had used Jillian in his own thoughtless way, to
provide his younger brother with a mother and a sister
while he went his own merry way chasing every skirt in town, and all over Europe. Tears were in my eyes as I turned to embrace him before I returned to the big house. "I'm sorry to be so suspicious. I love you, love you, love you--and I'll be back as soon as I catch up
on some sleep. Don't go away, promise?"
He sat up, clinging to both of my hands. "Have
lunch with me, darling, about one."
I thought I could return to my bed and sleep the
sleep of the deeply justified, but I tossed and turned,
and finally ended up at the dining table downstairs
where Tony was already ensconced, eating one slice
of honeydew melon after another. He began to ply me
with questions immediately. Had I seen Troy? Had I
broken our engagement? What had been his reaction?
What had been my explanation? I had been kind,
considerate, caring, hadn't I?
"I said as little as possible about you." My
voice was cold, hostile. I hated him every bit as much
as I hated Pa. "Out of consideration for Troy, I
covered for you, though if Troy wasn't so sensitive, I
would have let him know exactly what kind of man
his beloved brother is, and was."
"What reason did you give him?"
"I gave him none. We are still engaged. I don't
know how to destroy him, Tony, I just can't do it!" "I can see you are building a tower of ha
te for
me. Maybe you are right to wait a few weeks before
you tell him you've found out you are still in love with
that young man of yours. Logan, isn't that his name?
Troy will get over you. I'll be here to support him. I'll
see to it that he recovers. And the best way to do that