The Bed You Make, Chapter 5c
The ‘cat' was as out of the bag as it could get. Dara said a quick prayer for patience before turning to address Edward Quartermaine's indignant reaction to the revelation of her marriage to Stefan Cassadine. “I am perfectly sane,” Dara replied calmly. Almost as an afterthought she added, “And Stefan isn't a miscreant.”
“Hmph! If you turned down a future with my grandson Justus for a life with one of those wretched Cassadines, it can only be for one reason – a bigger payoff!”
Dara was incredulous. “Mr. Quartermaine! I am going to pretend you didn't just imply that I was for sale to the highest bidder!”
“Grandfather! You didn't!” A shocked Emily Quartermaine approached her family's table. She'd walked into the middle of the conversation, but Emily had heard enough to know that her grandfather had somehow crossed the line of polite discussion.
Edward rushed to defend himself. Emily was his wife's eyes and ears where Edward's behavior was concerned. He certainly did not want Lila to believe that he had so personally insulted Dara – or any woman, for that matter. “I did no such thing!” he blustered. “I was merely trying to say that I understood her reasons for marrying that Greco-Russian miscreant!”
“You married Nikolas' uncle?” There was a slight pause while Emily digested the news. “Congratulations?”
“Thank you.” Dara glared at Edward Quartermaine through narrowed eyes. “That is very nice of you to say.”
Dara went on to absently answer Emily's questions about the wedding and Nikolas' reaction. Her real attention, though, was on the conversation being held behind her. She had deliberately turned away to address Edward Quartermaine so that Stefan and Alexis could have a moment of private conversation.
She had not missed the absolute shock in Alexis' eyes when she divulged the news of her wedding to Stefan. It was petty, Dara knew, but she enjoyed having the upper hand on the other attorney for once.
“I'm sorry,” Dara excused herself from the conversation with Emily. She nodded toward the men at the table behind her. “I should really get back to Stefan and Nikolas.”