“Unfortunately,” Darlene continued, bringing Gemma back to the discussion, “Helen and Nathaniel never forgave me.”
And that explained the coolness Helen showed for her daughter-in-law, a coolness that had been extended to her because the matriarch thought Gemma had done wrong by her grandson.
And yet… “Maybe I should keep quiet about this, but shouldn’t Helen and Nathaniel have taken some responsibility for putting such pressure on Jonathan in the first place?”
Darlene looked surprised, then gratified. “I’ve always thought so, too.” She sighed. “It’s too late now. Nothing’s ever going to change with my mother-in-law. I hurt her son, and that’s all that matters to her.”
“It’s a pity you never had it out with her,” Gemma said, thinking out loud.
“Oh, I couldn’t.” She seemed to catch herself. “Could I?”
Gemma hadn’t meant to get involved at all, but it wouldn’t hurt to support Darlene. Her mother-in-law had supported her in everything so far. “You don’t have any thing to lose now by talking to Helen, do you? Your marriage to Jonathan is rock solid.”
“Yes, it is. And it is time to clear the air. She’s always been snippy with me in private, but lately…” A determined look crossed Darlene’s face. She rose from the sofa. “Thank you, Gemma. I’m going to do it right now.”#p#分页标题#e#
Gemma got to her feet, suddenly not sure she should have encouraged the other woman. Perhaps she should have let things lie.
Yet the comment about Helen no longer keeping her animosity private worried her. Was Helen becoming bolder because Gemma had joined the family? Did the elderly lady feel she could now openly attack the two women who were “outsiders?” How far would this go? Perhaps it was time someone stood up to Helen, before things got worse.
“I guess you need to do what you need to do, Darlene. If I can help in any way, please let me know.”
Darlene kissed her cheek. “I will. Thank you.” She smiled. “I’m really pleased you don’t have to go through all this with Tate. He’s so caring and concerned about you. Jonathan was never like that with me.”
Gemma was glad the other woman turned to pick up her handbag from the sofa right then and didn’t see her reaction. Caring and concerned? Gemma supposed that was true. But Tate didn’t love her. It made her wonder if the same thing might happen to them that had happened to his parents. If Tate’s care and concern lessened over the next fifteen years, would she be tempted to take a lover? She didn’t think so. She couldn’t imagine ever wanting to be in anyone’s arms but his. He was the only man she wanted.
The only man she’d ever wanted.
Gemma waited until Nathan was in bed before speaking to Tate about Darlene. She’d spent all afternoon thinking about his mother’s visit and had decided she couldn’t bear having the same thing happen to her marriage that had happened to her in-laws. The only way to prevent such a thing was to bring his mother’s affair out in the open. But she was acutely aware that she needed to tread warily.
When they were sitting on the terrace having an after-dinner drink, watching the sun lower on the horizon, she said, “Your mother came to see me today.”
Tate’s brow lifted. “Did she?”
“She wanted to make sure I was okay.”
“Good.” He looked pleased. “I know she was concerned about you.”
“She’s a very caring person, isn’t she?”
His eyes turned inscrutable as he paused to take a sip of his drink. “Yes.”
Short.
Abrupt.
She took a deep breath, then, “She told me about her affair all those years ago.”
He bolted upright, almost spilling his drink. “Jesus!”
She forged onward. “I understand where you’re coming from now, Tate.”
There was a flicker of raw emotion in his eyes. “If you breathe a word of this, I swear—”
Her eyes widened. “How could you think I would say anything to anyone? I wouldn’t repay your mother that way.”
“Damn it all,” he muttered, setting his glass down on the table.
“You’ve never forgiven her, have you?”
The rawness in his eyes was replaced by a glower. “That’s none of your bloody business.” He pushed to his feet.
“It is when you’re making me pay for her mistake.”
He stared down at her. “Did you tell her about us?”
“Of course not!” She was glad she hadn’t mentioned Darlene’s coming confrontation with Helen. She wouldn’t give him any more ammunition to use against her.