Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

For example." Liana continued. "it was Sharon here who first brought Marjorie's former husband Hugh Durrel's infidelities to her attention."

"And then we helped her gather the information she needed to pin the tail on the donkey," Manon said. and they all laughed again.

I stared for a moment, their words sinking in.

"You mean to say you function as spies, private detectives for one another?"

"Exactly," Manon said, nodding and sitting back. "We've just come to the realization that by ourselves, alone, we are not capable of competing with the men we many. Say what you will about our husbands and former husbands, they are all quite established, confident, and capable men, and all part of the good old boys' club"

I shook my head.

"Thank you for considering including me, but this all sounds too diabolical for me. If a man and a woman cannot have trust, they can't have love."

"That's exactly what we think. too. Willow," Liana said. "It's why we think of ourselves as a sort of insurance policy."

"What is it that you do exactly?" I pursued. Did they actually have some sort of spy network, hire detectives, follow husbands? Bug rooms?

"When we learn of a betrayal or a potential betrayal, we make sure we inform our sister, and then we help or do what we can to give her the facts she needs.' Liana replied.

"In short, we do whatever is necessary to accomplish the goal," Manon said.

"I'm sure Thatcher will have you sign some sort of prenuptial agreement," Marjorie said. "Especially since he is an attorney."

"Marjorie's husband tried to pin an infidelity on her to keep her from her fair share of their estate," Sharon said.

"But we had him dead to rights, and she was able to turn the tables on him and hold him to the fire instead." Manon explained. "Now, you and Thatcher will socialize and get to know people here that we don't. perhaps. You'll bring another area under the radar for us, and in return, we'll share whatever we have with you."

"Why me?" I asked, still astounded. "What made you decide to ask me?"

They glanced at each other.

"We've known Thatcher Eaton longer than you have. Willow," Manon said.

"You're younger than any of us were when we got married," Sharon said.

'And like I said, it's a two-way street. You have something to bring to the table. too. Thatcher has done some work for my husband,' Manon added. 'Sharon is dating Franklin Bradley, and he is an attorney, too. She might very well be soon thinking of marrying him."

"What do you think?" Liana asked.

"I don't know what to say. I confess I thought this was just going to be a Palm Beach lunch, social chitchat, amusing, but..."

"Aren't you happy that we are all more substantial than that?" Manon said. smiling. "We're modern women, and since you're going to be a career woman, a professional, we thought you would appreciate it."

"Let's face it," Marjorie said. "relationships between men and women today are more of a battleground than ever, considering all the legal ramifications, the opportunities for betrayals and deceit.'

"We have to stick together," Sharon pleaded.

"Just because you are in Palm Beach doesn't mean you have any more guarantee of a successful relationship and life than other women in other places," Liana said.

"In fact, maybe far less because of being here," Marjorie insisted.

They all nodded.

"Let's have our lunch." Manon declared. "and let poor Willow think about it all."

"Just think of this." Marjorie said, drawing closer to me. "If your grandmother had had friends like us and an organization like we have, do you think Kirby Scott would have been able to do all the destruction he did to your family? We would have been there for her, and we would have helped her prevent what followed."

"In the end, we have to stick together." Sharon said. "No matter how wonderful it seems at the moment, or how many bells you hear ringing, the day will come when you will hear more echoes than actual voices, and if you have to hold a marriage together on the basis of merely good memories--"