He draped it over Julia’s shoulders and escorted her out the door.

Holly watched the gathering in the foyer mill about for a bit. Julian’s tenseness vanished as Jonathan disappeared with Julia through the door. He knocked back a drink. Gwen suspiciously disappeared back where she had come from, and Rebecca stood in the middle of the room pouting that her son did not adore her as she thought he should. Holly took her cue and slipped out the door.

“Hollis!” Holly cried. “You forgot your purse!” She ran in the boots, still managing not to fall, to the waiting car.

Julia extended a hand out the window of Jonathan’s red Ferrari. “Thank you, Jules,” she said with a wink. “I promise not to spill anything on your purse tonight.”

“Johnny,” Holly said, leaning in the window to ogle him as her sister always did. Julia rolled up the window on Holly.

Holly watched the Ferrari tear down the driveway and out onto the main road. She counted to ten, as Julia had told her to, then walked down the driveway after the car. She only hoped she would not be picked up as a streetwalker in Julia’s clothes! Give me an oversized sweater any day, she thought.
 

* * * * *

Hollis would not ravish anyone in a public place, Julia reminded herself. Hollis would not ravish anyone in a public place. She had been a good girl and kept her hands to herself the entire drive to the Seascape. She would continue to be a good girl, she promised herself. Well, she amended, until the goodnight kiss. Her body tingled with the nearness of her object of desire. Hollis never shows her emotions on her public face, Julia reminded herself once more. How could she turn down such a specimen of manhood?
Jonathan opened the door with an appreciative smile. Julia shuddered inwardly. Just watching his gray eyes on her, excited her. If you’ve got it, she thought with a quirk of her lips, flaunt it! Bad Jules, she inwardly chastised. Hollis does not believe in flaunting.

He escorted her into the posh restaurant, tipping the concierge for leading them to the private table he had reserved. Like a gentleman, he held out Julia’s chair as she sat. Dear God, she pleaded, you should not leave me unchaperoned with this man! He ordered a wine she knew was expensive, but was too busy watching Johnny to notice what it was. She heard the words “fresh lobster tail,” but she was still high on his cologne from the car ride.

“Holly!” Jonathan was saying. “I’ve never known you to be lost in the clouds before.”

Julia snapped to attention and dragged herself out of her fantasies. “I’m sorry,” Julia said, “I was thinking about Ethan and some of the troubles he’s been going through,” she lied.

Jonathan snorted. “I used to have respect for him,” he commented, “but of course what kind of man dumps his fiancée the night before their wedding, only to run off after the Maid of Honor.”

“He is still my brother,” Juila protested.

“Then forgive my bitterness towards him as it was my sister who was left at the altar,” he snapped back.

Julia took a sip of her water. Pull yourself together Jules, she thought. What would Hollis do? “Have you heard from Aidan recently?” she asked politely. Jonathan and Aidan were the same age, and had gone to high school together. Aidan, however, had always been the dark horse and refused to let the rest of the family know what he was up to at any given moment. Word periodically filtered home about Aidan through Jonathan and Gwen.

“He’s probably off following some hedonistic pursuit or other, perhaps in Europe or Africa, contracting God knows how many venereal diseases. I have not heard from him in over three years and I’m well rid of him. I once admired Ethan, but I never had respect for Aidan.” He greeted the waiter as he brought two servings of shrimp cocktail.

“I guess that exhausts my family,” Julia said. “How is your father?” she asked. “Gwen hasn’t spoken much about him since she and Rebecca moved in.”

“He is doing well, considering all the strain he has been under,” Jonathan said, his aloof veneer cracking a bit. “Rebecca’s betrayal nearly gave him another heart attack, and he hasn’t quite recovered. He wants this union ASAP.”

“Why?” Julia blurted.

“He thinks he’s dying, Holly,” Jonathan explained.

“No,” Julia said softly, “I figured that. What I meant was why H… Why me?” Jonathan did not appear to catch her slip. “Why not Julia? She likes you more, and really there’s not that much different between us.”

Jonathan burst out laughing, disturbing diners at other tables. “There’s more difference between you than you realize,” he commented, spearing a shrimp with a tiny fork. Julia was struck dumb as she watched the shrimp travel from the cocktail sauce to his lips. Then she remembered her outrage.

“Then tell me,” she demanded. “What’s so different between us that you can decide on a whim, not really knowing either of us, and say that one is better than the other.”

“I can tell you this,” he said smoothly, taking Julia’s hands in his own. “Holly, you are a challenge,” he said in a husky whisper. “Julia, well, Julia will throw herself at anything male and breathing,” he concluded.

His word’s stunned Julia from a verbal reply, but not her actions. She lifted her water glass to throw it in Jonathan’s face. A strong hand gripped her wrist stopping it’s forward motion, leaving only a small slosh on the tablecloth. “Don’t,” Jonathan growled as he forcibly set down the water glass. “I don’t like it that you’ve played this little game with me, Julia,” he said. “And I’m sure you and Holly do not want this getting back to your grandfather.”

Julia slumped back into her chair. It was going to be a long night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
 

Chapter 14
Chapter 12
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