Page 6 of In the Heir (Westerly Billionaire 1)
Nicolette put an arm around her mother. “I’ll be fine unless she says something rude to you.”
Spencer nodded in agreement. “It’s a deal breaker for me as well. Inheritance or no inheritance.”
Alisha lagged behind the group.
Stephanie turned and looked from her son to Alisha. “Are you two really in love? Tell me you’re not engaged because of that ridiculous letter you all received from her lawyer.”
For a moment Spencer’s expression resembled a deer caught in the headlights of his mother’s gaze. Alisha slid beneath his arm and smiled brightly. “Of course it got him to pop the question, but I’ve loved Spencer for as long as I can remember.” That was true. They’d gone on vacations together, fought and made up a hundred times over. She was grateful every day that he, along with the rest of the Westerlys, was part of her life.
Stephanie smiled, but there was concern in her eyes. “Alisha, you’ve always felt like one of my daughters. I can’t imagine a better wife for Spencer, but I want to make sure the two of you are doing this for the right reasons. Money doesn’t make life easier. It comes with its own problems.”
Spencer hugged Alisha to his side. “We know what we’re doing, Mom.”
As she carefully watched her son’s expression, Stephanie asked, “You love her?”
Spencer nodded.
Nicolette chuckled. “Talk about awkward if he said no.”
Rachelle joined in. “I never imagined you two together, but now that I see it—it works.”
Alisha tensed. She didn’t mind lying to their grandmother or hedging the truth around the rest of them, but Rachelle seemed to have forgotten that it had been her who had originally suggested they marry. Alisha had laughed it off at first, then considered it more seriously when Spencer had shared how his company needed the capital. She was tempted to take Rachelle aside, shake her, and remind her that none of this was real. It was like a play, and she was only saying the rehearsed lines.
There were no sparks between her and Spencer, and she wondered how the others couldn’t see that. If he kissed her, she doubted it would feel any different than the time she kissed Grayson Teal during the high school play they’d both won starring roles in. Grayson had been attractive, too. It hadn’t repulsed her to kiss him, but it hadn’t been exciting, either.
The door of the mansion opened and a man in a dark suit called to them, “Mrs. Westerly will see you now.”
Spencer looked down at her and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Alisha smiled up at him. “Glass and lemon juice?”
He shuddered against her. “You’ll understand when you meet her.”
His arm dropped away, and they all made their way toward the entrance. As they did, Spencer lowered his voice and donned that of an old woman. “Spencer, sit up straight. How do you expect to be taken seriously if you slouch? You shouldn’t play football, you know. It causes brain damage. If you’re going to stay in a public school, you’ll need every bit of your wits or you’ll never make anything of yourself.”
Alisha coughed back a laugh. “She can’t be that bad.”
Nicolette piped in. “Just wait. I hope you brought your cloak of confidence with you. If not, we’ll carry whatever is left of you and your self-esteem back to the car after lunch.”
Stephanie and Rachelle led the way into the home while Alisha, Spencer, and Nicolette trailed behind. Had they been there for any other reason, Alisha would have exclaimed in wonder at the grand foyer and the stairway that flanked it. An entire party could be hosted right here without any need of the rest of the house.
Beside them, the butler said, “Please follow me to the parlor.”
The room they entered was every bit as awe-inspiring as the entrance had been, overlooking a grassy lawn that led to the ocean. Spectacular. Everywhere Alisha turned there were antiques, expensive cloth wallpaper, and woodwork so intricate it belonged on a museum tour. Alisha was glad she’d worn one of her best dresses. She felt as if she were about to meet royalty.
Even if it’s an evil queen. She smiled a little nervously and reminded herself that the buildup was likely far worse than any grandmother could actually be.
Everyone stayed standing, although there were seats available. They seemed equally apprehensive. Even Stephanie’s cheerful chatter was strained.
The woman who entered the room wasn’t at all imposing in stature. Alisha guessed she stood only as high as Stephanie’s chin, but she had the air of someone important. It bothered Alisha that the family she loved so much seemed to wilt in her presence. All laughing stopped and an oppressive silence hung over them for a long moment.
Stephanie was the first to speak. “It’s so good to see you, Delinda.”
“Yes,” the old woman said without a shred of warmth. “Why are we standing about? Sit.”
They all took their seats like obedient children, following her command so mechanically that Alisha and Spencer forgot to sit together. Delinda sat in an uncomfortable-looking formal chair and turned to the butler. “Michael, have the tea and sandwiches served in here. And quickly—my granddaughter looks as if she’s wasting away. You do feed your children, don’t you, Stephanie?”
The butler slipped out of the room.
Stephanie opened her mouth to say something, but closed it instead and merely smiled. Rachelle said, “I’m twenty-eight, Grandmother. I feed myself now.”
Delinda looked her over. “You’ll never find a husband if you don’t fill out.”
“I eat fine,” Rachelle answered, her tone lowering as her temper rose.
Alisha intervened quickly, “Your home is beautiful, Mrs. Westerly. The view of the ocean is absolutely stunning.”
Delinda’s attention snapped to her. “Thank you. You must be Alisha Coventry.” She looked her over from head to toe. “May I see your ring?”
Alisha stood, walked over, and held out her left hand. When the older woman’s perfectly manicured hand gripped hers, Alisha was suddenly aware of the fact that her nails were unpainted and hadn’t seen a professional in months. The half-carat diamond on her hand was far outshone by the mammoth stones in Delinda’s rings. “I wanted something simple,” Alisha said.
“Apparently,” Delinda answered and dropped her hand. “Spencer, my mother’s engagement ring or her mother’s would be much more suitable.” She waved a hand at Alisha as if dismissing her. “Of course, they would have to stay in the family if anything happened between the two of you. Do be smart enough to protect them for future generations.”
Spencer straightened in his chair. “Thank you, but the ring I bought Alisha is good enough.”
Delinda shook her head sadly. “Good enough? Spencer, when will you stop settling for the first thing that comes along?”
A rush of heat flooded Alisha as Delinda’s gaze fell on her again with clear meaning. Alisha almost told her what she thought of her, but caught Stephanie’s eyes and swallowed her anger. Today isn’t about me; it’s for them. I thought I was patient, but if Stephanie actually translates shit like that into kind words, she’s a saint.
The entrance of a woman rolling in a serving tray provided a temporary reprieve.
Between bites of her sandwich, Nicolette said, “Grandmother, happy belated birthday.”
Delinda’s chin rose. “A person doesn’t turn eighty every day. You could have celebrated it with me had your mother passed along my invitation to you.”
“She did—” Nicolette began, but Delinda waved a hand as if she didn’t believe her.
“No matter. You’re here now. Are you still trying to make a living as a photographer? In my day it was a profession, but now everyone has a camera in their phones and all they do is snap photos of themselves. What do you even do with all those pictures?”
“I publish them in online magazines. One shot is even on display at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.”
“Everything is art nowadays, isn’t it? Well, good for you. I know most of the board of directors at the museum
. It’s nice to see they’re taking care of my family.”
“It’s there because it won an award—”
“So Alisha and I are getting married next weekend,” Spencer interrupted. “Family will be invited of course, but we’re having a small ceremony.”
Alisha choked on a piece of bread. When Spencer had said something similar to Brett, it had sounded like a joke. This time he was serious.
Delinda’s attention once again riveted to Alisha. “Is there a reason for the rush?”
Her meaning wasn’t missed by Spencer, who flushed. “We simply don’t want to wait.”
After blinking a few times, Delinda rose to her feet. “Stephanie, would you mind walking with me to the library? I’d like to have a word with you.”
Stephanie rose to go with her. Her children were instantly at her side.
“Alone,” Delinda said with a tight smile.
