(1991) The Wedding Night by Jayne Ann Krentz

Author:Jayne Ann Krentz [Krentz, Jayne Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

There was a short, uncomfortable pause before Glen spoke.

“Don’t pay any attention to Derwin. He’s been bitter for years because neither Owen’s father nor Owen trusted him with an important role in the family business.”

“Where is Derwin from?”

“Poor old Derwin came from a proper sort of background. He was the son of an established wine-making family in the Napa Valley. But he was never interested in the wine business. He likes to tinker.”

“Tinker?”

“Sure, you know. Gadgets. He invents them. Even holds a couple of patents, although he’s never made a lot of money on any of his inventions. Owen’s father always considered him something of an

eccentric mad scientist or something, from what Kim tells me. He and I have something in common, when you think about it.”

“You mean the fact that neither of you can get a high-ranking position in the Sutherland family business?”

“Right. The difference is that Derwin would sell his soul for the privilege of being treated as an important member of the family. I’d sell mine just to be asked to take the job.”

“It sounds like the real problem is that neither Owen nor his father ever bothered to find a tactful way of handling Uncle Derwin. The policy appears to have been to ignore him as much as possible. Which Derwin and no doubt Aunt Helen and the others all resented.” Angie shook her head. “What a mess.”

“Yeah, you can say that again.” Glen lifted his cup in a mocking salute. “Welcome to the war zone, Angie. As you can see, we’re all just one big, happy family around here.”

For some reason it was the fact that everyone knew she and Owen were not sleeping together that

bothered Angie most of all. It should not have mattered to her, she told herself. Surely it was Owen’s pride that had taken the blow, not hers. She had not wanted to carry out this stupid charade of a real marriage in the first place.

Owen’s pride. Angie had been raised with a dynamic brother and a powerful father. She knew that a man’s pride was a formidable and extremely vulnerable thing. It was all tied up with his ego and his need to feel in control of his life and his world.

Her mother had ruefully explained to Angie that a man’s pride was both a source of strength and his greatest weakness. A wise woman handled it with great care.

Angie glanced across the room and saw that Owen had gone onto the terrace. Someone–Kim, no

doubt–had probably told him the rest of the family was speculating on his sleeping arrangements.

Angie recalled the little note requesting her to make up the cot, which had been stuck on the dressing table mirror that first morning. She had obliged, but now the truth was out, thanks to Betty.

Owen’s pride would be so much bloody meat at the moment.

Angie smiled wryly at Glen and got to her feet. “Will you excuse me?”

“Sure.” Glen gave her an odd look. “I don’t pretend to know what’s going on between you and Sutherland, but my advice is not to let the rest of the family get to you.

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