Page 56 of Fallen Roses

I love it here.

Home is where the heart is, as they say, but my heart is conflicted now. James has grasped a piece of it and is holding it ransom in Los Angeles. If I want it whole again I must return and I wonder what mama will make of that.

We sit overlooking the magnificent garden in the easy chairs that have participated in many conversations between us. I’m anxious for the future, for mama because if Adele is right, our relationship will never be the same again. It’s hard to believe Adele is correct in assuming mama played any part in our father’s deathand as we settle down, I say softly, “How are you, mama? I’m worried about you.”

“I’m okay.” She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“It’s hard, Ana. When you lose someone who was a vital part of your existence, it’s difficult to operate normally. I was once complete. Now half of me has broken off and I’m struggling to find my future.”

She gazes out of the window, a far away expression in her eyes and she whispers almost to herself.

“Andrei was the nucleus of this family. He held us together and made everything possible.”

I take a deep breath and whisper, “Tell me about Veronica Scott-Stanley, mama.”

She freezes, her gaze never leaving the scene outside, and for a moment says nothing. I wait for her response, searching her expression eagerly for any anger or bitterness.

“I expect you’re referring to what Titus remarked about her affair with your father.”

It still hurts even though I know it as fact and I nod miserably. “I want to hear your thoughts on that.”

I attempt to keep my voice steady and mama flicks her gaze in my direction and I hate the devastation in her eyes.

“Veronica was at the same school as me in Switzerland. She was a strange girl, extremely quiet and a little odd. I suppose we felt sorry for her and took her underour wing, but that woman repaid our kindness by trying to take what was mine.”

“Pa?”

I nudge her memory and she nods, a spiteful expression on her face.

“He made it clear that I was the one he was interested in. She tagged along and attempted to engage him in conversation. She was an irritant to him and it was only because he was such a gentleman that he tolerated her.”

Her story doesn’t match with anything we’ve heard so far and my heart sinks.

“What about Marsha Steele? Tell me about her.”

I distract her attention away from pa and she sneers. “That woman was worse than anyone. Into all sorts and fascinated by power and sex.” She shakes her head. “Andrei told me she slept with anyone who wanted her and even back then she charged a hefty price for the privilege.”

“Then why did pa invest in her company Burning Roses? Why was he a member and why did he accompany Veronica Scott-Stanley to their parties four times a year?”

The question is directed from a deep voice that makes us jump and as we turn, Titus shrugs off the wall from where he is standing and fixes mama with a venomous frown.

“Titus!” She gasps as he enters the room and he flicks his gaze at me and nods. “Welcome home, Ana.”

CHAPTER 30

ANA

My heart lurches because mama is obviously furious and hisses, “Not this again, Titus. I don’t want to hear your fanciful thoughts on this subject. I told you I know nothing about that, and you are disrespecting your father’s memory by continually bringing it up.”

He sits astride a chair and shrugs, fixing her with his usual enigmatic glare and says darkly, “I asked you a question.”

I may be due a heart attack right now because I’ve seen that expression on my brother’s face before and this time its doubtful mama will survive the attack.

“Perhaps I should jog your memory.”

The tension increases as he pulls out a sheaf of envelopes, all tied with red ribbon, and thrusts them into her hands.

“What are they?”

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