Lawful Wife (Eternal Bachelors Club) Read Online Free PDF Page A

door to her apartment, Daniel was greeted by Audrey’s housekeeper, Betty. Her face lit up when she saw him. He liked the older woman and felt sorry for her that she had to work for somebody like Audrey, who couldn’t possibly be a pleasant employer.
    “Oh, Mr. Sinclair, how nice to see you again!”
    He forced himself to be civil to her. After all, it wasn’t her fault that her employer was devious and heartless. “Hi, Betty. It’s nice to see you, too. I’m here to see Audrey. It’s important.”
    “I’m sorry, but she’s not here.”
    “Not here?” He stepped past Betty, entering the foyer that opened up to a large sunken living room. He cast a look around, but the room was empty and looking just as gaudy as ever. He’d never shared Audrey’s taste for over-the-top extravagance.
    Behind him, Betty closed the door. “Did she know you were coming? She must have forgotten. I’m afraid she left rather abruptly two days ago.”
    He turned to Betty. “Where to?”
    The housekeeper shrugged. “She said she was going on a trip, that she needed some time to sort things out. But she didn’t mention where to. And I know better than to ask. You know Miss Audrey.”
    Of course he did. He knew exactly what she was like.
    Daniel pulled his cell phone from his pocket and found her number. The phone rang several times before it went to voicemail. He didn’t bother leaving a message and simply disconnected the call with a curse.
    He caught Betty’s concerned look when he looked up.
    “Is she in some sort of trouble?”
    “She will be once I find her,” Daniel ground out.
     

4
     
    “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Holly asked.
    “Yes, I’ll be fine.” Sabrina laughed. “Now go.” She shooed Holly away.
    “Okay. Call us as soon as you’re finished with the pianist and we’ll meet up.” Holly gave Sabrina a hug, and then turned to Raffaela. “Ready?”
    Raffaela nodded and looked at Sabrina. “We can stay and help you if you want us to.”
    Sabrina rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way. “It doesn’t take three of us to go over the music arrangements. The pianist and I can handle it just fine. You two go shopping or whatever it is you plan to do.”
    “You know me too well.” Holly winked and looped her arm through Raffaela’s.
    She felt a bit guilty about leaving Sabrina to deal with the music on her own, but Raffaela had asked for Holly’s help and since it involved shopping, she simply couldn’t resist.
    Once outside and out of earshot of Sabrina, Holly addressed Raffaela, “So, do you have any idea what you’d like to get for Sabrina?”
    “No.” Raffaela sighed. “I want to get her a special wedding gift, something personal and heartfelt, but I really have no idea what to get her.” She laughed. “That’s why I brought you along, so you could help me pick something out. You know her much better than I do.”
    Holly smiled. “I’m sure we can find something.”
    She opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat of Raffaela’s car. Raffaela pulled out of the driveway and headed toward East Hampton. Raffaela had told her earlier that Montauk didn’t have much to offer in terms of shopping, and that they would have more of a selection in East Hampton.
    “I’m so grateful to you and Tim for introducing them,” Raffaela started. “I’ve never seen my son so happy.”
    Holly smiled wistfully. If only Raffaela knew under what circumstances her son had met Sabrina, she would probably not thank her as enthusiastically. Most likely she’d be appalled. Horrified. Maybe even disgusted. Just as well that she didn’t know what she, Holly, did for a living.
    “We thought they would be good together. And they are.”
    Raffaela chuckled. “Yes, they are so cute together. It reminds me of when James and I met. We were just as much in love as those two. So how about you, Holly? Do you have anybody special?”
    Holly looked out of the window as they drove along Montauk Highway.