Page 66 of Weeping Roses

He says with interest. “What have you discovered?”

His words may as well have stabbed me in the heart, and I consider my response carefully. It’s one thing knowing our father was in love with somebody else, but telling my brother, knowing it would bring him immeasurable pain, is not something I want to be the cause of.

“Tell me, Valentin. No secrets, remember.”

It makes me smile and I reply bitterly, “Then perhaps somebody should have told our father that.”

The silence stretches between us and I finally sigh heavily. “He was in love with Veronica Scott- Stanley and has been for many years.”

“I see.”

His voice holds no emotion and mine matches it as I remark, “He wrote her many letters and left me in no doubt about that. They met secretly on several occasions and, according to their neighbor in the Cotswolds, they were a lovely couple.”

His sharp intake of breath reminds me how painful this must be for him and I say sadly, “It also appears that he was planning on leaving mom.”

“I see.”

Mikhail’s voice holds all the venom I would expect, because our father’s betrayal wasn’t just toward our mother. He may as well have stamped on his children’s hearts as he left.

“So, what’s your plan?”

“To meet Marsha tomorrow at the Cotswold’s house and hope she leads us to the secrets it’s keeping.”

“I hope you are successful. If not, there may be another way to break the bitch.”

“I’m listening.”

Mikhail’s voice is cool and dangerous, much like the man himself as he hisses, “She has a daughter. She lost custody of her and, despite fighting for her, was never allowed to see her again. She might be just the weapon we need.”

“Do you know where she is?” I ask, knowing that if he doesn’t, he soon will, and I was right when he says darkly, “It won’t take long. I’ll make the necessary investigations, so you hold the information if you need it.”

“Good.”

I hear distant laughter and say with amusement, “How is Lilli?”

Mikhail has fallen hard and deep for the woman who crashed into his life with her own agenda a few short weeks ago, and it surprised the entire family when he pushed everything aside to spend time with her.

“Infuriating.”

He groans, causing me to laugh out loud.

“I’m sure you can handle her.”

His soft laugh tells me he knows exactly how to handle the spirited woman and strangely, my thoughts turn to Polly, who is currently changing for dinner upstairs.

“Enjoy your vacation, brother. Spare me the photographs.”

His soft chuckle is the last thing I hear as I cut the call and envy him the freedom he now enjoys. Mikhail has it all figured out and Lilli will never escape him all the time he wants her. It makes me think of Polly and our uncertain future and, if anything, it hardens my heart.

If I want to keep Polly, I will, whether she agrees or not, and the sick bastard in me hopes she puts up a damn good fight.

CHAPTER 36

POLLY

Anice hot bath is the curer of all ailments and I so need this one as I ponder my day. My aunt’s letter is burning a hole in my sanity as I struggle to understand the warnings woven like bloodied thread through the pages. She was murdered. It’s obvious. But by who and for what?

Could I be next? Is that why she was adamant I sell everything? For my own protection, so I don’t wind up in the grave beside her.

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