can get myself to New York without my father’s help or blessing.”
“Oh my God, Beth.” I can imagine her pulling her hair in frustration.
I’m instantly defensive. “What? It’s true.”
Her answering sigh is weary. “You need to do some soul-searching and be clear about what you really want.”
“I already know what I want.”
“How is a job in New York more than you’re offered when you’re a talented artist and an heiress?”
“I’m only an heiress if I get married,” I remind her.
“There are harder ways to get rich”
“I don’t want to be rich. I want to be free.”
“That’s what Phil said, and where did that get him?”
My heart twists at the thought of my brother being out there. “He’s finding his way.”
She scoffs. ”Finding his way? Where? How? He’s broke and lives on whatever scraps he takes home from the restaurant.”
“His restaurant,” I remind her.
“The bank’s restaurant. If he’d just married the girl your father liked, he could have had his restaurant, and the beauty he gave it all up for would be alive.
I’m mad at him for leaving me, but I understand what drove him. And I feel compelled to defend him. “But he loved her.”
She kisses her teeth. “He wanted to sleep with her. If he’d really loved her, he would have put his pride aside, and maybe she wouldn’t have died in a county hospital of something that money could have prevented.”
“How can you say that? I thought you supported my plan to leave?”
“I did. But it didn’t work. And now, you need to move on to plan B.”
I’m aghast. “You think I should get married? I’ll never trust anyone enough to tie my life to theirs. I'm sorry. It's not going to happen.”
“Elisabeth,” she scolds me in a stern, voice. “I know you still love that boy who broke your heart, but he's not coming back. And you have to move on. You haven’t even tried.”
“I’m not waiting on him, I push back. “Just because I haven’t had a relationship, doesn’t mean I haven’t moved on.” The words ring hollow in my ears when I hear them and it makes me so mad. “I don’t want to even think about him, Jude.”
“It’s okay, my love. It’s not a weakness, it’s just a fact of life. You won’t have love like that again, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. But first you have to let him go.” Her voice takes on a soothing maternal tone that normally makes me feel better, but I detest the sympathy there, too.
“I’m not holding on to him,” I protest. “I just don’t want to get married for any reason other than love.”
“Then do that - but for the love of yourself. Find an accomplice, set your terms, and get the hell out of there.”
12
Beth
Deals that Devils Make
“I got your message. Is this a good time?”
My head whips up at Duke’s hedging, overly polite tone.
After my call with Jude, I went home and slept on it. This morning, I woke up resolved and in agreement. And despite how much the idea of actually being married to him repulses me, I decided that Duke would make a perfect accomplice. I haven’t seen much of him since that disastrous morning in my father's office.
I kept waiting for him to show up lording his triumph over me and making a show of being in charge. He never did. In fact, the only time he’s spoken to me is when I’ve spoken to him first. And that’s only happened once before today.
“Yeah, sure. Thanks for coming by, have a seat.” I nod at the chair in front of me and smooth the stack of papers on my desk.
“You doing okay?” he asks as he sits down across from me.
I clear my throat and fold my hands in my lap to keep from fidgeting. “I’m fine. Keeping busy, and making plans.”
His gaze sharpens and he straightens in his seat. “You said it was important, but your message was vague. Tell me what you want, Beth.”
Surprised by his forthrightness, but happy to skip the small talk, I get straight to it. “I want to get married, so I can claim my inheritance and I think you’re the perfect person to help me do that.”
He blinks like I splashed water in his face and laughs, his eyes wide with incredulity. “Are you serious? You acted liked you were being sentenced to death when your father suggested it. Why the change of heart?”