Read Broddock-Black 05 - Force of Nature for Free Online

really quite serious about her career.” She smiled, hoping she was conveying a proper maternal solicitude. “Sometimes I do wonder if I’ve been a trifle unsympathetic about her vocation.” She uttered a theatrical little sigh. “But you know how men feel about blue-stocking women; I simply feared for her future. Call me old-fashioned, but surely I’m not remiss in wishing my daughter to marry well, am I?” Lucy’s melodrama was grating; she was a very poor actress. In an effort to scotch any further thespian exertions and minimize his irritation, Hazard said, abruptly, “Would twenty thousand a year maintain you adequately?”
    She could live like a queen in Florence on twenty-thousand U.S. dollars. But it would never do to appear overanxious, and a first offer was by definition a first offer. Her brow creased in a slight frown. “If you were willing to allow us thirty thousand we could buy an occasional gown as well.” She offered him a smile as though of shared commiseration. “You know how young girls are about gowns and fripperies. And perhaps if you could allow us just a bit more income, Jo could continue the violin and voice lessons she so adores.”
    Hazard hadn’t seen such lamentable acting since Trey played the part of a frog in grammar school. “Why don’t we say forty thousand and be done with the dickering. Sheldon will write you the first check. You may receive payments either yearly or monthly, whichever you prefer.”
    For a split second she wondered if she could get more, but one look at Hazard’s grim expression changed her mind. “Yearly would be very nice.” She was already planning on investing in the new railroad stocks that were—according to gossip—paying such excellent dividends. “How very generous of you,” she murmured, sensible of the level of enthusiasm forty thousand a year required. “I told Jo you were the most wonderful, wonderful man and now she will see for herself how unselfish and caring you are.”
    “Speaking of Jo,” Hazard said, keeping his voice deliberately mild, “would you object if she were to stay with us in Helena for a time? Our family would like an opportunity to get to know her better.” He was careful not to express undue interest. Lucy’s mercenary antennae would be put on alert, and if he were inclined to give additional funds to anyone, he’d prefer giving them directly to his daughter.
    “What a very nice idea.” A fortune hunter at heart, Lucy immediately saw her stipend increasing in direct relation to the charm her daughter could exude. Smiling warmly, she made a mental note to give fair warning to Jo; the girl could be vexing. “We’d love to stay,” she cooed. “I’ve always felt that spring here is unbelievably beautiful.”
    For a second Hazard questioned whether he would regret being chivalrous, whether he should insist she leave immediately as part of their bargain. But a moment later, he decided a few more days of Lucy couldn’t be too alarming. “It’s settled, then. If you and Jo would care to come for tea this afternoon, we’d enjoy having you. Say, at five?”
    “Thank you, we’d love to!” Once more marvelously solvent, she was in excellent spirits. “And thank you, too, for this really magnificent suite,” she added with a charming smile. “Although I’m not sure I didn’t like that lovely little room you had in Diamond City better. We had such fun there, didn’t we?”
    That room in Diamond City had just cost him forty thousand a year, although, in truth, Lucy wasn’t to blame for the intemperance of his youth. He could have refused her those days in Diamond City; he could have sent her away. “It was a long time ago,” he replied, neutrally. “Diamond City’s a ghost town now.”
    “It can’t be!”
    “I’m afraid so. The last gold was taken out years ago.” Not inclined to reminisce about the past with Lucy, he came to his feet and glanced at his associate. “Are we ready?”
    Sheldon