Chapter 19 #3
She slipped it on and peered into the mirror mounted on the wall across from the table, tilting her head so the gemstones caught the light. “The stones look like glitter. It’s stunning! How ever in the world did you make this?”
“It took some time, but I wanted to thank you.”
She turned from the mirror to face me. “Whatever for?”
“For your employment. For encouraging the others to hire me… For your friendship,” I added, biting my lip.
She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me to her. “You’re such a dear. Why wouldn’t I do those things for you? I’d do them for anyone.”
The tentative smile slipped from my face, but I returned her hug.
Anyone? Perhaps it was as Carrie said. They were all there to serve her in some way, and her generosity was simply a means to bring people to her, to pin them to her side, not because she truly cared for them but because they placated some need to be at the center of things all the time.
Jerry arrived with a tray of two wineglasses and a bottle of red wine. He popped the cork, gave his mistress a small pour to taste it, and proceeded to fill our glasses.
“Now that’s more like it.” Evalyn dug into her plate with gusto, making quick work of roasted pork, greens with bacon and onion, and crispy potatoes. “I simply must tell you all the gossip from the event,” she said when she’d finished.
I had listened to her prattle on for some time about who wore what clothing, who looked a fright, and who was flirting with who when the conversation finally turned.
“Carrie was acting strange the whole day. You know Carrie, the redhead? What do you make of her?”
I paused, unsure of what to say. She made me uneasy, and I wasn’t entirely certain she’d only flirted with Julien the day I’d seen them meet. I also got the distinct impression that Evalyn was baiting me. I weighed my response carefully and with a shrug said, “I don’t know her well.”
“Darling, you shouldn’t shrug. It makes you look like an adolescent boy.”
I reddened. “Oh, I’m sorry, I—”
She saw my expression and tsked. “I’m horrible, aren’t I? You’ll have to excuse me. I’ve had a long day. If it’s your prerogative, shrug away.”
“I suppose I’ve spent too much time around men.”
“Is there such a thing?” she asked with a wicked gleam in her eye.
I blushed. “I meant my father and brother and his best friend.”
“Oh, I know, silly. Now, tell me what is it that you wanted to say about Carrie. The suspense is killing me. Is it a secret?”
I wasn’t going to say anything else about Carrie, but clearly Evalyn expected me to join her in gossip. I took an unusually large gulp of red wine for courage first. “Carrie stopped by my workshop yesterday.”
“Her dress was ghastly, wasn’t it?” Evalyn replied as if she hadn’t heard what I’d said.
“I’ve told her to stop going to that designer.
He’s too old. He’s not keeping up with the latest styles, and she can’t go around looking passé, or I won’t invite her over anymore.
” She snickered. “Imagine, inviting her to one of my galas with diplomats and she’s wearing last year’s styles. I’m doing her a favor.”
I really looked at Evalyn, taking in her dark brow, her eyes beginning to glaze over, and understood her in that moment.
She could be petty and even cruel, and though she put on the act of being comfortable in her own skin, she clearly wasn’t.
Her insecurities gnawed away at her as they did for anyone who constantly pitted themselves against others.
Her pettiness was a means of social survival, a way to stay at the top of the heap, and she fully expected me to act the same way, just as her other friends did.
I bit my lip, unsure of how to reply. Beaumont Jewelers wasn’t yet solvent enough to walk away from such an extraordinary paying customer or from her friends.
We needed them. There was also the matter of Julien.
I’d learned a lot about his time with the McLeans, but I knew there was more I hadn’t yet uncovered.
Besides, Evalyn and her glittering world allowed me to be someone else for a while.
I didn’t know if I liked that someone, but I was grateful for the opportunity just the same.
She rolled her eyes. “Well? Are you going to keep me on the edge of my seat all night? Go on. What were you going to say, darling? And drink up! You’re already behind me.”
I was always behind her. She seemed to have a hollow leg.
“Why don’t I pour us a refill,” I said, scrambling to think of what to say.
I knew this was a test of who I was most loyal to, and Evalyn had no trouble putting me or others through the test regularly.
“I’m not sure I should talk about this,” I said at last.
“Haven’t you heard, my earnest little friend? The truth will set you free. What could be wrong with that?”
It was how the truth would be manipulated that concerned me. And yet I plunged ahead. “Carrie stopped by the boutique and bought a gift for her mother. She also mentioned that everyone acted like your friend but are only there to serve you and get something for themselves.”
At first, shock registered on her features, and then a shrewd smile carved her face. “It was good that you told me. Friends shouldn’t keep secrets like this from each other, should they?” She patted my hand. “And you’re proving yourself to be a good friend, Lizzie.”
As a rush of pleasure washed over me, a new sensation ignited. One I did not recognize. The satisfaction of coming into Evalyn’s good graces, in climbing the social ladder, and most of all, of making myself indispensable to her.
My eyes found the Hope Diamond at her neck, twinkling in the candlelight, and I knew this was my chance. “Do you think I might take a look at your necklace? I have my tools with me.”
“There’s no need to get your tools. Here.” She unclasped the necklace and placed into my outstretched hand.
I was thrilled to touch it, thrilled at its beauty and the chance to peer at it closely again.
As I stared at the marvelous, infamous gem, I thought again of the note I’d received and weighed whether I should say something to Evalyn about it.
Could it have been from her? Given the conversation we’d just had and given what else I’d seen go on in her circles, she seemed to enjoy toying with people’s affections.
But she would have nothing to gain by driving me away, and she knew better than anyone how unsettling a threatening letter could be.
It couldn’t have been her. And for now, she didn’t need to know about mine either.
The truth was I didn’t trust her. Not one bit.
“It looks great, but it’s probably prudent to service it during my next appointment,” I said. “I’ll make the stone extra sparkly for you so you can really stand out.”
As I gave Evalyn her necklace, she said, eyes gleaming, “See to it that you do, Lizzie. See to it that you do.”