That smile came back. Its Lanes and my anniversary soon, and Id like to do something special.

Lizzie swallowed hard"and wondered if this was some kind of sick game. Had the woman heard something through the door upstairs? The walls? I thought you were married in July?

How kind of you to remember. Youre so thoughtful. Chantal tilted her head to the side and locked eyes as if they were having a moment.

We were married in July, but I have some special news to share with him, and I thought we could celebrate a little early.

What were you thinking?

Lizzie didnt track much as all kinds of ideas were thrown out. The only thing that stuck was romantic and private. Like Chantal was looking forward to giving her husband a lap dance.

Lisa? Are you writing this down?

Well, no, because I dont have a pen and paper in my hand, do I? And PS, I think Im going to vomit. Im happy to do whatever you want.

You are so helpful. The woman nodded toward the garden and the tent outside. I know everything is going to be beautiful tomorrow.

{ 208 }.

Thank you.

And we can talk more later. But again, Im thinking a romantic dinner in a suite downtown at the Cambridge Hotel. You can provide the flowers and special decorations"I want to drape everything in fab- ric so that its as if were in an exotic place, just the two of us.

All right.

Had Lane lied to her? And if he had . . . well, she could have Greta take care of everything at The Derby Brunch while she stayed at her farm with a gallon of chocolate ice cream.

Except she and her partner werent speaking.

Fantastic.

Youre the best. Chantal checked her diamond watch. Its about time for you to go home, isnt it? Big day tomorrow" youre going to need your beauty rest. Bye for now.

When Lizzie was alone again, she sat down on one of the over- turned buckets and put her hands on her thighs, rubbing up and down.

Breathe, she told herself. Just breathe.

Greta was right, she thought. She wasnt on the level of these peo- ple, and not because she was just a lowly gardener. They played a game she could only lose.

Time to head out, she decided. Beauty sleep wasnt going to happen, but at least she could try and get her head on straight before the bomb went off in the morning.

Getting up, she was about to leave when she saw that scarf. The last thing she wanted to do was deliver the piece of silk back to Chantal like she was a Labrador returning a tennis ball to its owner. But the thing was right next to all those bouquets, and knowing her luck, something would leak or drop on it and shed have to save up three months of pay- checks to buy a new one.

Chantals wardrobe was more expensive than whole neighborhoods in Charlemont.

Picking the thing up, she thought the woman couldnt have gone far in those stupid kitten- heeled shoes.

It was not going to be difficult to track her down.

{ 209 }.

G in was still standing underneath the magnolia tree where Samuel T. had left her when a vehicle came up the winding front drive. It wasnt until the SUV stopped in front of her that she realized it was from the Washington County Sheriffs department.

Good God, what was her father trying to get her arrested for now: Courtesy of this mornings awful field trip downtown, her first instinct was to run, but she was in high heels, and if she really wanted to get away from the officer, she was going to have to bolt through a flower bed.

Breaking her leg was not going to help her in jail.

Deputy Mitchell Ramsey got out with a sheaf of papers in his hand.

Maam, he said, nodding at her. How are you?

He didnt take out any handcuffs. Didnt seem more than politely interested in her.

Are you here for me? she blurted.

No. His dark eyes narrowed. Are you okay?

No, not at all, Deputy. Yes, thank you.

If youll excuse me, maam.

So youve not come for me?

No, maam. He walked up to the front door and started to ring the bell. I have not.

Maybe it had to do with Rosalinda?

Here, she said, going over to him. Do come in. Are you looking for my brother?

No, is Chantal Baldwine at home?

Most likely. She opened the grand door, and the deputy took his hat off again as he entered. Let me find" oh, Mr. Harris. Will you please take this gentleman to my sister- in- law?

My pleasure, the butler said with a bow. This way, sir. I believe shes in the conservatory.

Maam, the deputy murmured to her, before striding away after the Englishman.

Well, this should be interesting, came a dry voice from the parlor.

{ 210 }.

She pivoted around. Lane?

Her brother was standing in front of the painting of Elijah Brad- ford, and he lifted his squat glass. Cheers to my divorce.

Really. Gin walked in and got busy at the bar because she didnt want Lane to focus on her red-rimmed eyes and swollen face. Well, at least I wont have to take Mothers jewelry off her neck anymore. Good riddance, and Im surprised you dont want to enjoy the show.

Ive got bigger problems.

Gin took her bourbon and soda over to the sofa and kicked her sti- lettos off. Tucking her legs under her seat, she stared up at her brother.

You look terrible, she said. As bad as she felt, actually.

He sat down across from her. This is going to be rough, Gin. The money thing. I think this is really serious.

Maybe we can sell stock. I mean, you can do that, right? I have no idea how all this works.

And for the first time in her life, she wished she did.

Its complicated because of the trust situation.

Well . . . well be all right. When her brother didnt say anything, she frowned. Right? Lane?

I dont know, Gin. I really dont know.

Weve always had money.

Yes, that has been true.

You make it sound past tense.

Dont kid yourself, Gin.

Leaning her head back, she stared up at the high ceiling, imagining her mother laying in that bed of hers. Was that going to be her own fu- ture, too? she wondered. Was she some day going to retire and pull the curtains so that she could live in a drug haze?

Certainly sounded appealing at the moment.

God, had Samuel T. really turned her down?

Gin, have you been crying?

No, she said smoothly. Just allergies, dear brother. Just spring allergies . . .

{ 211 }.

23494.

T W ENT Y- FOUR.

L izzie hustled out of the conservatory with Chantals fra- grant wrap, all the perfume on the floaty fabric thick in her nose, making her want to sneeze. Funny, she could be surrounded by a thousand real blooms, but this fancy, falsely curated stuff was enough to send her over the Claritin edge.

Off in the distance, she heard Chantals unmistakable Virginian drawl and headed in the direction of the dining room to"

What is this? Chantal demanded.

Lizzie stopped short and leaned around the heavy molding of the archway.

At the head of the long, glossy table, Chantal was standing next to a uniformed sheriffs deputy whod apparently just given her a thick envelope.

You have been served, maam. The deputy nodded. Have a good day"

What do you mean served. What does that" no, youre not leav- ing until I open this. She ripped the envelope apart. You can stay right there while I . . .

{ 212 }.

23494.

The papers came out in a bundle that had been folded three times, and as the woman unfurled them, Lizzies heart pounded.

Divorce? Chantal said. Divorce?

Lizzie rolled out of sight and went flush against the wall. Closing her eyes, she hated how relieved she felt, she really did. But it wasnt like she could pretend that not being a fool for a second time wasnt a good thing.

This is a divorce petition! Chantals voice grew sharp. Why are you doing this!

Maam, my job is to serve the papers. Now that youve accepted them"

I do not accept them! There was a fluttering sound as if she might have actually thrown them at the man. You take them back"

Maam, the deputy barked. Im going to advise you to pick those papers off the floor" or dont. But any more of that and Ill drag you down to the courthouse strapped to the hood of my patrol vehicle just for getting aggressive with an officer of the peace. Are we clear.

Maam.

Cue the waterworks.

Between sniffles and what had to be a heaving bosom, Chantal back- pedaled at a dead run. My husband loves me. He doesnt mean this. Hes"

Maam, that is none of my business and none of my concern. Good day.

Heavy footsteps sounded out and drifted away.

Goddamn it, Lane, the woman hissed with perfect diction.

Guess the acting happened only when there was an audience.

Without warning, the clip- clip- clip of those kitten heels across the floor headed in Lizzies direction. Crap, there was no time to get out of the"

Chantal rounded the corner and jumped back when she saw Lizzie.

Even though the woman had turned on the waterworks for that deputy, her eyes were clear and free of tears, her makeup not marred in the slightest.

Instant. Rage.

{ 213 }.

23494.