‘He knows,’ she replies smoothly. ‘There’s no need to make a thing of it.’
The subject is closed. Priscilla turns back to the trolley and picks up the drink before heading through to where my Dad sits.
Heat creeps up my neck as I watch her. Things never change around here. Even this newer addition to the family expects me to just listen and obey. It’s one of the many reasons I left for London, craving a space where I didn’t feel like a child in an adult’s body. Somewhere that I have free will.
Maybe it is nothing,I tell myself.Maybe you’re inventing threats because this house drives you mad.
I head into the room and perch on the arm of my Dad’s chair, where he smiles up at me.
When Dad reaches for the glass, I move to touch Roman’s hand as a way to cross into Dad’s space.
I clip his elbow with mine, and the glass tips. Amber liquid spills across Dad’s lap before splashing onto the floor.
‘Oh—shit—’ I blurt.
Everyone freezes as they look at anotherMaggie Disaster.
Then Dad bursts into a rich laugh. ‘Christ, Maggie, you haven’t changed a bit.’
‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t see it.’
Priscilla narrows her eyes at me, and I quickly divert my gaze.
A staff member is already there with a cloth while someone else produces a fresh glass. Priscilla waves it off. ‘I’ll get him another.’
‘It’s fine, Darling,’ Evan says fondly to Priscilla,shaking his head. ‘You sit down and let someone else fuss over me. Do you remember the time Maggie knocked over the champagne tower at Rupert and Melinda’s wedding?’
‘It was an accident,’ I mutter.
Eliza laughs. ‘Maggie knocking something over is practically a wedding tradition in our family. Hope you and Priscilla have everything bubble wrapped for yours.’
Everyone laughs. Even Roman. I stare at the floor, my cheeks burning. I was trying to protect Dad, and instead I got made fun of. How is this fair?
Dinner is announced, saving me from having to sit there any longer feeling like a clumsy twat.
Roman raises his brows at me, and when I leave the room, he follows.
‘That didn’t look accidental,’ he whispers as we head through the corridor toward the smaller dining room.
I shake my head. ‘Priscilla put something in Dad’s drink.’
‘What kind of something?’
‘Well… I don’t know. She said it’s a supplement.’
‘Could it… actually be a supplement?’ Roman nudges me as we walk. ‘They seem pretty infatuated with each other.’
I roll my eyes. ‘If it’s a supplement, there is no need for her to be so sneaky about it.’
‘True.’
The dining room is set out for an intimate dinner. Glittering candles and pretty florals cover the length of the table along the centre line, the tableware gleaming inthe low, flickering candlelight. The staff had gone to town, even though it was only the family tonight.
Roman takes a seat beside me, looking unperturbed by the indulgence around us.
Dad sits at the head with Priscilla beside him, her hand resting lightly on his. He looks relaxed and happy to have us all back together. Which makes my earlier unease feel a bit ridiculous.
We eat course after delicate course, each small but rich. Meaty game and tart berries, pureed vegetables beneath glazed scallops, and matching wines with each dish. Roman eats like a man starved.
