Cynthia Hamilton - Madeline Dawkins 01 - Spouse Trap Read Online Free PDF

someone who wasn’t somehow beholden to him might be impossible.
    The only good news at this point was she had the house to herself for three days. It rankled her that Steven had basically ordered her off the property by the time he returned from Dallas, like she was some tawdry piece of filth not worthy of being in her own home. She should’ve listened to her father; he was the only one who had voiced any reservations about the “benign” prenuptial agreement Steven’s attorney insisted she sign.
    From this vantage point, it was clear Steven had made sure he had an out if he ever needed one. It would’ve never occurred to her he was capable of faking infidelity on her part. The question still nagging at her was why? She had a solid suspicion, but she had to find the specifics behind it. Nothing would make sense until she did.
    But she had one card Steven was unaware of, and it was the only thing that was keeping her sane and coherent. Had she not witnessed the payoff to the P.I., she’d probably be suicidal by now.
    Since she had Steven pegged as a bastard of the worst order, she felt she had carte blanche to deceive him right under his nose. She was pleased with her performance last night; it had just the right amount of groveling and pathetic hopefulness. She was certain Steven bought the act without picking up on her true feelings. Now that he was out of the house, she could take a breath and plot her next moves.
    She did have the disadvantage of not knowing what Steven had told Erma and Hughes. But she’d use the same stoic, brokenhearted routine around them, if they brought anything up, which was doubtful. She hopped in the shower, constantly turning over each piece of the puzzle as she searched relentlessly for answers and clues she had missed.

SIX
    After her shower, Madeline ventured to the kitchen for coffee. Besides getting the caffeine she desperately needed, it would give her a chance to get the lay of the land—find out how Erma and Hughes reacted to her presence. Steven had to have at least told Hughes about her imminent departure, as he was saddled with the duty of relocating her personal possessions by Saturday.
    When she entered the kitchen, Erma was just unlocking the back door. Madeline had lost sight of how early it still was.
    “Good morning, Mrs. Ridley. I suspect you’re looking for some coffee,” Erma said. Though she had affected ease, Madeline could read the discomfort in her manner. “Won’t take but a couple of minutes,” the housekeeper assured her, as she turned on the coffeemaker.
    Erma always made sure the coffee was ready for brewing before she retired for the evening; it was one of the qualities that had so endeared her to Madeline. The thought of being ousted from her comfortable life—a life that she had put a lot of effort into—made her heart constrict painfully and the taste of bile rise in her throat.
    “I’ll bring it to you in your room, if you like, Mrs. Ridley,” Erma offered over her shoulder. It was clear to Madeline that Erma felt uneasy around her.
    “That’d be great,” Madeline said, backing away.
    “Would you like something to go with it? Toast and a couple fresh eggs?” Erma asked, pulling two brown eggs out of the basket she had carried in.
    “Ah, maybe later,” Madeline replied cheerily for Erma’s benefit. As Madeline passed out of the kitchen, she felt certain Erma had been briefed by Hughes of the marital discord between her employers. Other than that, Madeline hadn’t learned anything.

    Madeline was continuing her research of the night before when Erma came to offer more coffee. Madeline smiled as she raised her oversize coffee cup.
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to make you a little breakfast?” Erma asked, her face full of concern. Madeline pushed away from her desk.
    “You’re right, I should eat something or I’ll be shaking from all that caffeine,” Madeline said with a laugh. “I’d love a slice of toast and a poached