Free Eye of the Storm by V. C. Andrews

sister's husband?
Knowing what I knew of them all now, I wasn't willing to bet a nickel on what any of them might do to each other, much less to me.
I closed the door, my head spinning.
What had just happened? What did it all mean? Was she sincere? Had she really thought about it all night?
I felt like running upstairs, packing and getting myself on the first plane to London.
Jake squinted suspiciously when I told him all that had happened. including Victoria's surprise visit and flag of truce. He had brought the Rolls-Royce back after having its scheduled service at the garage completed and I went out to talk to him.
"She just left," I concluded. "She says she's coming back with paperwork. Do you think I ought to have Mr. Sanger read it all first?"
"Of course." he replied quickly. "Don't ever relax and close your eyes around Victoria." he warned.
I smiled.
"I didn't need you to warn me about that. Jake. but I've got to say you don't exactly sound like a proud father."
He laughed and then grew serious,
"I didn't have anything to do with her upbringing. Everett was the biggest influence on her, a far bigger influence than Frances, despite what Victoria might have told you. Everett taught her how to be indifferent, analytical and cold when involved with business. I remember her telling Frances once that Everett had warned her she would be dealing mostly with men in the business world and that men in that world had little respect for women. They would always be looking to take advantage of her, cheat her, outsmart her. Everett's advice to Victoria was to pretend to be naive, innocent and weak, and when she got enough information to go for the jugular.
She got so she enjoyed it. He taught her how to be a corporate hit woman, a hunter whose prey was good business opportunities and weak opponents. 'If Daddy were alive, he would be proud of what I've done.' she would say.
"She's a lot like my grandfather. Jake added. "The little I remember about him. that is.
"But don't misunderstand me. Rain. I give Victoria credit for being so successful in business. Everett wasn't wrong. Men would have eaten her for breakfast if she wasn't as firm and smart as she is. There's little compassion for your competitor when it comes to making money. The bigger the stakes, the less compassion. There are some good things to learn from Victoria.
"However," he said. "she views you as one of those competitors, so here's my advice: watch your back.'
"Okay, Jake."
He nodded and looked around. The sky was cloudless. It was turning out to be one of the most beautiful days since my arrival. The breeze was warmer and the air was clear. Everything glittered.
"You know what you should do today," he said. "you should take my pony. Rain, for your first ride. She's ready and waiting. What' dya say?"
"I don't know."
"C'mon. You'll enjoy it. She's been asking for you," he said.
I laughed. I had enjoyed my riding classes at Dogwood and was looking forward to getting in the saddle again.
"Okay, Jake," I said and went in to change into my riding pants and boots, an outfit Grandmother Hudson had bought me for Dogwood.
"Very professional looking," Jake said when I returned. "Rain will be impressed."
"We'll see." I said and we drove off to the farm where Jake boarded his horse.
At the stable. I marveled at how beautiful Rain had become. She was a chestnut brown horse with an almost blond mane. She looked at me with curiosity when I drew closer and then lifted her left front leg and stomped the wooden floor.
"That's how she says hello," Jake told me. "She doesn't say hello to just anyone, so you're off to a great start."
I laughed and scratched her snout. Jake gave me some sugar cubes to feed her while he went for her saddle and bridle. I knew how to feed a horse, how to keep my palm flat and let her pluck the cubes out. She nodded.
"That's her thank you," Jake said as Rain backed up. Jake threw the saddle over her and fastened the girth. "You should be able to do this