As he watched Catherine hurry from the room Nyla said, “I don’t blame Ms. Bennett for setting off early. I’m sure she’s anxious to forget this whole unpleasant business and move on.”
Payne couldn’t argue with that. After putting Rainey through the hell of a courtroom hearing, he’d forced her to face Diane who did nothing but patronize her all evening. Furthermore he’d had no right to bite Stan’s head off because Rainey had reached the point where she couldn’t take any more.
“You’re going to love this one too.” Catherine entered the dining room with another sketch in hand. He took it from her.
“‘The Beggar,’” he read the words aloud. Incredibly, Rainey had caught the special pleading expression in Lady’s eyes while she waited with exaggerated patience and politeness for something to eat.
“She’s left you some real treasures,” Payne murmured. He put the sketch on the table next to the other picture and looked around. “Where are the paintings?”
“Rainey asked me to dispose of them.”
He shot Nyla a piercing gaze. “She what?”
“Don’t worry. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. They’re in my room.”
“I can always count on you. Hold on to them for me. I’ll get them later.”
“You bet.”
Adrenaline surged through his veins. If he didn’t expend his excess energy soon, he’d explode.
“Catherine? Put your suit on and we’ll take a swim.”
“I’m already wearing it under my clothes.”
“Then let’s go.”
“I’ll have breakfast waiting for you when you get back.”
“Nothing for me, Nyla,” he said, “but thanks for the offer.”
Forty-five minutes later he and Catherine came out of the ocean and took turns throwing a stick for Lady to fetch. Unfortunately Payne’s swim had done nothing to improve his mood which was as stormy as the elements.
His niece appeared to be deep in her own thoughts. There was little conversation until they started back to the house.
“I didn’t know the hero in Manhattan Merger almost died of leukemia, or that the author lost a child to it. Have you still got the book?”
“Yes.”
“I want to read it.”
“You’re sure?”
“More than ever. I don’t see how Diane can say that romances don’t reflect real life.”
“She would change her tune if she read one.” Reading Ms. Wrigley’s novel had been a revelation to him.
“But that’s the problem. I don’t think she ever will.”
“Then it’s her loss.”
Somehow he had to find a way to break through Diane’s defenses so she’d go to Switzerland. He couldn’t think beyond it.
“Are you going to spend the day with her?”
“No. I have work at the office. She and her mother are overseeing the bridesmaids’ fittings. What are your plans?”
“Linda and I are going to play tennis with a bunch of friends. Later I think we’ll see a movie.”