“Because my father is keeping me waiting.” Juliet gave her a snooty once-over and looked at me. “Did you know that Ursula used to be our nanny?”

I glanced at Ursula, who was staring daggers at Juliet.

“Yes, she lived in our house, and she loved borrowing all of my mother’s finery—her shoes, her jewelry, even her husband,” Juliet said.

Ursula made a muffled sound, like a wounded animal, and fled the room.

“Why would you say that?” I demanded.

Juliet shrugged. “Because it’s true.”

I was never someone who backed away from fights, but I couldn’t imagine hurling such nasty words at anyone. “That was cruel.”

“How would you feel about the woman your father was having an affair with?” Juliet asked. “Especially after he married her and tried to make you call her ‘Mommy’?”

“Did that really happen?”

“Your mouth is hanging open, Deirdre. Not your best look. But yes, it happened.”

“My sister never told me about that.”

“Your sister didn’t have a clue.” Juliet examined her nails in the low light. “Mind if I ask you a question? Did some part of you despise your sweet sister?”

“How could you even think that?”

Juliet shrugged carelessly, clearly delighted to get a rise out of me. “I know we’re supposed to love our families, but I find it difficult. I don’t even like mine.”

What had Ben said? The entire Thraxton family is a criminal organization. “Maybe your family is particularly unlovable, Juliet.”

She laughed at that, holding up her glass as if toasting me. “That could be true,” she said before taking a drink. “But if we’re honest with ourselves, nature is red in tooth and claw. We’re supposed to pretend our siblings are our allies, but the secret is that they can be our worst enemies.”

In spite of myself, I was intrigued. “Is Theo your enemy?”

She patted the cushion next to her, signaling for me to sit down. “I’ll tell you something about him if you tell me something about your sister.”

That was tantalizing, but before I could speak, I heard footsteps in the hallway.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Juliet. I had to . . .” Theodore noticed me and smiled. “Deirdre! How delightful to see you.”

“Thanks for inviting me to dinner.”

“Ugh, you roped her into a social visit? Poor thing.” Everything Juliet said was dipped in acid, but she gave me her sly smile. “If you ever want to compare notes, I’m game. Call me.”

“You could stay, if you want,” her father told her.

“No, thanks,” Juliet said. “We never had family dinners when I was growing up. I may be allergic to them. But we do need to finish talking business before I go, Father. We have a cockroach problem. Again.”

“Juliet! I can’t believe you said that.” Theodore shot me a worried glance.