Pendelton Manor by B. J. Wane Read Free Book Online Page A

watched his look shift from her to the portrait and his eyes return to that frosted state she had come to expect as he looked at his deceased wife. Tentatively, she said, “She was beautiful. You must have loved her very much.”
    “You would think so, wouldn’t you?” he murmured quietly. “Unfortunately, my wife’s beauty was only skin deep and by the time she died, so had any love I had had for her. Did you know it was my announcement that I had filed for divorce that made her flee this room that night? Bastard that I am, I knew telling her she was about to lose everything she had craved since she was eighteen would devastate her.”
    Sophie heard the pain in his voice as he spoke of Nicole and saw the guilt in his face as he remembered the cruel words that he knew would upset her. “You were upset and hurt. It was only natural to lash out. You can’t blame yourself for an accident, Adrian.”
    Adrian looked from Nicole’s image into Sophie’s haunted blue eyes wondering why she would bother trying to placate him when he had been anything but genial towards her all week. “And you, Sophie, do you blame yourself for your loss?” The instant the words were out, her face paled and she took a step back from him and Adrian could have kicked himself. Losing an unfaithful wife whom he no longer loved to a tragic death couldn’t compare to watching a beloved child suffer for months before passing away.
    “What do you know of my loss?” she asked hoarsely.
    “Surely you didn’t expect me to hire you from across the country on just your word, did you? I did a background check, a thorough one that noted the death of your daughter nearly two years ago. I’m sorry for bringing up that painful memory, Sophie,” he said stiffly, unused to apologizing to anyone for anything. But the stricken look on her face pulled at him and reminded him he hadn’t exactly welcomed her here with open arms.
    “No parent should outlive their child. In that respect, yes, I blame myself for letting my daughter down,” she answered just as stiffly, her emotions feeling battered as he brought memories to the surface where she struggled daily to keep them away from. “What did you need to see me about?”
    Changing the subject was a sign of defense he recognized only too well. The loud growl from Sophie’s stomach made her blush and broke the tension. It also reminded him of why he had sought her out. “Nora pointed out how remiss it was of me not to invite you to join us in the evenings for dinner. Please, feel free to do so as well as afterwards. Who’s around each night differs, but there’s usually one or two of us at home if you want company.”
    “Thank you. I’ll think about it. I better get back to work.” Her stomach reminded her once again that she had skipped breakfast and it was past lunch already.
    “Take a break, Sophie, and go get something to eat. I’m not a damn slave driver. Whatever you don’t get done in here today can wait.”
    “I’ll take a break, but I’ll be able to finish afterwards.”
    “I’ll ride down with you. I have to pick up some papers in my office and head back into town.”
    The ride down was silent and Sophie realized that was the longest conversation she had had with Adrian all week. Stepping out of the elevator, she said, “I’ll see you later,” then headed towards the kitchen.
    “Sophie.”
    Turning, she looked back at him to see him staring at her with a brooding expression she couldn’t read. “Yes?”
    “My wife’s fall was no accident. Remember that.”
    Adrian’s last comment made Sophie toss and turn all night, wondering who he suspected had a hand in his wife’s death. Surely not one of his cousins or James, she thought. They, as well as Nora and Rachel all seemed to be a close knit group, people who had known each other for years and cared for each other as only people in long term relationships did. How Nicole could have cheated on Adrian was beyond her. If she had