A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 134

“Yes, I know. And Xenia really likes Herbert,” Brinley confirmed. If she truly liked him, she wouldn't need to be told to put in the effort.

Harriet offered a piece of strategy. “Men like gentle women. Just look at how Starla used to be. Tell Xenia to learn a thing or two from her on how to please Herbert.”

Harriet hoped they would get together. In her view, Starla’s current audacity was entirely due to Herbert’s support. But what could a married woman—the young mistress of the Yelchin family, no less—truly accomplish? The Farley elders weren’t insane; they would never accept someone like Starla.

However, Herbert was nothing like Fairfax. He was ruthless and lacked Fairfax’s sentimental loyalties. If anyone displeased him, even a family elder, he wouldn't hesitate to make them pay. “She really does need to learn from Starla,” Harriet reiterated, her mind on Herbert’s formidable nature.

Brinley felt a prickle of unease. How could they possibly stoop to Starla’s level? But for the sake of getting Xenia and Herbert together, they couldn’t afford to be picky about whether Starla’s methods were classy or not.

“Yes, I understand,” Brinley said.

After leaving Harriet’s room, Brinley kept herself completely covered on the way back to her own, terrified of being recognized. Damn Starla! It had been so long, yet she refused to let the plagiarism issue go.

When Brinley arrived, she found Darleen already there, yelling at Fairfax on the phone. “What else can she do besides pull these cheap stunts online?”

“If you know they're cheap stunts, why are you so angry?” Fairfax retorted.

“So we’re just supposed to lose our dignity?”

“How is she?” Darleen asked. Starla’s rampage was now affecting Harriet, too. They had all expected Harriet to return from Yoran Country and destroy Starla, but instead, Harriet was the one taking the hits, all because Herbert was backing Starla and letting her run wild. The thought gave Darleen pause. If Xenia married Herbert, would her life be any easier with Starla hovering in the background?

Just as Brinley was about to speak, Xenia walked in.

Brinley paused, then said, “My mom says Xenia should learn Starla’s tricks to win over Herbert quickly. Then all this trouble will be over.”

It all came down to Herbert. He was the reason Starla could act so brazenly. Once he and Xenia were together, would he still protect Starla? A man with a family had to consider his own household.

Brinley was especially desperate for this to happen.