Читать книгу Upstairs Downstairs Baby - Cat Schield - Страница 9

Prologue

Everly Briggs made sure she gave every appearance of listening sympathetically as London McCaffrey imparted her romantic woes. They were attending the “Beautiful Women Taking Charge” networking event, featuring a keynote from Poppy Hart, a motivational speaker and owner of Hart Success Counseling.

“And he gave you no reason for breaking off your engagement?” Everly sounded aghast, though in truth, she already knew all about London’s failed romance with professional baseball player Linc Thurston. It was the reason she’d contrived to meet her tonight.

London pressed her coral-tinted lips into a thin line as she shook her head. “He claims he isn’t ready to get married, but we’ve been engaged for two years.”

Everly tried not to wince at London’s affected Southern accent. The beautiful woman, with her silky straight blond hair and expensive clothes, was originally from Connecticut and that made her an outsider here in Charleston.

“Do you think he was cheating on you?” Zoe Crosby asked, her light brown eyes blazing with outrage from inside their frame of dark, lush lashes.

“Linc...cheat?” London toyed with her string of Mikimoto pearls as she considered this. “Yes, I suppose that’s a possibility. He travels more than half the year with the team and lives in Texas during the season.”

“And you know how women love professional sports players,” Zoe added. “My former brother-in-law is a race car driver and has women after him all the time.”

“These men have no right to treat us so badly,” Everly said. Each of the three women had shared a tale of being wronged by a wealthy, powerful man. “We need to get back at all of them. Linc, Tristan and Ryan. They all need to be taught a lesson.”

“As much as the idea appeals to me,” London said, “I can’t imagine taking revenge on Linc without it blowing up in my face.”

“What good would it do any of us? Anything we try would only end up making us look bad,” Zoe said, echoing London.

“Not if we go after each other’s men.” Everly restrained a smug smile as she took in her companions’ curious expressions. “Think about it. We’re strangers at a cocktail party. Who would ever connect us? I go after Linc. London goes after Tristan. And, Zoe, you go after Ryan.”

“When you say ‘go after,’” Zoe said, sounding hesitant even as her head bobbed eagerly, “what do you have in mind?”

“We’re not going to do them bodily harm,” Everly said with a silvery laugh. “But there’s no reason why we couldn’t ruin a business deal or mess with their current relationship. We’ve each been the victim of a ruthless man. And yet we’re strong, empowered women. Don’t you think it’s time we acted like it?”

London started nodding right along with Zoe. “I like the idea of striking back at Linc. He deserves to feel a little of the pain and humiliation I’ve endured since our engagement ended.”

Zoe leaned forward. “Count me in, too.”

“Marvelous. Now, here’s what I think we should do...”