Free To Love a Stranger by Adrianne Byrd

stare. Could she ever forgive him or forget about their past? She wrestled with the question while playing with her food. By the time everyone excused themselves from the table, she was no closer to an answer.
    Christopher pounded a hand against his brother’s back. “What do you say we share a smoke in my study? I just so happen to have a new box of cigars we can share over a nice glass of Brandy.”
    Russell frowned. “I don’t smoke.” He thought for a second and then added, “Do I?”
    Everyone shared an awkward chuckle, even Madeline couldn’t help but join them. “Another one of your disgusting habits.” She regretted the words the moment they flew out of her mouth. “Sorry,” she added after a glance at his wounded expression.
    â€œDon’t be.” He turned to Christopher. “Perhaps another time? I hoped Madeline would join me for a walk outside?”
    Again, all eyes shifted in her direction. “Well, I, uh—”
    â€œWould it help if I said ‘please’?”
    His eyes implored her and more bricks tumbled from her wall of defense. “Sure. Let me just go up and get my jacket.” When Madeline left the dining room, Cecelia followed fast on her heel.
    â€œWhat exactly is your plan?”
    â€œPlan?” She rushed up the stairs, hoping to shake her mother. Of course, she had no such luck.
    â€œDon’t play games with me. What are you going to do now that your husband has returned from the dead?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to do. I’ll have to return the life-insurance money and give up my stake in Stone Cold Records and the fashion line.”
    â€œOh, is that all?” Cecelia asked, matching Madeline’s tone of nonchalance. “Are you going to divorce him? What about the prenuptial agreement?”
    Madeline rolled her eyes as she breezed into the guestroom. “I don’t have a firm plan, Mother. I just know I don’t want to do anything that may jeopardize House of Madeline. The way things are going, the only way to finance the project is with Russell’s money. If I was dealing with the old Russell—”
    â€œYou wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell,” her mother conceded, and smiled as Madeline slid into her fur coat. “Sounds like a firm plan. I keep telling you we’re so much alike.”
    Madeline froze.
    Cecelia sobered. “What?”
    â€œNothing,” Madeline lied, and then marched out of the room.

    â€œAre you sure you don’t want me to send someone to act as a bodyguard for you?” Christopher joked while they waited for Madeline. “Your wife has been known to have one heck of a right hook.”
    â€œThat much I know.” Russell rubbed his jaw. “I’m still feeling the one from last night.”
    Christopher nodded, opened his mouth but then quickly closed it.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œThere’s something you want to tell me,” Russell said, observing him. “Tell me.”
    Christopher glanced toward the empty staircase and then back at his brother. “It’s about you and Madeline. I, uh, don’t know exactly how to tell you this but, uh…” another glance at the staircase “…before your…accident. Things between you two weren’t all that good.”
    â€œYeah. I gathered that was the reason for the right hook last night. That and my…the lady, Ms. Crowne, I crashed with.”
    â€œThat’s just it,” Christopher said solemnly. “It wasn’t just one lady.”
    Russell frowned. “What do you mean?”
    â€œI mean…you were known to be quite the ladies’ man.” He cleared his throat. “We actually have that in common.” While Christopher paused to let his words sink in, Madeline appeared at the top of the staircase.
    â€œThere were more?” Russell asked.
    â€œWe can talk about it