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Jane?
Yes?
You haven t, I mean, you didn t ?
Jane frowned. No. You know me better than that.
Good. Janice paused another long moment. I was just thinking
about the contract.
W what about the contract?
You did say that he was making you live up to it, right?
Yes, so?
So, apparently he hasn t made you live up to all of it.
Would you please tell me exactly what you re talking about? Jane
held her breath.
This is supposed to be a real marriage, Jane. But only for one
year.
Real? Jane swallowed hard. She didn t like the sound of that.
Janice spoke slowly, enunciating each word carefully. It s
supposed to be consummated.
Jane s pulse tripled. Now she was really finding it hard to breathe.
He hasn t gotten fresh or anything, has he?
N no. Jane closed her eyes. No wonder Eric kept insisting that
she read the contract. He wanted her to know that he expected, that he
wanted
Good girl. Keep him at arm s length until I get there.
But, Janice, Mark
The phone clicked on the other end.
Damn, she d wanted to tell Janice about Mark. Then Jane realized
that Janice forgot to ask for the address. Jane replaced the receiver and
then waited, staring at the phone.
The phone jangled on its hook a second time. Jane reached for it. I
suppose you d like directions? she asked without preamble.
Yes, please.
Jane gave her twin sister the address. And, Janice?
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Yes?
Mark s here.
You didn t tell him, did you?
I had to tell someone. You d done one of your disappearing acts.
Janice moaned. Great, I m in for it.
I think it serves you right.
When is Mark leaving?
Tomorrow evening, right after dinner. He and Eric are going to
spend the day together. They found a common interest cancer
research.
How morbid. But at least Mark will be gone by the time I get
there.
Maybe. But I m sure he ll hunt you down as soon as you get
home.
Janice released another moan. Well, I guess I d better get off the
phone. I have to call my partner, Dana, and let her know I ll be gone
another couple of days. Boy, will she blow her stack.
I think that if you explain that the extra time away would help you
avoid a jail sentence, she d be fairly understanding about it.
You re probably right there. Janice sighed.
And, Janice?
Yes?
I d bring a couple of suitcases if I were you. You might just be
staying longer than you think.
Jane hung up on her sister. She took a deep breath. A real marriage?
Jane s brow knit. Not if she ended up being the one who stayed.
Jane turned out the light, thumped her pillow and burrowed beneath
the covers. Janice was coming. Soon this ordeal would end one way
or the other.
* * *
The next morning, Jane entered the kitchen for breakfast and found
Hildy removing a pie from the oven.
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You re up early. Jane stretched, then yawned.
No, you re up late.
Oh. Jane blinked and stared at the wall clock. Good grief, half
past nine. Where s Mark?
Eric took your brother to Rodham Pharmaceuticals for a tour of the
lab. What do you want for breakfast?
Just coffee and a slice of toast. I m not really hungry. Jane
yawned a second time.
Sleepless night? Hildy placed the pie on a cooling rack, then
removed her oven mitts.
Yes. Must be the hot weather. Jane pulled self-consciously at her
cotton tee shirt.
I thought there was a nice breeze blowing. I didn t have a bit of
trouble snoozing. Hildy poured Jane s coffee and placed it on the
table.
Jane plopped onto a chair and rested her elbows on the table. She
added cream to her cup and stirred.
So, are you going to tell me what really kept you up half the
night?
Jane eyed the housekeeper. Don t you ever miss anything around
here?
Not much. This house is my business. So are its occupants. Hildy
poured a second cup of coffee and joined Jane at the table. What s
up?
Nothing really. I ve just invited my twin sister for a visit. I m
worried that Eric won t like it.
Twin sister? Hildy raised her brows. Identical?
An exact replica. Only, Eric and my sister don t exactly see eye to
eye.
Hildy frowned. That s odd. I would think he d adore anyone who
looked like you. In fact, I would think he d have some trouble telling
you apart.
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Jane s gaze widened and she snapped her fingers. Hildy, you ve
just given me an idea.
An idea?
On how to make everyone get along. Her lips curled upward at
her plan.
Well, I m certainly glad to be of help. Hildy patted Jane s hand. I
hope your plan works.
Jane nibbled her lip, then met Hildy s warm stare. How about you,
Hildy. Will you mind the extra work?
Nah. Hildy waved her hand. Gives me a chance to show off my
cooking. When will your sister be arriving?
In a day or two. She didn t give me an exact time.
I ll make up a clean room right away. Hildy smiled and gave her
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