CHAPTER THREE

      “YOU may not be one of his favorite people, Mrs. Stuben,” he said. “But you have access. For instance his country club? Isn’t that right?”

      “I suppose, as a member of the fam—”

      “And you get invitations to the same parties and charity events?”

      “Well, yes, from time to—”

      “And, you do want to keep this fine old home, so you don’t have to move?”

      She could never stay here now. After all, had Guy lived, she would have been long gone. She could never think of this mansion as hers. But she would love to see the place stay in the Stuben family. If she could save the estate to help make amends to Paul Stuben—well, she’d give anything to do that.

      But Mr. Rath didn’t need to know the details. He would just interrupt with another argument before she could explain, anyway, so she nodded, remaining mute.

      “Then you can be of help to both of us.”

      “Lainey,” Claire interjected. “It can’t hurt to try, can it?”

      Elaine flicked her gaze to Claire then back to Mitchell Rath. She felt like he’d dropped her from a great height, leaving her dizzy and bruised. How could he continue to dangle the manor before her like a carrot in front of a hungry rabbit, demanding the impossible as though it were simple? Didn’t he get it? She shook her head as much to search for words this money grubbing tyrant would understand as to make her feelings plain. “Listen to me! Both of you! Paul Stuben hates me. He would no more listen to anything I had to say or trouble himself to meet anybody I was with than he would—kiss a rattlesnake!”

      “Don’t be too sure,” Mitch said. “Word has it that he’s been doing some bizarre things lately.”

      “What are you saying?”

      “He’s making bad business decisions, acting eccentrically. Throwing fits at board meetings. Haven’t you heard the rumblings that he’s teetering on mental collapse, intent on bringing down his empire?”

      Elaine could only stare in disbelief. “No…”

      “Lainey hasn’t seen her father-in-law in months,” Claire said. “She has nothing to do with the department stores, and certainly hasn’t had money for shopping sprees.”

      “I haven’t seen Paul since Guy’s funeral,” Elaine murmured, recalling how rude and irrational he’d been right after Guy’s death. She still bled from his accusations. Had his grief and bitterness caused his mental health to suffer? Was her father-in-law so lost in sorrow he would willfully destroy a century-old department store empire, famous for its refinement and good taste? “Is that even possible?” she whispered aloud.

      “It’s happening.”

      She shot Mr. Rath a perplexed look, having lost the thread of their conversation. “What’s happening?”

      His eyebrows dipped as though he thought she was so feeble-minded she couldn’t follow a simple discussion. Naturally he would think that. After all, hadn’t he just bought the leavings of her late, lamented company? Biting resentment shot through her at the reminder that he had something she wanted badly, something she had loved and nurtured with her heart and soul. Something he didn’t give a flip about!

      “The board of directors is nervous,” he went on. “They’re afraid he’s going to run the firm into the ground. If he does, I want to be at the head of the line to buy out what’s left.”

      His blunt admission appalled her. “You—you want to use me to help you get first chance at the leavings? You actually think I’d be party to such a contemptible plan?”

      “Face it, Mrs. Stuben.” He eyed her levelly. “If your father-in-law has had a breakdown, and if the worst happens, somebody’s going to swoop in to pick the carcass clean. When he loses everything, do you want to have lost the family home, too? Wouldn’t you prefer that I’m the vulture doing the swooping? At least, that way you’d still have a roof over your head.”

      “He has a strong argument,” Claire said, looking imploringly at her niece.

      Elaine tasted bile at the awful idea and swallowed several times to rid herself of the taste. “That’s blackmail!”

      His chin lifted a notch, almost as though her accusation stung. Or was that brief impression of distress a figment of her overwrought imagination? His features remained composed. “It’s just business, Mrs. Stuben.”

      “Lainey?”

      Elaine shifted toward her aunt, but continued to glare at Mitchell Rath for another beat before she could drag her gaze away. “What is it, Aunt Claire?”

      “I know it’s none of my business, and Mr. Rath is well-known to be a ruthless businessman.” She flitted a sheepish glance at him. “No offense meant.”

      His sober half nod was his only response.

      Claire faced Elaine. “But he’s right when he says it’s just business. Why even in the quilting game I’ve run up against a few old biddies who would rip out your heart for your last fat quarter of calico.” She made a sad face. “Like I said, it’s none of my business. I only want the best for you.”

      She touched Elaine’s cheek with affection. “I’m going upstairs so you two can talk.” She glanced at Mitch. “I’m sure you’re hungry. There’s a chicken salad sandwich on the counter and milk in the fridge.” She headed out the door, adding, “Elaine hasn’t had a bite all day, and when she misses a meal she’s grouchy. Eat. Both of you. You’ll feel better.”

      Before Elaine could grasp her aunt’s outlandish counsel and even more outlandish suggestion that her worst enemy join her for supper, the older woman had disappeared.

      The silence became so deafening Elaine could hear the distant drip-drip-drip of a faucet.

      “Maybe you’d better eat.” His baritone voice echoed in the cavernous kitchen.

      She sharpened her glare. “Even a full stomach would not improve my attitude toward you.”

      His glance lifted from her and he looked down the hall, apparently following her aunt’s departure. “It couldn’t hurt.”

      She fisted her hands, the desire to punch his nose so strong she had to physically press her arms against her sides to restrain herself. “I would rather chew nails.”

      Resuming eye contact with her, he pursed his lips, the pause long. If he were anybody else, Elaine would have thought he might be counting to ten to hold on to his temper. “Whether you eat or not while I’m here is your business, but I intend to show Paul Stuben my good intentions,” he said. “Let him see me as a magician rather than a predator. All I ask is that you make it clear you’re pleased with how I’ve helped you.”

      “Pleased with…how you’ve helped me?” She rolled her eyes, hoping the theatrical move would make the absurdity of his suggestion abundantly clear. “You don’t need me, Mr. Rath. You need an actress with no moral fiber.”

      His jaw muscles did their sexy-bunching act again, so Elaine forced her gaze to the knot in his fancy tie.

      “I think I’ll eat,” he said, removing