My Wicked Little Lies. Victoria Alexander

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СКАЧАТЬ Lord.” Evelyn stared at her friend. “I’ve been dreadfully selfish.”

      “Indeed you have and I have permitted you to be.” Celeste met her gaze directly. “But do not think for a moment I would be here if I did not wish to be. It’s been most ... refreshing. It’s not a difficult job, you know. Keeping your schedule, planning your social events, assisting your correspondence. And you do overpay me.” A twinkle shone in Celeste’s eyes. “Why, it’s almost like being on holiday.”

      Evelyn ignored her amusement. “But is it enough?”

      “You could always pay me more.”

      “You know what I mean.”

      “As I said, it is at the moment.” Celeste shrugged. “I make no promises about the future, however.”

      “Good. And I make no apologies for that bit of selfishness.” Celeste was as close to her as any sister might have been. Indeed, Evelyn considered her family and they did look a bit like sisters. They were of a similar height and figure although Celeste’s hair was nearly black whereas Evelyn’s was a determined brown. Her eyes were hazel, brown really, her friend’s violet. Evelyn considered Celeste the lovelier of the two women, which bothered her not at all. They were nearly the same age as well. Celeste had turned thirty some months ago and Evelyn’s thirtieth birthday was within a few weeks. “I would hate to lose you.”

      “I assure you, you will never lose me,” Celeste said firmly. “Even if the day comes that I decide this is not how I wish to spend the rest of my life, we will always be close friends.”

      Still, the very idea of not having Celeste around was most distressing. Evelyn loved Adrian’s family but Celeste was hers, the only family she had. She adopted a casual tone. “Adrian still has one remaining unwed brother, you know.”

      “The barrister?”

      Evelyn nodded. “He’s very nice and quite handsome.”

      Celeste laughed. “So you are matchmaking now?”

      “Not at all.” Evelyn paused. “Although it’s not a bad idea. There are worse ways to spend the rest of your life than as the wife of a nice, handsome, ambitious barrister. Who will no doubt one day be a judge.”

      “And will therefore need a wife,” Celeste said thoughtfully.

      “He doesn’t need one but a suitable wife can certainly be an aide to any man with ambition.”

      “And would I be a suitable wife?”

      “You can be anything you wish,” Evelyn said firmly.

      “It’s a role I have yet to play.” A considering note sounded in Celeste’s voice.

      “A role you were born to play.”

      “I doubt that. Regardless ...” Celeste shook her head. “Your brother-in-law has never shown the slightest bit of interest in me.”

      “Perhaps because he has never seen you as who you really are.”

      “Perhaps. And perhaps when I meet a gentleman who makes me want to be completely candid and forthright and all those sorts of things, then I will indeed marry.” Celeste studied her with amusement. “You are simply offering up your brother-in-law as a sacrificial lamb. Were I to marry him, we would truly be family.”

      Evelyn gasped in mock indignation. “I would never encourage your marriage to suit my own purposes. That would indeed be selfish.” She grinned. “But it is an excellent idea.”

      “It is an idea, the excellence of it remains to be seen.” Celeste pinned her with a firm look. “But you, my dear, have changed the subject.”

      “It’s not a subject I wish to discuss. Or to think about.”

      “And in this, too, you have no choice.” Celeste’s brows drew together. “What happens now?”

      “Max said he has an idea as to the location of the file. He will contact me with instructions.” Evelyn resumed pacing the room.

      “So you wait?”

      “Apparently.”

      “I see.” Celeste watched her for a moment. “Patience has never been one of your virtues.”

      “Now that I have agreed to do this—although agreed is not the right word.” Evelyn huffed. “Coerced is more accurate.”

      “You’d prefer to get on with it.”

      “Exactly.” Evelyn nodded. “From the moment I left Max’s office, I have felt that my entire life was in some sort of limbo. As if I were a leaf blown onto a pond. Too wet to blow away and not saturated enough to sink to the bottom. Suspended on the surface of the water, waiting to blow away or to sink.”

      “How very dramatic of you.”

      “But accurate nonetheless.”

      “Nonsense.” Celeste scoffed. “Now you’re merely feeling sorry for yourself.”

      “Perhaps.”

      “Admittedly, waiting is not something you do well but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you feel sorry for yourself.” She shook her head in a mournful manner. “How have you come to such a dreadful state?”

      Evelyn narrowed her eyes.

      “There are a number of things you have yet to consider,” Celeste said. “First of all, Sir Maxwell would not have asked for your assistance—”

      “Asked?” Evelyn snorted in disdain.

      “Unless he felt he had no other choice. But he is an odd and independent creature. It’s entirely possible that he may recover this file without any help from you at all.”

      “Then why—”

      “It was my experience with him that he always had several plans in reserve in case his original plan did not work. Plans B, C, and so on.”

      “True enough.”

      “And remember he only worked with you or I when Sir deemed it necessary. It was my observation that Sir Maxwell never especially liked working with, or having to depend upon, a woman. He is the kind of man who thinks women have a particular place in the world and it isn’t by his side so much as in his bed.”

      Evelyn scoffed.

      “Given his nature, there’s every reason to think you are nothing more than his reserve plan.”

      Evelyn brightened. “There is, isn’t there?”

      “It’s entirely plausible.”

      “Then why contact me at all?”

      “He said there was no one else he could trust except you. I suspect he would want you to be prepared if he needs to call on you.” Celeste shrugged dismissively. “Especially СКАЧАТЬ