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Livia smiled wryly. “Family first” had never included her. She’d been handed off like a stray dog.
“Adrian mentioned they intended to live at the Willows after the wedding?”
“Yes.” Delilah looked smug. Had she manipulated her daughter into staying home? She’d always been overprotective. Livia wouldn’t doubt that the older woman had done everything in her power to keep Celeste from escaping her lavish prison. “It’s the perfect solution since Winston has to travel so much.”
“Celeste doesn’t enjoy traveling with him?”
“He’s busy with his business. She would be bored. At least here she can spend time with her friends. And eventually her children.”
The words echoed what Adrian had told her, and Livia wondered how often Delilah had repeated them before she got everyone on board with her desire to keep Celeste secluded at the Willows.
“It’s a shame that Celeste couldn’t at least have gone with him to Ireland to announce their engagement to the royals. I would think that they would want to do that together.”
Delilah shrugged. “It was a last-minute decision for Winston to fly over and speak with them in person. And I needed Celeste here to help with the preparations for this week.”
“How last minute?”
Delilah’s brows snapped together. “What does it matter?”
Livia deliberately turned away from the happy couple, who were quietly discussing some subject that made Celeste frown. She’d pressed far enough for one night. She didn’t want to make her aunt suspicion.
And at least she’d discovered that Winston’s supposed trip to Ireland hadn’t been planned weeks in advance. Which made it more likely it’d been a cover story so he could be in New Orleans without anyone knowing.
“Just making conversation,” Livia murmured. “Will there be any guests joining us tonight?”
“Just the photographer. He wants a few pictures of the family in a casual setting.”
Casual? Livia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she grasped the opportunity to satisfy yet another puzzle gnawing at her.
“Then Helene will be joining us?”
Delilah looked surprised by the question. “No. She prefers to have a tray in her room.”
“That’s a shame. I ran into her today. She was in the back garden.”
“Was she?” Delilah shrugged. “I suppose that’s a good thing. She needs to get some fresh air every now and then.”
“I’m not sure if it was good or not. I had to stop her from wandering into the swamp.”
Delilah sent her a startled glance. “She was out there alone? Janet is supposed to be with her when she leaves her rooms.”
“I can understand why she needs someone with her. At first she thought I was my mother.”
“She must have been drinking.”
Livia didn’t miss the edge of disgust in Delilah’s tone. She’d always treated her sister-in-law like she was a nasty secret. Kind of like she treated Livia.
“It’s possible she was drinking,” Livia conceded. “When I caught up to her she was babbling about someone named Danny … no, that’s not right.” Livia pretended to search her memory for the name. “Manny. Yes, that’s it. Manny.”
Delilah froze. Just like that. Her body went rigid and her face was wiped of all expression. Then, with remarkable composure, she relaxed her muscles and managed a stiff smile.
“Probably a character off one of those reality shows she watches,” she smoothly suggested. “She constantly has the television blaring. Night and day.”
“No.” Livia shook her head, deciding on a direct approach. This wasn’t like her investigation into the mysterious Jacob Pearson. She had every right to know about her mother and why she’d been driven to suicide. “I think he was the chauffeur here at the Willows. Helene claimed she’d seen my mom looking for him. And that she was sorry about something.”
Delilah clicked her tongue. “I’ve warned Adrian that his sister needs to be put in a home where she can be properly looked after. Maybe now he’ll listen to me.” The appearance of a tall, slender man with an expensive camera hung around his neck gave Delilah the perfect opportunity to escape the uncomfortable conversation. “Excuse me.”
Livia watched her aunt hurry to greet her guest, tucking away the knowledge that Manny was obviously a sensitive subject. And that Delilah was afraid that Helene might accidentally reveal something they were trying to keep secret.
