Fortune Is a Woman by Francine Saint Marie Read Free Book Online

other,” she teased.
    Helaine sighed and threw her head back, opened her legs.
    “Lana?”
    “Mmm?”
    “Do you agree?”
    “Yes,” she said, wrapping her arms around Lydia’s neck and pulling her down, “I, uh…yes…yes…I…yes…”
    _____
     
    At breakfast Helaine mentioned running into Venus and Sebastion at Cicero’s and recounted for Lydia’s amusement his social blunder. Lydia laughed but felt sorry for her former assistant and said as much. She had only met the young man a few times but he struck her as the type always on the make, using his job to seem legitimate. He was gorgeous, yes, she agreed, but…and here she stopped herself, wanting to compare him with Sharon Chambers. But no one compared to Sharon Chambers! Instead, she vaguely referenced Joseph Rios with whom she had become so mired down, well before she met Helaine. She hadn’t thought of him in years. Rio Joe, her ex, who had ratted her out to Sharon’s lawyers, exposed her to the public as Jane Doe and made her life a living hell as a consequence. What was she thinking? No one but Sharon Chambers could compare to Rio Joe! The Feds sat his ass in the pen shortly thereafter and as far as she knew, he was still there today.
    Stockbrokers, lawyers, reporters and maybe even entertainment consultants?
    Helaine nodded understandingly and changed the subject. “I invited Venus to have lunch with me sometime. Care to join us if she takes me up on it?”
    Lydia shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”
    Helaine was pleased with that reaction. “I felt Paula handled the situation badly, you know, and I told her so.”
    Lydia grinned. Poor Paula. “Yes, I heard.”
    After breakfast Lydia went for her morning run, a little later than usual. No maid on the weekend. Helaine tidied up and got dressed, satisfied that there was no intruder, no paramour lurking outside the castle walls, which was a great relief since she had last night instantly recognized the cologne Venus was wearing as being identical to the scent Lydia had carried into her office that one day.
    _____
     
    “She reminds me in so many ways of Lydia,” Kay said. “I can’t say exactly why.”
    “Was she wearing men’s cologne last night?”
    “Robert–why?”
    “I don’t know. Doesn’t that seem odd to you?”
    She hadn’t noticed the cologne. “That a woman would wear men’s cologne?”
    “Yeah…?”
    Kay looked thoughtful. Venus Angelo could get away with it. “No, not particularly.”
     

Chapter 9
    Acquired Dominions
     
    Paula Treadwell went on with business as usual, but her husband was ill. Very ill. Thoughts of mortality and love and the like permeated her no-nonsense mind these days and she caught herself many times drifting from her work, picturing what it would be like to live alone on the massive Treadwell estate.
    Doctors were dominating her life now. Doctors, nurses, hospitals, home health aides, conflicting medical opinions. Decisions, decisions, decisions. It was a chore to be cheerful and it took a concentrated effort to stay focused on the positive.
    There were some things to feel positive about. VP Overseas, for instance, was running a tighter ship than ever, performing beyond expectations for the first time in years. That would be due to the Angelo kid.
    Paula left her office midday to circulate, still maintaining her regular routine. Venus Angelo was first on her list. A little praise, another raise. She was disgusted to find her Senior VP already there and worried whether this was becoming a habit.
    “Beaumont!”
    Lydia rose from her seat. Venus saw her cheeks redden and was flattered by what it might mean. Might . “Ms. Treadwell! How nice to–”
    “In a minute, Angelo–god does this place stink or what?” (Cologne.) “Beaumont, I’ve been looking all over for you,” she invented. “Meet me in my office in an hour.”
    “Is there anythi–?”
    “One hour.”
    Lydia returned to her own office embarrassed, slunk past her assistant