Full Bloom

firmly, "that I had a hand in the decision. I married him because I love him and because I know he loves me. Furthermore, I think he's right. I believe it would be best if we moved to Arizona. Or maybe Florida."
    "Emily, for heaven's sake, don't talk like that," Catherine snapped. "Why would you want to live so far away from your family?"
    Emily grinned. "I'll give you one guess."
    Her mother sighed. "You've always resented what you call our interference, haven't you?"
    "It has been a bit wearing at times," Emily said as she sat down at the dining room table. "You've never given me any credit for being able to look after myself."
    "We only wanted what was best for you, dear," Catherine said earnestly.
    "And what was best for RI, too, naturally."
    "The well-being of the members of this family has always been tied to the well-being of the company. You seem to have developed a very sharp tongue lately," Catherine observed.
    Drake looked at his sister as he sat down across from her. "Probably that assertiveness training class she took."
    "Or," said Emily thoughtfully, "it could just be that I've finally grown up and become a real Ravenscroft, just as Grandmother promised I would."
    "Now there's a thought to freeze the blood in one's veins," Drake remarked.
    Catherine glared at him. "I don't see how you can take this so lightly, Drake. But I assure you it isn't finished yet. We'll wait and see what happens after Gifford talks to Jacob privately."
    Emily smiled serenely, aware of the depths of her own newfound confidence in the man she loved. Something deep inside her relaxed. "Nothing will change, Mother. I think you had better resign yourself to the inevitable."
    Catherine studied her daughter for a long moment. Then her gaze softened. "You really do love him, don't you?"
    "I really love him."
    "He'd better take very good care of you," Catherine said finally. "Or he'll have all of us to answer to."
    "For the last time," Emily said grimly, "I can take care of myself. Why doesn't anyone around here believe me?"
    Before Drake or his mother could come up with an answer, Gifford and Jacob walked into the dining room. Emily searched their faces. Gifford looked stern, but not hostile. Jacob appeared relaxed and totally at ease. He stopped by Emily's chair and dropped a quick, proprietary kiss on her nose.
    "The inquisition is over," he announced as he sat down beside her. "Now we can eat. Nothing like facing a bunch of Ravenscrofts to work up a man's appetite."

    It was much later that night before Emily finally found herself alone with Jacob in the bedroom her mother had assigned them. She turned on her husband as soon as he closed the door.
    "Okay, tell me everything. What did my father say to you when he had you alone in the garden room? I warn you I want to hear every last little detail, Jacob."
    Jacob loosened his tie with obvious relief and smiled cryptically. "What do you think he said?"
    "I want you to tell me. Now."
    "Wow. Listen to the woman. "
Now
.' When a female like you starts discovering her own power, there's no stopping her. You're turning into a very arrogant lady, Mrs. Stone."
    Emily grinned recklessly. "That's okay. I'm married to a very arrogant man. Grandmother always said that one day I'd learn to hold my own. Tell me what Dad said to you."
    Jacob's expression turned into one of wicked humor. "He said I'd better take good care of you or I'd find myself dealing with a whole nest of mad Ravenscrofts."
    "Is that all?" Emily demanded in relief. "No more attempts at bribery?"
    "Nope."
    "No subtle threats?"
    "Nope."
    "No lectures on how it would be best for me if you got a divorce?"
    "Nope."
    "No appeals to your former sense of loyalty to RI?"
    "Nope."
    "Well?" she prompted. "What did you say in response?"
    Jacob lightly slung his tie around her neck and tugged her toward him. He held her captive with the strip of silk as he said deliberately, "I told him I'd been taking care of you off and on for a long time and I saw no reason to stop now. In fact, I said I thought I'd be able to do a much more efficient job of it in the future since you're going to be so conveniently close at hand."
    "Is that right?" she asked breathlessly.
    "That is very right, Emily Ravenscroft Stone." He lowered his head and captured her mouth before Emily could ask any more questions.

ELEVEN
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    T hree days later Emily untangled herself from a still-sleeping Jacob, yawned, sat up and prepared to get ready for work. She glanced around