Free Casteel 05 Web of Dreams by V. C. Andrews Page A

building all this. His ego is not enough. He has to believe he is building it all for a more substantial reason. I'm building it all for you. I should say battling it all for you, since the entire luxury liner industry is in turmoil right now.
"I know I work too hard and don't get to spend enough time with you, but do you understand what I mean, Leigh?" he asked, his face as tight and as serious as I had ever seen it.
"Yes, Daddy."
"I mean I don't mean to pull you away from all the things girls love. Your mother thinks I'm always trying to make you into a son instead of a daughter, but I just want you to be capable of owning all this and overseeing it. I wouldn't want it placed in the hands of some trusteeship just because hadn't given you adequate preparation."
"Daddy, I'm so proud that you think I'm smart enough and that you think one day I will be capable of helping you here. It means more to me than all the parties and dance dresses in the world."
His face relaxed and broke into a smile. "Good," he said. He kissed me twice and pulled me to him and for the first time in days I realized suddenly that I felt warm and safe.
"Well, my little princess, we'd better get back to the party or your mother will have me strung up on the yardarm."
When we returned, the party was in full swing. The dance floor was crowded, and everyone was indulging in the fine foods.
Daddy got right into conversations with people and I wandered about looking for Momma, but I couldn't find her. I looked for Tony, too, but couldn't find him either. I decided to have something to eat. A little while later, I spotted Momma and Tony entering the ballroom. Tony went off to speak to some people and Momma joined me at my table.
"I was showing Tony the ship," she explained, with a giggle. "Well, I'm glad there's no grease on your elbows this time."
"Daddy just wants me to understand things."
"You pay people to understand things for you. That's the point in being the owner," she replied. She kept gazing Tony's way, clearly waiting for him to turn toward her. It wasn't like her not to circulate among all the guests, I thought. Usually, for all her complaining, she enjoyed being the owner's wife and helping to decide who would be invited to the captain's table later on in the voyage. Momma saw the way I was staring at her.
"Why are you gorging on all this food?" she asked me. "It's never too early to start worrying about your figure."
"I'm not gorging, Momma. I haven't eaten very much all day and I just look . . ."
Suddenly, her face got funny and cold and her eyes got small. "How do I really look tonight, Leigh? Do I look prettier than any woman here? Have you seen anyone who looks younger or more beautiful?" She seemed almost in a frenzy. Then her voice changed. "You can tell me the truth," she purred. But her eyes were still hard, like ice chips. She gripped my arm hurtingly.
"Momma," I began, but she didn't hear me.
"Just look at some of these women," she said, nodding toward the party crowd. "Some have become so fat, they've lost all their femininity. No wonder their husbands hover about me like panting dogs." Her face softened back to the mother I was used to. She looked back at Tony and he turned her way. Even across the vast room, they seemed to be able to communicate, for she turned back to me to say she would see me later and hurried off to join him.
I watched them for a while. Daddy brought over some people to introduce to me and then I stayed with him until he went back to talk to the head chef. I was standing by myself feeling a little lost when suddenly, someone tapped me on the shoulder and I turned to look into Tony's blue eyes.
"Time for our dance," he said and held out his arms.
"Oh, but I'm not good at ballroom dancing," I pleaded, even as he took me in his powerful arms and swept me onto the floor.
"Nonsense. Just follow my lead."
I caught a glimpse of Momma off to the side, standing with some people and smiling, but I felt so nervous and stiff,