She snorts inelegantly. “Ye mean to take the piss at every opportunity?” Examining my expression, she nudges medrunkenly with her shoulder. “You’re clan, that means they should be free to be a regular heid the baw with ye, too. Ye want me to get Jack over here? Ye know what a roaster my arse of a brother is.”
“Yeah, I’ll pass, but thanks. I still have the horror of that night he flashed his pimply butt at us burned into my retinas,” I shudder. “I’m going to the bathroom, you want to come?”
“Naw,” she shrugs. “I’m a MacTavish, I can hold my drink.”
“Uh, huh…” I say doubtfully as I rise. Checking on Mom, I see she’s deep in conversation with Mala, both of them holding MacTavish grandchildren on their laps. I’ve always loved Mala. She welcomed us with warmth and generosity from the first day. Even though we work for her, she’s never made us feel like “the help.”
Then, Mom does something odd. She’s holding Brodie, Logan and Arabella’s son. She kisses the top of the toddler’s head and looks around the room, tears in her eyes and a wobbly little smile. I’ll have to talk to her about it later. Is she hoping for grandchildren from me sooner than later?
That’s going to be a disappointment, since I’m not dating anyone, much less interested in marriage right now.
As I’m walking out of the Gothic-style, wood paneled room, I glance over at Michael. He’s loosened his tie and he’s laughing at something Duncan said. There’s a hint of one of Michael’s tattoos peeking out from the collar, and just like my first day at the mansion, I want to trace the tattoo with my fingers and ask him what it means to him.
I’m touching up my lipstick when the bathroom door opens.
It’s Celia.
Well, that just took the shine off of the evening.
Ready to make my escape as soon as she disappears into one of the elaborate little stalls, my plan is foiled when she stands next to me at the enormous mirror with a gold gilt frame.
“It’s a lovely night, isn’t it?” Celia drawls in her best upper-crust finishing school accent. It must be something they teach at those expensive academies, how to draw out words likelovelyto make them sound like the opposite. “A bit noisy, but it’s something I need to become used to, after all.”
Smiling noncommittally and uncertain where this is going, I take a step toward the door. “Well, I’ll just give you your privacy.”
“You know, I did remember you after Michael reminded me this afternoon,” she continues as if I’ve not spoken. “The housekeeper’s daughter. I remember you served those divine hors d'oeuvres at the family Christmas party last year.”
I won’t let her make me feel small for being the help.
Her lean body is arched over the counter, watching me in the mirror as she pulls out a Chanel lipstick (Chanel 31 at $230 pounds a tube, my unhelpful memory recites) slowly stroking the color over her lips. The cashmere dress she’s wearing is a Tom Ford design from this year, it’s on one of my Pinterest boards. I can’t guess who made those spiky black boots with gold accents, but I’m sure they cost thousands of pounds.
Essentially, Celia is a walking, talking billboard for My Father theEarlis Rich As Fuck and Did I Mention He Has A Castle?
As if she’d ever let us forget.
I bought my flowered dress at the annual clearance sale at Jenner’s downtown and I thought it was pretty. Not as much, next to the understated elegance of Celia’s outfit. Now, my dress looks too young for me, a little gauche.
You’re letting her get to you?Jordan scolds me.Jesus, she looks like a praying mantis.
“You grew up on the grounds, yes?” She puts the lipstick back in her bag and runs her hand over her sleek blonde bob.
“Yes. Well, I need to get back-” My hand’s on the door and I’m almost out of there when she speaks up again.
“It’s so sweet, how Michael’s family looks after those who are less fortunate,” she continues as if I’d not said a word. “Giving their people a chance to improve their lot in life. I sometimes forget that it’s important to give back to the people who take care of things for us, making our beds, cooking our meals, scrubbing our toilets…” Her sharp brown eyes examine me. “You’re fortunate to have employers who understand such things.”
I want to say something clever, something with just a bit of a bite that makes it clear I know she’s attempting to humiliate me. But as I’m struggling to come up with something, she gives me a pitying smile and moves past me, pulling the door from my limp hand and leaving the room.
***
First - The UK equivalent of graduatingsumma cum laudefrom a US university or college.
Heid the Baw and Roaster - Scottish slang for an annoying or foolish person.
Take the piss - UK slang for essentially, irritating the hell out of someone.
Chapter Three
Michael…
