Chapter 2 - THE CHARTER BENEATH THE STONE
Vivien did not enjoy seeing old men kneel.
That was the first thing she said.
"Please stand."
Kanti looked up.
"Donna—"
"Stand, Antonio. Your knees are already bad."
He gave a reluctant laugh and accepted Caterina's hand.
The others rose.
Vivien unfolded the charter again.
It had been signed in 1938, during a gathering of families who had agreed to settle certain disputes through a neutral council rather than through retaliation.
The Ashcroft family had provided the original financial guarantees and the estate where the agreement was negotiated.
Vivien's grandfather, Elias Ashcroft, had insisted on one unusual condition.
The chair of the council would pass through his descendants, regardless of marriage.
A spouse could represent the chair.
A spouse could never replace the chair.
The document was old, but the council's current bylaws incorporated the same provision.
Vivien understood immediately.
For thirty-one years, Damian had stood beside her at the Summit and allowed everyone to assume that his authority came from the Viscari name.
In truth, the position that allowed him to mediate between families belonged to Vivien.
She had never needed to announce it.
Until tonight.
"Why didn't Grandmother tell me?" she asked.
Caterina sighed.
"She believed you would discover your authority when you were ready to use it."
Vivien folded the document.
"That's a terrible way to prepare someone."
"Your grandmother was a difficult woman."
"She was."
They shared a brief smile.
Then Damian appeared.
Seline followed him, one hand resting possessively against the dark stone at her throat.
Damian looked from Vivien to the assembled family heads.
"What is this performance?"
Nobody answered.
He turned to Kanti.
"Get back inside."
Kanti remained still.
Damian's face reddened.
"I gave you an order."
"And I heard it," Kanti replied.
Vivien stepped forward.
"Damian, lower your voice."
He laughed.
"You don't get to give me instructions anymore."
Caterina struck her cane against the marble.
The sharp sound silenced him.
"Actually," she said, "she does."
Damian stared.
Caterina pointed to the charter.
"The Summit recognizes the Ashcroft chair. You have served as Vivien's representative."
"That's ridiculous."
"Read the bylaws."
Damian looked at Vivien.
"You arranged this."
"No."
"You've been planning to embarrass me."
Vivien's expression barely changed.
"You removed my necklace in front of two hundred people. You don't get to complain about embarrassment."
Seline stepped forward.
"The necklace is a symbol of the Donna's position. Damian has chosen me."
Caterina looked at her.
"My dear, you are wearing an heirloom."
Seline smiled.
"Exactly."
"Not an appointment."
The smile disappeared.
Vivien studied the woman who had spent four years sleeping with her husband.
For the first time, she felt no need to compete.
"Keep it tonight," she said.
Seline blinked.
"What?"
"The necklace. Keep it until the council decides how it should be returned."
Damian stared.
"You don't decide that."
Vivien met his eyes.
"I decide whether this conversation continues."
She turned to Caterina.
"Call an emergency session for nine tomorrow morning."
Caterina nodded.
"And the agenda?"
Vivien looked at Damian.
"Recognition of the chair. Review of the Viscari delegation. And an independent audit of every agreement approved under my name."
May you like
Damian's expression changed.
For the first time that night, he looked afraid.
