Page 78 of Silver Lining
She glanced at him in the mirror, irritated that he stood before the window with his back to her. So rude.
"My family has turkey on Christmas Eve." Thinking about diamonds led her to wonder if Wally had repaid her father for her wedding ring. She supposed it didn't matter. "I'm sure your mother means well, but really. Ham?" Looking into the mirror, she studied the set of his shoulders, trying to judge how far she could take any criticism of his mother. Perhaps it was enough to plant a seed here and a seed there.
On the other hand, she was in a strange and rebellious mood. Before this tedious evening ended, she might tell Wally exactly what she thought of his judgmental family.
Leaning to the mirror, she pinched color into her cheeks, then ran her fingertips along the silk roses trimming her neckline. "I haven't decided yet if I'll go downstairs."
She'd like Max to see her looking as beautiful as she did tonight, but it was an affront to decency to expect her to be in the same room as Low Down. She had promised herself it would never happen again.
"I insist that you join the family tonight."
Insist? Her eyebrows rose and she turned on the vanity bench. "I beg your pardon," she said coolly.
"Youinsist?"
He continued to stand with his back to her as if there were something fascinating down below in the dark snowy yard.
"Aside from the fact that I'd find it humiliating to have Christmas alone while you're here upstairs, we need to discuss your refusal to make yourself part of the family. There are times when I wonder if I really have a wife."
"And sometimes I wonder if I really have a husband, since you're never here! You leave for town before I'm awake, and you don't return from Max's place until I'm ready to retire for the evening, and then you go out to the barn. On the weekends, you abandon me and return to Max's, and you stay there all day long!"
Now he turned and looked at her for a long moment before he lifted a piece of kindling from her fireplace and lit a cigar. She hated it when he smoked in her room. Eventually, she would have to abandon hints and address the problem directly, which irritated her. It was so much nicer when people anticipated her wishes.
"If you want me home in the evenings and on the weekends, all you have to do is ask your father to lift the restrictions on Max's employees. Howard will listen to you."
"If I've told you once, I've told you a dozen times. I don't interfere in Daddy's business." She did not like the way he was looking at her through the nasty smoke curling up from his cigar. Like she was to blame for this, that, and the other thing.
"Then nothing is going to change. I understand why you don't want to accompany me to Max's place when everyone goes there to help on Sundays. But you need to understand that holding yourself aloof places you outside this family. I don't like that, and I'm sure the family doesn't like it."
She stiffened in disbelief. "Have you forgotten what your brother and his doxy did to me?" Standing abruptly, she presented her profile and thrust out her stomach. "Take a good look, Wally." Mrs. Dame had let out the seams as far as possible, but even so, the gown's waist was uncomfortably snug.
"I haven't forgotten anything. How can I when you keep reminding me how badly you've been wronged."
She stared. "What on earth has gotten into you tonight?" When reason failed, tears generally succeeded.
She blinked until she felt moisture wet her lashes. "Why are you saying mean things to me? Why are you being so hateful?"
Ordinarily he rushed to comfort her, but astonishingly he remained at the window. She had to find one of her own handkerchiefs to dab her eyelids.
"It will take time for our situation to seem normal and for everyone to feel comfortable. But that time will never come if we don't make a beginning."
"You don't mean we. You mean me!"
"All right, I mean you. Hiding or refusing to speak to Max when he comes here doesn't make things easier for anyone. All it does is keep the situation in front of us all."
Which was exactly why she let Max see her only occasionally. She wanted him constantly aware of "the situation." She wanted him always thinking about her and feeling sick with guilt.
"What kind of family life can we hope to enjoy if you refuse to be in the same room with Louise? We must get past this, Philadelphia . I know it isn't easy for you, but you need to accept how things are and make the best of it."
Fury burned circles on her cheeks. "Low Down has the manners of a creature raised in a pigsty, the grace of a peasant, and all the charm you might find in a brothel! She's gauche and utterly lacking in morals, without a shred of decency. I will never spend one minute withher unless it is absolutely and totally unavoidable!"
"Her name is Louise. Not Low Down. Not that creature." Never before had he spoken so sharply or stared with such cold eyes.
Astonishment dried her tears. "My God. You're defending that, that…"
"It's Christmas Eve. A night to celebrate love and family." His gaze narrowed. "I expect you to join me in the festivities, and I expect you to be cordial to all members of my family. That includes my brother and his wife."
"Oh my heavens." She stared at him as a terrible thought occurred. "Did you purchase gifts for Max andher?"
