Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [19]
Paige rose, hesitating. "Do you think I should speak to Grandfather?"
"Good heavens, no. Why on earth would you want to do that?"
"Maybe he and Dad—"
"No, absolutely not. Your father doesn't confide in your grandfather. You know that. And let's not borrow trouble. Your father will turn up, he always does. There's no reason to upset Wallace." Her father-in-law was hard enough to please as it was, always looking for reasons to keep her in her place, to remind her that she could never run the store as well as he could.
"I guess you're right," Paige said slowly.
"Is there something else?"
"I just wonder—"
"Don't wonder, Paige. It's pointless where your father is concerned."
"Don't you ever worry about him?"
"Does he ever worry about us?" She knew her words hurt Paige, and she wished she could take them back. Hurting her daughter was never her intention, but sometimes it seemed inevitable. Paige had been disappointed by her father time and time again, yet she never seemed to see him for who he really was.
"You're right," Paige said.
"Well, he does worry about you," Victoria amended. "You're very important to him. And to me. Since you're here, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about."
Paige's expression turned wary. "What's that?"
"Martin. His mother tells me he's falling madly in love with you."
"Martin doesn't do anything madly. And we've known each other for years."
"But things have changed between you in recent months, isn't that true?"
"We've gone out together a few times," she said with a shrug. "The six-year age gap between us doesn't seem so big anymore, but that doesn't mean—"
"Six years is nothing. And I shouldn't have to remind you that you're not getting any younger. All your friends are married or about to be. Cynthia McAuley's wedding is in two weeks. Isn't that the fifth or sixth wedding you've been a bridesmaid in?"
"Tenth, but who's counting?"
"Don't be flippant, Paige. This is not a joking matter. The fact that Cynthia McAuley, who has the IQ of a lamp shade, is getting married before you is just ridiculous."
"She's a sweet girl. I'm happy for her."
"Of course you are. We all are. But we're not talking about her—we're talking about you. Martin is an excellent candidate for a husband. He's very successful and extremely smart."
"You make it sound like he's running for office."
"You should make a pro and con list, Paige. You'll see that Martin is right for you. It's important for you to marry someone who can work in the business with us. After all, the store will be your responsibility someday, and a husband who can help you shoulder that burden would be very good."
"Because you don't think I can handle it?"
"I didn't say that. You're so sensitive, Paige." She felt a twinge of remorse, but she forced it aside. "This isn't personal. It's business."
"I'm your daughter. That's personal. Getting married is even more personal. I have to go. Tell Dad to call me." Paige shut the door behind her.
Victoria let out a frustrated sigh and a muttered curse as she stared at herself in the mirror. Why couldn't the people she loved do what she wanted them to do? If she told Paige to walk, her daughter would run. If she told David to go out, he would stay home. It was as if they took perverse joy in making her life difficult. Paige needed to get married. And David—well, the list of what David needed to do was very long. Right now she'd settle for him coming home and bringing that damn dragon with him. He better have a good reason for taking a valuable artifact out of the store without the customer's permission. He knew better than that. A surge of uneasiness swept through her body. Had something happened to him? Or was this just another one of his famous disappearing acts?
Victoria walked across the room and looked out the window. A bright moon illuminated