Garnet or Garnets Curse

cookie. “ Go now, ready yourself for dinner, ” she said, and returned to her work.
    I was halfway up the stairs when I heard the entrance door open. It was Robert and Aaron Bastill returning. They had not seen me, so I sat down on the step to eavesdrop. I watched as a manservant took away Mr. Bastill ’ s overnight bag and promised to bring the men a brandy. They then made themselves comfortable in the huge rattan chairs in the entrance hall. When their drinks arrived, soon they started laughing and talking. I was delighted to discover that their voices were amplified by the glass roof and I could hear their every word. I felt like a mischievous little child. I ate my cookie, watched and listened from my hiding spot.
    “ I am willing to bet that man is not even Garnet ’ s father, ” said Robert.
    “ No, it just does not make sense for him to come back after all these years, ” Aaron agreed. “ Yet when there is money involved, wolves come out of hiding. ”
    “ Aaron, you were the aunt ’ s attorney. Was there really a sizeable estate to claim? I never heard of any business associated with the Dragos and surely the old woman went through the better part of an inheritance. ”
    “ Sounds like you are interested in the girl ’ s money too? ” Aaron teased.
    “ Not in the least. My only interest is the girl. What man would not be?” Robert clarified.
    “ Yes, she is a beauty, ” Aaron responded.
    A great feeling of anticipation began to churn in my throat. I scrunched down and held my breath to hear what they might say next. When I heard footsteps coming up the stairs I tried to jump to my feet, but my dress was caught in the railing. I was working nervously to free myself when I saw shoes standing next to me. It was a relief to see only the two girls had caught me in that predicament. “ I tripped and fell and my dress got caught in the railing, ” I said to them in Spanish.
    They looked back and forth at each other in disbelief. I regained my stance, straightened out my dress and, as if nothing had happened, I made my way to my room. They did not follow at first, but stood there whispering to each other. I laughed, knowing they were trying to figure out what I was doing on the floor.
    I had no sooner closed the door when I heard a soft tap. Knowing it was the girls, I slung myself across the bed and called out, “ Entrar. ”
    They entered the room smiling. The taller girl unfolded a lace gown that she had tucked under her arm. “ You like? ” she asked.
    I jumped off the bed to examine the dress. It was a stunning creation of milky white satin covered with black lace and adorned with silk pink roses. I was flabbergasted by the craftsmanship and asked if they had made the dress.
    They did not readily answer. Thinking that my Spanish was not clear, I rephrased the question and asked again.
    Nita, who was the older of the two, confessed that the dress had belonged to Robert ’ s mother. Using my measurements, she and sister Dora had tailored the dress.
    They were relieved when I took the dress and held it up to me. Dora began making gestures, showing me how much she had cut down the dress. Nita did not find her sister ’ s action as amusing as I did. I understood that Robert ’ s mother was very large.
    The girls informed me that aperitifs would be served in the sitting room at seven and dinner at eight in the main dining room. Even though the girls were eager to stay to help me dress, I dismissed them. It was a true luxury to have my own time.
    At a quarter to the hour, I was dressed and tapped on Maria ’ s door, but she did not answer. Quietly I walked down the steps and made my entrance into the sitting room alone. Aaron and Robert were talking by the mantel. Maria was seated on the sofa as a servant prepared a glass of pastis for her. “ No lime please, just spring water, ” she said, taking the glass of French liqueur in her hand.
    Although Aaron was still talking, Robert watched me intensely as I took a seat next to Maria. “ Care for a glass of pastis? ” she asked, raising her hand to halt the server.
    “ No thank you. I never cared for the flavor of anise, ” I returned to her.
    “ Champagne for the lady! ” Robert called out from across the room. He left Aaron standing and stopped the server. “ Uncork our very best. ”
    “ Si, Senor Shelley, ” he replied with a smile.
    When he returned, Rosa was on his heels with a tray of nuts, olives and crackers. The server