Best Kept Secrets(31)

surrounded by the soft, pretty, uncomplicated things she liked

and understood best.

Junior knew she was the object of derision and gossip. It

was said that she drank. She didn't, except for two glasses

of wine before dinner. Some, who didn't understand her

delicate sensibilities, thought she was odd. Others thought

she was just plain "off."

Admittedly, she was distracted a good deal of the time, as

though mentally reliving the privileged childhood she treasured.

She had never quite recovered from the premature

death of a beloved brother, and had still been mourning it

when she had met Angus.

Junior wondered if she had married his father to escape

unpleasant memories. He could find no other grounds for two

such mismatched people to base a marriage.

Junior was eager to get on his way to having a good time,

but he lengthened tonight's visit, curious to know his mother's

opinion of their guest that evening. "What did you think of

her?"

"Who, Celina's daughter?" Sarah Jo asked absently. Her

brows drew together into a slight frown. "She's very attractive

physically, though I don't find such flamboyant coloring

flattering to a woman."

Thoughtfully, she fingered the fine lace on the bodice of

her bed jacket. "She's certainly intense, isn't she? Much

more serious-minded than her mother. Celina was a silly little

thing, God knows. As I recall, she was always laughing."

She paused and cocked her head to one side, as though listening

to distant laughter. "I don't remember ever seeing that

girl when she wasn't laughing."



"There were plenty of times. You just didn't know her

that well."

"Poor darling. I know you were crushed when she died.

I know what it's like to lose someone you love. It's sheer

misery."

Her voice, so soft, changed suddenly, as did her expression.

No longer a shrinking violet, her features hardened with

resolve.' 'Junior, you must stop letting Angus embarrass you,

especially in front of other people."

He gave a careless shrug. This was familiar territory. "He

doesn't mean anything by it. It's just a habit of his."

"Then, it's up to you to break him of it. Darling, don't

you see," she said, "that's what he wants you to do. He

wants you to stand up to him. Angus only understands one

tone of voice--harsh.

"He doesn't know how to be soft-spoken and genteel,

like us. You have to talk to him in a way he understands,

like Reede does. Angus wouldn't dare speak to Reede in

the condescending way he does to you because he respects

Reede. And he respects him because Reede doesn't kowtow

to him."

"Dad thinks Reede can do no wrong. To this day, it sticks

in his craw that Reede left ME. He'd much rather have Reede

than me around to manage things. I never do anything to his

liking."

"That's simply not true!" Sarah Jo objected, showing

more spirit than she had in weeks. "Angus is very proud of you. He just doesn't know how to show it. He's such a

hard man. He's had to be tough to accomplish everything

he's done. He wants you to be tough, too."

Junior grinned, doubling up his fists. "Okay, Mother, tomorrow

morning I'll come out slugging."

She giggled. His resilience and sense of humor had always

delighted her. "Not literally, I hope, but that's the spirit

Angus wants to see in you."

Laughter was a good note to leave on. Junior seized the

opportunity, said his good night, gave her his promise to



drive safely, and left. On the stairs, he met Angus, who was

carrying his boots and limping. "When are you going to see

a doctor about that toe?"

"What good's a goddamn doctor, except to take your

money? I ought to shoot off the sonofabitch and be done with

it."

Junior smiled. "Okay, but don't get blood on the carpet.

Mother would have a fit."

Angus laughed, all traces of anger gone. It was as if the

episode in his den had never happened. He placed his arm

across Junior's shoulders and gave them a quick squeeze. "I

knew I could depend on you to get that girl out here. It worked

out just like I hoped it would. We've put her on the defensive

and planted seeds of doubt. If she's smart, and I believe she

is, she'll call this thing off before too much damage has been

done."

"What if she doesn't?"

"If she doesn't, we'll cross that bridge, too," Angus said

darkly. Then he smiled and affectionately slapped Junior on

the cheek. "Good night, boy."

Junior watched his father hobble across the landing. Feeling

much better, he whistled softly beneath his breath on his way