House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce Page A

wrong.
“You said it was an accident, too,” she whispered, her throat constricted.
    Catherine suddenly reached for her small beaded evening bag, and she pulled a tissue out and dabbed her eyes. “I need that drink, Cassandra. Please.”
    The bedroom door opened and Tracey rushed in; Cass took one look at her sister’s tight expression and she knew that fireworks were imminent. She rushed to her. “Trace,” she began. Hoping to warn her sister to lay off because Catherine was not well.
    â€œWhat have you both done?” Tracey cried, hands on her hips. “My God! How could you!”
    Catherine straightened.
    Cass intercepted her. “Whatever you are upset about, this is not a good time. Catherine isn’t feeling well. Let’s go.” She grabbed Tracey’s arm, but her sister did not budge. “Supper’s about to be served. We need to go downstairs.”
    Tracey was flushed, and she shook Cass off. “Antonio said he’s leaving. He said he has somehow upset Aunt Catherine, and that it would be better if he stayed elsewhere tonight. He’s going back to London!” Tracey regarded Cass with such a look of disbelief it was almost comical. But Cass also saw the genuine hurt in her blue eyes. “I can’t believe this!”
    Cass bit her lip. “I’m sorry,” she began, meaning it. “You can see him in London—”
    â€œI won’t have it! This is my affair. My night. My life.” She looked at Catherine. “And my boyfriend. How could you be so rude to him!?” she cried.
    Cass stiffened. “Are you sure his leaving is our fault?”
    Tracey’s eyes darkened. “Just what the bloody hell are you implying?”
    Before she could respond, Catherine stood. “Tracey, you must trust me, this is for the best. Let him go. You cannot be involved with him. Terrible things will happen, I am so sure of it—and I am so afraid for you, for all of us.”
    Tracey’s eyes widened; so did Cass’s. “Not be involved with him? I love him! I’m going to marry him,” she declared. She turned to Cass. “I don’t know what you’re thinking. But you and Aunt Catherine did or said something to make him decide to leave. I had nothing to do with it.”
    Cass felt her heart skipping a series of beats. Was Tracey being literal? Were they engaged? An image flashed through her mind, of Tracey and
Antonio together on their wedding day. Cass could not shove it aside, for Alyssa was with them, as the flower girl. Cass stared. “You’re getting married?” She could hardly get the words out.
    â€œWell, we haven’t exactly made plans,” Tracey began, and Cass didn’t really hear the rest of her sentence, she was so relieved.
    They would not take Alyssa away from her.
    â€œCass? Are you even listening? I love Antonio,” Tracey was saying. “But you always take Aunt Catherine’s side.”
    â€œTracey, I understand,” Cass said quickly, unable to believe how shaken she had been, and all for no real reason. “Look, I’m not always taking Catherine’s side, but maybe it’s better if Antonio doesn’t spend the night here. Catherine really isn’t well.”
    Immediately tears came to Tracey’s eyes. “You want to boot him out, too? If he leaves, I leave,” Tracey cried, suddenly furious. “Aunt Catherine, this is absolutely unfair.”
    Cass grew angry. “Tracey, can’t you cut Aunt Catherine some slack?” she asked. “Does everything always have to be your way?”
    Tracey gaped at her. “Always my way? Nothing is ever my way! I come home and get pounced on by all of you, the moment I step in the door. Nothing I do is ever right.”
    â€œWhat?” Cass gasped.
    â€œNo.” Catherine stood. She was trembling. “Stop it. The two of you. Stop it now. And listen to me. Tracey, I do not