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 brotherâs back. âWhat 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.â
Russell frowned. âI donât smoke.â He thought for a second and then added, âDo I?â
Everyone shared an awkward chuckle, even Madeline couldnât help but join them. âAnother one of your disgusting habits.â She regretted the words the moment they flew out of her mouth. âSorry,â she added after a glance at his wounded expression.
âDonât be.â He turned to Christopher. âPerhaps another time? I hoped Madeline would join me for a walk outside?â
Again, all eyes shifted in her direction. âWell, I, uhââ
âWould it help if I said âpleaseâ?â
His eyes implored her and more bricks tumbled from her wall of defense. âSure. Let me just go up and get my jacket.â When Madeline left the dining room, Cecelia followed fast on her heel.
âWhat exactly is your plan?â
âPlan?â She rushed up the stairs, hoping to shake her mother. Of course, she had no such luck.
âDonât play games with me. What are you going to do now that your husband has returned from the dead?â
âThereâs nothing to do. Iâll have to return the life-insurance money and give up my stake in Stone Cold Records and the fashion line.â
âOh, is that all?â Cecelia asked, matching Madelineâs tone of nonchalance. âAre you going to divorce him? What about the prenuptial agreement?â
Madeline rolled her eyes as she breezed into the guestroom. âI donât have a firm plan, Mother. I just know I donât want to do anything that may jeopardize House of Madeline. The way things are going, the only way to finance the project is with Russellâs money. If I was dealing with the old Russellââ
âYou wouldnât have a snowballâs chance in hell,â her mother conceded, and smiled as Madeline slid into her fur coat. âSounds like a firm plan. I keep telling you weâre so much alike.â
Madeline froze.
Cecelia sobered. âWhat?â
âNothing,â Madeline lied, and then marched out of the room.
âAre you sure you donât want me to send someone to act as a bodyguard for you?â Christopher joked while they waited for Madeline. âYour wife has been known to have one heck of a right hook.â
âThat much I know.â Russell rubbed his jaw. âIâm still feeling the one from last night.â
Christopher nodded, opened his mouth but then quickly closed it.
âWhat is it?â
âHuh?â
âThereâs something you want to tell me,â Russell said, observing him. âTell me.â
Christopher glanced toward the empty staircase and then back at his brother. âItâs about you and Madeline. I, uh, donât know exactly how to tell you this but, uhâ¦â another glance at the staircase ââ¦before yourâ¦accident. Things between you two werenât all that good.â
âYeah. I gathered that was the reason for the right hook last night. That and myâ¦the lady, Ms. Crowne, I crashed with.â
âThatâs just it,â Christopher said solemnly. âIt wasnât just one lady.â
Russell frowned. âWhat do you mean?â
âI meanâ¦you were known to be quite the ladiesâ man.â He cleared his throat. âWe actually have that in common.â While Christopher paused to let his words sink in, Madeline appeared at the top of the staircase.
âThere were more?â Russell asked.
âWe can talk about it