“So good to see you again, Mrs. Moreau,” Monique said, although she had more eyes for Candice than Alicia. “Also a pleasure to meet your friend.”
Candice giggled at the hibiscus blooming in her teacup.“Can you believe this shit?”her visage asked. Alicia agreed that it was stellar. To Monique, she said, “Please, call me Alicia. I’m still not used to the whole Mrs. Moreau thing.”
“I’m sure.” There was neither judgment nor camaraderie in Monique’s tone. “Even so, you certainly shouldn’t be ashamed of it. Very few women get to have names like ours.”
Candice Holt, on the other hand, was perfectly content to poke her blooming hibiscus with her spoon. At least she was preoccupied. “I’m sure plenty of women desire names like ours,” Alicia said.
“Absolutely. Plenty of men, too. More than a few hearts were broken with the news of your marriage to Danica Moreau. Half of my employees cried on command.”
“That so?” Didn’t this woman run some tenuously legal brothel? Wait... had Danica ever gone there?She said something about a woman named June the last time she spoke with Monique.“I’d say I’m jealous, but…”
“Seriously. Look at this thing!” Candice poked the flower until some of the petals started dropping off. “Um…”
Monique Warner was the politest woman Alicia had ever encountered. Not once did she turn her nose up at Candice or say something to imply the uncouth woman was not welcome there. Which was a feat, considering Alicia hadn’t even called to announce her friend’s arrival until the last minute. Monique had no reason to allow Candice into her home.Perhaps this isa chance to bridge some gaps between our families?Oh, no. There went Alicia, putting pressure on herself. Who said it was her duty to bring the Moreaus and Warners together?Next, I’ll be trying to arrange a marriage between our kids. What’s happening to me?
Oh, God. If she and Danica were into that, then nothing was sacred anymore.
Monique caught the plots burning behind Alicia’s eyes. “You have a look of business about you, Alicia.” She said her name with such sophistication. “Here I was under the impression you came to speak of more personal matters with me.” The lady of the estate sipped her tea, her black collar glittering against her throat. Alicia had her own wrapped around the high collar of her dress.Bless Danica and her fashion foresight. This collar went with almost anything. The bracelets, on the other hand… those stayed home most of the time now.
“I’ve been in a very business-oriented state of mind since joining my wife’s company,” Alicia explained. “My interests were especially piqued after you and Mrs. Anderssen came to my office with your proposal.”
“Oh? Have you thought about it? We were very interested in you joining.”
“I’m sure, considering how many of you own shares in my wife’s company.”
What was that look on Monique’s face? Was she shocked that Alicia was quick to bring that up? Or was she impressed that Alicia went straight for the financial jugular? Had she underestimated Alicia by assuming, like most did, that she was fumbling her way along? (Okay, so she was, but people didn’t need to know that!)
“We have an interest. Yes.” Monique poured herself more tea. To Candice’s disappointment, it was not the fancy kind. “But it goes beyond what we own of your company. We are alwayslooking for new members who can gel with us. There aren’t many married women at our level who can hold their own financially against their wives.”
“I’m not sure how much I qualify for that yet. I’m getting started in many ways.”
“While there is an expectation for you to make some investments in each other’s endeavors, it is not solely about money. We also offer referrals and personal support in domestic matters such as property purchasing and remodeling, hiring staff, and…” she glanced at Alicia’s midsection, “childrearing and all that entails.”
As if on cue, the pitiful wails of an abandoned baby started up in the adjacent room. Monique turned in her seat, the servant stepping ahead to tend to the baby. Nevertheless, Monique did not relax until she saw the infant coming toward her, swaddled.
“What is your issue now?” Monique sent her guests an apologetic look as she took her daughter into her embrace. “I just fed you…”
Candice openly stared at the baby.I forgot how much she loves kids.One would not assume that Candice Holt, pornographer and general bad girl, was all over babies and kids. Except this was the woman who invited her nieces and nephews over whenever possible, no matter how much sleep Alicia had been trying to get. “Oh my God, that is the most adorable baby,” Candice said, melting at the sight of tiny hands flailing in the air. “What’s her name?”
Alicia was glad she already knew the baby was a girl. Candice probably guessed from all the lace and pink ribbons spilling from the blankets.
“Annabelle. I’m sorry, she’s only a few weeks old and still fussy.”
“Only a few weeks?” Candice’s eyes widened. “That’s a big baby.”
Alicia knew nothing about baby sizes and what was considered tiny. Then again, one look at Annabelle Warner, and she was not assuming the Warner heir was closer to being a newborn than originally thought.
The heir, hm?What had Monique said about this club? Help with domestic matters?If I have a son first…
No, no! What was she doing?
Monique was definitely more observant than Alicia gave her credit for. “Is there a reason you are mercilessly glaring at my baby, Mrs. Moreau?”
“Don’t mind her!” Candice said, happily taking the child after Monique offered to let her hold the baby.I should be taking notes on how to handle a baby, but my brain is elsewhere.“She’s been vicious ever since becoming Mrs. Moreau. Hasn’t she?” The way Candice cooed to the baby went so against her image. “Alicia is thinking about which of her imaginary children to marry you off to, huh?”
Alicia tried not to sneer. “I am not.”
“Here.” Candice attempted to pass the thrashing baby. “You need to practice. You’re having a baker’s dozen, right?”
