Page 46 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Didn’t you know?” Estelle’s eyes flashed with a dark emotion. “Gloria officially adopted me when I was twelve. I was also written into her father’s and her will. Who do you think has been helping Gloria hang onto everything we own whileLeonandLeon Seniortried to squander it all away?“ Her voice was laced with bitter resentment.
“You?” Harriet had to give herself a mental shake in order to make sure she was awake.
“Yes! Me!” Estelle pointed at her chest. “This was Leon’s last chance. Marry you, settle down, and prove he could be responsible.”
“You set Leon up!” Harriet realized as it suddenly hit her. During all the commotion the previous evening, she hadn’t even questioned where Alex and Harley had appeared from so fast.
“Oh no!” Estelle gave a nasty laugh. “My cousin pretty much creates his own problems. I just ensured… well… that he didn’t go through with his nefarious plan to hurt Finn.”
“How…” Harriet still couldn’t piece together how Estelle had gotten Alex and Harley to the hotel so quickly.
“Your friends were already here,” Estelle explained. “They’d been in the lounge bar area, and as soon as Finn left, I rushed into the bar all wide-eyed, going to Alex and telling him that I saw someone trying to attack Finn in the parking lot.”
“I’m surprised Alex believed you,” Harriet said. “He can’t stand you about as much as I can’t.”
“He told his friend to keep an eye on me while he went to check it out,” Estelle told Harriet. “When I was questioned, I told the cops I didn’t know whatLeonwas up to and… well… he’s in jail and I’m not.”
Harriet looked at Estelle and had to admit she was impressed at just how cunning Estelle really was and that Harriet may have underestimated the woman’s intelligence.
“You’re getting Leon’s title, and he’s not!” Harriet added. “So if you’re getting what you want…” She frowned. “And you don’t want me to end things with Finn… What is it you want that you’d be willing to hurt Finn over?”
“The title of queen!” Estelle told Harriet, who choked. “My goodness, Harriet, are you okay?”
Harriet cleared her throat and nearly choked again, trying not to laugh. “You want to be queen? And what? Marry my uncle?”
“Oh no!” Estelle shook her head and shuddered. “Oh, gross.”
Harriet’s eyes widened. “Gray?” Her mouth fell wide open at that. “Are you out of your mind? He’s already rejected you—publically, and I believe he is about to ask Trinity to marry him on live television.”
“That’s why you’re going to help me set your uncle and Gloria up,” Estelle told Harriet with a smug smile. “Then you’re going to advocate for Gloria to get the title of Queen and make sure that Titus covers the last of our debt so I get to keep Gladstone Olives, which I can finally run as it’s supposed to run. Like the real Duke Gladstone once ran it.”
Estelle said those last bits with such passion that it surprised Harriet once again as she realized that there was much, much more to Estelle than met the eye. The woman was willing to blackmail a princess in order to keep her family home. Harriet could almost admire her for it, but it was blackmail. Estelle was still crazy, and she’d broken into Harriet’s private domain and rifled through her private things.
“You know there are some things Joyce Isles has in common with the US, including the fact that we don’t deal with terrorists or give in to blackmailers.” Harriet straightened. It was time to put this woman in her place. Even if she was really trying to save her family home, she was going about it in a really messed up way. “Whatever you have or think you have on Finn, I’m sure, is nowhere near as bad as you trying to blackmail a member of a royal family.”
“I’m not blackmailing you, Harriet,” Estelle said through gritted teeth. “I’m making a deal with you. You help me get Gloria set up for life, and I’ll delete and forget everything I know about Finn that the press or worlddoesn’tknow.”
“What?” Harriet asked her. “Until the next time you run out of money or want to be queen yourself?”
“I wouldn’t want that title for the world,” Estelle assured Harriet. “Once I’m formally a duchess, I can have my pick of titled or untitled billionaires.”
Harriet saw something flash in Estelle’s eyes that hit one of her heartstrings. It was the look of pain that made Harriet suddenly get a glimpse into what life must’ve been like for Estelle. Orphaned at an early age, she was thrust into her uncle’s world of titles, and the only people she had to rely on for love and support were Leon Senior, Gloria, and her horrid cousin Leon. Although Leon did adore Estelle, his love was destructive, just like his father’s.
Harriet let out a breath as she faced Estelle. “Estelle, if you need help, any help… And I’m not talking about trying to set Gloria up with my uncle, which, trust me, is not a good idea as I think he’s starting to become as nutty as you are. All you ever had to do was ask.”
Estelle’s brows shot up in surprise for a few seconds before they narrowed, “You don’t think I’ve tried.” Her voice was low and wobbled slightly before she lifted her chin, and the ice was back in her eyes. “I’ll give you twenty-four hours to think about my deal, and while you’re thinking it over, tell Finn that Iwasat the accident a lot sooner than I said and saweverything.“ She gave Harriet a tight smile before pivoting and stalking off before Harriet could respond.
CHAPTER 8
Finn adjusted the strap of Maggie’s backpack one final time, ensuring it was snug but not too tight. Maggie, already bubbling with excitement, tugged at her brother’s sleeve, eager to leave. The kids had been talking nonstop about their upcoming trip to the Hamptons to visit their new extended family. Finn could hardly suppress a smile at their enthusiasm, yet a part of him ached at the thought of the quiet that would soon envelop his house.
“Dad, are you sure you don’t need us here?” Tucker’s concern broke through Finn’s thoughts, his young face etched with a maturity that tugged at Finn’s heartstrings. “We can stay if you need help with Harriet.” He zipped his bag and pushed it toward the front door.
Finn placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I appreciate that, buddy. But you guys have fun with the Danes in the Hamptons. I’ll handle things here, and I’ll keep you updated, promise.”
Maggie, not to be left out, hugged Finn tightly. “You’ll call us if you need anything, right?”
“Every day,” Finn assured her, smoothing her hair. Finally, Betty Swan and Sam Donovan arrived, their cheerful greetings momentarily lifting the morning’s emotional weight.
