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other.
    â€œRavenswood,” Cort broke into Jamie’s thoughts, pointing to a huge mansion off to their left.
    Jamie had grown used to seeing great mansions in the South. They never ceased to amaze him. He finally had to ask, “What do you do with all the rooms?”
    Cort laughed. “I suppose it is a bit much. Tell you the truth, we rattle around in them quite a lot.”
    * * *
    Anne Woodville almost died when she looked out the window of her upstairs sitting room and saw Jamie MacCallister riding up with Cort. Although it had been many years since she and her brother had left the valley in Colorado and changed their names, there was no mistaking Jamie. Thank God Page was in Richmond.
    She wondered if Jamie would spill the beans when they confronted each other? Not that there were that many beans left to spill to Cort. Cort knew much of the sordid story, having learned some of it from Anne’s brother, the rest from Anne herself. 3
    To make matters worse, during the past year, her brother had fathered a child, during one of his rare couplings with a woman in Richmond. Worse still, the woman was a lady of quality, from an old Virginia family. But her brother had done the right thing and married the woman, although his sexual leanings certainly went the other way. Now there were two more unhappy people added to the list, and a child that was quarter Negro but looked white.
    Anne felt there could be no hell after life. This was hell right here on earth.
    Being a gracious lady of the South (although if her back-ground were really known, the good ladies of Richmond society would all suddenly develop the vapors and fall over in a dead faint), Anne walked down the curving steps of the mansion and out onto the porch to greet her husband and his guest.
    Jamie recognized Anne immediately. But he never so much as blinked an eye in recognition.
    â€œDarling!” Anne greeted her husband, kissing him on the cheek. “What a delightful surprise.”
    She turned to Jamie, and he bowed slightly. “Mrs. Woodville,” he said. “Your husband said you were lovely, but his words did not do you justice.”
    â€œWhy, sir!” Anne simpered. “You are just too kind.”
    You always did like intrigue and dangerous games, Jamie thought, wondering where Anne’s brother was. Close by, he was certain. He had learned that they had been actors and singers for years, and then dropped out of sight. Right into the lap of luxury, he mentally added.
    Cort chatted with Anne for a time, then ordered a man to change his saddle to a fresh horse. To Jamie, “I must go into town for a few hours. You will, of course, stay here. I’ll be back in time for drinks and supper.” Then he was gone, leaving Anne and Jamie on the porch, looking at each other.
    â€œA drink, Mister MacCallister?” Anne asked, mischief dancing in her eyes. She had fully recovered from her shock and was once more her old self, playing the part to perfection.
    â€œWater would be nice, Mrs. Woodville,” Jamie said, thinking, You really must have been a fine actress. Then he put that into words after looking around to be certain they were alone.
    â€œOh, I was,” she said, after sitting down and arranging her skirts.
    A servant brought a pitcher of water and glasses.
    â€œLeave us for a time,” Anne told the woman. “I’ll ring if I need you.”
    â€œYessum.”
    Anne made certain the servant had gone. “You’re a fine actor yourself. That was quite a performance you just put on.”
    â€œI’m not here to interfere in your life, Anne. I did not know you were Cort’s wife.”
    â€œThank you. But there are no secrets left between us. Cort knows all about me. I made sure of that. Well, he doesn’t know that I know you and Kate. Oh, he wouldn’t dare divorce me; I could ruin his reputation. Besides, he and my brother are lovers.”
    Jamie dropped his glass to