Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [51]
“Right here.” Mrs. Muggins instantly glided into the dining room from the kitchen area. “Ah, it’s wonderful Miss Mariana.”
Andrew snorted.
“Now, don’t be disrespectful darlin’,” Mrs. Muggins chided. “You know Miss Mariana is always right.”
Lily started to laugh.
Mariana smiled blandly. “Of course you know that, Andrew. Why does she have to keep reminding you?”
“You should know. It’s a little thing called programming.”
“I’ll just have toast and orange juice, Muggins,” Mariana said.
“A very wise choice.” Muggins turned and rolled out of the room.
“She made us have a full breakfast,” Andrew glowered. “Protein, fruit, vegetables.”
“But she realizes I know what’s best for me. I incorporated excellent judgment into Muggins.” Mariana leaned back in her chair and grinned at Lily. “Do you like her?”
“I love her.” Lily chuckled. “She’s a darling. She has a real personality.”
Mariana nodded in satisfaction. “A combination Mother Macree and the quintessential electronic grandmother was what I had in mind.”
Andrew rose to his feet. “I refuse to sit here and watch you pat yourself on the back for creating the bane of my life. Are you finished, Cassie? Let’s go for a walk in the garden.”
Cassie nodded and slipped from her chair. “Then will you come to the music room? I finished the concerto. Mom heard it last night.”
“Did she?” He smiled faintly as his gaze met Lily’s. “Now, I wonder why she didn’t remember to tell me?” He took Cassie’s hand. “We’ll go to the music room first. I can’t wait.”
Mariana watched them leave the room and then turned back to Lily. “He loves you, blast it. Do you know how lucky that makes you? Why the devil are you hesitating?”
Lily stiffened. “You’re very blunt.”
“I believe in going straight for the jugular.” Mariana grinned. “Life is too short to complicate it by dithering. According to what Andrew tells me, you’ve had some rough breaks, but now it’s time to clear the decks and start fresh. Andrew’s been forced to wait too long for you as it is.”
“I never asked him to wait.”
“So what? He waited. And he’ll probably keep on waiting. He’s too tenderhearted to bulldoze the people he cares about.” She wrinkled her nose. “He even puts up with my shenanigans.”
A smile touched Lily’s lips. “Mrs. Muggins?”
“Actually, I gave him Muggins for his own good. Andrew doesn’t take proper care of himself.” Mariana’s smile faded. “And it’s essential that he be in good physical condition for his work. I’m always afraid when he starts a therapy.”
Fear surged through Lily. “There’s danger?”
Mariana’s lips twisted. “No more danger than wrestling with a homicidal maniac with no weapon to defend himself.”
“What could happen to him?”
“You name it. The strain he undergoes is gigantic. Brain damage, coma, heart failure. Even the gentlest people have ferocious reactions when he’s trying to undo a mental snarl. We seem to protect and nurture even the aberrations that are destroying us.”
“Then why does he do it?”
“Because he cares.” Mariana shook her head. “Because no one else can do it. Because he’s Andrew.”
“That’s no reason to let him risk himself,” Lily said fiercely. “Why don’t you stop him? Why don’t you tell him he’s too valuable to be destroyed?”
“Why don’t you? We’ve all tried, and gotten nowhere. Haven’t you noticed? Andrew has a king-size sense of responsibility.”
“Toward the entire human race? For Pete’s sake, it’s crazy to let him …” Lily trailed off as the tears rose to her eyes. She felt almost sick with fear and helplessness as she remembered how strained and ill Andrew had looked after he had finished helping Cassie. “There has to be some way to keep him safe.”
“There is.” Mariana met her gaze. “Stop thinking of your own problems and give him a reason for coming back when he goes under. You can’t stop him from doing what he thinks is right, but you can hedge his gamble.” She paused. “Don’t you realize Andrew could straighten out your thinking any time he wanted if he treated you as he