Power Play (Crimson Romance) by Nan Comargue Read Free Book Online

pipes.”
    Cahal thanked him and the other man missed the look he sent Lila, a glance that invited her to share his amusement over the lawyer’s effusiveness.
    “Hello, darling.”
    Knowing that he was entertaining himself with the intimate look and endearment, Lila nodded stiffly in response.
    “Let’s get down to the matter at hand.” Unlike his client, Cahal’s white-haired lawyer was all business. “Mr. Wallace is interested in negotiating a reconciliation. To that end, he is suggesting marriage counseling and renewed cohabitation. He is prepared to cover Mrs. Wallace’s legal costs in their entirety in the event that the reconciliation is unsuccessful.”
    Lila was silent, waiting for her attorney to speak, but for once Billings’ glib tongue failed him. His stunned expression irritated her, though it was better than facing her husband’s smile.
    The other lawyer went on. “Of course you realize, Mr. Billings, that it is our duty as lawyers to present our clients with all reasonable options and opportunities for reconciliation if there is a chance of one.”
    As her lawyer would not speak, Lila took the lead. “Sir, there is no chance of reconciliation. We’re wasting our time having this meeting.”
    She glared at Cahal, aware that the lawyer would simply carry out his client’s instructions. At the prices he was paying, the lawyer would be only too happy to do so. Though Billings’ fees were more reasonable — he hadn’t been practicing nearly as long as Cahal’s attorney — she spent a significant percentage of her salary on legal fees and feared the monthly bills which arrived in her mail with frightening regularity.
    “I don’t know,” her lawyer was saying. “Perhaps you should give the idea some thought. You don’t have to make up your mind right now.”
    Lawyerly caution was not a part of her makeup. Lila stirred in her chair. “I’ve made up my mind.”
    The other attorney raised a pair of bushy white eyebrows. “Am I to take it, Billings, that your client is refusing our offer out of hand? Because that’s the kind of thing a judge will take into account when it comes to allocating costs.”
    Costs was one legal term Lila understood; Adam had drilled the concept into her head many times. If one party was unreasonable or merely unsuccessful at any part of the divorce proceedings then they could be compelled to bear not only their own legal costs but also to pay the legal fees for the other side.
    Billings spoke to her in an urgent undertone. “We should discuss this in private, Lila.”
    Her husband’s lawyer was helpful. “There are several rooms you may use that are presently vacant.”
    Cahal’s raspy voice cut through his lawyer’s. “If we’re discussing things in private then it should be Lila and I having the discussion. A reconciliation is a private affair.”
    Her lawyer’s expression was pleading. “Okay,” she said, accustomed to taking his advice. After all, it was why she paid him. “I’ll give it a try. Adam, come and get me in a half hour.”
    It was fortunate that she wore a watch, she didn’t quite trust her lawyer to stick to the allocated time. He was already punching in numbers on his wireless device, no doubt checking his email.
    A secretary posted just outside of the door showed them to a smaller room that was bare of any furniture save for a round table and four chairs. A bottle of imported water and several glasses stood on a tray in the center of the table and she occupied her hands by pouring herself a glass.
    Lila leaned her hip against the edge of the table and scrutinized her husband over the rim of the glass.
    “What are you up to, Cahal?”
    He stood with his back to the door, blocking it as he would a hockey net. There was a glimmer of laughter in those long-lashed gray eyes.
    “Darling, you insult me.”
    “No,” she denied, “you insult me by pretending to want a reconciliation eleven months after our separation and one month before we