A Bought Bride

by Agnes Alexander

  “Can’t it wait until Jillian and I finish our dinner?”

  John shook his head. “No, Quinton. This is something we have to handle immediately.”

  “Quinton, I’m through. Why don’t I—”

  “No, Jillian. You finish your coffee. John and I will go into the study.” He stood, leaned down, kissed her cheek, then followed John out of the room.

  * * * *

  Quinton made a drink as soon as they were in the study. He handed one to John. “Now, what’s this all about?”

  “Didn’t you say something the other night at the club about you and Jillian going out of town next week?”

  “We’re going Monday, but what has that got to do with you being so upset?”

  “Everything. I want you and her to head out tonight.”

  “Tonight?” He stared at John. “Why?”

  “I don’t want you to be here when the police start asking questions.”

  “The police?” Quinton’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell is going on?”

  “This afternoon, Norman Blackburn was found bludgeoned to death in a hotel room. The police already know you had murder in your eye after the way he manhandled Jillian at the club.”

  “So! Wouldn’t you be mad if a man asked your wife to climb on a table and get naked for him?” Anger filled Quinton’s voice.

  “Calm down, Quinton. Of course I’d be mad, but that’s beside the point. I think it’d be better if you’re not here when they start asking questions.”

  “I don’t see what that matters. I didn’t have anything to do with Blackburn after I left the club with Jillian. The next day I called the vet’s office and fired him over the phone. I was too mad to do it personally.”

  “I know you’re telling the truth, but the police might think that since you were so mad, you found him and beat the hell out of him.”

  “Why would they think that?”

  “Not only was he rude to your wife that night, I found out he is tied in with Maddie Jones.”

  “How could that be? He was a vet. Maddie is a—”

  “I know what she is, but after checking up on him, I found he came here from Las Vegas about a year ago. Somehow he and Maddie are connected. It may be that the two of them were working on something to set you up.”

  “I’ll go see Maddie and find…”

  “No you won’t. You’ve got to stay away from her. Get your wife on that plane or in a car and get out of town.” He stared at his friend. “By the way, when was the last time you saw Maddie?”

  “Why the hell do you need—”

  “It’s important, Quinton. When?”

  “The day we went to the club. Why?”

  “Damn! That makes it worse. I know this is a stupid question, but did you use a condom when you had sex?”

  “I don’t see…”

  “Did you?”

  “I always use a condom with Maddie.”

  John smiled. “So you know she’s sleeping with other men since you brought her here?”

  “I don’t think she has slept around since coming here.” Quinton sat his drink down with a thud on the black marble bar.

  “Yes she is, and it could end up hurting you.”

  “How?”

  “Now that Blackburn is dead…”

  “What the hell does she have to do with Blackburn’s death?”

  “I’m not sure she has anything to do with it, but I don’t want the girl to pop up pregnant or—”

  “John, Maddie told me she couldn’t have children.”

  “But you wear a condom anyway?”

  Quinton was getting madder. “Will you forget condoms and tell me what’s going on?”

  “Just what I told you. When the police make the connection from Blackburn to Maddie, I don’t think she’ll keep her mouth shut. That’s why you need to get out of town tonight.”

  “But…”

  “Use your head and don’t give me an argument. If it comes out about you and Maddie, Jillian might leave you. If she does, goodbye marriage and goodbye department stores.” John gave him a disgusted look. “I wish you’d never brought that little tramp here from Las Vegas. I was afraid you were asking for trouble.”

  “It’s too late to think about that now.” Quinton’s voice was sharp.

  “Sorry.” John swallowed his drink. “Now, go back in there, put on your smiling face and take your wife out of town, tonight.”

  “What am I going to say to get her to go?” For the first time in his life Quinton felt like he was sinking in quicksand.

  “Tell her there’s a crisis in a store that has to be settled tonight. Tell her anything, but get out of town immediately.”

  “John, I know Norman worked for my vet, but why—”

  “Damn, it. I told you Norman and Maddie were connected. If they start asking her questions, she may spill everything. Where’s that going to leave you?”

  Quinton’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think Maddie would—”

  “Hell, Quinton, I didn’t want to tell you this, but Norman and Maddie grew up together and they were lovers. They were never legally step-siblings because their parents never married. Now use your head. If it comes out about the two of you, the police will think you had more than enough reason to beat the bastard to death. Not only did he insult your wife, he’s been sleeping with your mistress.” When Quinton didn’t say anything, he went on, saying, “Now, if you want to keep that wife of yours and your stores, do like I tell you. Get it together and you and Jillian leave here tonight.” John turned toward the door, leaving a stunned Quinton standing there.

  Chapter 20

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this, Quinton.” Jillian looked across the seat at her husband as he pulled the luxury car onto the interstate.

  “When you’re in business you have to move fast sometimes.”

  She chuckled. “I guess you do, but I’m leaving home with a make-up case, my toothbrush and a nightgown and you say we’ll be gone for a week or more. That’s a little fast for me.”

  “When you have a department store in every community at your disposal, why worry about packing clothes? You can get a new outfit every day.” He reached over and took her hand. “Besides, you could have left the gown at home. It’ll only end up on the floor anyway.”

  “You’re incorrigible.” She blushed.

  He squeezed her hand. “Thanks for coming with me.”

  “It wasn’t a hard choice. It was either come with you, or stay alone in that big old house for a week.”

  Though he was still trying to absorb what John had told him, he couldn’t help smiling. Jillian had been the perfect choice for a wife. He never expected it to turn out as well as it had. Not only was she kind and pleasant to be around, she made him feel as if she really cared. He hoped she wasn’t falling in love with him, because he didn’t want to hurt her. When women loved him, bad things happened to them. His mother died racing her car to the school because he’d gotten into trouble with the head master. His first wife died giving birth to a son he’d planted in her. A son he’d wanted more than anything. Quinton didn’t want another good woman to die because he wasn’t worthy of her love.

  “Where are we going?” Jillian’s question cut into his thoughts.

  “Chattanooga. It’s a good drive, but I want to make it tonight. Are you tired?”

  “I’m fine. I was just wondering why you decided to drive a car instead of having Calvin take us.”

  “We’re going to be hopping from town to town. I thought it would be better if we had our own car.”

  “I see.”

  They fell quiet and Quinton glanced at her again. She looked serene as she watched the night from the windshield. It dawned on him that this woman trusted him. She’d given her word, and then she’d given herself to him, and she wasn’t about to go back on her promise. How could she be so trusting? She deserved a better man than he was. He knew he could give her every material possession she could dream of, but he couldn’t
give her the one thing a woman like her needed. Jillian deserved to be loved. Really loved. Not used as a tool to save a man’s business. Not used as a pawn to fill his physical need. Not even used as a means to have a satisfactory married life. Quinton knew he might be worth millions and millions of dollars, but Jillian was worth so much more.

  Without saying anything he lifted her hand and held it to his lips. She smiled at him and Quinton smiled back. He couldn’t help it. Jillian had a way about her that made him do things he didn’t know he was going to do.

  * * * *

  When John Von Cannon got home, Marilyn met him at the door. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “A woman has been calling here since you left. Said her name was Maddie Jones and she had to talk to you right away.”

  “Okay. I’ll give her a call.”

  “Now, I’m going to ask you the same question you asked me. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing for you to worry about, my dear.”

  “Don’t hand me that bull! I’ve been married to you for twenty-five years. I know when you’re up to something.”

  “How can you say that?”

  She followed him into his den. “I can say it because it’s true.”

  “Marilyn, I need to make this call to Ms. Jones. Would you excuse me?” He put his hand on her back to ease her out the door.

  “I don’t usually interfere in your business, John, but this time I think I’m justified.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because Ms. Jones told me if you didn’t call her back tonight your client Quinton Kincade would be sorry.”

  John bit his lip. “How could Quinton be involved with this woman? I’ve never heard of her.”

  “You know Quinton. She’s probably some little tart he’s been screwing, and now she wants to blackmail him or something.”

  “Why in the world would you think that of Quinton?”

  “Don’t pretend to be innocent with me, John. It only took one introduction for me to realize Quinton has married a wonderful, but naive woman. Maybe this little number sees that Quinton might really be in love this time, and she wants to be sure her purse strings aren’t drying up.”

  John stared at Marilyn. “So that’s what you have figured out about Jillian without knowing anything about her.”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  “A woman knows.” She smiled a sad little smile at her husband. “I know a lot of things you don’t know I know, John. I know when you have a little dalliance on the side. You always feel guilty so you bring home a bobble. I have quite a nice jewelry collection to prove it.”

  “Marilyn, I’ve never—”

  “Come off it. I know you cheat on me, and everyone in town knows how Quinton Kincade is. He’s slept with more women than any man I know. A lot of his sexual dalliances are with wives of our friends.”

  John couldn’t believe his ears. “How do you know this?”

  “Women talk. Gossip spreads. Some of it isn’t true, but some is. I could give you names.” She smiled at her husband. “I hear from some sources that Quinton is a wonderful lover.”

  “How would you know that?” John was stunned.

  She raised her eyebrow, but said nothing.

  John crossed the floor and took her arm. “Has that son-of-a-bitch taken you to bed?”

  “Would you care if he had?”

  “You’re damn right, I’d care.”

  She jerked her arm away and snapped, “Well rest easy. He hasn’t. Not that I haven’t thought about asking him to.”

  “Marilyn!” His anger had raised enough to make him shout her name.

  “I’m sorry, John, but you husbands need to wake up and look around. Things at home are not at all what you idiots think they are. Do you honestly believe the women sit around having their tea parties and wait for their husbands to come home and bless them with their presence and a little sex now and then? If you do, you’re stupid. Women have wants and needs, too. I have them myself and I’m sick of you caring more about your client, Quinton Kincade, than you do about me.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Then why did you rush out of here to go see him when I told you I had a special dinner planned for the two of us tonight?”

  “I told you I’d be back.”

  “I know you did and yes, you are back, but that doesn’t make up for it.”

  “Make up for what?”

  “Damn it, John Von Cannon. Today was my forty-fifth birthday and you forgot all about it.” She burst into tears. “You don’t give a damn about me or my feelings.”

  John started toward her and the phone rang. He turned to answer it and Marilyn fled the room.

  * * * *

  “Damn it, John Von Cannon,” a second woman said to him within the last sixty seconds. “The police came here to talk to me. Somebody better do something to help me. I don’t know what to do, and I can’t get in touch with Quinton. He won’t answer his phone.”

  “Calm down, Maddie. Everything is going to be fine.” He was still staring at the door Marilyn slammed so hard it jarred back open. For the first time in a long time, John Von Cannon didn’t know what to say or do.

  Chapter 21

  The following week passed and Jillian and Quinton arrived home on Monday morning. Bertram met them at the door and carried their luggage inside. Quinton had insisted they buy a new set for their new clothes. Though Jillian felt a little guilty about spending so much money, Quinton talked her into buying more outfits than she needed for the week-long trip.

  Quinton kissed Jillian goodbye at the door and hurried to the office to catch up his work.

  Jillian went to their room to hang up the new clothes. Gloria joined her and began placing the new clothes on hangers in Jillian’s closet. “These are lovely, Mrs. Kincade.”

  “Thank you, Gloria. I didn’t mean to spend so much, but I must admit I enjoyed shopping for them while Quinton discussed business with the store managers.”

  “I’m sure Mr. Kincade didn’t mind how much you spent.”

  “He didn’t seem to, but I don’t want to take advantage of his generosity. He’s awfully free with me.”

  “I think he enjoys pampering you, Mrs. Kincade.”

  “I like doing things for him, too, Gloria.”

  “I know you do, Ma’am.”

  There was a knock on the bedroom door. Jillian handed Gloria the blouse she was holding and went to see who wanted her.

  “Mrs. Kincade, there’s a Mrs. Von Cannon here to see you.”

  “Thank you, Bertram.” She turned back to the closet. “I can hang the rest of these later, Gloria. I’m sure you have other work to do.”

  “I don’t mind doing this for you. I like looking at all the pretty things.”

  Jillian nodded and went out the door. Bertram was waiting at the foot of the stairs when she came down. “I put Mrs. Von Cannon in the drawing room, Madam. I’ll see that Melba brings tea.”

  “Thank you,” Jillian said as she entered the formal room off the entry. “Hello, Marilyn. I’m delighted to see you again.”

  Marilyn smiled up at her from her seat in the white brocade chair. “Hello, Jillian. I hope you don’t mind me dropping in without calling. I know you just got back from your trip and are probably too tired for company.”

  “I don’t mind you dropping in, and I’m not the least bit tired. We had a nice relaxing trip.” She sat on the chair facing Marilyn. “I’m glad you decided to visit me. Sometimes I get a little lonely in this huge house.”

  “I can see why. I have a large house myself, but nothing as grand as this. The Kincades have lived in this mansion for a long time.”

  “Yes, Quinton told me his great-grandfather built the place.”

  Melba entered with a silver tray sporting a fragile china tea service and a crystal plate of sugar-coated cookies. She put it on the marble topped table beside Jillian. “Shall I serve, Mrs. Kincade?”

  “Please, Melba.”
>
  After the women were served, Melba left the room with a big smile for Jillian.

  “I can see the help has taken you under their wing.” Marilyn smiled. “The butler was very formal, but I could tell by his demeanor that if I was here to cause trouble he’d have thrown me out on my nose.”

  Jillian couldn’t help laughing. “I can’t imagine Bertram doing something like that, though I had a bad experience with a visitor a few weeks ago and he has become protective.”

  “I could tell he was leery of me. Then the servant who brought the tea was determined I understand she would be keeping an eye on you, and I better not cause you any trouble.”

  “How can you tell all this?”

  “Honey, I’ve been in this society all of my life. It usually takes an outsider years to win the support and devotion of servants. You’ve done it in a remarkably short time.”

  “I don’t consider them servants, Marilyn. They’re just employees doing a job for a salary. Doing it well and with dignity.”

  “What a unique way to look at it.” Marilyn nodded her head. “I’ve never thought of it in that manner, but I suppose you’re right.”

  “I think everyone deserves to be respected for the jobs they do. I’ve had to work myself, and I know what work is.” Jillian picked up the plate of cookies. “Would you like one?”

  “I shouldn’t, but they do look delicious.” She took a cookie. “By the way, where is that husband of yours today?”

  “He went to work. After a week out of town, I’m sure he had a lot of catching up to do.”

  “There have been some things going on while you were gone.” Marilyn nibbled her cookie. “John has had his hands full with Maddie Jones.”

  Jillian smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m sure in his profession his clients can give him a hard time.”

  “You don’t know who Maddie Jones is, do you, Jillian?”

  “Not unless she was someone I met at the club or at the store. I’m sorry I can’t remember everyone’s name. It’s all still overwhelming to me.”

  Marilyn sipped her tea and looked at Jillian for a long minute. Finally she said, “You wouldn’t have met Maddie Jones at the club or at the store.”