She hoped.
How are your
accounts coming along, dear? I must say I'd hoped you'd find time to glance at Fergus's book.
Actually, I have—
Not that we want you working too hard.
With the buzz going on in Coco's head, she didn't hear a word Megan said.
We want you to feel right at home here, to enjoy yourself. To relax. After all the trouble and excitement last year, we all want to relax. I don't think any of us could stand any more crises.
I do not have, nor do I require, a reservation.
The crackling, irate voice stopped Coco in her tracks. The becoming flush in her cheeks faded to a dead white.
Dear God, no. It can't be.
Coco?
Megan took a firmer grip on Coco's arm. She felt the tremor and wondered if she could hold the woman up if she fainted.
Young man.
The voice rose, echoing off the walls.
Do you know who I am?
Aunt Colleen,
Coco said in a shaky whisper. She let go one last shuddering moan, drew in a bracing breath, then walked bravely into the lobby.
Aunt Colleen,
she
said in an entirely different tone.
What a lovely surprise.
Shock, you mean.
Colleen accepted her niece's kiss, then rapped her cane on the floor. She was tall, thin as a rail and formidable as iron in a raw-silk suit and pearls as white as her hair.
I see you've filled the place with strangers. Better to have it burned to the ground. Tell this insolent boy to have my bags taken up.
Of course.
Coco gestured for a bellman herself.
In the family wing, second floor,
first room on the right,
she instructed.
And don't toss those bags around, boy.
Colleen leaned on her gold-tipped cane and studied Megan,
Who's this?
You remember Megan, Aunt Colleen. Sloan's sister? You met at Amanda's wedding.
Yes, yes.
Colleen's eyes narrowed, measured,
Got a son, don't you?
Colleen
knew all there was to know about Kevin. Had made it her business to know.
Yes, I do. It's nice to see you again, Miss Calhoun.
Ha. You'd be the only one of this lot who thinks so.
Ignoring them both, she
walked to Bianca's portrait, studied it and the emeralds glistening in their case. She sighed, but so quietly no one could hear.
I want brandy, Cordelia, before I take a look at what you've done to this place.
Of course. We'll just go into the family wing. Megan, please, join us.
It was impossible to deny the plea in Coco's eyes.
A few moments later, they had settled into the family parlor. Here, the wallpaper was still faded, peeling in spots. There were scars on the floor in front of the fireplace where errant embers had seared and burned.
Nothing's changed here, I see.
Colleen sat like a queen in a wing chair.
We've concentrated on the hotel wing.