An Unsinkable Love - By Terri Benson Page 0,82

Ernie, don't be silly. As if I and most of the other women in town don't have our suspicions of Mrs. Zubrinsky."

"I've already told her she needs to close the place down by the end of the month. When she said she was helpin' poor girls who didn't have husbands, we all felt sorry for them. But it got pretty hard to explain all those men going in and out all hours of the day and night. I guess I need to face up to the fact times are changing. Even places like Linton are riddled with criminals." The chief shook his head.

"I don't think it's as bad as that, Ernie," Malcolm said.

"You've done a fine job over the years, and we appreciate it, don't we, Mother?"

It was Elizabeth's turn to blush as she met the chief's gaze. He looked at her with such longing Malcolm had to stifle a laugh. He felt Bree squeeze his hand and knew she had the same thought.

Headlamps flashed across the window. Chief Fletcher rose.

"I imagine that's one of my boys. I'll go see what they found out." He hustled out of the room.

* * * *

Bree sipped her cognac. The fiery liquor burned all the way down, leaving her with a comfortable warmth. She had been shivering violently by the time they arrived at the house, as much from delayed shock as the fact she had no coat in an open car barreling through frigid night air. When they arrived, Elizabeth observed their disheveled condition and marched them into the parlor where she poured them generous snifters of the liquor. While they settled, she shooed the few 264

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

remaining guests from the house with a promise to have another party soon, assuring them it would be attended by the guests of honor. One of the guests, Ernie Fletcher, was the chief of police. He and Elizabeth listened in amazement as Malcolm related what he knew of the story. Bree awkwardly tried to explain how she came to be in the Rolls Royce without bringing up seeing Malcolm with Melody. She was still confused about that episode, but with his arm tightly around her, she no longer had any doubts about Malcolm's love or intentions.

"Carlisle must have been in on it with Eldon," the chief said. "I wouldn't have expected that of the boy."

Bree nodded. "Apparently Eldon told him to get me into the car in whatever manner necessary, and I played right into his hands. Once he realized Eldon was up to something, Carlisle tried to stop him." She shivered at the memory of the violent attack on the poor chauffer.

"Why did you leave the party, Bree?" Malcolm asked, leaning close and compelling an answer with his intense regard.

As the others observed her expectantly, she felt her cheeks flame. Closing her eyes, she said as quickly as possible, "I saw you and Melody in the garden. Eldon told me you'd decided not to marry me. I wanted to get away." She pulled free of his grip and clasped her hands in her lap. She looked down, embarrassed that her foolishness had caused all this turmoil.

Malcolm reached over and reclaimed her hands. "Bree?"

She refused to respond. He gently tipped her chin up. "Eldon 265

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tricked Melody as well. He told her I wanted to marry her, instead of you. I only went into the garden with her because she told me she needed to talk about her father's mill again.

Nothing more."

Bree saw the glow of love and tenderness in his eyes. It seemed impossible he could be lying to her. In a small voice she said, "I saw you and Melody in the garden yesterday, and then again tonight. And Eldon said—"

"Whatever Eldon told you was a lie. There's nothing between Melody and I except a business arrangement with her family. I swear that's all we talked about yesterday, and while she may have had a different idea tonight, she doesn't anymore.

His voice was so firm, and his gaze so sincere, all doubts disappeared. She laid her cheek against his shoulder, her hand on his chest.

"Oh, how very touching." Eldon said as he stepped silently into the room.

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An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

Chapter 45

Elizabeth gasped and started to rise.

"Sit down!" Eldon snarled. She cringed and sank back.

Malcolm tried to put his body between the pistol in Eldon's hand and Bree.

"Always the hero, eh, Malcolm? Not this time. I've had enough of this family. Little Percy,