Fate's Intervention (45 page)

“
I know, Matthew. I was only hoping . . . well, obviously you
’
ve made up your mind, so I
won
’
t try
to
persuade you otherwise. You
’
re a man full-grown. You can make your own decisions. I only wished that all men were as responsible in their decisions and actions,
”
Lilith sighed, her meaning obvious.

“
My offer still stands. I
t would honor me if
you would come to Wisconsin to meet her before we marry. Perhaps help plan the wedding? Marcelle doesn
’
t have a mother . . . ,
”

“
Say
no more, Son,
”
Lilith interrupted, placing a hand lovingly against his cheek.
“
I would be delighted to come to Wisconsin and meet your
ladylove
;
and
, if you don
’
t think she
’
d mind the interference, to help plan the wedding as well.
”

Matthew kissed his mother
’
s palm, then returned his chair to its previous position.

“
You
’
ll love Marcelle, Mom,
”
Matthew said, a twinkle in his eyes,
“
if you can handle a sarcastic wit, that is.
”

Lilith laughed lightly,
“
Her wit couldn
’
t be too horrible
if she managed to snare you, dear. Besides, better to have some wit than no wit at all. In fact, I
’
m glad she has a little spunk in her, as you say. I do grow tired of all the brainless twits that Mark hauls through here on a regular basis.
”

“
Well, you needn
’
t worry on that account. She
’
s one of the most intelligent women that I
’
ve ever encountered. In fact,
”
Matthew bragged,
“
s
he
’
s the one that proposed the new venture we
’
re starting this coming spring.
”

“
Impressive indeed. Witty and smart. I like her already. What about Mark? Did he fare well in the wife department?
”
Lilith asked.
“
I mean, even though the wedding was . . . well . . . you know. Certainly the girl has some appealing qualities that drew Mark to her in the first
place.
”

She has appealing qualities, all right, Matthew thought
–
young, virginal
,
and willing. To his mother, however, he said,
“
Um, I think it only fair that I let you judge
Elizabeth
for yourself. Who knows, maybe you can provide a good influence on the young lady. She doesn
’
t have a mother either.
”

“
Well, if that isn
’
t an evasive answer, I don
’
t know what is. Perhaps you should consider a career in politics.
”

“
So
rry, Mother, it just wouldn
’
t be fair to Elizabeth for me to assess her suitability for you.
A
fter
all, she did attempt to entrap me before she even knew about Mark, and when I turned her down . . . well, you know the rest.
”

“
A
h, it doesn
’
t sound too promising for the young lady,
”
Lilith said thoughtfully. In fact, she thought it sounded like the gold digging type of female she
’
d
wrongly assumed Matthew had
gotten himself
entangled
with
. Well, Mark probably deserved the girl.

“
You can be certain, at least, that she
’
s not after Mark
’
s money, since her
father
is wealthy in his own right,
”
Matthew said, as if reading his mother
’
s thoughts.
“
In fact, Mr. Stanharbor offered me quite a handsome dowry if I would take
Elizabeth
off his hands.
”

“
Ooh, that doesn
’
t sound pleasant at all. What
’
s wrong with the dear? Is she horribly disfigured, or something?
”

“
No, quite the opposite. She
’
s very lovely, for a fourteen-year-old child. Her
father
simply thought that I was a poverty-stricken individual who would be impressed by his offer. I wasn
’
t.
”

“
Nor were you obviously impressed with
Elizabeth
.
”

“
Well, like I said,
”
Matthew evaded again,
“
it
’
s probably best if you wait and judge her for yourself.
”

“
M
m
m. I guess I
’
d better make arrangements to pay them a visit
–
and quite soon,
”
Lilith murmured, her curiosity pe
a
ked.

Matthew laughed,
“
Since
I
’
ve sent an invitation around to their apartment for dinner tomorrow evening, I think you
’
ll be able to make her acquaintance at that time.
”

“
What makes you think that Mark will join us for dinner?
”
Lilith asked.
“
If, as you say, he
’
s put out with you over the handling of his affairs, so much so that he couldn
’
t even darken my door upon his return to the city, then what makes you think that a simple invitation will bring him to his senses.
”

“
I made certain to attach a letter to the invitation regarding the future of Daragh Steel. He
’
ll show.
”
Matthew said confidently.

“
What about the future of Daragh Steel?
”
Lilith asked.

“
Well, as my mother,
”
Matthew said,
“
I feel I owe you an explanation of my intentions before I pay a visit to the attorney tomorrow
; h
owever, I want you to know that the decision I
’
ve come to is final, so I
’
d
rather
you not try to dissuade me from it once I
’
ve laid out the details.
”

“
M
m
m, that sounds
rather
ominous,
”
Lilith said, peering at her son through narrowed eyes.

“
For me, it
’
ll be a tremendous relief, but for you and Mark . . . ,
”
Matthew stopped and
lowered his head as if deep in thought.

“
Matthew, what is it that you intend to do, Son?
”

“
I
’
ve had an offer on Daragh Steel, and I intend to take it,
”
Matthew said, hoping his mother wouldn
’
t fight him on the decision.

“
When? You
’
ve only just returned last night?
”
Lilith said, truly stunned by her son
’
s announcement.

“
I left early this morning, before you had risen, to have a meeting with the board of directors. They have offered to purchase the company as an entity and continue running things as before. The offer they
’
ve made is a
rather
handsome one, so you needn
’
t worry that you won
’
t be taken care of suitably.
”

“
I
’
m hardly concerned over my welfare, Matthew,
”
Lilith chastised lightly.
“
I had no doubt
you would do what was best for all parties involved. My concern is Mark.
”

“
I know,
”
Matthew sighed.
“
I
’
m fully aware that
’
s he
’
s been running Daragh Steel for the last ten years . . . ,
”

“
No
t so. T
he board of directors took care of the business, Matthew. Your brother merely took advantage of his position as future owner, to influence people and open doors to society. He
’
s paved a nice little golden street to all the influential homes in
New York
, using company money.
”

“
Now how come that doesn
’
t surprise me?
”
Matthew snapped, running a hand through his dark, wavy hair.
“
Well, that
’
s going to cease, let me tell you.
”

“
I
’
m listening
.
”
Lilith
felt a momentary guilt
that she
’
d tattle
d
on her youngest son, but she couldn
’
t
see him given complete reign
of
Daragh Steel without trying to prevent it first, and as Matthew outlined his plans, her only concern was how Mark was going to deal with his brother
’
s executive decisions.

“
When are you going to tell Mark?
”
Lilith asked, a concerned frown knitting her brow.

“
To
morrow night at dinner. That
’
s why I wanted to make sure he accepted the invitation. By then, the deal will be finalized with the attorney and he won
’
t have any choice but to accept his lot.
”

“
You
’
re giving your brother far more credit than I would,
”
Lilith said, the worry lines
around her eyes
increasing.

“
How so?
”

“
Mark isn
’
t the type to accept part when he could
’
ve had all.
”

“
Well, he
’
ll have to accept part, or he
’
ll end up with none.
”
Matthew said.
“
By the way, can I ask you something?
”

“
A
ny
thing, Son.
”

“
Why am I still head of Daragh Steel, or should I ask why didn
’
t Dad take me out of his will and turn over leadership to Mark?
A
fter
all, I did vanish when I was eighteen, and never attempted to remain in contact with him. I have to admit when Mark turned up on the
Weatherman
’
s doorstep and mentioned that I needed to turn over ownership to him, I was a little taken aback.
”

“
I can
’
t give you a
‘
for certain
’
answer,
”
Lilith said,
“
but I can speculate with a high degree of accuracy.
”

“
I
’
m listening.
”

“
Well, your Dad did mention a time or two that he was going to cut off your inheritance, since you never attempted to contact him, but I think that deep down he hoped you
’
d return one day.
Also
, I don
’
t think he really wanted Daragh Steel to fall permanently into the hands of your brother, which is another
reason
he kept control in your hands.
”