Read Online Cynthia Hamilton - Madeline Dawkins 01 - Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton - Free Book Online Page A

the four shopping bags by the register; she couldn’t for the life of her remember what was in them.
    “No, I think that’s going to do it for now.”
    “Very well, Mrs. Ridley. If I could just get your card…”
    Madeline had the shopping bags put in her car while she ventured on to the next department: fine jewelry. The thought of the damage she could do there made her grin wickedly.
    “Well, hello Mrs. Ridley!” Leona called out from behind the display case. “I was just reading about the event at The Edgecliff Saturday night. Gorgeous photo of you and your handsome husband!” Madeline forced a small laugh. “I hear it was a great success,” Leona flattered her, leaning suggestively over the counter, subtly drawing Madeline’s attention to the striking enhancer dangling from a silver chain around her neck.
    “Talk about gorgeous,” Madeline said, happily taking the bait. Leona lifted it up to give Madeline a better look.
    “Tanzanite and white sapphires,” Leona informed her as she unclasped it and handed to Madeline. “Just came in this morning and I had to try it on. Wow, with your coloring, that is just amazing!” Madeline looked at herself in the mirror Leona was quick to supply. It was beautiful, even on a T-shirt.
    “I’m not really doing it any justice with this outfit,” she said, handing it back to Leona, who accepted it with disappointment.
    “You should try it on with something upstairs—or take it home and try it with some of your own things,” she suggested. Madeline could barely suppress a smile at her blatant salesmanship.
    “Put it aside and I’ll think about it,” Madeline said, her eyes already on to the bracelets in the case. “I need a gift for Lauren. She’s been working her tail off these last few months.”
    “I’m sure she’d love one of these. Does she own any David Yurman?”
    “Not yet,” Madeline said, toying with Leona. “Let me see that one with the peridot.”
    “Ooh, she’d love this,” Leona said, placing it on the suede viewing square.
    “So this is where successful fundraisers go to get their just rewards,” Carla Dickens said as she crept up behind Madeline, making her jump. Carla laughed at her co-chair’s reaction, grabbing her shoulders from behind as she gave her a playful squeeze.
    “It’s not for me,” Madeline insisted, playing down the indulgence. “It’s for Lauren, so she won’t go looking for an easier job.”
    “She’d love it. But then I’d have to get something for my Stephanie just as expensive or she’d go looking for greener pastures.”
    Madeline mouthed to Leona to hold the two pieces for her and turned her attention back to Carla. Burt had assigned her a mission, and this was as good an opportunity as any to get an eyewitness account of her behavior Saturday night.
    “What brings you in here?” Madeline asked, steering Carla away from the counter.
    “We’re leaving for Venice next week…”
    “Oh, that’s right,” Madeline said, missing half a beat. The auction item: Carla’s husband must’ve won the bid .
    “Need to pick out some fabulous things for the trip.”
    “Of course. I’ll come with you and get my thrills vicariously,” Madeline joked as she let her co-chair lead the way.

    “That was fun!” Carla said, her face beaming as she waited for Justin to bring her car around. He pulled up the Jaguar sedan and hopped out. He took the bags from Carla and deposited them in the trunk. “My schedule is packed, but let’s talk before I leave next week. Maybe we can squeeze in a lunch or something.” She favored Madeline with two air-kisses, tipped Justin and slid into the driver’s seat.
    “Oh, wait—I almost forgot! We’ve got the committee meeting tomorrow night. That’s right—I’ll see you then. Bye love.”
    “Bye, see you tomorrow,” Madeline said, barely able to conceal her dread. Justin pulled her car up and held the door open as she rifled through her overcrowded tote for her