Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 127368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
It was much like Ian’s, except a lot bigger. There was an additional room that was a study, another baronial desk he did nothing at. The furniture was heavier, more ornate, darker, even lugubrious.
And there was a lot of white, with flashes of surprising pink, though somehow made masculine, both colors of dogwood blooms.
“Would you feel comfortable sitting?” he asked.
I would, actually. I was feeling off. It was the day. Lou’s situation. Amaretto on an empty stomach.
“No,” I answered.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“No again, and no offense. I’ve already had one and I was about to go to my room and get ready for bed.”
“So be it,” he murmured.
He then glanced at the door.
Though it wasn’t a glance since it lasted a long time.
I expected someone to come in, like Daniel to plead Portia’s case, but that didn’t happen before Richard spoke.
“I’m sure you know by now that Louella and I had a…liaison.”
I jolted, like I’d been struck by lightning.
He smiled a slippery, obnoxious smile. “I can assure you it was before your father.” He lifted his shoulders in a mock-indifferent shrug. “It was when she was casting about for a patron. She married your father not long after I ended things with her.”
I didn’t know what to say.
I didn’t know why he was telling me this.
Though, sadly, I didn’t disbelieve him.
Even when Lou was at the height of her career, she dated older men. After years of thinking on it, I put it down to her trying to find her father, who adored her and made her feel safe, and it wasn’t wrong to search for something like that.
Whatever made you happy.
“Obviously,” he continued, “I’d never leave my Jane for her.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, my voice a lash.
“Why?” He seemed shocked at the question.
“Yes. Why?”
“Because Daniel’s told me what’s befallen her, poor girl. And I wanted you to know how sorry I am for her, your family, and tell you if there’s anything at all I can do…”
He let that trail.
“Are you a neurosurgeon?”
“No.”
“An oncologist?”
“Daphne—”
“In other words, no. I don’t believe there’s anything you can do. But thanks, Richard. Though, I hope you don’t mind, I won’t share this tête-à-tête with Lou.”
“The affair may have ended, but it was enjoyable while it lasted, and—”
“Please, don’t,” I hissed, moving to leave.
“I’m concerned about her,” he stated.
I stopped. “I don’t know you very well, and I’m in your home and it pains me to be impolite, but you must know I don’t believe you. More, it sickens me that you’d use the awful thing that’s happening with Lou to do something petty and spiteful like you’re doing now.”
I moved toward him.
He stood staring at me and not backing down.
I stopped close.
“Do you think it makes me think less of Lou, that she was with you? Is that what this is? To shock me and make me upset that my stepmother had an affair with a married man? Doing that within a few hours of me finding out she has a tumor in her brain?”
“Hardly. As I said. I’m concerned. I thought she told you about us.”
“She came here for Portia, the question is, why on earth did you allow her in your house with your wife here?”
And now the Richard, Lady Jane and Lou uneasiness was explained, and I wished it wasn’t.
Dear Lord, somehow Lady Jane knew Lou had an affair with her husband.
God, I felt for them both.
But in this instance, I loved Lou, but I mostly felt for Lady Jane.
“Portia is high-strung,” he explained. “You probably know, she’s been here before. More than once. Jane and she weren’t meshing. I called Louella personally—”
The second time that night, my head spun.
This time with fury.
“Oh my God. You’re a fucking piece of work.”
“No need for foul language,” he bit. “And if you’d let me finish a single sentence, and perhaps listen when I speak rather than making judgments before hearing, I could get my point across.”
I crossed my arms on my chest. “And what point is that, Richard?”
“As I said, she means something to me. I’m concerned. My sons don’t know of our past relationship, obviously. It’s clear you and she are close. Dear friends. Which was why I thought she told you. So I had hoped you’d keep me informed about her condition.”
“How’s this?” I suggested. “I’ll keep Ian informed, and Portia can keep Daniel informed, and you can learn news of Lou from them.”
“I’m not entirely certain why you’ve taken such an adversarial stance with me, Daphne,” he remarked shortly. “I’m hosting you and your sister in my home. I believe you’ve been made comfortable.”
I leaned back and tossed out my arms. “Ah yes, sleeping in a dead woman’s bed and getting her floral bouquets delivered at night.”
“Jane told me about that,” he said, now appearing sincerely regretful. “I believe Jane has shared both of our feelings on that subject with Portia and Daniel.”