Absolutely, Positively

patrician features were set in an expression of steely determination. The anxiety in her eyes was real. Harry knew her well enough to realize that in this mood, she would not be easily deterred.

    Although his mother and Danielle had been sisters, there was little more than a superficial resemblance between the two women as far as Harry was concerned. Both had been beautiful in their youth, and their fine bone structure had accepted age well. But Harry remembered his mother as a happy, energetic woman whose eyes had sparkled with an exuberant love of life and an easy, affectionate spirit.

    Harry could not recall ever having seen Danielle in a genuinely cheerful mood. She could be coolly pleasant and gracious when the occasion demanded, but that seemed to be her limit. The shadows of her miserable marriage to Dean Hughes still clung to her, even though Dean had had the decency to get himself killed in a car accident several years earlier.

    “Harry, I must talk to you about Brandon.” Danielle swept into the condominium. She came to an abrupt halt and looked straight down her nose at Molly, who was standing in the doorway of the study. “Who's this?”

    “Hello,” Molly said politely.

    “I didn't realize you had company, Harry.” Danielle glanced at him as if she expected him to dismiss Molly the way he would have dismissed a servant.

    “This is Molly Abberwick. Molly, my aunt, Danielle Hughes.”

    “Danielle Stratton Hughes,” Danielle corrected coldly.

    “How do you do?” Molly murmured.

    “You must be Harry's new little friend,” Danielle said. “Olivia mentioned that she had met you.”

    “Harry's little friend?” Molly pursed her lips. Amusement danced in her eyes. “Somehow I never thought of myself as any man'slittle friend . What a concept.”

    It did not take the Trevelyan Second Sight to know trouble when it was about to explode in his face, Harry thought. “Ms. Abberwick is a client, Danielle.”

    Molly looked more amused than ever. “A little friend and a client.”

    Danielle made a show of looking at the diamond-framed watch she wore. “It's rather late to be doing business, isn't it?”

    “Depends on the business,” Molly said.

    Danielle lifted her chin. “If you will excuse us, I have family matters to discuss with my nephew.”

    “You bet. No problem.” Molly backed into the study. “Take your time. I won't bother you at all. You won't even know I'm in here.”

    She winked at Harry just before she closed the study door.

    Danielle gave the closed door a disdainful look as she went past it into the living room. “Really, Harry, you're not going to tell me that woman is a client of yours.”

    “You didn't come here to discuss my relationship with Molly.”

    “Don't be rude.” Danielle settled onto the sofa. “I'm in no mood for it. I've got problems enough on my hands.”

    Harry went to stand at the window. He looked out into the night. “What do you want, Danielle?”

    “You've spoken with Brandon?”

    “Yes. And with Olivia.”

    “Then you know about Brandon's ridiculous scheme to go into business on his own?”

    Harry glanced briefly at her over his shoulder. “Yes.”

    “You've got to talk him out of it, Harry.”

    “Why should I? Brandon's smart, and he's willing to work hard. Let him follow his dream.”

    “That's impossible, and you know it,” Danielle said tightly. “My father will never allow him to go out on his own. Especially since you refused to join the company. Brandon has to stay with Stratton Properties. You know that as well as I do.”

    “It's the money, isn't it? You're afraid Parker will cut Brandon out of the will if he leaves the company.”

    “That's exactly what he'll do, and we both know it. You know how Father feels about the firm.”

    “Parker's feelings aren't as important as Brandon's in this instance,” Harry said. “He wants to try his wings. Let him go, Danielle. If you don't, he'll only resent you for not having any faith in him.”

    “Don't you dare lecture me on how to deal with my son. You've done enough damage already.”

    “Me?” Harry swung around to confront her. “What the hell have I done?”

    “You know perfectly well that you're the one who put the idea of leaving Stratton Properties into Brandon's head.”

    “Olivia tried to tell me that. Damn it, Danielle, this is not my fault.”

    “Brandon was perfectly content to stay with Stratton Properties until you came along. After