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wouldn’t even notice. Not with Tracey around.
    It had always been that way, too, ever since they were small children.
    Cass had thought she was used to the fact that her sister got all the attention. Apparently she wasn’t as resigned and habituated to the circumstance as she had believed.
    â€œAunt Cass, you’re pretty, and you’ll be beautiful in that dress.” Alyssa was so earnest.
    â€œYou are prejudiced, but thanks,” Cass said, meaning it. She stood and unzipped the back. Then she realized it smelled like mothballs.
    Suddenly Cass wanted to cry. Her life was nearly perfect. It really was. She had her aunt, her niece, her wonderful work, and she had Belford House. Yes, a husband who was a best friend as well as a lover, and another child or two, were missing, but between raising Alyssa and her research and work, not to mention her daily horseback rides, she hardly had time to even think about that, much less the future.
    But tonight she wished she had known in advance that Tracey was coming with Antonio de la Barca. She would have been psychologically prepared, and she’d have bought a new black dress, too.
    And she wished, with all of her heart, that Catherine had been grossly exaggerating when she had said that she had killed Antonio’s father.
    Before Cass could step into the dress, there was a knock on the door and Catherine entered, clothing in her hands. “Cass, I want to apologize for my terrible behavior earlier,” she said, her face lined with worry.
    Cass forgot all about her own cares. She sat up ramrod straight, mesmerized by the look in her aunt’s eyes and the secret they now shared. “Your behavior wasn’t terrible,” she said carefully, her pulse drumming. “There is nothing to apologize for. We need to talk about this, Aunt Catherine.”
    â€œThere’s really nothing to say.” Catherine grimaced, glancing away. Unable to look her niece in the eye? Then, “I know you’re not going to wear that beautiful Halston, are you?”
    Cass shook her head.
    Catherine didn’t hesitate. “I picked this up for you last week. I don’t know why … I was shopping for a new gown for myself, but when I saw this, I just felt it was right for you.” She laid a pair of black jersey pants with slit legs on the bed, followed by a beaded black top. “It’s simple but elegant and it will show off your figure to perfection, Cassandra,” she said.

    â€œHow could I not like this?” Cass whispered, fingering the beaded top. “This is beautiful. And the black makes me feel safe.”
    Catherine smiled at her. “Maybe one day you’ll discover the excitement of feeling unsafe,” she said softly.
    Cass reached out to hug her, hard, feeling overwhelmed once again. “I don’t think I’m genetically predisposed to dangerous living, Aunt Catherine.” But now she wondered about her aunt as a younger woman. Had she been involved in something dangerous? Illegal? Something that had put her in a situation where she had killed Antonio de la Barca’s father?
    Catherine laughed. But her eyes were tearing; she was still distraught. She turned away so Cass would not see.
    â€œI like the red,” Alyssa announced firmly. “On my birthday you have to wear the red.”
    Cass smiled, but it was forced.
    â€œI had better get ready as well,” Catherine said. She paused at the door. “Cassandra? Forget what I said. I’m a tired old woman, and sometimes, well, the past is as clear as a bell, far clearer than just yesterday. At other times I am hardly sure of what I am thinking. I was exaggerating, dear. It’s a long story … There was this accident … this tragic accident … I’ve blamed myself. And it’s not important now, Cassandra.” And she smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes, and the light there held a question. Would Cass believe