“There.” She carefully removed the sheet of paper and handed it to Catherine.
The teen held it at both ends. “The Beggar.” She broke into laughter. “That’s perfect! I love it! I’m going to have this framed and put it above my bed. Excuse me while I show it to Nyla. Then I’m going to run it upstairs so it won’t get damaged.”
Alone for the moment, Rainey glanced at her watch. It was quarter to eleven. They’d been out on the patio for a long time.
She got up and put everything in her case including her brother’s photograph. The picture of Winston went back in her purse. On the way indoors she met Nyla.
“Where will I be sleeping tonight?”
“Up in the guest room next to Catherine’s. I’ll get your overnight bag and take you there.”
“I’d appreciate that, but before we go, I have another favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Could you manage to bring me a photograph of Trevor without Catherine finding out?”
The maid eyed her with a knowing expression. “You bet. There’s one she carries in her wallet. It’s her favorite. I’ll get it.”
Within fifteen minutes everyone had said goodnight. By the time Rainey had prepared for bed, Nyla returned with the photo.
Thankful for an important project that would help keep her thoughts off Payne and his fiancée, Rainey got started on the picture. Instead of using a pencil, she decided to work with her pastels. She wanted this gift to be perfect.
In the snap, Trevor appeared to be nine or ten years old and bore a strong resemblance to his sister. Several times throughout the night tears rolled down Rainey’s cheeks to think he’d had to die so early in life.
At five in the morning she was finally satisfied with her work. She’d depicted him and Catherine sitting out on the back lawn. Lady lay at their feet with Catherine’s arm thrown loosely around her brother’s shoulders.
After putting the pastels away, Rainey climbed into bed exhausted. But two hours later and sleep still hadn’t come. She’d sopped her pillow and couldn’t stand to lie in bed any longer.
Meeting Payne Sterling had changed her in ways she was terrified to contemplate.
Though his fiancée might not be the warmest person, after what had happened to her, Rainey couldn’t fault her for anything. She had courage to get on with her life, to marry the man of her dreams.
Why would Rainey want to torture herself by hanging around a few more hours just to be with him one more time when his devotion to Diane Wylie was unquestioned. Heavens—they would be married in another month!
If Rainey didn’t take control of herself and the situation right now, then there wasn’t that much difference between her and the stalker who’d put his fiancée in the wheelchair.
Calling on her inner strength, Rainey straightened the bed, got dressed and hurried downstairs with her cases. A man she hadn’t seen before was sitting on a chair in the hall reading a sports magazine. He lifted his head.
“Good morning, Ms. Bennett. My name is Stan.”
“Good morning.”
How could Rainey have forgotten nothing went on in the Sterling’s world without the presence of security?
“Is there someone on the Boyce staff who would drive me into the city? Mr. Sterling was going to have me flown back to New York later in the day, but I’ve just had a phone call that has forced me to change my plans. I need to leave now.”
“Of course. I’ll have a limo brought around back for you.”
“Thank you. At some point you’ll have to inform Mr. Sterling, but would you please wait a while? I happen to know he’s with his fiancée and it’s a Saturday morning. I’d hate for him to be disturbed over a matter as trivial as my transportation. She appeared very tired last night.”
The security man hesitated briefly, then nodded. While he got on his radio phone, Rainey walked through the house to the back hall and let herself outside.
To her surprise there was a strong wind coming off the ocean. It filled the air with salt spray. Judging by the overcast sky, the sun might not make an appearance at all.
She would love to be at Crag’s Head enjoying the elements right now. But that magnificent place and the man who lived there were forbidden to her.
You need to remove yourself from temptation and fly far away, Rainey. Much farther than your studio apartment.