Fortune Is a Woman (3 page)

“Tell me about Venus Angelo,” Robert asked.

Helaine glanced at him. “What do you want to know?”

He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “Everything, I guess. She’s quite smitten with your wife, you know. I mean, I’m assuming you know that.”

She did. She had noticed that as well, although this observation she had kept secret from Lydia. She was still wondering when it had happened. She had met Venus on a handful of other occasions and had never detected it, so either it had escaped her attention, which she doubted, or it was something Ms. Angelo could no longer conceal. It was made more problematic by the discovery that Lydia was sexually attracted to the girl, albeit only mildly. A recent development as far as the doctor could tell. “She’s married,” Helaine said. “And so is Lydia.”

Kay nudged her husband under the table.

“I’m just curious,” he said. “They work closely together?”

Kay sighed impatiently.

Helaine cleared her throat. “She is Lydia’s assistant. Quite able, I hear. Loyal and honest. Have you suddenly no faith in Ms. Beaumont, Robert? Or do you know something I don’t?”

“I have nothing but faith in Lydia. It is Venus Angelo I doubt, perhaps because I simply don’t know her as well as you must.”

Helaine chewed her bottom lip. The truth was that she didn’t know very much at all about Lydia’s assistant except her professional qualifications, that she was married, that she was young and beautiful, that she was more than a little smitten with Lydia.

Helaine Kristenson absolutely abhorred being jealous of anyone. And Dr. Kristenson counseled her patients against it. Jealousy, she often preached, was to be avoided at all costs, lest it play a critical role in the disintegration of one’s union. She was not going to flirt with jealousy now. Not ever, if she could help it. She regained her composure, smiled and said, “I am registering your concerns and will keep an eye on the situation. Okay?”

He smiled and finished his mimosa. “Smart girl,” was his reply.

Kay’s shadow stabbed him to death.

_____

“Oh, come on. ‘Men will always be false to you unless they are compelled by necessity to be true.’ You know this stuff.”

“Paula? You’re saying you can’t trust Angelo anymore?”

“Open your eyes, Beaumont. Why is she true to you? Because you are the vice president of the Fortune 500 company that employs her? Or is there, perhaps, some other necessity?”

“My eyes are open. I don’t see–did I ask for your opinion on this? I don’t believe I did.”

“Ah-hah! I caught you. The girl is smitten with
you
not her job, and you know it. And if you don’t know it, you don’t want to know it. Anyone with an eye for such things can see how much she idolizes you. And can you think of anyone else you might know who does have an eye for such things, Beaumont? Hmm? How about a world renowned sex therapist? Know any of those? Yes, well, your blond is no dummy and if she makes a stink over it–which I would do if I were in her place, any woman would, the girl is a knockout in every way–then you won’t be able to concentrate on your work and then Soloman-Schmi–”

“Paula! Soloman-Schmitt? This is about Soloman-Schmitt? I will not demote my assistant. That is not in the best interests of Soloman-Schmitt. I will never do it.”

Paula stared into her martini. Presently she responded, “You’re right,” and turned to Delilah Lewiston. “Is she the most obtuse person you have ever met or what?”

Lydia’s eyes met Delilah’s. “Okay, Del. Say it, please.”

Delilah had been silent throughout this exchange. She had missed the Treadwell’s dinner party, but Lydia’s reaction puzzled her. “Has Helaine said anything about this?”

Lydia balked at the question. She was not going to divulge what Helaine had actually said, but compared to this scene, she seemed the least concerned, the least threatened by the situation. If she was, Lydia doubted she would ever make a stink. It wasn’t her style. Besides there was nothing to it, nothing whatsoever to make a stink over. “Del, very little. Not like this nonsense.”

“Then it’s your call, Paula. I trust Liddy completely.”

Lydia smiled triumphantly. Paula pushed the food around her plate and dropped her fork in it for effect.

“I don’t want anymore scandal involving the firm and I do want you to pay attention to the situation, for chrissake. How can you be so ignorant? What–someone has to get naked and climb into your lap before you know they’ve got the hots for you? Grow up, Beaumont, and pay closer attention to the world you live in.”

Delilah choked back a laugh. It was true. Lydia Beaumont was the most obtuse person in the world. Scarcely aware most times that it even existed. And yet that world seemed so preoccupied with reminding Dame Beaumont that it was there.

Lydia looked askance. Delilah looked away.

_____

“Why are you always snickering at my predicaments?” Lydia demanded, after lunch was over and Paula had left them on the sidewalk to mull over her indictments. “Why is everything so funny to you?”

“It is funny, Liddy. Let’s go get drunk and get our names in the police blotter, make some headlines. That’ll show Paula Treadwell.”

Lydia laughed at the notion and then fell silent, as if everything Paula had said was finally hitting home. “Geesh, I’ve already gone through that nightmare. My name in all the papers. I sure wouldn’t want to go there again.”

“Yeeaah! So pay attention, Liddy. Like the woman says.”

_____

“Sales are stable and still pretty high so they’re not anxious by any means, but they could be boosted with a revised edition. Some updated entries or the like. That’s not an uncommon marketing approach.”

Helaine was meeting with her agent this afternoon, her nose still bent about Venus, about Robert’s boldness in broaching the subject. Was it that obvious to other people?

“Dr. Kristenson?”

“Look, Sam, parts of the material are already so controversial. How could it ever get old?” This was becoming an annual event. The publisher’s request for a revised edition, her reluctance to provide it.

“They’re not actually asking for new content here and they’re not actually requesting that you really change anything or rack your brains for something new. They’d just like to see a little something different so it wouldn’t be exactly fraudulent on their part to claim that this is a new and revised edition. It’ll shoot up the charts again for a few weeks, maybe stay up there a few months and boost their sales for the end of the year. You find that too unethical, Dr.? Or are you simply too busy to accommodate the request? If so, they’re willing to hire someone to assist you. That is, if you would authorize it.”

An assistant. Helaine scoffed inaudibly. If Venus’ infatuation was so apparent to Robert and Kay, then who else had noticed it? Sharon’s exploits had been humiliating enough, especially since they were so frequently publicized, but Lydia’s would be devastating. Lydia was so much the opposite of Sharon. So…so faithful.

“Can I make a suggestion?” Sam asked.

She shook her head. Ultimately she didn’t believe it. Lydia was not the adulterous type. Maybe she would be, though, if she was hounded relentlessly about Venus, if Helaine made unreasonable demands and ultimatums as some jealous mates are wont to do. Wouldn’t that make Venus seem appealing? A refuge from the terrible nag waiting at home.

Oh, god, a nag. That gave her chills. She knew better than to nag Lydia about rumors and speculation. Lydia was not sleeping with Venus Angelo. She was not in love with Venus Angelo.

“Dr. Kristenson?”

“I’m sorry, Sam. Let me think on this, okay? I’m not making any promises, but maybe it’s something I can get to after the tour. For now I’ll just think on it. That’s my only promise.”

Riding the elevator down, Helaine couldn’t chase her dark thoughts away. Time was, as always, an issue. She had one more afternoon session, then she could go home. She was thinking of when to discuss the world tour with Lydia and that tonight would just not be the right time.

Time, time, time, the enemy, she acknowledged, critiquing herself as she primped in the ladies’ lounge downstairs. She could not, this lady knew, indefinitely compete with girls.

Maybe not, she admitted on the ride back to her office, but Lydia Beaumont was, after all, hers to lose, her Mr. Right to keep. Like it or not, a game was underfoot for her affections so she had to compete. This would be tricky and she’d have to go by the book on this one. Every single letter of it. She wasn’t angry with Venus about it and she could never dislike her, but the young woman was not going to get Lydia Beaumont, nor was she going to win her by default. That would have to be over her dead body.

_____

Lydia spent the rest of the day shopping with Delilah and chewing the fat, but her thoughts were predominantly on Venus this afternoon. She was thinking that perhaps she had been aware of the girl’s growing attachment and had, indeed, deliberately ignored it. She was thinking also that it was flattering, very flattering at forty-one to be “idolized” as Paula had put it earlier, by such a person as Venus Angelo. She was thinking also of Helaine, who would be hurt by these rumblings and speculations.

“You’ve got to consider how Helaine would feel, Liddy. You don’t want to let this get out of hand so that everybody’s gossiping about you, saying that you’re having an affair. Whether you are or not.”

She would never have an affair because she couldn’t really imagine it, having sex with anyone but Helaine Kristenson. Not with anyone, including the lovely and devoted Venus Angelo. Why would she need to? “I would never have an affair, Del. You know that.”

That she had been attracted to Venus sometimes was pointless to deny, but there was nothing to confess there. She had never ventured very far with it in her mind. Admittedly, now that she was aware that those feelings might be mutual, it could be awkward to have Venus continue in her duties with her. It would be even worse to think that Paula was watching them suspiciously, having already prejudged the situation. Definitely something had to be done here. It was a very indelicate situation. Very distracting.

Lydia strolled with Delilah, considering aloud the various options and alternatives that Paula Treadwell had put before her at lunch, other than demoting Ms. Angelo, which was patently unethical and unfair. Her number one priority, she emphasized, had nothing to do with Paula or Soloman-Schmitt or her assistant. Her concerns were for Helaine. And, not incidentally, their love life.

“Boy, this is a shame, Liddy. Venus is a great kid. Sharp as a whip.”

“I honestly don’t know how I can part with her.”

Delilah understood the quandary. “But I honestly don’t know how you can keep her. Has anything actually happened? Anything that could technically be considered an impropriety?”

What constitutes an impropriety, Lydia wondered. Her hands on my thighs? “Uh…no. Not really,” she said bashfully.

Delilah stopped dead in her tracks. “Liddy?”

“C’mon, Del, we shower together at the club. Once she massaged my knee when I hur–”

“Liddy, she has to go then!”

“Right. You’re right. I realize that.
Now
.”

They walked quietly after that until they passed the window of “one of those delightful little boutiques” as Helaine discreetly referred to them.

“Ooh!” Lydia exclaimed. “I want that.”

“Liddy, what on earth do you do with such a thing?”

Lydia explained it in a whisper. Delilah grinned. Together they looked furtively over their shoulders and stepped quickly inside.

Homeward bound, Delilah offered her commentary. “You two are so sexually obsessed with each other. I don’t know when you could even think about having an affair, showers or not.”

“Sexually obsessed? You really think so?”

_____

“It’s Lydia, Dr. Kristenson.”

“Thanks, Jenny. I’ll take it in my office.”

Jenny connected them.

“Lana.”

“Darling, I was just thinking of you.”

“When will you be home?”

“Why, you want to meet me for dinner?”

“No, I want you home.”

“Oh, I see. What time?”

“Ummmm…now?”

“Well, Ms. Beaumont. I don’t know if I can slide you in that soon.”

“I have a surprise…?”

“Ah. Well, in that case, I’ll meet you in an hour.”

What a Prince Must Do to Save Reputation

She couldn’t do it. Even knowing that Paula was waiting for her to, didn’t get it accomplished. How could she survive without Venus? Where could she send her anyway? Not up, she was too young for that. Not down, she was too good for that. And why should she hand her over crossways, to a lesser VP? Who could she replace her with once she was gone? How long would it take to train someone even if she could find a replacement, which was unlikely? How would she explain it to Venus? What if they ever had to work together again? Where would–?

“Beaumont! Get up here now.”

“I’m coming, Paula.”

“I had an interesting chat with your assistant last night. Ran into her at Cicero’s, of all places. That seedy jazz club downtown?”

Yes, yes, Cicero’s. Lydia had heard of it. Helaine liked to go there sometimes. “Go on.”

“Yeah. Well, anyway. Seems she’s getting a divorce.”

Lydia was surprised by Paula’s news. Venus hadn’t told her this.

“I smell potential for scandal. Get her out of there, Beaumont.”

“There is nothing going on, Paula. I have scrutinized her every move, every nuance, from the moment you first told me your suspicions and I haven’t seen anything unusu–”

“I am not going to fire this kid, Beaumont. She’s too valuable to me. Put in a request for a transfer or have her do it herself, you coward, but I want it done.”

Italian leather couch to her left looked awfully comfortable. VP Beaumont sat down in it, said nothing.

“Vice President of Overseas Operations says you can trade assistants. I didn’t explain the necessity.” She studied Lydia. “Your hesitation in this matter concerns me, Beaumont. You look bad. Do this by the end of next week,” she said. “She’ll get more pay, of course. It’ll be fine.”