From the Heart

credentials.” Beatrice tapped a gold pen against the desk. It was her only outward sign of emotion. “You seem to be considered an expert in your field.”
    “You checked up on me.” Kasey could feel the anger rising and tried to stem it.
    “In doing so, I learned you’re Samuel Wyatt’s granddaughter. I’m slightly acquainted with his daughter, your aunt. There was quite a scandal years back concerning you. A very unfortunate affair.” She tapped the pen again. “A pity youdidn’t stay with your aunt rather than being raised by your grandfather.”
    “Please.” Kasey’s voice had lowered. “Don’t make me angry.”
    Beatrice noted she had cracked Kasey’s calm. That had been her first objective. “You weren’t in your paternal grandfather’s will.”
    “You have done your share of checking.”
    “I’m a very thorough woman, Miss Wyatt.”
    “But not one to quickly come to the point.”
    “The point, then,” Beatrice agreed. “Apparently you’re financially solvent but hardly . . .”
    “Loaded?” Kasey suggested.
    “In your vernacular,” Beatrice conceded. “Your stay here has been a very lucrative arrangement for you. It’s quite understandable that you would pursue the possibilities of future rewards by ingratiating yourself with Jordan and with Alison.”
    “Future rewards?” Kasey felt the burning start in the pit of her stomach.
    “I didn’t think I’d need to be graphic.” Beatrice set down the pen and folded her hands again. “Jordan is a very wealthy man. Alison will come into a very healthy inheritance at maturity.”
    “I see.” Kasey struggled to keep her hands still. “You’re implying that I hope to benefit financially by developing a relationship with Jordan and Alison.” She gave Beatrice a long, level look. “You’re a hard lady, Mrs. Taylor. Doesn’t it occur to you that I’d care about them regardless of the size of their bankbooks?”
    “No.” Beatrice let the word hang a moment. “I’ve dealt with your type before. Alison’s mother was one, but my son wouldn’t listen. He chose to marry her over my objections and move halfway across the country. Of course,” she said as she sat back and eyed Kasey, “the problem is different in this case. Jordan has no intention of marrying you. He’s satisfied with an affair. Again, in your vernacular, you overplayed your hand.”
    Kasey wanted to throw something. She wanted to rip some holes in the perfection of white that surrounded her. She satrigid with control. “I’m aware of the boundaries of my relationship with Jordan, Mrs. Taylor. I always have been. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
    “I’m not going to tolerate you under my roof any longer. Your influence on Alison will take months to repair.”
    “A lifetime, I hope.” Kasey rose. She had to get out of that room. “You’re never going to fit her into that mold again. She’s outgrown it.”
    “Jordan has custody of Alison.”
    It was the tone, not the words, that halted Kasey. She felt a quick thrill of fear. “Yes.”
    Beatrice turned a bit in her chair so she might face Kasey directly. “If you don’t leave today, this afternoon, I’ll be forced, for Alison’s sake, to sue him for custody of her.”
    “That’s absurd.” The fear came back, doubled in force. She felt the cold hit her skin. “No court would give you custody over Jordan.”
    “Perhaps, perhaps not.” Beatrice moved her shoulders elegantly. “But you know how distressing a court battle can be, particularly when there’s a child involved. Suing on the grounds of immoral conduct would make it particularly unpleasant.”
    “He’s your son.” The words came out as barely a whisper. “You couldn’t do that to him. To Alison. Jordan’s done nothing to hurt her; he never would.”
    “Alison requires protection.” She gave Kasey a cool glance. “So does Jordan.”
    “Protection? You mean manipulation, don’t you?” She crossed back to Beatrice. She had to be dreaming. But not even her nightmare hurt this acutely. “You wouldn’t do this to them. You couldn’t. She’s just a child. She loves him.” She wouldn’t cry in front of this woman. “You don’t have anything to gain from this. You don’t love Alison the way Jordan does. You don’t need her. If you could understand what it’s like to be fought over this way, you wouldn’t do it.”
    Beatrice took a small breath. “The choice is up to you.”
    It was incredible,