She pulled her knees up to her chin and sat stiff. It would’ve been easier if he’d made love to me one time then told me to stay out of his life. No, that’s not so. Look what I would’ve missed. I’ve never been loved the way Quinton makes love to me. It’s as if I can’t get enough of him. On the other hand, if it hadn’t happened so often, maybe I wouldn’t have learned to care about him. And I do care. Much more than I want to. I might as well admit it. I’m in love with the man. Not that it’ll ever make him mine.
The doors below scraped open and she sat still. She didn’t want to eavesdrop, but if somebody said something about Quinton, she wanted to learn what it was.
“So you left Mr. Kincade at the Von Cannons’ house?” Gloria’s voice floated up to her.
Jillian couldn’t help smiling. He wasn’t with another woman.
“He was so drunk, Mr. Von Cannon said I couldn’t bring him home. We had to leave him there. We didn’t want Mrs. Kincade to see him in that shape.”
“You know that’s not like him, Calvin. He’s usually very careful about how much he drinks. He doesn’t want to lose control of himself.”
“Well, he sure lost control yesterday.”
“I wonder why.”
“Come over here, Gloria. Let’s sit in the swing.”
“Okay.” Their footsteps sounded across the slate patio and the swing squeaked when they sat. “Now tell me what all went on.”
“I’m not sure I know all of it. Seems Mrs. Von Cannon went to see the boss after she had a visit with Mrs. Kincade yesterday. She told him he was a low-down scoundrel and that he didn’t deserve a good woman like Mrs. Kincade.”
“We all know that, but is that what made him get drunk?”
“Must have. Next thing I knew, Mr. Von Cannon called and asked me to help him get Mr. Kincade to his house.”
“Is he still drunk?”
“If not, he has a bad hangover.”
“I wonder why Mr. Von Cannon wanted to take him to his house. Looks like he’d have brought him home.”
“He said we couldn’t let Mr. Kincade come home because he was planning to confess all his sins, even the ones from years past, to Mrs. Kincade and beg her to forgive him.”
“So? What’s wrong with that?”
“Now, Gloria, don’t be naive. We both know how Mr. Kincade goes from one woman to another. I bet he’s slept with more women than you or I could possibly count.”
“He doesn’t bring them here.”
“I know. He respects his home, but he sure takes them to hotels and condos and his lake house. And God only knows how many times he has gone to Las Vegas. There’s something about that place that fascinates him. Maybe the women are prettier or something.”
“I know, but why did he have to bring that Maddie back with him a few months ago?”
“I shouldn’t have told you about that.”
“I know, Calvin, but you did. It just makes me mad when I think he brought her here only a short time before he married Mrs. Kincade. She’s too good for him. Mrs. Von Cannon was right about that.”
“I know. Now I think he might realize it.”
“How?”
“Well, last night, he was so drunk he thought Mrs. Von Cannon was his wife. He grabbed her hand and begged her to forgive him. He said he didn’t mean to fall in love with her, but he had and he wanted to be with her and nobody else.”
“I wonder if he meant it.”
“I hope so, but who knows? You can’t ever tell about a drunk.” Calvin changed the subject. “Now why don’t we talk about us and drop the subject of the Kincades. It’s been almost a week since we’ve been able to go out.”
“I don’t want Melba to know we’re seeing each other.”
“Why not?”
“She’s my aunt, Calvin. She might object.”
“Because I’m a chauffeur?”
“I don’t think she’d care about that.”
“What then?”
Before Gloria could answer, the downstairs door opened again. “What’s going on out here?” Melba’s voice boomed.
“We’re just talking, Melba.”
“Don’t hand me that crap. You were sitting in that swing with your arm around my niece. I ask you again, what’s going on?”
Before they could answer, Bertram came out. “Calvin, Mr. Von Cannon called. He wants you to come to their house and pick him and Mr. Kincade up. He said you were to take them to the lake house.”
“Did he say why?”
“No, but you’d better hurry. He sounded rushed.”
“We’ll explain everything when I get back, Melba,” Calvin said as he ran across the flagstones.
“Well?” Melba boomed again. “You tell me what’s going on, Gloria. I’m not going to wait until Calvin gets back.”
“Don’t get upset, Melba. Calvin and I love each other.” When there was no answer, Gloria went on, saying “Isn’t it romantic? It’s just like you and Bertram those many years ago.”
But Jillian wasn’t listening. All she could think about was the fact that Quinton had said he’d fallen in love with her. He heart was pounding and she knew nothing mattered to her, but this. He cared. She couldn’t wait to see him again. Maybe things would be…. She didn’t let her thoughts go on. She was afraid to. She could have misunderstood what Calvin was saying.
Chapter 23
The house was an English Tudor sitting in the center of an acre lot in the exclusive section of town. Jillian rang the bell, and she couldn’t help smiling when Marilyn looked completely shocked to see her as the door opened.
“Jillian!”
“Yes, Marilyn, it’s me. I know you’re surprised to see me, but we need to talk. May I come in?”
“Of course.” Marilyn looked confused, but she stood aside. “I’m delighted to see you.”
“I’m not so sure you’ll be delighted after I get through.” Jillian stepped inside.
“What?”
“Never mind. Are we alone?”
“Yes. It’s the maid’s day off.”
“Good. Shall we go to your kitchen? I’d love a cup of coffee.”
“This way.” Marilyn turned through a door then down a hall to an elaborate kitchen. “I’ll make a fresh pot. Would you like to go into the living room and I’ll bring it in?”
“Thank you, no. This is fine.” Jillian took a seat at the breakfast bar.
Marilyn filled the coffee maker and tried to smile. “I must say this is a surprise.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“I’m glad you came. I’m just, well, surprised that’s all.” Marilyn took two cups with saucers from the cabinet and turned toward the bar. “I would’ve had something sweet made if I’d have known you were coming. Maybe there’s something in the pantry. Let me look.”
“Never mind.” Jillian smiled. “Did you know I had to have Bertram drive me here? I couldn’t find Calvin.”
“He must have been gone with Quinton somewhere,” she mumbled.
“I’m sure you’re right.”
Marilyn set the cups down and reached for the sugar bowl and cream pitcher and started toward the counter.
“Where does Quinton keep Maddie Jones stashed, Marilyn?”
The cream pitcher fell from her hand and smashed on the Italian tile floor. She managed to hold the sugar bowl though the lid fell off.
“Who did you ask about?” Marilyn stammered.
“You know who I asked about. The woman my husband brought back from Las Vegas a few weeks before our wedding.”
Marilyn sat the sugar bowl on the counter and stared at Jillian. “How did you know?”
“It doesn’t matter, but I know.”
“Jillian, nobody wanted you to find out. Especially Quinton.”
“I know that, too.” Jillian came around the counter. “Where’s your broom? We need to get this glass up.”
After she swept the glass into the dust pan and dumped it in the garbage can, Marilyn said, “I think you
need something stronger than coffee. Why don’t we go into the living room and I’ll make you a drink?”
“Coffee is fine, and I’d rather talk in the kitchen.”
“What do you want me to say, Jillian?” Marilyn sighed.
“I want you to be honest with me. I want you to tell me about this woman and what hold she has on Quinton. I want you to…” Jillian choked up and couldn’t say anything else.
Marilyn came around the counter and put her arm around Jillian’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I know this is hard for you to understand, but I don’t think this woman means anything to Quinton. He’s like a lot of high-powered businessmen, he needs a woman he can go to at times to release the tension. He…”
Jillian straightened. “If he loves me like he says, I’ll be damned if he’s going to start going to some mistress. He has me, and as long as we’re married that should be enough.”
“I know that, but at times—”
“No at times, Marilyn. He’s either going to be married to me and treat me like a wife should be treated, or he’s going to have to….” She choked up again.
“I think he realizes that now, Jillian. He kept saying last night that he wanted you to forgive him.”
“I don’t know if I can, but I’m trying.”
“Jillian, we all know that you’re too good for Quinton. He knows, too. I think that’s why he got drunk. He looked at himself and couldn’t face the fact of his sins.”
“I’m not talking about his sins. We all sin. Whatever he did before we were married is his business. I can forgive him anything in the past. It’s the present I’m concerned about.”
Marilyn smiled for the first time. “In that case, I don’t see the problem. I’m sure he’s done nothing since your marriage that he has to atone for.”
“I wish that were true.”
“What do you mean?”
“He has come home more than once with her perfume all over him.”
* * * *
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Marilyn looked at Jillian as she waited for her husband to answer his cell phone. “John, where are you?”
“I’m on the way to the lake house with Quinton. You know that.”
“I have a problem.”
“Marilyn, I’m sorry, but some household catastrophe isn’t high on my priority list today.”
“Damn it, John. This has nothing to do with the house. It’s about Maddie.”
“Maddie! How the hell did you know about Maddie?”
“It doesn’t matter how I knew, but I’m afraid Jillian is going to find out.”
“That’s the reason I’m getting Quinton out of town. He’s hell bent on telling her about Maddie.”
“You can’t let Quinton tell her, John. It would break her heart.”
“I know.” She heard him take a deep breath. “The fool started drinking again. He keeps liquor in the limo you know.”
“I didn’t know, but I’m not surprised.”
“That’s unimportant now. What exactly are you calling about?”
“I had an idea. How long are you going to be at the lake house with Quinton?”
“Hell, if I know. At least, until I get the idiot not to mess up a good thing, I guess. Why?”
“I thought it might be a good idea if I got Jillian to spend some time with me while you were gone. What do you think?”
“That’s a good idea, honey. I’m glad you thought of it.”
“Thank you, John.” She sighed. “I hope you’re learning something from all of this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I just want you to understand what having a woman on the side can do to a woman, and to a marriage.”
“I think I already understand that.”
“Good. I’ll talk to you about it later.” Marilyn hung up and turned to Jillian. “They’ll be gone at least until tomorrow. Now what do you want me to do?”
“I want you to take me to Kincade’s Department Store. I’m going to go through Quinton’s office. He has to have the address or phone number of this Maddie hidden there somewhere.”
“That might not be necessary, Jillian.”
“What do you mean?”
Marilyn walked to the table and picked up a cell phone. “I found this in the sofa after the men left. I figure it fell out of Quinton’s pocket last night.”
Jillian smiled and took the phone. “Do you know how to look up numbers he has stored?”
“I think you push that button right there.” She pointed to the one she thought worked.
It took a few minutes, but they finally found a number belonging to Maddie. There wasn’t a last name mentioned.
“Are we going to call her?” Marilyn looked at Jillian.
“Maybe. I want to think this through first. I want to be sure I’ll know exactly what to say.”
Chapter 24
“What the hell are we doing here?” Quinton staggered out of the limo and looked at the expansive log house on Lake Lure. “I want to go home and talk to Jillian. I’ve got to tell her what I’ve done. I want her to know things have changed and I love her.”
“You’re too drunk, Quinton. Jillian wouldn’t like you being drunk.”
“I want her to forgive me.”
“I know you do, but this is no way to get her to forgive you. Wait until you have a clear head.”
Quinton whirled around from John and started back toward the car. “Take me home, Calvin.”
Without hesitation, Calvin said, “I can’t do that, Sir.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because you need to rest.”
“Rest! That’s real cute, Calvin. I can rest on the ride back.”
“Come on in the house, Quinton. We’ll make some coffee.” John took his arm.
“To hell with you.” He started scratching in his pocket. “Are you going to take me home, Calvin?”
“No, Sir.”
“Then you’re fired.” He continued to put his hand in one pocket then the other. “Where the hell is my cell phone? I want to call Jillian.”
“Why don’t you go inside and use the house phone, Sir?”
“That’s a good idea, Calvin. Maybe I won’t fire you, after all.”
John shot a look at Calvin, but the chauffeur was smiling. “I’ll go ahead and unplug them,” he mouthed.
John nodded. To give Calvin time to get inside he said, “Look over there, Quinton. Was that a bear?”
“A bear?”
“Yeah. I hear they come around here every now and then.”
“I don’t see a bear.”
“I thought I saw one, but it must have been my imagination. Let’s go inside.” John started toward the house.
When they went into the two-story living room, Quinton dropped to the sofa. “I’ve got to bring Jillian here sometime.” Then he shook his head. “No, I can’t bring her here. I don’t want her to know about this place.” He frowned. “Why don’t I want her to know about this place, John?”
“Maybe because you bring your girlfriends here?” John suggested.
Quinton thought a minute then shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I’m going to tell her about them. I don’t want her to come here because she’s too good for this place. I’m going to buy her a new one. One where no other woman has ever been.” He looked at John. “Don’t you think that’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s a great idea.”
He whirled around. “How about you, Calvin. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I sure do, Sir.”
“I hope Jillian thinks so.” He turned again. “Hand me that phone.”
Calvin gave him the receiver.
Quinton put it to his ear. Then he removed it. “There’s no dial tone. What the hell is wrong with this phone?” He banged it on the table and put it to his ear again. “It’s still not working.”
“Maybe they’re not turned on, Sir.”
“Then turn them on.”
“I
’ll go into town tomorrow and see that they’re turned on, Sir.”
“I can’t wait until tomorrow. I want to talk to Jillian.” He whirled around. “You have a cell phone, John. Let me have it.”
“No, Quinton.”
“Don’t tell me no.” He staggered to his feet. “Give me your damn phone, or I’m going to fire you.”
“Go ahead and fire me, Quinton. You’re not getting my phone.”
Quinton swung at him, but missed. The motion threw him off balance and he fell back to the sofa. He looked up at John. “If you won’t let me call her, you call her for me.”
“All right, I’ll call.” John pushed in the number for Quinton’s home.
“Kincade Residence,” Bertram’s voice came on the line.
“Bertram, this is John Von Cannon. May I speak to Mrs. Kincade?”
“I’m sorry, Sir, she isn’t here.”
“Thank you, Bertram.” He closed the phone and turned to Quinton. “She isn’t home.”
“That’s not so. Jillian is always home. She doesn’t go out without telling me. Call her again.”
“Quinton, be reasonable. You haven’t been home, so she couldn’t tell you she was going out.”
“Damn it, I said call again. If you won’t, give me the damn phone and I’ll call.”
John dialed it again. “Bertram, Mr. Kincade wants to speak to you.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Bertram, where the hell is Jillian?”
“I’m not sure, Mr. Kincade. I think she may have gone somewhere with Mrs. Von Cannon.”
“Oh.” Quinton handed the phone to John. “She has gone somewhere with Marilyn.” He then let his head drop to the back of the sofa and passed out.
Chapter 25
“Jillian, I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
“Oh, come on, Marilyn. Where is your sense of adventure?”
“Sense of adventure, my grandmother’s right hand. This is more fool hardy then adventurous.”
“I guess it’s crazy, but it might work.”
“How can it work? First you call your husband’s mistress then she invites you to visit so you can see why he prefers her to you. And worst of all, you’re fool enough to accept the invitation.”
A Bought Bride Page 13