Chapter 5

“And then she asked: Were you incapable of being a good wife?” Dorothea said in the perfect mimicry of Marion’s accent.

Elizabeth and Althea’s eyes bulged in surprise. Dorothea stopped to sip her glass of red wine, and Althea hid a smirk. The three women were in the spacious living room overlooking the pool and the gardens, lounging in nightgowns even though it was already ten in the morning.

“She obviously doesn’t want me to marry Henry. She’d rather prefer him to be with one of those shameless bimbos who throw themselves at him.” Dorothea spat out bitterly.

“You see, that’s where you’re wrong, Mom,” Elizabeth said, running her hands through her blonde hair, “Like all mothers, Marion just wants what is good for her son.”

“Are you saying I’m bad for him?” Dorothea asked.

“She’s saying you’re a little old,” Althea said.

Dorothea’s chin jutted upwards. “If Henry doesn’t mind, then I don’t know what everyone’s problem is.”

“You don’t need to ca