6 - Pages of Sin Read Online Free PDF Page B

head vigorously. “He hates me. We had a fight.”
    “Oh, sweetie,” Mom said, and wrapped both her arms around Elaine. “I’m so sorry. But this is the perfect time to mend fences, don’t you think?”
    It was all the permission Elaine needed and she burst into tears, burying her face in Mom’s shoulder. My own eyes were glittering with tears since I was a sympathetic crier.
    After a moment of quiet weeping, Elaine lifted her head and sniffed a few times. “Oh dear.” She took a quick step back, opened her navy Coach purse, and found a tissue, then used it to dab her eyes and blow her nose. “That’s not the first time that’s happened since I got the news.”
    Mom squeezed her arm lightly. “We all need to let our feelings out once in a while.”
    “I suppose, but . . .” She sucked in a heavy breath, then took a step back from my mother, clearly flustered by her emotional display. “We don’t do that.”
    We don’t do what? I wondered. Show emotion? And who was we ? Did she mean the Royal We ? Is that what came from spending too many years living in a drafty English castle?
    Mom chose to ignore Elaine’s statement. “Gosh, Elaine. It must be at least fifteen years since we’ve talked.” Mom’s voice was cheerful in an obvious attempt to redirect the conversation and the mood. “You moved away around the time Wanda and Byron were married, didn’t you? I know you’ve been back and forth a few times, but we haven’t had a chance to spend any time together. What have you been up to all these years?”
    “Yes, it’s been at least fifteen years.” Elaine sighed, then shook her hair back and straightened her shoulders, fighting to regain her composure. “Well, I traveled quite a bit. Then I married the Earl, of course, and we lived overseas. Then he was indicted and . . . Oh, dear. That’s a lot of water under the bridge at this point, isn’t it? Nobody wants to hear my tired old problems.”
    Yes, we do! Yes, we do! I wanted to shout, but I didn’t, of course, because I’m actually capable of behaving myself once in a while. Happily, my discretion was rewarded when Mom spoke up.
    “Of course we want to hear your problems,” she said, her tone confidential as she tucked her arm through Elaine’s. “Are you staying in town for a few days? Can we meet for lunch and talk?”
    I smiled blandly when what I wanted to do was give my mom a high five. Mainly because I knew she’d invite me along to lunch so I could hear all the scoop on Wanda and her sisters. And the indicted Earl ? No way was I going to miss that lunch.
    Elaine sniffed again, overcome once more by my mother’s sweet invitation. “I would love that, Becky.”
    They discussed schedules. Then Mom suggested they meet Wednesday at Umbria, an excellent Italian restaurant on the Lane in downtown Dharma. It was one of my favorites. Another high five for Mom!
    Mom glanced around the room. “I guess we’d better get back to work.”
    “Do you need help?” Elaine asked. It was a feeble offer and we all knew it.
    Mom chuckled. “You’re dressed much too nicely to get yourself all sweaty and mucked up. Besides”—she leaned in close to Elaine—“it might stir up some memories that you’re not ready for.”
    Elaine’s lips quivered again. “You’re probably right. I’d better go. But I’m looking forward to our lunch.”
    “I can’t wait,” Mom said jovially. “It’ll be so nice to—”
    Without warning, the front door flew open again and a tall, handsome older man walked into the house.
    Elaine drew in a sudden breath. “Byron.”
    He took one look at Elaine and visibly blanched. “Elaine.”
    “Byron, please, I don’t—”
    He thrust his hand out to stop her. “Don’t say another word.”
    Mom and I exchanged anxious glances; then she stepped forward. “Byron, I really think it’s time to let go of the past and—”
    “God, Elaine,” he whispered, ignoring my mother. Then he rushed over and grabbed his