Secret Love - Brenda Jackson [92]
Diamond had accepted the call for what it was—a summons. Like all the other times when she’d been asked to meet with her father, she knew it was because he was not pleased with something she had done.
Diamond rang the doorbell once before it was opened by Casey. She was glad the reporters and photographers who had been following her had been stopped at the entry gate to her father’s estate.
“Casey,” she greeted the man who opened the door.
The man nodded. “And how are you today, Miss Swain?”
Diamond smiled. She’d always liked Casey. “It’s Mrs. Madaris now, Casey, and I’m doing fine,” she replied, stepping into the massive foyer. “Where’s my father?”
“He’s in his study, awaiting your arrival,” he said, leading the way. “I guess I don’t have to tell you that he’s pretty upset with you.”
Diamond hung her head to hide her widening smile. Through the years, Casey had always tried to prepare her for Jack Swain’s roller-coaster moods. “Then things should be rather interesting since I’m pretty upset with him as well.”
Casey stopped walking and turned around to stare at her. He gave her a smile that clearly said “It’s about time.” He turned back around to lead her to the room she could probably find in the dark.
The door to her father’s study was open and she saw him immediately as he sat drumming his fingers on top of the huge oak desk. She glanced to her right and frowned when she saw Samuel sitting comfortably on the sofa while he sipped a glass of Scotch. She couldn’t help wondering what reason her ex-husband had for being here.
Deciding not to even be nice and acknowledge Samuel’s presence, she turned her full attention to her father. “I understand you wanted to see me, Jack.” Her father had ordered her to begin calling him by his first name when she had begun her acting career at seventeen.
Jack Swain nodded. “First of all, Diamond, I want to say you’re looking well.”
“Thank you.” She was used to his approach. First give a compliment then go in for the criticism.
“Now I want you to explain this foolishness I hear about your giving up acting.”
Diamond met his glare. “It’s true. I’ll be spending much of my time on the ranch with Jacob. We want to raise our family there, and I want to be a stay-at-home mom.”
From her right she heard Samuel’s snort before he said, “See what I told you, Jack. This rancher has her mind all screwed up. Take my advice and have her marriage declared illegal.”
Diamond frowned and turned to Samuel. “Illegal? And just how is he supposed to do that?”
Samuel shrugged. “Jack Swain has the power to do anything.”
Except give his daughter the love she’s needed over the years, she thought. She turned back to her father. “I’m not underaged, so you can’t have the marriage annulled. Jacob and I got married in a very private, very secret but very legal ceremony. There will be no divorce in our future, only happiness.”
“You think you’ve found the perfect man?” Samuel sneered.
Diamond turned back to Samuel. She hadn’t failed to notice that although her father had been the one to call the meeting with her, it was Samuel who seemed to be doing most of the talking. “No, I don’t think Jacob is a perfect man, but I do believe he’s an honorable man. But being honorable is something you wouldn’t know about, Samuel.”
Jack Swain cleared his throat. “I think the both of you have said enough.” He then turned his direct attention to Diamond. “I want you to call a press conference and retract everything you’ve said this week about giving up your acting career. I’ll tolerate your marriage to that rancher, but I won’t tolerate your giving up acting. You’re a wonderful actress. All of your performances have been nothing but excellent. I’ve even seen a sneak preview of Black Butterfly and it’s superb. There’s no doubt in my mind it’s a performance worthy of