“Then I’m sure I don’t know her.”
Marilyn saw the innocent look in Jillian’s eyes, but she wasn’t sure the woman was as unsuspecting as she seemed. “I hear she plays around with a husband of a friend of mine.” She was hoping Jillian would react.
She did, but not in the way Marilyn expected.
“Oh, I hope not.”
“Why would you care?”
“I don’t like to think of a husband being unfaithful to his wife. Marriage should be a sacred trust between two people.” Jillian sighed. “Of course I’m not blind enough to know it doesn’t happen. I just wish it didn’t happen so often.”
Marilyn bit her lip. She was almost sure Jillian knew nothing about Quinton’s mistress, and for a moment, Marilyn wanted to strangle the man. “You love your husband, don’t you, Jillian?”
“Of course.” Her answer was quick. “I would have never married him if I didn’t care about him.”
Damn, Quinton Kincade. I wonder if he knows what a jewel he has in this woman. A jewel she figured he’d crush in due time. Well, it was going to be without the help of her and the other dissatisfied wives in their social circle. At that moment, Marilyn decided to become Jillian’s protector. The females she associated with would chew this woman to bits in no time.
To Jillian she said, “I don’t suppose you would’ve married Quinton or any other man without loving him, would you?”
“Of course not.”
Marilyn changed the subject. “I need to throw a tea or something, so the others we associate with can get to know you, Jillian. I’ve been remiss. I should have done it before now.”
“I don’t expect you to do that.” Jillian smiled. “Quinton and I have been gone a lot. First there was the honeymoon and now the trip to visit his stores.”
“I know, but there’s a lot of curiosity about the woman who was able to snag Mr. ‘confirmed bachelor’. I want them to see the genuine qualities which must have attracted him.”
Jillian only smiled and the conversation shifted to other subjects. It wasn’t long until a fragile bond formed between the two women. A bond they both instinctively knew would grow stronger in time.
* * * *
“But, Quinton, baby, I don’t understand why you can’t come over?”
“I told you, Maddie. I have work to do. I’ve been gone for a week and things have piled up.”
“I know you were gone. I tried to call you, but it was like your honeymoon, you didn’t answer your phone.”
“I was busy.”
“Busy, busy. Is that all you ever think about? Don’t you want to come over and let me love you like you should be loved? I know that worn-out old wife of yours can’t be as good in bed as I am.”
“I told you not to ever mention my wife,” he snapped.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve fallen in love with the old hag.”
“I’m warning you, Maddie. Don’t you ever call my wife names.”
“And why not?”
“She’s a special woman and people like you aren’t worthy to say her name.”
“What do you mean, ‘people like me’? I’m just as good as you and she are.” Maddie was shouting.
“You’re right about one thing. You’re as good as I am, Maddie,” he said in a calm voice, “but neither of us is anywhere near as good as my wife.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“The truth doesn’t have to make sense.”
Before she could respond there was a commotion outside his door.
“Someone’s coming in. I’ll call you back later.” He flipped his cell phone shut and put it in his pocket. The door burst open.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kincade. I couldn’t stop her.” His secretary was actually holding Marilyn Von Cannon’s arm.
“It’s okay, Judy. Come on in, Marilyn. You sure seem to be in a hurry to see me.”
She didn’t answer until Judy closed the door. She then marched up to Quinton’s desk and plopped her bag down in front of him. “You’re damn right I’m in a hurry to see you.” She glared at him. “What kind of scheme are you bastards trying to pull?”
Quinton frowned. “What are you talking about, Marilyn?”
Without being asked, she dropped to the chair in front of his desk. “You and John are up to something and I want to know what it is.”
“John and I are always into one deal or another.”
“I’m not talking about some deal. I’m talking about Maddie Jones.”
Quinton’s face went white, but he managed to say, “What do you know about Maddie Jones?”
“It doesn’t matter a damn what I know about her. It’s what Jillian knows that counts.”
He was stunned. “Jillian doesn’t know… Does she?” He eyed Marilyn hoping she was bluffing.
She wasn’t.
“Not yet, but she will.”
“No, she won’t. I can’t allow that.” Quinton was firm.
“Allow, hell. How are you going to stop it?”
“I’ll find a way.”
“Quinton, you bastard. You’re going to end up breaking that poor woman’s heart.”
“I’m not going to break anybody’s heart. Jillian has everything she wants. I’ve given her…”
“I don’t give a damn what you’ve given her. It’s what you’re going to take from her that counts.” When he frowned, she added, “Give me a drink. I know you have a bottle around here somewhere.”
He walked to a wooden wall unit and pushed a button. The doors folded back and a well-stocked bar came into view. He didn’t ask her what she wanted. He poured both of them a Scotch and water. He handed her one and returned to his desk. “Now what is it you think I’m taking from my wife?”
She took a long drink then looked him in the eye. “Among other things, you’re taking her naiveté, her goodness, her purity, and most important of all her love.”
“I’m not following you, Marilyn.” His heart began to pound. Was Marilyn right? Did Jillian love him? God, he hoped not. He couldn’t handle that.
“Damn it, you bastard. The woman is so in love with you she can’t see anything you’re doing wrong. You’re going to crush her. She doesn’t deserve that. What has she done to you?”
She didn’t give him time to answer. “Nothing. That’s what she’s done. She’s only given herself completely to you because she loves and trusts you with her whole heart. And you’re going to do just what you’ve been doing to women since your first wife died. You’re going to take that heart and grind it under your heel when you write her a check and dump her. You won’t even look back to see that this time your money didn’t fix it. This time you may have hurt someone so bad they may not live through it. You think you killed your first wife by getting her pregnant. What excuse are you going to use this time?”
She downed the rest of her drink and stood. “All of you men should be sent to a cattle ranch and be castrated along with the bulls. None of you are any better than those animals who take one cow after another.” She bent over the desk and looked him in the eye. “I used to be jealous because I was the one wife in our group you refused to take to bed. I know it was because of your friendship with John and that made me mad. Now I’m thankful you at least had the decency not to use your friend’s wife. I’m also thankful I didn’t push you into screwing me. You don’t deserve me and you sure as hell don’t deserve Jillian.”
She whirled around and left.
* * * *
For several minutes Quinton stared at the door Marilyn slammed as she left his office. Finally, he picked up the phone and buzzed his secretary. “Judy, see that no one disturbs me. I have something important to do.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Quinton took a bottle from his liquor cabinet and for over an hour he sat behind his desk drinking one glassful after another. His mind was racing and he was absorbing everything Marilyn said to him. She had been right on the bull’s eye about his character. He had to accept that.
When he came to a decision, he picked up his desk phone and made a call.
“John, get over to my office. I want to do something special and I need your encouragement to go through with it.”
“Quinton, can it wait? I’m rather busy.”
“No, damn it. Get over here now.”
Chapter 22
There was a loud clatter in the entryway as the Queen Anne chair toppled on the wood floor and the lamp on the side table shifted close to the edge.
“What in the world is going on?” Marilyn yelled as she came running through the door from the living room.
John and Calvin were dragging an almost unconscious Quinton between them. “I don’t know what you said to him, Marilyn, but it sure sent him over the edge. I’ve never seen the man so drunk. Have you, Calvin?”
“No, Sir, I haven’t.”
“I see how drunk he is, but why in the world did you bring him here?” Marilyn glared at them. “Why didn’t you take him home?”
John looked at her as if she had two heads. “I couldn’t let him go home like this.”
She glanced at Calvin then back at John. “Should you talk like that in front of the chauffeur?”
John laughed. “Marilyn, don’t be an idiot. The staff knows more about what’s going on in our lives than our best friends. Calvin could probably give you times and dates of most of Quinton’s exploits. Now, move out of the way and let us get him to the sofa.”
She moved aside. “Well, why didn’t you let Calvin take him home?”
“I couldn’t do that. The damn fool was planning to confess every sin he has ever committed in the last twenty years to Jillian, then beg her to give him one chance to make it up to her and tell her he loves her.”
The two men put Quinton on the long beige sofa.
“At least take his shoes off,” Marilyn said.
“That’s not a bad idea. He won’t be able to get up and run out.” John laughed.
Calvin removed Quinton’s shoes. “As drunk as he is, he probably wouldn’t know if he had shoes on or not.”
A slurred voice came from the couch. “Will you forgive me, Jillian?”
Marilyn couldn’t help smiling at him. “Sounds like your friend might be coming to his senses at last.”
“That’s exactly what he said your little visit did for him, honey. He sat and drank and thought about it. I don’t know if it was the booze that made him call me, or if he actually thought he needed me with him to face Jillian.”
Quinton reached out and grabbed Marilyn’s hand. “I love you, Jillian. I didn’t want to, but I do. I can’t help it. You’re the perfect woman for me. I love everything about you. Please forgive me and let me have a chance to prove I really love you.”
When no one spoke, Quinton went on, sauing, “Please, honey. I know I don’t deserve it, but I’ve never loved a woman like I love you. Please, forgive me. I know I can make you love me again. Please let me try.”
With her free hand, Marilyn reached out and touched his forehead. “I forgive you, Quinton.”
A smile crossed his lips. “Thank you, darling. I love you so much. You’ll never regret this. I love…” He passed out completely.
Marilyn dropped his hand and looked at the two men standing there. “Now what do we do? Is he going to wake up and think Jillian has really forgiven him?”
“I don’t think he’ll remember much of anything. He’s too far gone,” Calvin said.
“Okay. So, let me ask again. What do we do now?” Marilyn’s eyes implored them.
“Maybe I should go.” Calvin started backing out of the room.
“No, Calvin. You know what’s been going on. You’ve got to help me figure a way out of this.” He turned to Marilyn. “Would you bring us a sandwich or something? I’m starved and I know Calvin hasn’t eaten…and don’t look so shocked. I’m not too good to eat with Calvin.”
She stared at him. “I know you’re not too good to eat with him, John, but I figured you thought you were. You had a fit when you came home one day and I was having a snack with the maid.”
He looked at his wife for a long minute. “I’ve done a lot of fool things. After this is over, we’ve got to sit down and have a long talk.”
She frowned at him then a smile crossed her lips. “I’d like to do that, John. Now I’ll go get you something to eat.”
When Marilyn returned with sandwiches, the two men moved to the dining area adjacent to the large room. They could still see Quinton, but they were out of earshot. She set out three plates and went back for drinks.
“I decided to serve iced tea. I think there’s been enough spirits consumed this afternoon.” She smiled at them. “Now tell me what happened.”
John started. “Like I said, Quinton told me you had made him see the light. He said you told him he was a scoundrel and he didn’t deserve to have a woman like Jillian in his life. He also said you were right, and he was going to confess all the affairs he could remember and even tell her about Maddie and the wives we know who he’s slept with.” He looked at Marilyn. There was a question in his eyes.
“I told you earlier, John. I didn’t sleep with Quinton.” She smiled. She didn’t add that she did consider it once or twice, but knew it would ruin her marriage if her husband ever found out. She always felt John would choose his friendship with Quinton over her.
“I’m glad.” He smiled back at her then bit into his sandwich. “I would’ve hated to have to kill my best friend.”
They all chuckled.
“Mr. Von Cannon, I think we need to think of a way to let Mrs. Kincade know her husband won’t be home tonight. He always lets her know, even if he’s going to be late. She’ll worry if she doesn’t hear something”
“You’re right, Calvin. Maybe I should call her and tell her Quinton and I had to go out of town for the evening.”
“That wouldn’t work, John.”
“Why not?” He looked at Marilyn.
“You know word would get back to her that you’re in town. That’s something you can’t hide.”
“That’s right, Mrs. Von Cannon. Maybe it would be best if I called Gloria. I was supposed to…” His voice trailed off.
“Are you seeing Gloria, Calvin?” John asked.
“Yes, Sir. We’ve been dating a while.”
“Then, that will be perfect.” Marilyn turned to him. “You call Gloria and tell her you had to bring Quinton here and you don’t know how long he’ll be tied up with John. After a little while, I’ll call Jillian and complain that John and Quinton are shut up in the office and it looks like it will last all night.”
“I knew there was a reason I married this woman twenty-five years ago, Calvin. She’s smarter than I am.” John took another bite of his sandwich and winked at her.
It made Marilyn feel good inside. It was the first time John had flirted with her in a long time.
* * * *
For the first time since coming to Kincade Mansion, Jillian picked up the phone at seven the next morning and asked Melba if she would bring coffee to the room. She was at the French door looking outside when Melba arrived.
“Couldn’t you sleep, Mrs. Kincade?” Melba looked at her when she came in.
“Not very well.” She sat down at the small table near the window and accepted the cup of coffee Melba poured. “I missed my husband. It’s the first night we’ve been apart since we were married. It felt strange and lonely.”
“I’m sure Mr. Kincade will call this morning.”
“I’m sure you’re right, Melba. Mrs. Von Cannon called last night and said this sort of thing happens occasionally, if there was a business crisis.”
Melba spread out a breakfast on the table by the window and smiled. “I know you didn’t ask for food, but I wanted you to have something to eat anyway.”
She returned the cook’s smile. “You’re too good to me, Melba. I’m sorry I asked you to bring my coffee up here. I just couldn’t face coming downstairs and having it alone. Now you’ve brought th
is wonderful breakfast and I don’t think I can eat much. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you apologize, Mrs. Kincade. I don’t mind bringing your coffee or your breakfast up here any time you want me to.”
“Thank you. I won’t ask you to do it often. In the meantime, I think after I eat a little I’ll take a long bath and maybe go for a walk.”
“It’s a beautiful morning. The leaves are beginning to turn and it’s a pleasant day.” Melba must have sensed that Jillian wanted to be alone because she said, “I guess I’d better get back to the kitchen. I need to order supplies. You be sure to call if you want anything else.”
“Thank you, Melba. I don’t know how I’d get along in this big house without you and the rest of the wonderful staff.”
“I thank you, Mrs. Kincade. We’ve all been blessed by your presence.” There was a mist in Melba’s eyes as she slipped out the door.
Jillian nibbled at the food, but she didn’t really want to eat. She refilled her cup from the silver pot Melba left and stood to carry it outside. When she reached the glider on the balcony she sat down and remembered the first night she and Quinton had made love here. She half smiled, as she recalled that they’d repeated the event several times since that first night. It was becoming a special place for them. At least it was special to her.
She leaned her head back and let questions run through her mind. Was Quinton really working at John’s house or was he out with a woman? And who was that woman? Could it be that Maddie, Marilyn mentioned? Jillian felt sure it would be the one who had left him smelling of her perfume. She’d smelled the same scent on him twice now.
Why do I care so much? I know I have no claim on him other than a marriage contract. He never told me he wanted our time together to be anything other than the means for him to keep his stores. I know he’s a highly sexual man, but he does seem to enjoy it when we make love. And the good lord knows, I enjoy it. I’ve never had anything like this relationship with him. But I know he doesn’t love me. He only wants to be sure I stay with him for a year so he can get his stores.
She sat up straight and drained her coffee cup. She put it on the small table in front of her and mumbled, “Then why the hell does he have to be so nice to me? He knows I’ll keep my word without him pretending to care.”
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