Chapter 29

I knew exactly where to find Lyn at this early hour; in the kitchen with Vera. Vera's role had changed from nanny to cook or more specifically baker and Lyn reveled in being her assistant. Vera's recipe for orange cranberry scones was a particular favorite of Alexander's which is why she was allowed to stay on once her expertise as a caregiver became superfluous.

"Oh Alex!" Lyn's mixture of surprise and delight was evident on her angelic face "When did you get in? Why? What happened to your face? Is Michael home too? Oh never mind just give me a hug; I've missed you so much!"

Lyn's loving squeeze filled my heart with joy; just seeing her smile could heal a splintered soul.

"Father wants to see you in his study. You better hurry; he's not in a very good mood I'm afraid I saw to that"

"But I'm not even dressed yet. He doesn't like it when I roam around in my nightgown. 'A proper lady always dresses for the day'" she laughed as she puffed out her chest and imitated Alexander.

"Here take my pants and tuck yourself in, he won't notice."\\

"You always take care of me don't you Alex? " Lyn pulled on my jeans and tucked her pajama top "So? What do you think?"

"You look great! Now go."

Before rounding the corner she ran back placing a quick kiss on my cheek. "I've really missed you."

Once I redressed I stood at the balcony overlooking the foyer, watching, as Lyn left Alexander's study. She leaned against the closed door and squeezed her eyes shut.

"What did he want, Lyn. What does he want you to do?"

My voice startled her and she quickly changed her demeanor. "Its nothing Alex, he's just angry with me; that's all. Now I have an hour before I need to get ready so sit with me and tell me what you and Michael have been up to. Did I tell you I've missed you?"

Each electric smile and approving nod lightened my heart; conversations with Lyn were effortless and uplifting. The back of my mind however, remained concerned, I knew our father had not simply been angry with Lyn; she was expected to do something to 'fix things' for me but the topic was avoided like a pink elephant.

My patience gone I finally blurted out "Lyn, if father has asked you to do something for me; please don't. I don't want you getting hurt on my account."

"Oh Alex, aren't we full of our self." She half heartedly joked. What makes you possibly think I would do anything for that man?" The smile on her face seemed tense and forced as she tried to evade my searching eyes.

"He can twist things; make you think your doing the right thing when in fact it couldn't be more wrong. Don't let him trick you there is nothing I need, nothing I want you to do for me. Please promise me, please." Desperation cracked my voice as I begged her to disobey Alexander Cambias.

Lyn grew angry, a rarity for her gentle persona "And what would you have me do Alex pay once or pay a thousand times? Well I choose once." Softness returned to her words "Besides there is nothing I wouldn't do for you, brother." She raised her hand and caressed me cheek. "I love you."

"Don't say that, don't ever say that! People who love me get hurt" panic swelled in my chest. "I don't want you doing anything for me do you understand! Claire said those same words and look where it got her. Am I better for it? I think not. Please Lyn listen to me."

"What kind of person would I be if I couldn't make a sacrifice for my loving brother? And you are better for Claire's sacrifice, you know the depths of her love for you, there must be something in that gift that has made you better."

I was poised to continue my plea when Lyn jumped to her feet, shouting "Enough! Don't ruin our time together; besides I need to get ready now."

I paced the living room trying to figure out a way to stop her. I knew or at least had a pretty good idea what would be expected of such a beautiful thirteen year old girl. Franticly I rushed to Alexander's office ready to make a deal with the devil.

"Well, Alex I am afraid getting your record expunged is a costly proposition. The die has been cast my dear boy; you should have thought of the consequences before your little charade. If it had been any other student there may have been alternatives…….but the dean's nephew…..your choice couldn't have been more misguided. When will you learn that you must look at every angle before acting out; reflect on the possible outcomes and plan accordingly? Rash thinking will be your downfall or certainly the downfall of those you care about just look at Claire, her blood is on your hands."

"Stop this now and I'll do anything you wish, the mirror image you have craved since my birth. Please don't let this ruin Lyn's life she deserves better."

Alexander never looked up from the documents he was examining; this was simply an annoyance we were discussing, certainly not a young girl's life. "Too little too late my boy, she will be picked up momentarily. I'd save that offer, if I were you, save it for something that matters."

"Something that matters? Something that matters? How can you be so callous? Lyn matters, she matters a great deal!"

He finally tore himself away from his paperwork, pushed back his chair and reached for the scotch on the credenza. "Care for a drink? A little hair of the dog?"

"No, I want an answer to my question."

"She matters to you, but not to me, she is just a woman, or will be. They have one purpose on this earth and that is to satisfy a man, the reasons may vary but they are good for little else. And when one goes away there are always several waiting in the wings, it is good to be a Cambias son, someday you will agree. Now as for Marilyn, she'll do Cliff's bidding for the weekend and its over. I'll buy her a trinket or two and it will all be forgotten. Both Katherine and Claire have performed their duty and now its Marilyn's turn. Case open, case closed!" Alexander enjoyed his drink before continuing; "Cliff should enjoy his virginal experience they are rare indeed, especially to men our age."

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