Clare included in the trust?” “Of course,” both sisters said in unison.
Elinor said crossly, “I don’t want Clare put in the trust as a beneficiary until she has apologized to me.” Her voice was clear and firm.
“You can’t leave Clare outP Annabel protested.
“You must put her in!” insisted Miranda.
Adam looked embarrassed.
“I suppose, formally, I … er … ought to protest on my client’s behalf at this attempt at coercion,” he said lamely.
“Oh, shut up, Adam,” Buzz said.
very one present knew that Elinor was generous and indulgent, except when she thought she was being taken for granted or taken for a ride. Then she could be as tough as nails. At that point, if criticized or made in any way to feel guilty or vulnerable, Elinor became incredibly stubborn.
Buzz said, “Elinor, I’m sure it bothers you that Clare would prefer you wrote that kitchen sink stuff about poor people with miserable lives. I know she criticized your books. But you don’t want to hurt Clare in this way.” Buzz’s last sentence was almost an order.
“Clare hurt me,” Elinor responded stubbornly, a theatrical note in her shaky voice. Another page from Wuthering Heights’they all noticed.
Sourly Buzz said, “I suppose you’d like the butler to hand Clare a tourist-class ticket back to Los Angeles.”
“That’s enough, Buzz.” Elinor leaned back limply against the pile of pillows.
“Elinor, you’re just being stubborn.” Buzz spoke crossly now.
“What you don’t like in Clare is what she’s inherited from you!” The kitchen timer in Buzz’s pocket blared, and she stood up.
“Time’s up,” she said.- “Outside, the lot of you! In double-quick time!”
“I have just one further thing to say, to Adam alone.” Elinor’s voice was faint.
After the door closed and Adam and Elinor were alone, she said slowly, “You’d better get this trust set up as fast as possible, dear boy. A little later, we can add Clare’s name to the beneficiaries.”
“No,” Adam said, “the trust would be irrevocable in that respect.”
“Well, go down to the pool and ask Clare to apologize. Elinor’s voice trembled with exhaustion now.
“Ask her nicely. Come straight back and tell me what she says. I hope I’ve already made it clear that I won’t be intimidated and I won’t be bullied. I’m sure she’ll be a sensible girl.
-A
nd then everything will be neatly settled.” She gave a “deep sigh of relief.
“Hurry,” she whispered.
Adam sauntered to the swimming pool and squatted on his haunches by the side.
“Your grandmother wants an unconditional apology from you for what you said about her books, her money, and her advisers. She wants it immediately, and I think you should know that she intends to pumsh you severely should you not do this.” Clare looked up, astonished. She stood in the water and smoothed back her wet hair.
“I’m a married woman, Adam, not a child who can be stood in the corner until it gives in. I won’t respond to threats. I believe that what I said was true and I see no reason to retract any of it.”
“So you won’t apologize?” “Certainly not.” Elinor looked up, cheerfully expectant, as Adam entered her bedroom. Her expression changed when she saw his perplexed face.
“I’m sorry, “Adam said, “but Clare refuses to a ologize. I p put the matter to her fairly forcibly, knowing … the possible consequences.” Elinor sighed.
“What exactly did Clare say?” “She said, “Certainly not.”” A-dam broke the silence that had fallen between them.
“Do you wish Clare toer … be included in the trust?” Elinor’s voice sounded very weary.
“Of course I want Clare included in the trust. But please don’t tell her not until she has come around. You would think she could put aside her stubbornness at a time like this.”
Adam glanced warily at Elinor and said nothing.
Through the window of her ground-floor office, Buzz
Elinor said crossly, “I don’t want Clare put in the trust as a beneficiary until she has apologized to me.” Her voice was clear and firm.
“You can’t leave Clare outP Annabel protested.
“You must put her in!” insisted Miranda.
Adam looked embarrassed.
“I suppose, formally, I … er … ought to protest on my client’s behalf at this attempt at coercion,” he said lamely.
“Oh, shut up, Adam,” Buzz said.
very one present knew that Elinor was generous and indulgent, except when she thought she was being taken for granted or taken for a ride. Then she could be as tough as nails. At that point, if criticized or made in any way to feel guilty or vulnerable, Elinor became incredibly stubborn.
Buzz said, “Elinor, I’m sure it bothers you that Clare would prefer you wrote that kitchen sink stuff about poor people with miserable lives. I know she criticized your books. But you don’t want to hurt Clare in this way.” Buzz’s last sentence was almost an order.
“Clare hurt me,” Elinor responded stubbornly, a theatrical note in her shaky voice. Another page from Wuthering Heights’they all noticed.
Sourly Buzz said, “I suppose you’d like the butler to hand Clare a tourist-class ticket back to Los Angeles.”
“That’s enough, Buzz.” Elinor leaned back limply against the pile of pillows.
“Elinor, you’re just being stubborn.” Buzz spoke crossly now.
“What you don’t like in Clare is what she’s inherited from you!” The kitchen timer in Buzz’s pocket blared, and she stood up.
“Time’s up,” she said.- “Outside, the lot of you! In double-quick time!”
“I have just one further thing to say, to Adam alone.” Elinor’s voice was faint.
After the door closed and Adam and Elinor were alone, she said slowly, “You’d better get this trust set up as fast as possible, dear boy. A little later, we can add Clare’s name to the beneficiaries.”
“No,” Adam said, “the trust would be irrevocable in that respect.”
“Well, go down to the pool and ask Clare to apologize. Elinor’s voice trembled with exhaustion now.
“Ask her nicely. Come straight back and tell me what she says. I hope I’ve already made it clear that I won’t be intimidated and I won’t be bullied. I’m sure she’ll be a sensible girl.
-A
nd then everything will be neatly settled.” She gave a “deep sigh of relief.
“Hurry,” she whispered.
Adam sauntered to the swimming pool and squatted on his haunches by the side.
“Your grandmother wants an unconditional apology from you for what you said about her books, her money, and her advisers. She wants it immediately, and I think you should know that she intends to pumsh you severely should you not do this.” Clare looked up, astonished. She stood in the water and smoothed back her wet hair.
“I’m a married woman, Adam, not a child who can be stood in the corner until it gives in. I won’t respond to threats. I believe that what I said was true and I see no reason to retract any of it.”
“So you won’t apologize?” “Certainly not.” Elinor looked up, cheerfully expectant, as Adam entered her bedroom. Her expression changed when she saw his perplexed face.
“I’m sorry, “Adam said, “but Clare refuses to a ologize. I p put the matter to her fairly forcibly, knowing … the possible consequences.” Elinor sighed.
“What exactly did Clare say?” “She said, “Certainly not.”” A-dam broke the silence that had fallen between them.
“Do you wish Clare toer … be included in the trust?” Elinor’s voice sounded very weary.
“Of course I want Clare included in the trust. But please don’t tell her not until she has come around. You would think she could put aside her stubbornness at a time like this.”
Adam glanced warily at Elinor and said nothing.
Through the window of her ground-floor office, Buzz
Similar Books
