life, Amanda was the first to speak. “Caro, what’s going on here?” she asked, her expressive face agog. “Troy took off, leaving Summer in the lurch—”
“Not that I mind in the least,” Summer broke in. “You did say I could stay, Carol?” she asked, looking embarrassed.
“You’re very welcome, Summer,” Carol said warmly, joining them in front of the glittering tree surrounded by yet-unopened presents. What a Christmas!
“What about your mother and stepfather?” Amanda asked. “Give it to us straight-up. They whizzed past ten minutes ago. We were standing here. Your mother ignored us like we were the lowest of the low. She sure didn’t shout Christmas. But Jeff wished us a merry Christmas. He didn’t look too merry, either. Have they left?” Amada sounded like she was delighted to see them go.
“They have, Amanda. Pressing business for Jeff.”
“Over Christmas?” Amanda’s tone went up a couple of notches. “You’re kidding me.”
“Well, they’ve gone. That’s the bottom line.” She looked them over. “Where are you two going?” Both girls wore casual T-shirts and jeans, trainers on their feet.
“We thought we’d explore,” Amanda said, giving her new best friend a smile. “You have a whole big botanical park out there, and woodlands. Then we plan a bit of a run around. That’s if I can borrow your car. This place is so beautiful, Carol. No wonder Troy talks about it all the time.”
“Does he? And there I was thinking he’s strictly an indoors man. Take the car, by all means. It’s not locked. The key is under the mat of the driver’s seat. There’s plenty of petrol. You’ll be back in time for Christmas dinner, of course?”
“You bet!” Both girls said together. This was the ritziest place both could ever imagine.
“By the way, Damon was looking for you,” Amanda said. “You two look great together.”
“Don’t be silly, Amanda. There is absolutely nothing going on between Damon and me. He’s my lawyer and a very good friend.”
Amanda gave her a huge grin. “I reckon he aims to be a whole lot more than that. Friendship doesn’t always continue in a straight line, kiddo. Damon is every girl’s dream.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
CAROL WALKED TO the rear of the house to the informal living area, a light-filled family area with a series of tall French doors on two walls affording views over the beautiful rear gardens. Maurice, a stony-faced Dallas and their smiling friends were seated comfortably in very comfortable custom-made sofas and armchairs upholstered in cream with a robust blue stripe.
The men jumped to their feet as soon as she walked in. Everyone was appropriately attired for a festive Christmas. She greeted them all pleasantly—even Dallas—wished them a Happy Christmas, made small talk—she was getting very good at it—and told them presents would be opened before Christmas dinner which would start at 2:00 p.m.
“I’m off for a walk now,” she said, giving a parting wave. “See you then.”
“A moment, Carol.” Maurice closed the short distance between them, taking her arm in avuncular fashion. “A few words, if I may?”
“Of course, Uncle Maurice.”
They moved off. The others went back to their conversation. There was lots to talk about. Everyone considered that Maurice Chancellor was behaving in an exemplary manner, considering he had been bypassed by his own father for his young niece. Not that she didn’t look or sound capable of picking up the reins. They had all been surprised by Carol’s considerable intelligence, her grasp on both legal and business matters. She had considerable presence for one so young. A Chancellor, of course, bred in the bone.
Maurice directed Carol to his study, or what had been his father’s study. He continued to use it as his own. His niece—highly intelligent, admittedly—was but a slip of a girl. Would to God he’d had a daughter like that! Troy was such a disappointment, ruined by his mother.
“Take a seat, Carol,” he invited.
She moved into a leather armchair facing the massive desk. Maurice retreated behind it, putting several feet between them. The cedar-panelled room was very impressive. There was a hush to it, like an exclusive men’s club.
“You first, Uncle Maurice,” she said, not about to waste a moment on politeness. That was all over. She felt exhausted beyond merely physical. She was mentally exhausted. What more was there for her to learn? Whatever it was, she couldn’t shrink from it.
“Whatever do you mean, ‘you first’?” he asked in astonishment.
“Exactly what I said. I assume you have a problem with my mother’s leaving?”
He actually laughed. “I had a problem with