Murder in the Mansion Read Online Free

she hadn’t lived then she
couldn’t have died.
    “You
just seem a little stressed,” Nadia said finally.
    “Well,
I am, naturally,” Vivien replied. “There are so many details. So many people.”
    “It's
okay if you are, Mom,” Nadia said softly. “It's a big day. An important one.”
    “Yes,
for your father,” Vivien set her hairbrush down with a snap. “Everything needs
to be perfect.”
    “It
will be,” Nadia reassured her.
    “He
hasn't arrived yet has he?”
    “No,”
Nadia watched her select her jewelry. Her mother was in her fifties and didn't
look or act like it. She hoped to be as youthful when she was that age.
    “Sam
is going to take him for a few drinks and then bring him home.”
    “He'll
be surprised,” Nadia said. “He'll be happy you did it.”
    “I
hope so,” Vivien's voice was doubtful. She smiled brightly. “I'm about finished
here. We should go down in case there are any early guests.”
    Nadia
watched her rise from the chair looking graceful and elegant. Although she
looked like her mother, with the same dark hair and deep blue eyes, she often
felt clumsy next to her. Her mother was the perfect society wife. Nadia was
more like her father. She loved to laugh and play. Etiquette and cocktail
parties bored her.
    But
it was her father's birthday and she would attend this function even if it
bored her to tears.
    “Will
you be going out afterwards?” Vivien asked as if she had read her daughter's
mind.
    “Maybe.”
Nadia slid off of the bed. She wore a short green dress, her long hair loose
over her shoulders.
    “Still
seeing the same guy?”
    “Maybe.”
Nadia smiled. “You won't like him.”
    “I
expect that's why I haven't met him yet.”
    “You
might still, I don't know.”
    “Well,
think about it,” Vivien slid her arm through Nadia's as they walked out of the
room. It was a rare gesture of affection. Although they engaged in long talks
on occasion, Vivien never seemed comfortable touching her.
    “I
will. I really don't think you'll like him though.”
    “Maybe
I won't,” Vivien agreed. She shut the bedroom door behind her. “But then not
every man I spent time with would have impressed my parents either.”
    “Really?”
    “I've
made my share of bad decisions,” Vivien looked down at her as they descended
the stairs. “Maybe my share and yours.”
    Nadia
laughed. “I'd love to hear that story one day.”
    “There
are some stories a woman never tells,” Vivien said softly. “Some mistakes are big
enough that they should only be your own.”
    “Some
mistakes aren't actually as bad as we think.”
    They
stopped at the bottom of the stairs and Vivien turned to her. She hesitated a
moment, as if debating what she wanted to say and how she wanted to say it.
    “When
I look back on my life, the entirety of it, there are things I would do exactly
as I did. There are others though,” her voice trailed off, “that I would never
have let happen. Certain decisions that you make now will ultimately change
your life, for good or bad, and once you've made those decisions you won't be
able to undo them. Not ever.”
    Vivien
sighed and then continued, “I want you to remember this. If you don't remember
anything else I've said after I'm gone, remember this. Be careful who you choose
to be involved with. Don't take love or sex lightly. We always think we know
our lovers, our husbands, but we don't. They can make fools of us. And once
there are children involved, once we depend on them for money or reputation,
walking away isn't so easy.”
    “Mom?”
there was so much she wanted to ask. Instead she said nothing.
    “I
don't want you to depend on anyone. Ever. For anything.”
    But
I depend on you, Nadia thought.
    The
doorbell rang.
    “The
first of our guests are arriving,” Vivien said bitterly. “Let's get this party
going and be done with it.”

Chapter
Two
     
     
    Outside
the lovely white house, on the back patio, those closest to William gathered to
wish him