Secrets by Jude Deveraux Read Free Book Online Page A

again.”
    â€œBrent, dear, I’ll talk to you later, but I’m sure it was just a prop pistol, not real at all. And these two young ladies saved me.”
    He ignored the women on the opposite couch. “Those so-called prop pistols can kill!”
    â€œHe isn’t going to harm me,” Althea said, smiling up at the beautiful young man. “I have the money and I’ve made sure he knows that my will does not include him. If I die, the money will stop. He’d have to go out and earn a living.” She gave a delicate shudder.
    â€œI’ve met him and I know the old ham is nearly blind and that he’s too vain to wear glasses. He could shoot you without even seeing you.”
    Cassie couldn’t help herself as she gave a giggle at that image.
    The young man turned on her, his face full of anger. “You think this is funny?” He didn’t give her time to answer. “You’re the one who trespasses all the time. And you!” he said, turning his icy blue eyes to Dana. “I’ve seen all of you down there. Don’t you realize that this is private property? Miss Fairmont has paid for the privacy that comes with this place. She doesn’t need you and your entourage sneaking onto her private beach.”
    â€œThat’s enough, Brent,” Althea said. Her stage-trained voice was quiet but it probably could have been heard above a hurricane.
    Immediately, the young man straightened up and looked back at Althea. “I apologize. It’s just that when Rosalie told me what happened, I was worried. Did you know he was coming? Is that why you sent me out today?”
    Reaching out, she patted his hand, which was clenched in a fist at his side. “We’ll talk about this later. Right now, I have guests.” Her voice was purring, placating, soothing.
    Cassie and Dana looked from one to the other, then back again.
    With a smile, Althea introduced him to Cassie and Dana. His name was Brent Goodwin and Althea described him as a gardener, but added that he also “looked out” for her. “Go on, now,” Althea said. “I’ll talk to you later. I had Rosalie bake that lemon cake you like so much. Go and have some.”
    After a mumbled “Nice to meet you” Brent left the room and closed the door behind him.
    â€œI think we should leave,” Dana said stiffly. “And I can assure you that we won’t trespass again.”
    Althea gave a laugh. “If you don’t continue to use the beach, I’ll nominate Skylar Beaumont to be president of the social activities committee for Hamilton Hundred.”
    It took Cassie and Dana a full minute to realize she was kidding. They laughed politely.
    â€œThat young man seemed adamant that we stay away, and he’s right. It is your private property,” Dana said.
    â€œLet me handle him.” Althea’s green eyes twinkled, then she looked at Cassie. “Actually, I’ve been wanting to talk to you. I’ve heard nothing but good about you, about how you run Jefferson’s household. I’ve heard that you look after his father as well as his daughter.”
    â€œIt’s a pleasure,” Cassie said hesitantly. It was disconcerting to have this very famous woman know so much about her.
    Smiling, Dana looked at Althea. “Cassie is very good at her job. It will be a shame when she has to leave, but I’m sure she’ll get another job right away.”
    Althea turned unsmiling eyes on Dana. “And if Jefferson marries the very rich Skylar Beaumont, that would leave a place for a mother for pretty little Elsbeth, wouldn’t it? I hear you practically adopted the child after Lillian Ames died.”
    Dana’s face turned red, but she said nothing. She just kept her back rigid.
    Cassie looked at Dana in wonder as she began to understand some things. “You want Elsbeth.”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” Dana said. “Roger and I plan