| Subject: Chapter 206 - Part 1 |
Author:
KatherineG.
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Date Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 07:18:33am
In reply to:
KatherineG.
's message, "Dreams in the Dark (203 > )" on Monday, October 03, 07:35:40am
Dreams in the Dark (206/?)
by Katherine Gilbert
Life, it seemed, never turned out the way you wanted; events, as usual, were working out in ways she had never anticipated--every new fact terrible in the extreme. From the couple's newfound status as Hollywood's darlings, to new, and disturbing, additions to Premier's infirmary, every event seemed to be lining up in Madeline's favor; Adrian's blood ran cold. But that outcome was appearing rather unavoidable now.
She disliked this fact strongly but knew there was no way around it with simple regret. The only way out, ever, was knowledgeable, meticulous planning. And that, once more, would be their savior here.
She was in her studio dressing room now, waiting for her grandson-in-law, was grateful, once again, that Wolfe's inherent fear of her had allowed her her own space; perhaps the truth was a good omen. She was hoping to be able to stave off their enemy but was never certain that she was in time. Every moment lately seemed as though she were racing against the inevitable, as though fate had some plan she could neither compete with nor comprehend; the shudder moved deeper. But she had to, the truth undeniable. She had already, utterly failed one generation of her family. She couldn't bear it, if she destroyed the next.
She had no intention of seeing this happen--her determination solid, even if her plans were still in flux. She was ahead of events for the time being; her heart beat more steadily. She would just have to ensure that their plans coalesced completely before their enemies got any further in theirs.
She was moving toward this end now, needed to, if she had any hope of sanity. And there had, fortunately, been a good deal of useful information to work with, lately; something inside her quailed just slightly. If only any of it had been good news.
Her mind turned back over these facts, sorting through them for the hundredth time, as she waited. One of the first ones was the most important--the studio's recent success quite telling. For once, Premier was being talked about around town--and in quite positive tones; they were no longer the company which was mentioned as an afterthought. While Michael had long been their saving grace--her own status, as well, admittedly beneficial--for the first time in longer than much of anyone could remember, Wolfe had two young, female stars on his hands--Nikita and Susan; something in her shuddered. But it was this very fact which made all of their lives less simple.
The truth of this turn was a bit irksome, its irony lingering. While, usually, her grandchild's success would be a relatively positive factor, it was currently aiding them little. The bigger the girl was, the more victory Madeline might have, if she could make her fall--her death just the lure the tutor needed to get thousands into the cinemas. If she were so well beloved, the public could never have enough of her, could never want the stories--the sweet romance between herself and her husband--to end. And, if it did . . .
Lord, she hated this thought, despised Madeline all the more for what she was doing--as little as she liked to give into the woman that much, cold indifference much more comfortable. Still, if her opponent's plans were successful, if her grandchild did die, the studio would profit immeasurably--at least in the short-term. Making the matter worse, Susan's star was on the rise, *So Pretty to Love*--a quickly-made confection which showed her as the all-American girl-next-door--having caused quite a sensation, of late. The world had even forgiven her for starring so often with Mr. Wells, some even apparently recasting the movie in their minds so that her co-star was Michael himself. It all played into her enemy's hands, the disgust deepening. And nothing which did was aiding her now.
Adrian loathed these facts but could see no way out of some of them--only hoped that they could be twisted to their advantage, should she and her allies be successful. Still, if they weren't--if Madeline's schemes came to fruition--the woman would not gain quite the ends she believed. While the tutor might well be rid of, what she perceived to be, the annoyance of Nikita, she would also lose Michael. It took no real skill in psychology to predict the man's death by his own hand, should he fail to protect the woman he loved.
It was this truth which had amazed Adrian for many months, the tutor's inability to perceive it rather naive--or perhaps just willfully nearsighted. Still, one new, terrible turn was happening lately--one which, if they weren't careful, might allow the woman the goal she so fiercely sought; the actress's heart shuddered. And it was just this outcome which they now had to fight with all of their souls.
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