Page 10 of Hearts Aweigh
Daisy sagged, and Althea caught her by the arm.
Gerry placed a bracing hand to Daisy’s back. “You aren’t going to swoon, are you?”
Emily fetched her large purse. “I’m not sure how you kept a civil tongue in your head.”
“I’ve had plenty of practice.” Daisy clutched the black envelope she’d received from Magda. “Almost fifty years of marriage to an iceberg taught me restraint. I fear his son’s visit will be neither pleasant nor caring.”
Gerry pointed at the note. “Have you read your mail yet?”
“Hmmm?” Daisy squinted. “Oh! I’d forgotten.” She slipped a French-manicured fingernail under the flap and withdrew a white note card with no picture or writing on the cover. She opened it, read for a second, and gasped.
“What is it?” Emily peered over her friend’s shoulder.
She barely read anything before Daisy crumpled the paper. The petite woman wavered like a flag in the wind.
“Whoa.” Emily caught her around the waist. “I’m supposed to be the unsteady one. Remember?”
Daisy disengaged herself, stepping back with the wadded note behind her. “If y’all will excuse me, it’s been a trying afternoon. I should retire to my cabin for a rest.”
“I’ll come with you.” Althea followed her. “A nap would suit me fine.”
“Go ahead.” Emily waved them away. “We’ll see you later.”
The two left, and a spot of black on the carpet drew Emily’s attention. The envelope. Daisy must have dropped it in her haste. Emily took more time than she liked to crouch and retrieve it. She didn’t want to risk a broken hip. Her balance was still a bit shaky since her last health scare.
A quick examination of the envelope revealed it was empty. She studied the unaddressed front. No clue as to who sent it or why. Perhaps she should feel guilty for peeking at the letter’s contents, but Emily was too concerned about Daisy to quibble about the propriety of her actions. She only regretted not seeing more of the message. But two important words had caught her eye.
Indiscretion.
Money.
CHAPTER 4
BINGO NIGHT IN THE MAINlounge held all the charm that Spencer had expected.
None.
Waiters zipped down the aisles with drink trays held high over their heads. Underdressed people packed the navy-blue couches that curved in the shape of horseshoes. They spread their paper cards on the tables in front of them and waited with giant markers poised.
He spotted Daisy and her friends in a corner, sitting side by side. His mother’s roommate waved with her hands held high.
“Over here, baby.”
Spencer ignored the intrusive glances of other passengers as he joined the older ladies. Was it really so unusual to wear a suit on a cruise? Considering the number of tank tops and flip-flops surrounding him, yes.
Why couldn’t Daisy have taken a tour of Europe or rented an apartment in Manhattan? The idea of his prim, well-bred matriarch on this noisy ship didn’t compute. And who were these crazy women with her?
He approached the table, and his mother looked behind him. “You didn’t bring Madeleine?”
“No. The new environment must be very stimulating for her, and I prefer she spend a quiet evening in our suite. Besides, it was nearing her bedtime.”
The frizzy-haired friend sitting beside Daisy quirked an eyebrow. “This early?”
“She has certain nightly routines to fulfill. Listening to classical music. Reading a story. Skin care and brushing her teeth.”
The tall, bony one asked, “Who’s taking care of her?”
Why was that any of her business? “I hired the best governess in Louisiana.”
