Page 49 of Merrick

Both husband and wife stared at Merrick in shock. “You mean you only just met?”

“Yes.” He challenged them with a glance as he linked his fingers with hers.

“Uncle Merrick, you work fast.” Michael said with a grin, his eyes sliding towards Margo. “But I can see why.”

“Precisely.” Merrick grinned at him in approval, and they resumed eating.

Chapter 11

“The men have this old-fashioned tradition that has stood the test of time. They all adjourn to the den and talk business or have a drink and leave the women folks alone.” Janey wandered over to the refreshment table in the blue and white salon and poured a glass of wine. “What can I get for you?”

“Nothing.” Margo was going to have definite words with him for leaving her alone with this woman.

“I hope you don’t mind if I imbibe.”

“Knock yourself out. It is your house.” She did not sit but prowled restlessly to the window.

“That is right. It is my house and my family.” Janey watched her over the rim of her glass as she perched on the edge of the Queen Anne chair. “Merrick is very special to me.”

Margo turned to look at the woman and felt amusement rising. “Does your husband know that?”

Janey bristled; her chin lifted. “I am sure he shares my concern.” Her tone dripped scorn. “Do you know that Merrick can have any woman he wants?”

“And you are thinking he is scraping the bottom of the barrel. I agree with you there. I have even tried to tell him that, but he will not listen.” She leaned against the wall and crossed her feet at the ankles.

“But he is hooked. Asked me to move in with me. Wants marriage.” She hid a smile at the look on the woman’s face. “I turned him down of course. Too soon, what would people think?”

“You turned him down?”

“Hard to believe, right? Him with all that money dripping from him and all that.” She shrugged. “I’m not a damn gold digger and that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I am too polite to tell you what I’m thinking.”

“Unfortunately for you, I am not. From what I have noticed, you are into your brother-in-law big time which makes it very incestuous and makes you very pathetic as he is just not into you that way.

Your poor husband is frustrated and angry because he knows that he is second choice. But…? She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “What the hell do I care? It is your deal.”

Janey rose slowly and Margo could all but see the anger steaming from her ears.

“You dare to speak to me that way? You who have no class, no career, nothing? You would speak to me like that?”

“No class, huh?” Margo grinned. “I suppose you’re right. But what I have is an ‘I don’t give a damn attitude.’ Lady, there is nothing you can say that would make a dent or get under my skin. I am completely immune.”

Janey stared at her for a full pulsing second before slamming down the glass and rushing from the room.

“Guess I told her.” Margo muttered to herself. Changing her mind about the drink, she moved towards the cabinet and poured some wine.

*****

“What do you know about her?”

Merrick looked up from the drink he was pouring and contemplated for a few seconds before responding. His nephews had left them to go and see to their own affairs.

“I know that she is the woman I’m utterly and completely in love with.”

“This is not like you.” Maurice gestured with his own glass and went to sit behind the desk. They were in the den that had once been their father’s favorite place. His portrait hung over the mantle place and brought back nostalgic memories of a tall, gray eyed man smoking his pipe and indulging his sons.

“What do you mean?”

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