Read Online The Sinister Touch by Jayne Castle - Free Book Online Page A

pause while Carla listened impatiently. "I know, but I still think you should take it easy today. What do you mean, you can't? Just don't try painting until tomorrow. There's no sense pushing things. Besides, you deserve a break after your brilliant show last night." Carla frowned. "Oh, I see. I didn't realize. Your cousin? Well, I'm not sure. After all, this is your family and all, and I know there are problems. I wouldn't want to make things awkward." One more pause. Carla suddenly seemed to change her mind. "I understand completely. Of course we'll be there. One o'clock. Yes, I know the restaurant. See you then, Mason."
    Guinevere leaned back in her swivel chair and eyed her sister. "What on earth was that all about? Where, exactly, are we going to be at one o'clock?"
    Carla appeared to remember something. "You're not already scheduled for lunch with Zac, are you?"
    "Zac didn't schedule me in for anything today," Guinevere said dryly. "He left my apartment in a big hurry. Had a hot breakfast meeting with Liz. My next appointment with Zachariah Justis is tonight. I'm due to escort him to the queen's party. Zac was afraid that if he went alone, he'd be a wallflower. Fat chance. I'm sure Ms. Gallinger would have found some way of entertaining him."
    "Gwen, I hate to tell you this, but you're losing your objectivity. Are you jealous?"
    "Of course not. Forget that and tell me what's happening at one."
    "Mason's cousin is in town. Just showed up without any notice. Called Mason's apartment this morning. He's been sent here on family business, apparently. He's taking Mason to lunch, and Mason doesn't wish to be alone with his cousin. Feels it will be a stressful situation, to say the least. I volunteered you and me to run interference. The lunch is free, Gwen. Cousin's going to pick up the tab."
    Guinevere eyed her sister appraisingly. "Carla, haven't you learned yet that there is no such thing as a free lunch?"
    "What could go wrong?" Carla asked with perfect confidence.
    "We could become embroiled in an embarrassing family conflict."
    "Nonsense. By going we'll be helping Mason to avoid a conflict."
    Guinevere gave up the argument and went to work.
    Dane Fitzpatrick turned out to be something of a surprise. He was, according to Mason, the son of his father's sister, an only child, just as Mason was. Apparently the family had always expected Dane and Mason to be close friends, but the truth was, they had very little in common. When they were very young, Mason said, there had been a distinct hostility between himself and his cousin, probably promoted by the fact that the other family members tried to force them to be buddies. But there were also some very basic differences between the two men. Dane had been content to fulfill family expectations as far as career and lifestyle were concerned. Mason had been of a more independent and rebellious temperament.
    Given Mason's surly comments on his cousin, Guinevere wasn't expecting the gallant, charming, thirty-five-year-old man who looked as if he had just stepped out of a fine East Coast law office. Impeccably dressed in a gray suit and old school tie, his slightly thinning hair meticulously trimmed, Fitzpatrick exuded quiet confidence and the sense of authority that came naturally to those who are descended from a long line of successful upper-class lawyers and a good family. He was a handsome man, with the kind of physique that spelled tennis courts, golf, and sailing on a regular basis. He had what must have been the family's dark eyes, judging from the fact that Mason had them too. He also had excellent manners. Guinevere was surprised by the gracious way he covered up his astonishment at seeing Mason walk into the restaurant with two strange women in tow.
    "Please sit down," Dane said with quiet gallantry as he accepted the introductions. "Mason, you should have mentioned you were bringing guests. But no matter. This table will seat four."
    Guinevere glanced around at the interior