«Yes, I do look a mess. I'm sorry, but I just now got back from Gifford's,» she said, trying to mentally dismiss the afternoon spent with Lucky as easily as she omitted it from the conversation. «You'll forgive me, Mr. Burke, for not being more presentable,» she said coolly. «I'm tired and I'd rather not take the time to freshen up.»
«Gifford didn't return with you?» Mason asked, his brows lifting above the frame of his glasses.
«No.»
«What did he have to say about the fire?»
«Suffice it to say, he was upset.»
«But he didn't come back here to deal with it?» Burke said gruffly. He chewed on the end of his cigar and made a face like a bulldog. «Damned strange, if you ask me.»
«I didn't ask you,» Serena said, too exhausted to adhere to the code of southern hospitality.
She watched his reaction with clinical interest. His jaw hardened. His eyes narrowed. She got the strong impression he didn't like taking guff from women.
Mason looked scandalized at her lack of manners. «Serena! Mr. Burke is concerned with Gifford's mental state, as are we all.»
«I'm well aware of what Mr. Burke is concerned with. As to Gifford's mental state, I can assure you all he is as shrewd as ever.»
«He's behaving like a madman,» Shelby muttered, pouting. She lifted one bejeweled hand to play with the diamond pendant that hung from a gold chain around her neck. «Stringing us all along, delaying the business proceedings. Mr. Burke is a busy man. He can't wait forever.»
«He doesn't have to wait at all,» Serena said, lifting the envelope she held so that everyone focused on it.
«Gifford has granted me power of attorney. I am to act on this matter as I see fit.»
Shelby gave a dramatic gasp, hand to her heart, but Serena pushed on, eager to get it over with and in no mood for her twin's theatrics. «I don't see fit to sell this property to Tristar Chemical. Mr. Burke, I'm sorry your time here has been wasted.»
Burke turned scarlet. He pulled the cigar from his mouth and pointed it at Serena's face. «Now, wait just a goddamn minute. You can't do that.»
«The courts would beg to differ. I didn't want the responsibility of this decision, but I have it and I've made up my mind.»
«I don't believe this,» Burke muttered. He wheeled on Mason. «This deal was as good as done, Talbot. You talk some sense into her or you can kiss your trip to Baton Rouge good-bye.»
Mason looked nervous. He turned toward Serena, his affable smile contorting a little with uncertainty. «Serena, let's not be hasty. I don't believe you've had time to take all the factors into consideration. There's a great deal at stake here.»
Serena gave him a level look. «I know what's at stake, Mason. I think I see it more clearly than you do.»
«You!» Shelby snapped suddenly, drawing everyone's immediate attention. She glared at Serena, her knuckles turning white as she clutched a tumbler of scotch. She took a step forward. «What do you know about anything? What do you know about having to live here? We're trying to do what's best for everybody.»
«You're trying to line your pockets and buy Mason a seat in the legislature,» Serena said succinctly. «I have the power to stop you from sacrificing our heritage for your greed, and I'm using it. It's as simple as that, Shelby. I didn't want it to come to this, but I don't have any choice.»
Shelby advanced another step. Her perfect complexion was turning red in splotches that rose from the collar of her expensive dress to her hairline. «You self-righteous little bitch,» she spat out. «How dare you come waltzing back here, waving your morals like a banner, telling us what to do! We never asked for your interference.»
«No, you didn't,» Serena said, wondering if Lucky hadn't been right about them trying to get the deal through without her finding out about it until it was too late.
«Then why didn't you just stay out of it? Why didn't you just stay in your neat, clean little world in Charleston, ignoring us the way you always have?»
«I'm sorry,» Serena whispered, feeling her connection to her sister growing thinner and more brittle by the second. All she could think of was that it shouldn't have come to this.
«Sorry?» Shelby sneered, taking another step closer. «Sorry!»
She flung her glass to the floor, heedless of the scotch that soaked into the rug in a dark stain. Stepping forward, she struck out with both hands, giving Serena a shove that sent her stumbling backward. Serena didn't try to defend herself physically or verbally. Words would do her no good; Shelby was well beyond seeing reason. Her rage was a tangible feeling in the air, like electricity building before an explosive storm. Serena watched in fascinated horror as the storm was unleashed.
«You don't see anything!» Shelby said, her voice rising in pitch and volume with each word as her control slipped further and further through her grasp. «You don't care about this place. You never have. All you're doing is playing up to Gifford so he'll give you everything that ought to be mine!» She gulped a breath, half crying, her mouth twisting grotesquely as her fury built uncontrollably. «You're trying to ruin everything for me just like you always have! God damn you! I wish you'd never been born!»
Serena stood motionless, not even trying to block the stinging slap her sister delivered. Shelby turned and fled the room, choking and sobbing. Serena didn't move. She stood in the electrified silence, struggling with her feelings, knowing at that moment that any slim hope she had held out for closeness with her twin had just been shattered.
Burke and Mason looked on, both men looking distinctly uncomfortable in the wake of female wrath. Mason recovered first, coming forward to gallantly offer his immaculate linen handkerchief. Serena took it, staring at it stupidly.
«There's blood,» he said, eyes downcast. «The corner of your mouth.»
She dabbed it, but refused to look at the stain on the handkerchief. It was bad enough to know it was there. She focused instead on the envelope she still held and wondered if Gifford had any idea what he'd done.
«Serena,» Mason said softly. «I realize you have a certain sentimental attachment to Chanson du Terre, but I've heard you say on more than one occasion that you wouldn't change your life because of it. We've discussed the practicality of selling, particularly now, when the plantation isn't doing well to begin with and the market is so bleak. And now there's the fire damage to consider-«
«Yes, what about that fire damage?» Burke interrupted. «Can Gifford afford to cover the loss himself?»
Serena lifted her eyes and fixed them on the Texan. «I think, Mr. Burke, the only aspect of the fire you need to concern yourself with is whether or not your name can be attached to it.»
He didn't appear the least bit shocked by her accusation, which was as good as an admission of guilt to Serena.
«I wasn't anywhere near here when the fire started,» he said, glancing idly at the end of his cigar. It had gone out. He frowned and went on calmly. «I've got witnesses. It won't do you any good to try to prove otherwise.» His eyes hardened to stone as he stared down at her and repeated with emphasis, «It won't do you any good at all.»
Serena arched a brow. «Is that a threat, Mr. Burke?»
«It's a fact, sweetheart.»
She gave him her coolest look, not letting him see her questions about how far he might be compelled to go to get what he wanted. After a moment she stepped back from him and said, «I believe I've had enough of your company to last me, Mr. Burke. It's been a very long and trying day. I'm going to call it an evening. Mason will show you out. And since your business here is finished, I won't expect to see you back again. Good night.» She nodded to her brother-in-law. «Mason.»
She felt their eyes on her back even after she'd slipped out the door.