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“But not like this,” she said, ignoring the dig about her spending. “She’s probably been planning this for years. I wonder what she’ll do next. Tell all our secrets to some tabloid or sue us for something.”
“Stop it,” Blaine told her. “Jayne has always been a sweet girl. You’ve gotten your pound of flesh from her, many times over.”
Elizabeth stared at her husband, bile and loathing boiling in her throat. “What does that mean?”
“Yes, we helped Jayne. It was the right thing to do, but our reasons were more about trying to get Rebecca raised than taking care of Jayne. She’s been nothing but loyal to you. Don’t go assigning her evil motives after the fact.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. She’s changed. Or maybe she’s always been lurking around, waiting for her chance.”
“You’re right,” Blaine said, sounding weary. “When her mother died, leaving her completely alone in the world, she came up with the idea that in ten or twelve years she would have the chance to influence David into selling inexpensive jewelry. She’s too smart for us, Elizabeth. What are we going to do to protect ourselves?”
Embarrassment joined anger. Elizabeth stood and smoothed down the front of her silk blouse. “Mock me, Blaine. I know how you love to make me feel bad. A new business ventureandhumiliating your wife. This has been a good evening for you.”
He rose. “I’m sorry. That isn’t what I meant. I was trying to point out that you’re making Jayne the enemy, and she hasn’t earned that.” He reached out to touch her.
She moved away. If they had still been sleeping in the same room, she would have thrown him out.
“Do you love me?” he asked.
“What a ridiculous question. With everything we have going on, right now, I don’t have time for this, Blaine.”
“I take it that’s a no.”
He spoke lightly, as if they were playing. Elizabeth didn’t know what he wanted from her, and she didn’t care. Her head hurt, she was still angry, and the David problem hadn’t been solved. Just as frustrating, now she had to deal with Jayne, and nothing about that would be pleasant.
“I’m your wife,” she said. “Isn’t that enough?”
“You’d think it would be.”
Tiresome man, she thought as she left his study.
One problem at a time, she told herself. She would deal with Jayne, and then she would talk to David. She would get him to see reason, both on the jewelry and on going out with one of the women she’d chosen for him. He’d always needed a firm hand to guide him. Someone to show him the way. If Blaine wouldn’t help, she would work around him. She’d been doing it for years.
Jayne parked in her space at her condo, then turned off her car and climbed out. Her new cast, a cheerful yellow, was the last one she would need, according to the doctor she’d seen that morning. It would come off in ten days, allowing her to return to light duty at work for the last four weeks before she left for Dallas. She’d been given some simple exercises to do at home and would start physical therapy as soon as the cast came off.
Healing was good, she thought as she let herself into her condo. The swelling had gone down, so this cast was more comfortable than the one before. Once it was off, she wouldn’t have to worry about accidentally hitting herself with it or keeping it dry in the shower—a daily challenge.
She’d barely put down her purse when there was a knock at the door. Hoping for David, but willing to accept a kid selling cookie dough or wrapping paper, she pulled it open. Then wished she hadn’t.
Elizabeth stood there, looking furious enough to breathe fire. Jayne involuntarily took a step back.
“You seem surprised,” Elizabeth said, stepping past her and entering the condo. “No doubt you hoped to slip away unnoticed. But I’ve learned what you’ve been up to, and if you think you’re going to get away with it, you don’t know me at all.”
Discussing her sexual relationship with Elizabeth’s son was not her idea of a good time, Jayne thought, closing the door. What was she supposed to say? That she knew it was meaningless, but she was willing to accept a short-term fling with David because he was just so much fun? That she loved the way he laughed and teased, but she was more impressed by his kindness and compassion. That he was smart but not scary smart? She knew she wouldn’t be mentioning that he was practically a god in bed.
“Elizabeth—”
“How dare you?” the other woman demanded, speaking quickly, her voice laced with fury and resentment. “When I think of all the years you’ve been working against us, all the things you’ve done that I don’t know about. How you’ve hurt all of us.”
Jayne held up her hands in the shape of a T. “What are you talking about?” Sleeping with David hardly hurt anyone else. It sure didn’t hurt him.
“Your plan to destroy us all. Even your precious Rebecca won’t appreciate what you’ve done.”
Rebecca already knew, Jayne thought, more confused.
“We have a proud family tradition. Worden’s Jewelry is an American icon. Women dream of being able to buy just one piece and then pass it on to their daughters. We are an institution, and we willnotbecome some cheap wholesale business.”
“Oh,” Jayne said, relieved they weren’t going to be talking about her sex life. “David told you about the new designs and the plans to expand.”
