The Wicked Wife (Murder in Marin Book 2) (19 page)

Neither of them had any doubt that there would come a time when Willow would look for some return on the kindness she showed them, both with her gifts and through her invitations to the wedding. But, as Holly told Sylvia, “If Willow keeps taking such good care of me, I have no problem helping out with whatever cause she wants to support!”

When Willow returned, she worked the phone, coordinating fundraisers held at the Bothertons’ and the Hassies’ homes, and smaller events, like afternoon teas hosted at the Greens’ and the Buckleys.’
 

As part of the inner social circle of Peninsula life, she was quickly learning all the local traditions and customs. One that she found particularly quaint: all the ladies would put on their finest jewelry for the Belvedere Ball, which was held annually alternating in location between the area’s two yacht clubs.

Each one of the society ladies had a different theory as to how this bejeweled competition got started.
 

“I suppose,” as Pamela explained, “it was nothing more than an opportunity to show off your finest pieces.” Willow, of course was enchanted and thrilled with the idea.

She took Willow to her bedroom and slid open a panel tucked inside a generous walk in-closet where her jewelry box was kept. Inside was a pendant, kept on an aging red velvet-covered case. It was quite old, but impressively designed.

“It’s a classic piece,” Willow said sweetly.

“It belonged to my mother. It’s very special to me.”

“Diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, set in antique platinum—I should say so,” Willow exclaimed.

“I see you know your jewelry.”

“I think precious stones set in exquisitely designed pieces are in, their own right, great works of art.”

“I feel exactly the same way,” Pamela explained, as she closed the case and carefully slipped it back into the hidden shelf.

“Pamela, I’d lock those up if I were you.”

“I’ve thought it about it, but it’s so neatly tucked away, and our crime rate is so low that I just don’t worry about it.”

Willow was delighted to hear that bit of news. She made a careful mental note of where Pamela hid that lovely piece.

Two weeks later, she paid a similar social call on Julia, who like Pamela, thawed almost to an adoring puddle whenever in Willow’s presence.
 

This time, Willow brought with her an antique diamond pendant she had just acquired through a trusted San Francisco broker.
 

“I’m just so excited with this piece,” Willow murmured.

“Oh, you’ve got a right to be, Willow! It’s exquisite.”

“I just love fine jewelry; I know Pamela has some lovely heirloom pieces.”

“Oh,
those
old things?” Julia said with a dismissive shrug. “Come, let me show you something better than anything she has!”

Feigning excitement, Willow followed Julia to her bedroom. There, she was made privy to Julia’s jewelry vault, which was nothing more elaborate than Pamela’s safe place, tucked away behind a false panel in her walk-in closet.

Julia had several pieces she was proud of, but she lovingly lifted and placed down on her vanity a bracelet that she called, “my favorite piece of all. It has been handed down through three generations now, beginning with my grandmother.”
 

Willow was impressed. It was a sparkling piece, adorned with multiple carat diamonds and sapphires.

“Oh, it is lovely,” Willow said excitedly. “You must love wearing it.”

“In truth, most years it only comes out only for the Belvedere Ball.”

“You should really wear it more often,” Willow said.

“One day, I’m going to have this piece improved. You see, I need to strengthen the clasp so that it’s more secure,” she declared firmly. “I think, until I do that, I’ll just trot it out once a year for the ball, and let it go at that.”

Thanks to the work of her trusted jewelry broker, Willow was building a worthy collection of her own antique jewelry pieces.

Late one night, when William was away on a two-day business trip to New York, Willow sat by the fire and considered how naughty it would be to relieve both Pamela and Julia of their beloved jewels. She could barely tolerate being in the presence of either of them, but knowing that she had something so special that once belonged to them was her idea of a deliciously naughty treat.
 

Just like stealing away a high school rival’s boyfriend, she would remove their favorite baubles when they were not paying attention. It was all too easy and too delightful to resist.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Those who wagered that the marriage of the millionaire model and the billionaire boyfriend would not make it beyond six months lost their bet. Eight months after William and Willow exchanged vows, their apparent bliss seemed to happily continue.
 

Tired of sending James’ persistent calls from his private cell phone to voicemail, Willow obtained a new cell number, which at least for the time being, appeared to have done the trick.
 

William at first asked if she intended to tell LeBon that it was time for her to put down the game of playing the face and the name behind Willow Wisp. But after her first trip to Paris for a major event at Bon Marche, she concluded that would be foolish of her to do.

“You would never let your millions stand between us, would you, mon cherie?” LeBon said, while the two of them sipped champagne in his design studio.

“Why should I fade into oblivion just because I turned thirty? I was frightened that would happen. But now that I am thirty, I’ve decided that I will wait and let the public tell me when it’s time to go. All of this is too much fun...Paris, London, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Rio, all the nightlife, and all the excitement. Belvedere is a wonderful place and I have a gorgeous home, but quiet surroundings and beautiful scenery you can find in a cemetery! I’ve got too much living to do to give it all up for that kind of eternal peace.”

“I know, my dear. But come, we’re meeting Jacques for dinner, and he’s always furious with me if I’m late. But Henri, being late might earn you a good spanking, which I thought you would appreciate from your lover every now and then?”

“I do, but Jacques—he does not spank, he pouts. What fun is there in that?”

The wedding and all the publicity surrounding the event had made the perfume that much more popular. Willow was the woman most twenty-something single women wanted to be. And now thirty-something married women thought she was a role model for them as well.
 

Somehow, word had leaked out that Willow’s pre-nup entitled her to a payment of one hundred million dollars a year, starting on the day of her wedding, and that only served to make her more of a role model in the eyes of her fans.
 

Jacques, who was waiting at the dinner table when Henri and Willow arrived, exchanged quick kisses to both her cheeks. Willow declared, “I have something that I have been dying to talk to you about.”

“What is it, my dear?”

“You know how much I adore diamonds and other precious stones?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Well, I’ve begun acquiring old estate pieces, and what I was thinking was—”

“Absolument! I’ll do it,” Jacques said, realizing that what she wanted was to take old pieces and reimagine them in bold new designs.

“I’m so glad to hear that! I brought them with me and put them in a case that’s in the safe at the
Georges Cinq.
Can I bring the jewels over tomorrow and we can discuss some possible designs?”

“
Mais oui
! It will be exciting to see what we can create together.”

Later that evening, Willow fell in to her bed at the
Georges Cinq.,

The room could not have been more romantic. With soft wood accents, adjustable lighting, and a bed that was fit for a queen and her consort, everything was perfect.
 

Now, Willow thought, all I need is my mad Russian.

Just before midnight, her wish was granted. Viktor Kozlov walked up three floors from his room and rapped his highly insured knuckles on the door to Willow’s luxury suite.
 

After briefly exchanging greetings, they lunged at each other, and spent much of the night making love.
 

At a time when the streets of Paris had fallen silent, between three and four in the morning, they sat by the fireplace and spoke of their dreams and disappointments.

“I do not understand why you should not leave this man!” Victor exclaimed.

“Viktor, in just four months, on the date of our first anniversary, I receive a second one hundred million dollar payment. It’s hard to leave anyone when that kind of money is on the table!”

“Yes, I see. But you not love him. You love
me
.”

“Of course I love you! But William is a special person, and he has been very kind to me.”

“With me, you can travel around the world! I will make a private performance for you as much as you like.”

“I know, my love.” Willow tenderly kissed the hands that delighted audiences in concert halls around the globe. “Give me a little more time. Perhaps my second anniversary…by then, I will have a total of three hundred million. It should be enough to keep me comfortable, no matter what I choose to do.”