Page 63 of Queen of Ruin

“Don’t be. My first marriage… I was young and stupid, and when he got a job offer in California and I didn’t want to leave Washington, that was the end of that,” she says sadly. “The first one always stings the worst.”

“Bethany has always been a career woman,” Audrina offers teasingly, but I don’t sense any condescension, only a playfulness.

“How wonderful it must have been to work in the same building as so many priceless documents. I think it would be magical,” I admit, knowing I sound a bit naïve at the thought of spending all day in dusty archives with the musty smell of old paper. Being able to look at the Emerson letters and the Declaration of Independence sparked a fire inside me that I had been missing for so long.

I might have had some misgivings about working on the charity, but they’ve been nothing but welcoming.

“Are you looking for a job?” Bethany wonders as she lays out a binder on the table in front of each seat.

“Oh, no, I just meant how wonderful it was for you.”

She laughs. “I’m not offering you my old job, but having your own life outside of being a Walker will be challenging. Darren will find his way eventually, and when he does, there will be no limits,” Bethany finishes.

“Audrina!” A middle-aged woman with brown hair pulled into a tight bun approaches. They give each other a peck on the cheek. “I trust you had a lovely holiday,” she chatters, shucking off her jacket and laying it over the back of the chair.

“We managed to get out of Washington for a short vacation.” She looks in my direction. “Oh, have you met Evangeline? This is Darren Walker’s wife.”

I extend my hand while Audrina introduces her to me. “This is Rebecca Langley.”

My hand falters but Rebecca grabs onto me, shaking politely. Of course, I knew Senator Langley had a wife, but I never expected to be in the same room as her. Washington is very small, and the room feels even smaller.

“Very nice to meet you,” Rebecca assures, and all I can do is nod.

Audrina offers me a seat next to her while she calls the meeting to order. All the board-members are wives of prominent figures in Washington which I shouldn’t be surprised about, but still am.

I listen in while the treasurer walks everyone through recent donations and plans for how the money will be spent. Most of it goes to practical things like insurance and operating expenses for the safe houses. It was always my desire to be more hands-on, and finding out the Compton House, named after Merrill’s family, is not too far away, I’m excited to talk to Audrina about putting in some time there.

I certainly don’t have any experience with finances or party planning, and when one of the members start discussing legalities of setting up a new charter, I’m just completely out of my depth. I can’t help but look across the table at Rebecca and wonder if she knows who’s she married to. Does she care? It’s not something I ever thought of before, even knowing ninety-nine percent of my clients were married. But I’ve never had to come face to face with one of their wives.

When the meeting is over, I want to linger so I can speak to Audrina about Compton House, but I don’t want to speak to Rebecca again.

“This isn’t really your thing, is it?” Bethany asks, stopping me from leaving while she gathers up her belongings.

“Was it that obvious?” I laugh, but inside I’m a little embarrassed that Bethany picked up on it.

“Don’t worry, I get the same look when Lisbeth goes over the numbers,” she teases in an attempt to make me feel better about the Treasurer’s presentation.

“I really appreciate the opportunity, but I really don’t think serving on the Board is my place. I know you were hoping to have someone from the family take over, but I don’t think that’s me,” I apologize, hoping I haven’t disappointed her.

“I can understand. It is a lot to get used to in such a short amount of time.”

“However, I am very interested in learning more about the Compton House. I think that’s where I can have the most impact,” I offer.

Bethany surprises me by putting an arm around my shoulders, tugging me into her side in an almost motherly way. “I think Merrill would have really liked that. She spent a lot of time there.”

Bethany tracks my gaze to Audrina who is engaged in a conversation.

“I hate to disappoint her.”

Bethany waves me off. “Don’t worry about Audrina, I’ll handle her.”

I gather my purse.

“Let’s have lunch next week, and I can give you the details.” She kisses me lightly on the cheek before releasing me.

As I pass Audrina, she says, “Thank you, dear. We’ll catch up soon.”

I wait by the elevators, practically bouncing on my feet. I can’t wait to get home and tell Darren about it.

---