The Gold Digger's Ledger novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Say It Out Loud

The Beaumonts lived on Fifth Avenue, in an apartment with a private elevator and a dining table that sat fourteen.

There were six of us.

Lydia's father sat at the head, a heavy man with white eyebrows and a banker's slow, flat voice.

Honor sat on his right, Lydia on his left, and Gus beside me, humming.

Tristan was across the table, and I kept finding his eyes.

"Hired car again," Lydia's father said to him over the soup. "What happened to the Bentley?"

"It's in the shop," Tristan said.

"It was in the shop in May."

"It's a very slow shop."

Gus coughed into his napkin.

I ate my soup, my fish, and the salad, and I watched Lydia's father.

He was deciding something about me, and I wanted to know what.

When the plates were cleared, he folded his hands.

"Miss Dunleavy. I'm an old-fashioned man, so I'll ask you plainly."

"Please do," I said.

"What are your intentions toward my future son-in-law?"

The table went quiet.

Lydia looked down at her wineglass with a tiny, hurt frown.

Honor looked at me and did not blink.

My mouth opened, and the honest answer was right there.

My intentions were thirty thousand dollars and a very good coat.

"Mr. Beaumont," I started, "I think the engagement is a private matter between..."

"She doesn't have to answer that," Tristan said.

"I'd like her to."

"Then I will."

Tristan set down his fork.

He didn't raise his voice.

He looked straight at Lydia's father and spoke slowly.

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