The Sapphire Lotus
“Did you know about the Sapphire Lotus? The lovely string of gems which has been the folly and a curse of the Hyder-Rivett-Kydd family for more than a century?” He was quick and brutal, a deadly meaning underlying every word. “And did you know it was those gems that brought your husband to his knees and to the brink of bankruptcy, and possibly drove him to his death?” It was an accusation in the most vile manner that stunned me.

“I can't…think just what you are trying to say to me, sir!	“ I exclaimed, indignant. “But I will not stay here and listen to your…insults -- “ I did not finish, but halfway lifted myself out of the chair; but his hand shot out like a bolt and clamped down on my wrist in a most painful grip that caused me to fall back into the chair, gasping from the force of it.


 “Hold on, for God's sake, Serena! I'm not trying to attack your dignity or even to insult you! You asked me several questions, and by God, I intend to answer them for you even if I have to spell the words out to you. But I want some answers too. Your conscience as well as your dignity may have to suffer, but it is little to ask under the circumstances. You are already in some form of agony, and you know it. So for all that, my own conscience is bruised. But what is done is done, my dear sister-in-law. It's no good for either of us to pretend that we did not inadvertently let Lance down when he needed us. We can't bring him back, or change the way it happened or is now… I am not threatening your dignity or even judging you for the way your marriage to Lance turned out. Will you trust me?”

