Cam made a humming noise. “They’re not usually sobad.”
Lydia snorted and looked over her shoulder. “Oh, yes they are. Mary-Alice was always a little high-strung, though she hasn’t been quite the same since the crash, and then the divorce. Same could be said for Drew, I suppose.” She sighed. “Emmett and Lucy were better when your mother was here, Camden. She was a civilizing influence on them. But Emmett has always been a pompous prick, and Lucy lives in a fantasy world. I feel for poor Cain. There’s potential there, but he needs to reach out and seize it. He’s too frightened to anger his father or shatter his mother’s dreamworld.”
Cam saidnothing.
“I’m not gossiping,” she assured Cort with another backwards glance. “I’d say this to theirfaces.”
Cort gave her a distracted half-smile, his thoughts still focused on Drew’s almost-revelation. Every rational brain cell was screaming that he should explain things to Cam immediately or risk losing him, but something entirelyirrationalheld him back. If he explained things now, would he lose Camanyway?
Before he confessed everything to Cam, there were other, more important things he needed the man toknow.
Lydia led them through a lavishly appointed living area and up the curving white staircase at the center of the house. “I put you two in the room all the way at the end of the east wing. It’s the smallest room in the house,” she apologized, “but it’s also the one closest to the back stairs, andthe—”
“Beach walk,” Cam said with a soft smile. “Iremember.”
Lydia flashed him a grin. “Exactly.” They strolled along the hallway and arrived at the room. She threw open the door, then stood back and gave the two of them a stern frown. “Now. I don’t expect to see either of you again for the rest of theevening.”
“You’re sure?” Cam askedLydia.
“Very, very sure. I want you to enjoy yourselves.” She gave Cam a wink, and pressed a friendly hand to Cort’s arm. “I expect someone’s already brought your bags up. Go show your gentleman the beach and cove, Camden. Just stick to the beach path and don’t go wandering the grounds unless you want to be attacked by rabidsocialites.”
Cam nodded and wandered into the room, while Cort turned to watch Lydiadepart.
He hadn’t imagined he could have so much in common with someone who owned an island, but this was turning out to be a week ofrevelations.
