Over the top edge of his newspaper, Reginald saw Margaret approaching their table. Pretending not to notice she was within earshot, he lowered the paper and spoke to Darcy, his voice dripping with honey. “There’s an article in the Gazette about a group of artists called Ten American Painters. They’ll be exhibiting some of their work in town, week after next. This might be an excellent opportunity for me to help you further your education in the arts.”
Before Darcy could respond, Margaret interrupted. “Good afternoon, cousin. I’d like a word, please. As you know, I’m counting on Darcy to assist me in hosting the Belleview’s first ball, but I’m concerned her wardrobe is lacking the formal attire she will be expected to wear as my protégé. Might I suggest a local seamstress and jeweler to prepare her for the heightened role she will soon occupy in society?”
Reginald shifted in his chair and cleared his throat, uncomfortable discussing feminine matters.
Darcy came to his rescue. “I’m sure Reginald would enjoy seeing me adorned in a more stylish fashion, but I fear I lack the expertise necessary to achieve the desired results. If you wouldn’t mind too terribly, we would greatly appreciate your assistance in selecting a dress and jewelry worthy of my position at this prestigious event.”
Reginald shot Darcy an approving glance for taking the lead in the conversation.
Margaret gave a curt nod. “Yes, I’d be willing to accompany the two of you on a day-long shopping excursion. Unless, of course, Reginald would prefer to simply fill your purse, allowing us to tour the shops at our leisure.”
Honor was certain a man’s man like Reginald would gladly hand Darcy a large sum of money, if it meant he would be spared from spending an entire day shopping. As the mist began to gather, she smiled, knowing she had just witnessed the first step in creating Darcy’s nest egg.
No sooner had the fog fully engulfed Honor, than it began to dissipate again, revealing a ballroom filled with people attired in formal wear. She was standing next to Darcy, who was dressed in a stylish baby-blue silk gown. The full skirt of the dress was gathered just under her bosom, effectively hiding her belly, while white lace insets in the bodice drew all the men’s attention toward her swollen breasts. Her dark curls were piled high and held in place with jewel-studded pins that matched her gold and sapphire necklace and earrings.
Darcy bubbled, “I’m assisting Margaret as hostess of the Hotel Belleview’s inaugural Winter Ball. It’s so splendid. It’s almost as if one of my childhood dreams sprang to life!”
Honor enjoyed watching Darcy glide throughout the Tiffany-windowed ballroom, mingling with guests. Reginald appeared to be in high spirits and genuinely pleased with his wife’s transformation into a social butterfly. Honor wanted to stay and enjoy this memory for a while, but soon the swirling fog erased the orchestra and waltzing couples from view.
The next time the clouds parted, Margaret was pouring tea for Reginald and Darcy in one of the hotel’s small, private parlors. The tense, quiet atmosphere in the room provided a stark contrast to the lively ball Honor witnessed only moments ago.
Once tea was served, Margaret announced, “I have a matter of some importance to discuss with you, cousin.”
Reginald shifted uneasily on the dainty settee. He eyed the delicate cup in his hand with distain, obviously wishing it contained something stronger than tea.
Margaret ignored his discomfort. “As you know, my husband is a busy man. So busy, in fact, that he will be unable to accompany me to Europe this spring, where I intend to purchase additional décor for the both the Tampa and Belleview Hotels.”
Reginald nodded. “We successful men must honor business commitments over all else.”
“Yes, indeed.” Margaret sipped her tea to hide a smirk. It was laughable that Reginald considered himself Henry Plant’s equal in the world of business. “Well, it’s no secret I value Darcy’s artistic opinions and enjoy her company. Therefore, I have decided to invite her to take Henry’s place as my traveling companion on this excursion.”
Reginald was clearly dumfounded, but Margaret continued, unfazed. “A trip abroad would provide Darcy the worldly experience her education is lacking, and she could shop in the finest stores to complete her wardrobe. By the time she returns home, I dare say she will be able to run your household in a manner that will make you the envy of your peers.”
Darcy sat quietly while her husband considered the matter. She knew he was conflicted between the exciting prospect of gaining prestige, and the fear she might embarrass him while traveling without supervision.
Margaret skillfully guided the conversation. “Truthfully, it’s just as well Henry’s business requires his attention, because this particular trip would be dreadfully boring for any man to endure. Our days will be filled with shopping and our evenings will be spent tutoring Darcy on the arts.”
Reginald grimaced.
Margaret lowered her voice and leaned toward Reginald, as if to share a confidence. “When we return and I introduce my polished protégé to our acquaintances within the desirable elements of New York society; consider what grand opportunities might open up for you and your sons.”
That did it. Reginald was hooked. “How will I ever thank you for this remarkable gift?”
Margaret smiled. “No thanks are necessary. It’s only right that family members look after one another.”
Honor smiled as the fog rolled in. She knew the next big step in the plan to hide Darcy’s pregnancy had just fallen into place.
This time, Honor fell through the mist and woke with a start, back in her own bed. She glanced at Josh, asleep beside her, and wondered if he was dreaming. Ignoring the chilly air, she slipped out of bed, pulled on her T-shirt, and went to check on Cody.
The boy looked like an angel, almost glowing in the brilliant moonbeams that shone through the window. Honor contemplated the spider web hanging above his bed and wondered if his totem dream catcher was doing its job.
Her thoughts drifted to Darcy. It must have been awful for her being forced to give her precious child away to strangers. She suddenly realized the spirit of Cody’s mother, Amy, was also losing her child to a stranger. Amy’s frequent visits with Cody over the years demonstrated her devotion, but when Cody moved to Florida, Amy, who had never been there, could not follow. Standing over the sleeping child, Honor decided to find a way to communicate with Amy’s spirit and promise her Cody would never forget how much she loved him.
Honor felt Margaret’s presence even before she turned and saw her shadowy form sitting at the parlor table. Though not prepared for another waking encounter with a spirit, she quickly composed herself and asked, “Has this all been about Cody? Showing me the precious bond between a mother and a child to help me appreciate this treasure that has come into my life?”
Her response was a raspy whisper. “Yes, in part. But there is more. Much more.”
The room was colder now. Instinctively, Honor bent down to tuck Cody’s blankets securely around him. “Do you know what became of Darcy’s baby?”
There was no response. Honor shivered, knowing even before she looked back, that Margaret had vanished. “It sure would be nice to get some straight answers around here for a change,” she mumbled into the empty space.
She kissed Cody and then crept back into bed, where she snuggled up against Josh as though they were two spoons in a drawer. Without waking, Josh curled his arm around her. Content in his embrace, she fell back to sleep.
***
The next morning, Honor left Josh and Cody watching cartoons and set off for her meeting with Sarah Jacobs.
When the two women were settled in the attorney’s small conference room, Sarah began. “I’m not going to mince words, Honor. The situation isn’t good.”
Honor braced herself for bad news.
“Until I review the company’s financial records thoroughly, I can’t determine if William has committed any criminal behavior. But I can tell you these incorporation documents don’t identify you as an equal partner in the firm, and they grant him a great deal of leeway with regard to how he spends and invests the company’s profits.”
Honor’s jaw dropped. She fought to remain calm. “I don’t understand. This has to be a mistake. The money we used to launch Soft Fix was mostly mine… and every year, I sign our company tax returns as a partner. Besides, if I can prove William’s been filing false expense reports with the company, then at a minimum, he’s guilty of tax evasion, right? Can’t I just report him to the IRS?”
“If we tip off the IRS, they’ll likely send an auditor to review your company’s suspect tax records. And if that auditor discovers illegal tax documentation, there’s a strong possibility you would be held equally liable for any back taxes, fines and penalties that are assessed.”
Honor took a deep breath. “So… I don’t have equal say-so when it comes to spending our company’s money, but I am equal when it comes to responsibility for William’s illegal actions? That’s just great. It sounds like I might be better off taking half of the assets and starting a whole new company.”
“I’m sorry; Honor, but you can’t do that, either. You signed one of the most onerous non-compete agreements I have ever seen.’ According to that agreement, if you leave Soft Fix, you can’t go to work for a competing company and you can’t establish a new software business within five hundred miles of Chicago. You also can’t do any work for Soft Fix clients, and you can’t hire any of your technical staff to come work for you.”
Honor gasped, “I can’t believe I trusted that rat bastard. I married him for God’s sake! And all the while he was designing Soft Fix in a way that tied me to him like an indentured servant.” She pressed her lips tightly together, swallowing a torrent of useless insults. “You know the most ludicrous part of this whole thing? I’m the one who paid the attorney’s fees back then. How could I have been so dumb?”
Sarah ignored the rhetorical question. “Honor, I know this information comes as a shock, but don’t give up. If there’s a way to get your fair share out of Soft Fix, I promise to find it. And I’ll let you in on a secret. When the court reviews corporate documents like non-compete agreements, they use a methodology sometimes called the smell test. Basically, that means contracts are reviewed to see if they appear to be more or less fair to both parties. None of this paperwork would pass the smell test.”
“So you mean there’s still a chance I can get justice even though I was stupid enough to give William free reign over everything?”
“Absolutely. Breaking non-compete agreements is one of my specialties.” Sarah winked. “And besides, you aren’t stupid. Your naiveté might have made you an easy target, but you’re still a victim. I’ll do my best to convince the judge that William perpetuated fraud against you by the way he designed the corporate structure and the overly restrictive terms of the non-compete agreement.”
Sarah opened her calendar. “Let’s meet back here next Friday at four thirty. That should give me enough time to review this paperwork in more detail and research Illinois statutes that specifically address non-compete agreements. Meanwhile, it would be extremely helpful if you could get your hands on some company documents that prove William has been misleading you with regard to company expenditures and your role at the firm. I want you to collect as much documentation as you can before we tip our hand.”
Honor nodded, her mouth too dry to speak. After leaving Sarah’s office, she sat in her parked car trying to figure out the best way to collect financial records without arousing suspicion.
Her disjointed thoughts were interrupted by a call from her assistant, Julie, who proceeded to download a laundry list of conflicts between William and the software designers, along with gossip from within corporate accounting. “When are you coming back?” she whined. “I’m afraid we might lose some of our best people if you don’t get back here soon and return some sanity to the bullpen.”
Honor’s response surprised Julie and herself equally. “I’ll catch a flight home Sunday. I need to be back here next Friday afternoon for a meeting with the attorney, but four days in the office might help reassure the techies.”
It served no purpose to give Julie more issues to worry about, so Honor intentionally allowed her to assume Friday’s meeting was with her mother’s estate attorney. “Please make my travel arrangements and call me back with the itinerary.”