it.â
A cold fire began snapping in Imogeneâs eyes. âReally? Do you care so little for me, for Preston, that youâll simply stand and watch while that wretch destroys us? We wonât be in it by ourselves, you know. Youâll suffer, too. If he decides to sue us for damages, he could bankrupt the company, and there would go the standard of living that you currently enjoy. People will talk about you just as they would about us; everyone will believe that you knew about the money fromthe beginning. Youâve made a big show of âworkingâ at the company since Vance died, so people will assume that not only did you know about it, you approved.â
Susan had seen Imogene in action before, and knew that few people could stand up to her when she lashed out with her lethal tongue, when she stared at someone with those cool, hard eyes. Most people gave in to her without even a hint of resistance. Vance had had the strength to soothe her, agree with her, and calmly go about his own business in his own way, smiling at her and charming her whenever she realized that heâd ignored her directions. Preston wasnât that often at variance with her, though he was a lot warmer, a lot more human. Because she had been challenged so seldom in her life, she didnât expect anyone to disobey her openly. The quiet determination Susan had shown in becoming Vanceâs wife, then in taking up the reins of his business interests at his death, should have told her that Susan wasnât like most people, but still she wasnât prepared for a refusal.
Susan stood very straight, very still, her expression calm, her dark blue eyes quiet and level. âRegardless of what anyone says, Iâll know that I havenât done anything wrong, and thatâs whatâs important to me. Iâll help you any way I can, except for that way. Iâll sell everything I own, but I wonât play the whore for you, and thatâs what youâre asking me to do. You know as well as I do that Cord isnât a man who can be controlled by any woman.â
Imogene got to her feet, her mouth tight. âI expected more loyalty from you than this. If you want to turn your back on us when weâre in trouble, I canât stop you, but think very carefully about what you stand to lose.â
âMy self-respect,â Susan said dryly.
Imogene didnât storm out of the house; she swept out, regally, in a cold rage. Susan stood at the window and watchedher drive away, her chest tight with hurt and sadness because she hadnât wanted to damage the relationship she had with Imogene. Since sheâd first met Vanceâs mother, she had carefully cultivated a closeness with the older woman, knowing how important the ties of family were to a marriage, and how much Vance had loved his mother despite her reserve. Imogene wasnât a villain, even though she was autocratic. When she loved, she loved deeply, and sheâd fight to the death for those she cared about. Her blindness was her family; anything was acceptable to her if it protected her family. Until now Susan had been wrapped in that fierce blanket of protection, but now she felt that sheâd been cast out as Cord had been cast out. Dues had to be paid if someone expected to benefit from that protection; conformity was expected, and a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the well-being of the whole. Cord had been cast out because he hadnât conformed, because heâd left the family open to gossip. His reputation hadnât been up to par, and heâd been forced out of the closed circle.
Had he felt like this? Susan wondered, running her hands up her chilled arms. Had he felt lost, betrayed? Had he been alarmed to be without the support that heâd known since birth? No, he hadnât been alarmed, not that man; instead he would have thought with grim delight of punishing them for turning their backs on him. Wasnât that
A cold fire began snapping in Imogeneâs eyes. âReally? Do you care so little for me, for Preston, that youâll simply stand and watch while that wretch destroys us? We wonât be in it by ourselves, you know. Youâll suffer, too. If he decides to sue us for damages, he could bankrupt the company, and there would go the standard of living that you currently enjoy. People will talk about you just as they would about us; everyone will believe that you knew about the money fromthe beginning. Youâve made a big show of âworkingâ at the company since Vance died, so people will assume that not only did you know about it, you approved.â
Susan had seen Imogene in action before, and knew that few people could stand up to her when she lashed out with her lethal tongue, when she stared at someone with those cool, hard eyes. Most people gave in to her without even a hint of resistance. Vance had had the strength to soothe her, agree with her, and calmly go about his own business in his own way, smiling at her and charming her whenever she realized that heâd ignored her directions. Preston wasnât that often at variance with her, though he was a lot warmer, a lot more human. Because she had been challenged so seldom in her life, she didnât expect anyone to disobey her openly. The quiet determination Susan had shown in becoming Vanceâs wife, then in taking up the reins of his business interests at his death, should have told her that Susan wasnât like most people, but still she wasnât prepared for a refusal.
Susan stood very straight, very still, her expression calm, her dark blue eyes quiet and level. âRegardless of what anyone says, Iâll know that I havenât done anything wrong, and thatâs whatâs important to me. Iâll help you any way I can, except for that way. Iâll sell everything I own, but I wonât play the whore for you, and thatâs what youâre asking me to do. You know as well as I do that Cord isnât a man who can be controlled by any woman.â
Imogene got to her feet, her mouth tight. âI expected more loyalty from you than this. If you want to turn your back on us when weâre in trouble, I canât stop you, but think very carefully about what you stand to lose.â
âMy self-respect,â Susan said dryly.
Imogene didnât storm out of the house; she swept out, regally, in a cold rage. Susan stood at the window and watchedher drive away, her chest tight with hurt and sadness because she hadnât wanted to damage the relationship she had with Imogene. Since sheâd first met Vanceâs mother, she had carefully cultivated a closeness with the older woman, knowing how important the ties of family were to a marriage, and how much Vance had loved his mother despite her reserve. Imogene wasnât a villain, even though she was autocratic. When she loved, she loved deeply, and sheâd fight to the death for those she cared about. Her blindness was her family; anything was acceptable to her if it protected her family. Until now Susan had been wrapped in that fierce blanket of protection, but now she felt that sheâd been cast out as Cord had been cast out. Dues had to be paid if someone expected to benefit from that protection; conformity was expected, and a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the well-being of the whole. Cord had been cast out because he hadnât conformed, because heâd left the family open to gossip. His reputation hadnât been up to par, and heâd been forced out of the closed circle.
Had he felt like this? Susan wondered, running her hands up her chilled arms. Had he felt lost, betrayed? Had he been alarmed to be without the support that heâd known since birth? No, he hadnât been alarmed, not that man; instead he would have thought with grim delight of punishing them for turning their backs on him. Wasnât that
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