by Judith Gould
"And you look worried," Teddy replied. "What's going on?"
"I don't know what's gotten into her," Effie said, nodding her head toward the parlor where Marguerite was, "but she sure could use some cheering up or something today."
"Why?" Teddy asked. "She seemed fine when we spoke on the telephone."
"I don't know why," Effie said, "but I'll tell you one thing. She's been acting strange ever since that fancy- pants cousin of hers, Mr. James de Biron, got here day before yesterday. And today, she's being meaner than a snake to me. She's making me clear out till after you leave."
"Oh, well, Effie," Teddy said reassuringly, "you know she doesn't mean any harm. Whatever it is, she'll get over it. Maybe she's just a little nervous because her cousin's visiting from France."
"Humpf!" Effie said. "I don't wonder. He may be real good-looking and always have a big smile ready, but if you ask me he's a snake in the grass. And he's not even French. He just lives there. Imagine her wanting me out of here."
Now Teddy understood perfectly well why Marguerite had banished Effie from the premises. She didn't want Effie to be privy to what she'd planned to discuss with him and Jamie de Biron. There was always the chance that Effie would overhear something, and Marguerite knew that Effie would go straight to Valerie with the information.
Marguerite, Teddy, and Jamie convened on the big screened-in porch. She always had summer lunches here rather than at a table in the garden because her beautiful skin was shielded from the sun's damaging rays and they were protected from the plethora of bothersome insects.
Soon they were enjoying the warmth of the summer heat and the remnants of dessert, sliced mango topped with a mango and papaya sorbet.
Teddy put his spoon down and smiled. "That was delicious, Marguerite," he said, "but then your food always is."
"Marguerite's always done everything perfectly," Jamie added, smiling at his cousin. Like Teddy, he was dressed casually but elegantly in a navy blue blazer with gold buttons, white trousers, and a blue-and-white striped shirt with a yellow tie. His very blond hair was short, almost in a military cut, and contrasted sharply with his darkly tanned skin. It was obvious that he was in excellent physical shape.
"Thank you both," she replied. "I'm so glad you could be here with us today, Teddy, so that you could meet Jamie and we could have our little discussion in privacy." She paused and delicately sipped her mineral water, then looked directly into Teddy's eyes. "But you mustn't forget that not a single word of this is to reach Val's ears."
"There's no danger of that, Marguerite," he replied. "I think—no, I know—that we're of a single mind on this. You and I know what's best for Val, even if she sometimes doesn't, and in this case it's best that she doesn't know anything."
"Exactly," Marguerite said. "I think you and I will get along very well, Teddy. We always have, and I see no reason why that shouldn't continue. We do see eye to eye. Certainly about my daughter." She shifted her gaze to Jamie. "And you've known her practically all of your life, Jamie, so it goes without saying that you understand why I'm doing what I am."
Jamie set down his wineglass and nodded. He had consumed several glasses of wine over lunch, Teddy had noticed, but it didn't seem to have affected him in the least. "You don't have to explain a thing to me, Marguerite," Jamie said. "I know exactly how Val is— always has been—and the only difference I see is that she's become more . . . independent, I guess is the word ... in the last few years. Somewhat out of control, I would say."
He looked over at Teddy and smiled warmly. "I think you're perfect for Val, by the way, Teddy," he said. "And I'm so glad the two of you are going to get married. She needs somebody practical, with two feet planted firmly on the ground. Marguerite can tell you that I love Val dearly, but Val's never had any respect for her heritage or family, and she's always dillydallied with . . . well, outsiders, if you know what I mean."
"Never was a truer word spoken," Marguerite said, "and that's one reason I'm delighted that the two of you could meet. I think that the three of us together can make certain that everything of Armand's and mine will be taken care of properly. I don't have to tell you that I've become increasingly concerned about Val's behavior lately. She's getting more independent, as you so aptly put it, Jamie. She's even become somewhat distant and headstrong. Quite frankly, I'm worried that when I'm gone, she'll take everything that Armand and I worked so hard to keep and auction it all off, then give the proceeds to an animal shelter or something."
"I don't think you have to worry about that now," Teddy said, his square chin jutting out authoritatively. "Between Jamie and myself, we can handle whatever might come up. And don't forget, Marguerite," he added, "I will be her husband."
Jamie laughed. "You can whip her into shape," he said.
"Easier said than done, I'm afraid," Marguerite said seriously. "This eccentric streak of hers runs awfully deep. I don't know where it came from, but it's there, and it's powerful." She looked over at Teddy. "You'll draw up the paperwork soon, Teddy?" she asked.
"I'll have it done tomorrow," he said. "When I go home, I'll get my secretary on it right away. I'll give you a call tomorrow when it's all ready. If you like, I can run it over here, or you and Jamie can come over to my place for a drink and sign everything while you're there. Whichever you prefer."
"Wonderful," Marguerite said enthusiastically. "Why don't we do the signing at Apple Hill? I would love for Jamie to see what you've done with it, Teddy."
She turned to her cousin. "He's done an absolutely marvelous job of renovating the place. It's in perfect taste, and I think you would love it."
"I'm game," Jamie said.
"Good," Teddy said. "Why don't you plan on coming over about five o'clock? I'll make sure everything's ready by then. There will be loose ends to tie up with Dock Wainwright, but we can get most everything done right away. In the meantime, I hate to eat and run, Marguerite, but I'd better get back there so all the paperwork can get started." He picked up the folder of papers to the right of his place setting.
"That's fine," Marguerite said. "The sooner, the better." She rose to her feet, and the men followed suit. "We'll see you promptly at five, Teddy."
She turned to lead them out to the parking area. Jamie held the door for her and Teddy, then followed them out.
Teddy got into his Jaguar and started the engine.
"You didn't leave all the papers, did you, Teddy?" Marguerite asked.
Teddy lifted the folder off the seat next to him. "I've got everything, Marguerite," he said, "so don't worry about a thing."
"Good," she said.
Teddy roared off, and Marguerite turned to Jamie and took his arm. "Let's stroll for a moment in the garden, Jamie," she said.
They went through the nearby gate and down the path, summer blooms spilling out of their beds onto it from both sides. The warm air was filled with butterflies and sweet scents.
"What do you think of him, Jamie?" Marguerite asked.
"He's absolutely appropriate," Jamie replied without hesitation. "He's one of us. Our kind."
"Yes," Marguerite agreed. "He is indeed."
They strolled on in silence for a while, admiring the garden.
"Are they in love?" Jamie asked.
"Love!" Marguerite exclaimed. Her green eyes widened, and she shrugged her thin shoulders. "What a silly question, Jamie."
He laughed lightly. "I was just curious," he said. "It's been known to happen, you know. Mostly among the lower orders."
"Oh, I think there's been an attraction of sorts," Marguerite conceded. "In the beginning anyway, as there so often is, but I think that initial attraction has worn off for both of them. For Val more so than Teddy, surprisingly."
"Oh?" Jamie said. "Do you think she's interested in someone else?"
"No, no, no! It's nothing like that at all. I don't think she has much interest in men. Just animals."
"What about him?" Jamie asked. "You say he's still attracted to her."
"I think he's more interested in marriage than she is," Marguerite said. "I don't know that he's particularly interested in her physically. Oh, they spend a lot of weekends together, but neither of them seems all that. . . sexually charged, shall we say . . . over the other."
"Well, it sounds ideal," Jamie said. "If she gets bored, she has her animals."
"Exactly," Marguerite said, squeezing his arm. "I'm so glad you feel that way. I only wish Val knew how fortunate she is to have us taking care of her this way, but she can't know anything about our plans. It's too bad really that she doesn't know all the trouble we go to on her behalf." She looked up at him, her expression almost wistful. "It's really too bad that she doesn't know how much we love her."
Lydia was typing at the computer when Teddy came through the office door. She paused and looked up at him severely. "You've got several messages," she said, "and some of them need to be answered ASAP, Teddy. And I do mean ASAP. Like a couple of banks and a couple of brokers in New York City?"
"Don't worry about it, Lydia," he replied, smiling. "I'll get to them."
She was surprised by his nonchalant response to her urgent message. "You look like the cat that caught the canary," she finally said, a speculative smile hovering at the edges of her lips. "Must've been some lunch with that hateful old bitch, Mrs. de la Rochelle."
She was fishing for information, and Teddy knew it. He decided to let her suffer a few minutes. "I've got to make some telephone calls, Lydia," he said. "Then we'll get to those messages of yours."
She scowled. He wasn't going to be forthcoming about lunch. "Sure, Teddy," she said, her voice clipped. "Whatever you say." She looked back down at the keyboard and began typing very quickly, hitting the keys with an extra punch to try to irritate him.
Teddy ignored her and sat down at his desk. He flipped through the Rolodex until he saw the number he wanted, then picked up the telephone and dialed it. He waited for someone to answer, feeling especially self-satisfied. On the third ring, a secretary picked up.
"Dockering Wainwright's office," she said.
"Hi," he said jauntily. "This is Teddy de Mornay. I need to speak to Dock Wainwright right away."
"I'll see if he's in," the secretary said.
"It concerns Marguerite de la Rochelle," Teddy added.
"Yes, sir," the secretary said. "Just a moment."
Teddy waited patiently, although he was anxious to speak with Dock Wainwright. He could hardly wait to hear what the old man would have to say.
"Dockering Wainwright here," the older man's voice intoned. "How are you, Teddy?"
"I'm fine," Teddy replied. "And you?"
"At my age," Wainwright said, "I have no reason to complain."
"That's great," Teddy said.
"What can I do for you, Teddy?" the older man asked. "You say this has something to do with Marguerite de la Rochelle?"
"Yes," Teddy said. "I've just come from a luncheon meeting with her and her cousin, James de Biron."
"Ah, yes," Wainwright said. "I see."
"Marguerite, and Jamie, and I," Teddy went on slowly, drawing out his news, "had a long discussion at lunch about the de la Rochelle estate."
"That so?" Wainwright replied, clearly wishing that Teddy would get to the point.
"Marguerite," Teddy said, "has decided to give me control of all of her investment accounts." There, he'd dropped his bomb on the old man.
"I see," Dockering Wainwright replied calmly. He cleared his throat. "Her entire portfolio?"
"Yes," Teddy replied almost gleefully. "All of it."
"I see," Wainwright repeated.
"I've got the paperwork here," Teddy said, "powers of attorney and such, and I'll have it sent over to you just as soon as everything is ready."
"Yes," Wainwright said. "I'll have to have a signed statement from Mrs. de la Rochelle to that effect, of course."
"I've got it right here," Teddy said smugly. "It'll be with the paperwork I send over." He paused, then added: "She wants you to send a check over to me as soon as possible, with any commissions due you deducted, of course."
"Certainly," Wainwright said stiffly. "I'll get on it as soon as I receive the necessary paperwork."
"Thanks a lot," Teddy said. "You can expect a messenger in the morning."
"Yes, well, . . . good luck with it, Teddy," Wainwright said, forcing cheer into his voice.
"Thanks," Teddy said. He wanted to tell the old man he didn't need his good wishes and started to hang up, but thought better of it. Never burn bridges, he told himself. You never know when you might need them, and Dock Wainwright, old as he was, might be very useful in the future. The near future, anyway.
"I hope there'll be no animosity on your part," Teddy said. "I think the only reason Marguerite's doing this is because Val and I are going to get married."
"Well, that's wonderful news," Wainwright said. "I hope you're both very happy."
"Thanks," Teddy responded. "I'll be talking to you."
"Good-bye, then," Wainwright said. "And please give my regards to Val."
"I will," Teddy replied. "Bye." He replaced the receiver in its cradle, then looked up. Lydia had stopped typing and was looking at him with a curious expression.
"What is it?" he asked.
"We're just full of news today, aren't we?" she said.
"Yes," he answered. Then he opened the file of paperwork he'd brought back with him from Marguerite's. He withdrew an envelope and opened it, staring down at the papers in his hand. "Tomorrow morning," he said, "stop on your way in and deposit these in the bank." He got up and handed the checks over to Lydia.
She looked down at them, and her eyes lit up brightly. "Je-sus!" she said. "I thought old Dock Wainwright had all their money."
"These are just quarterly dividend checks," he said. "They'll be coming straight to me in the future."
"My God," Lydia cried, "I didn't know they had that much money. De Mornay Investments is going to have a lot to play with."
"No," Teddy said. "Deposit them in my personal account."
"But-but these—" she began.
"Never mind, Lydia," he said firmly. "Deposit them in my personal account for the time being."
"If you say so," Lydia said with a frown.
"I say so," Teddy said.
"But how am I supposed to enter these on the books, Teddy?" she asked.
"I'll handle that," he said. And I will, too, he thought. Marguerite de la Rochelle and Jamie de Biron aren't going to miss a dividend check right away. Especially not with the switch over from Dock. Besides, he thought, I'll be replacing them before they even receive statements from my investment company. There's nothing wrong with my making use of them for my personal needs for a short time, is there? It wasn't my fault if the technology stocks bottomed out, was it? In the meantime, this money will more than take care of my margin calls. It'll shut up the banks and the brokers.
"Now then," he said, looking at Lydia. "What are these so-called urgent messages you've got for me?"
Chapter Nineteen
Mrs. McDougall," Valerie said, "I don't think you have anything to worry about. Lexi is doing very well."
"I don't know that I agree with you," Mrs. McDougall said, "but we shall see." She picked up the tiny mixed-breed dog and held him in her arms.
"If you have any problems, let me know," Valerie said.
"Of course," Mrs. McDougall said.
Valerie held the door open for her, then followed the tall, thin woman out into the reception area. She waved good-bye to her and went on into her office to fill out Lexi's record. There's really nothing wrong with Lexi, she thought as she scribbled her examination notes. It's Mrs. McDougall who needs the doctor. And a good and patient psychiatrist at that. The woman had been bringing the dog in for three years, together with a laundry list of ailments that no one at the clinic had been able to discern. Lexi was perfectly healthy, if a bit neurotic, but that was to be expected in an animal that was smothered with so much attention.
Valerie finished her notes, then went out to the reception area to give them to Tami to file.
"Here you go, Tami," she said. "Lexi's file."
"Thank you," Tami said, taking the file from her. "The dog with all the phantom ailments, right? What is it this week?"
"It's a limp," Valerie said. "For about the twentieth time."
Tami rolled her eyes and laughed.
The telephone rang, and Annie picked it up. "Hold on a moment," Valerie heard her say. Then Annie looked up at her. "Val, it's for you. Mr. Conrad at Stonelair on line three."
"I'll take it in my office," Valerie said. She turned and went back to her office, unaware of the curious eyes that followed her.
She sat down at her desk, pushed the button, and picked up the receiver. "Hi, Wyn," she said. "What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you could have another look at Layla," Wyn said. "This afternoon, if possible."
Again today? Valerie thought, but she said, "Sure. Let me check my schedule. Can you hold on a minute?"
"Okay, Doc," Wyn said.
Valerie pressed the hold button and sat in puzzled thought. I don't think Layla really needs a follow-up visit today, she decided, but Wyn Conrad obviously does. She realized that she'd opened the door to friendship and felt as if she must follow through. More than that, she discovered that she wanted to.
She quickly checked her schedule, then got Wyn back on the line. "How about around six o'clock?" she said. "That's when I finish up here today."
"That'd be great," Wyn said. "I'll see you then."
"Okay," Valerie said. She hung up the receiver, still curious about the call, wondering if her instincts were on the mark. There wasn't time to think about it now, however, because she had a busy afternoon ahead of her.
Valerie parked and walked toward the stable office and saw that no one was behind the big desk. I guess he's with Layla, she thought. She went through the tack room, then on out into the stables. Down the row of stalls ahead of her, she saw Wyn, standing with two horses saddled and bridled, ready to ride. As she approached him, she saw him grin.