Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(48)

Still standing, I found my tone, the one that hid the fact that I was overwhelmed at seeing Silvia and Adelaide together, of witnessing what I hoped would be a budding friendship, perhaps like the one Silvia had shared with Angelina. “I’m not going anywhere. Silvia, I’ve been talking up your culinary skills. Don’t make a liar out of me.”

“As if I can impress with the diet restrictions Dr. Rossi gave me.”

“Let’s give it a try.”

She shrugged, sending a smile to Adelaide as she walked back to the kitchen. Once she was gone, Adelaide’s gaze met mine. “I’m sorry. Did I say something out of turn?”

I shrugged as I sat. “Maybe I’ve never actually said those words to her.”

She reached out to my hand. “But they were true?”

I nodded. “I’ve never lied to you.”

“Then it’s time. Life is too short. Now, you were still trying to convince me that my daughter is here and yet it’s after three and I haven’t seen her.”

“She is,” Silvia said as she brought us glasses of water. “Lennox took lunch up to her about an hour ago.”

Adelaide’s back straightened. “Lennox? Your son?”

I nodded.

“Oh,” she sighed more than spoke. “I’m relieved to hear that. I had memories of something about someone else.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what was real.”

“We have a lot to sort out,” I said. “I spoke with Lennox before he took Alexandria her lunch. He said she didn’t sleep well. The last few weeks at Montague have been difficult. According to him, she may be married.”

Adelaide’s eyes widened and she set the glass of water back on the table as the liquid sloshed upon the shiny table. “No, please don’t tell me she married Bryce.”

“He doesn’t think it’s legal. She’s denied it.”

“Then why would he think she was?”

“Your husband had a marriage license shown to him while they detained him in Savannah.”

“They detained him?”

Silvia came back in with bowls of soup, something with noodles and a wonderful aroma, and then just as quickly, she stepped away.

“He’s here now. Everyone is.”

“A marriage license?” She shook her head. “Surely Alton has realized that I’m gone.”

I nodded. “Yes, that happened sooner than we’d hoped.”

She paled. “Does he know where I am?” She wasn’t only asking about location but also about with whom. We’d successfully kept our affair secret through the years. Once he learned where she was, that would no longer be the case.

“Not yet,” I said. “They’ve hypothesized that you are with Alexandria. Your husband is wisely not making a big deal out of your disappearance. So far there’s been no news coverage. According to Lennox’s assistant, the police believe you were kidnapped. They’re waiting on a ransom demand.”

Adelaide’s smile bloomed. “You did say you took me.”

“And I’m not letting you go. There’s no amount of ransom I’ll accept.”

“But what about Alton?”

“His hands are a little full with the murder investigation and bogus marriage.”

We both turned to footsteps as Chelsea stopped at the doorway.

“Miss Moore.”

“Chelsea?”

We both spoke simultaneously.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to interrupt,” she said, her eyes wide, one bordered by a sickening brown and green discoloration.

Adelaide’s hand went to her lips. “Chelsea… what happened?”

The young woman’s fingers went to the bruise on her cheek as her face tipped forward. “I heard voices and thought maybe Alex was awake.”

“See?” I said. “She’s here.”

Adelaide’s shoulders straightened. “Why are you here?” It was a tone I wasn’t accustomed to hearing come from her lips.

“Because she’s my best friend.” This time we all waited as Alexandria appeared behind Chelsea holding Lennox’s hand.

I took a deep breath. “Well, amore mio, this is what we’d wanted.”

Alexandria dropped Lennox’s hand and raced around the table to Adelaide. “Look at you!” she cried, wrapping her arms around Adelaide’s neck. “You’re sitting here. You’re eating.”

When the two separated, both of their eyes were moist with emotion. After Lennox pulled out a chair for Chelsea and another for Alexandria, he came forward offering his hand. “Mrs. Fitzgerald, Lennox Demetri.”

Her blue eyes scanned my son up and down. “My, my… you are the spitting image of your father.”

His lips quirked upward. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“And you as well. Please call me Adelaide.” She turned to Alexandria and cupped her cheeks. “We need to talk.”

“We do, but right now I want to relish the fact that you’re talking.”

“You visited me?”

“I did.”

“You were in Savannah?”

Alexandria swallowed. “I was.”

“How did you know? Did Jane call you?”