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“I've got to be going.”
“So soon?”
“I've got work to catch up on.”
“But Dexter—”
“I'll call later.” He looked at the younger woman who refused to meet his eyes. He wanted to say something, anything; her pale wounded face tore at his insides. Instead, he turned away and left without a word. It was better that way.
Laura looked up only after he left. Watching him go, she felt a rush of abandonment and something else, akin to heartbreak but for the absence of grief.
Adell addressed her. “You're welcome to stay as long you like. So don't feel pressured to leave early. It's very lonely around here while Norton is away all day. I'm looking forward to the company.”
“Thank you. I appreciate this. Truly. I don’t know where I would have gone if you didn’t offer to take me in. But as soon as my insurance company clears it, I would like to be able to get back on my feet as soon as possible.”
“I understand. Though for now, let's get you settled. Tomorrow we'll go shopping and replace your wardrobe.”
“Oh, but I can't. I don't have any money or credit cards, I lost everything in the fire—”
“Not to worry, Dexter's picking up the tab.” She patted the girl's hand.
Laura came to a stop. “What?”
Adell looked worried, as if she just said something she shouldn't have. Quickly to amend herself, she added, “If he has the receipts, he'll be able to claim the insurance coverage.”
“Oh.” It was quietly uttered. Was she disappointed? Yes, admittedly, she was. Once, just once, she would love to see Dexter do something not associated with a financial compensation. Performing an act out of kindness was alien to Dexter O’Reilly.
Braving a smile to her host, she still found it amazing the two could be related. Turning, she surveyed her surroundings for the first time. “Adell, your home is lovely.”
Indeed it was. It spoke volumes of elegance and yet surprising tradition with its sculptured railings and vivid colors. In the foyer where she stood above a gleaming floor of marble in pure ivory, Laura’s memory sharply recalled the white quilt covering the bed in Dexter's spare room. Immediately, she altered her train of thoughts, bringing them around instead to the fabulous chandelier above her head. Countless sparkling crystals twinkled down at her, their glow illuminating the splendid foyer.
Along the half-moon entrance were doors leading to other quarters of the home, and a majestic spiral staircase ascending to the upper floor. It was in this direction in which Adell led. Laura followed in awe. The upstairs blended beautifully in co-ordination with the classic traditional look Adell evidently favored. She gave the girl a small tour, her face glowing of pride as they went from room to room. Laura's own room was breathtaking in its eighteenth century cherry furniture and feminine shades of pink. A cozy reading chair was tucked in one corner while a cheerful rose love seat sat opposite a welcoming fireplace.
The four-poster bed itself was a masterpiece with its carved posts meticulously sculptured. A floral quilt enhanced the look with matching curtains hung from the six long w
indows banked against the east wall. The many windows gave the room a sunny atmosphere and Laura could hardly wait to be woken by them.
“You have your own private bath through this door.” Adell opened a door to an equally stylish room.
It was small in size, compared to the bedroom, of course, but it held a gorgeous Victorian claw-foot bath and a custom-built vanity adorned with chintz drapes and dangling rose tassels substituting as paneled doors. The counter top held a vase of fresh flowers and an assortment of hand-made fabric boxes filled with dainty soaps and perfumes.
Impressed, she told the woman, “It’s lovely, Adell. You've done a beautiful job.”
“Well, I confess, I’ve had a little professional help. But the general theme I came up with.”
Later that evening, after supper, while Adell finished her tour of the remainder of the home, her husband, Norton, called from the construction site where his latest building was being erected and informed his wife he would not be home for supper due to problems which had arisen.
Laura discovered Norton was a well-established architect with many of his well-known buildings gracing the skylines of cities such as Toronto and Montreal. They had met ten years ago when Norton's company was hired to design and build the Britten Investment and Financial Group, even though, to Laura's surprise, they were only married slightly over a year.
“When I first met Norton I knew right away. Here was the man I wanted to spend out the rest of my life with.” Her eyes went dreamy as she drifted back into the past.
“But why did it take so long for you to marry?” They had taken their tea into a cozy sitting room and sat opposite each other on a plump sofa.
Adell shook her head. “We had to keep our relationship very secretive for the first few years.”
“Whatever for?”
“Some members of my family would have found it difficult to understand.” She stated calmly as if it held no importance.
