What She Doesn't Know by Beverly Barton Page A

reception, from food preparation to the waiters’ and waitresses’ appearances and performances. She prided herself on perfection. She was good at her job. Clarice had pointed out to her once that with her managerial abilities she could have been a company CEO. Even now the thought made her smile.
    Approximately two-thirds of the people who had attended the church service put in an appearance at the reception, filling the house to capacity. Of course, a few had already come and gone and more entered the front door every few minutes. The house would be a disaster once the crowd left, but she’d hired extra help to assist the daily maids to clean up tonight.
    Clarice had already told her that she was expected to join the family when Gar Wells read the will. Yvonne supposed Louis had bequeathed her a small sum to show his appreciation for her loyal service. It would be expected. She sincerely hoped that he had left Clarice enough to live well for the rest of her life. Of course, Clarice still had some money of her own from when she’d sold her dress shop twenty years ago. Yvonne knew to the penny exactly how much. She and Clarice had no secrets. Not now. Not ever.
    As she made her way through the back parlor, she heard Clarice’s voice, slightly agitated, the pitch an octave higher than normal.
    â€œBut you must stay here,” Clarice pleaded. “It’s ridiculous that you checked into the Sumarville Inn when there’s more than enough room for you at Belle Rose. After all, this is your home. Your old room is just the way you left it.”
    â€œThere’s no point in my leaving the inn,” Jolie said. “I’m returning to Atlanta in a few days, maybe even tomorrow, unless something in the will requires me to stay on.”
    â€œOf course there will be something in Louis’s will that will require you to stay on. You’re his daughter. I’m sure he’s left an equal share of everything to you.”
    â€œI doubt he did that. He had a new family to think about, to take care of. I’m sure he put their needs first in death as he did in life.”
    Clarice slipped her arm around Jolie’s waist. “You’re still so bitter.” Clarice tsk-tsked and shook her head sadly. “Audrey was like that. Unable to forgive. Unable to understand human foibles. You mustn’t be this way, dear, dear Jolie. Don’t you know that in the long run hatred turns on you and causes you pain?”
    â€œI’m sorry if you can’t understand why I feel the way I do, but I can’t accept the fact that Georgette took my mother’s place in this house less than a year after her death or the fact that she took my mother’s place in my father’s bed before Mama died.”
    â€œHush up!” Clarice tapped her index finger over her lips. “Someone might hear you.”
    Yvonne hated seeing Clarice upset, and if this conversation went any further, she’d have a difficult time dealing with Clarice later. Everyone in the household made an effort to keep things on an even keel for Clarice, to keep her content and smiling. She simply wasn’t emotionally strong enough to deal with confrontation. Everyone here at Belle Rose was aware of that fact. Why wasn’t Jolie? It was for this very reason that Max hadn’t already kicked Nowell Landers’s ass from here to Jackson and back.
    â€œClarice, Mr. Landers is looking for you,” Yvonne said as she approached. A little white lie to calm the situation was in order.
    â€œNowell is looking for me?” Clarice’s eyelashes fluttered, youthful flirtation in the gesture.
    Yvonne hadn’t seen Clarice react this way to a man since Jonathan. “Come on. Let me take you to him.” She hoped that Nowell Landers wouldn’t contradict her.
    â€œBut I haven’t persuaded Jolie to stay here at Belle Rose. She’s checked herself into the inn and says she’s leaving