At the door, I knock, annoyed at the reminder that Stevens won’t be answering the door. He would have known that I was here and let me in before I could even touch it.
I wait outside for over a minute in the cold before it finally opens. The new butler, Lurch, stands in the doorway. He just looks at me expectantly as I freeze on the doorstep.
'I'm here to see my stepbrother,' I say.
He just stares at me.
'Andrew Novelle?’ I enunciate, not bothering to hide my impatience.
He hesitates before he moves to the side, allowing me to enter.
'Where is he?' I ask.
'I will take you to him, ma'am,' he says in his fake accent, as if I don't know my way around the house.
I snort as I follow him down the hallway to John's old office. He opens the door and announces me.
I enter and find Andrew sitting behind John's old desk, as he was the other day when Shade and I arrived. When he sees me, he stands up.
'Marguerite. I didn't expect you. Are you in my calendar? Is Jack with you?'
'I just thought I'd come visit,’ I say. ‘Jack isn’t here.’
His face stays blank, but then again, maybe I'm just not noticing his expressions. I try harder to pay attention to his face.
'Please, sit. What can I do for you? Would you like a drink? Oh, of course, Banderville women aren't allowed.'
He doesn't say it with any kind of inflection. I suppose it's just a logical fact.
'I'm not a Banderville,' I say.And I never will be.'But no, thanks. It's a little early for me.'
'Sure, sure, of course. Have to say, I'm a little bit confused as to why you're here. I'm a little surprised to see you without my brother. Aren't you guys pretty much joined at the hip?'
I’m not sure if he’s insinuating anything, so I just shrug to be on the safe side.
'Your dad did tell him to babysit me,' I remind him.
'True,' he murmurs. 'True.'
He sits back in his chair, looking at me.
'My father’s inbox had a message from Doctor Stoke in it,’ he says casually.
My skin prickles. He sounds like John before he’d start yelling. I suppress a shudder.
‘I guess news of his passing hasn't made it across the pond yet,’ Andrew continues. ‘Apparently, my father had you taken back to The Heath for your own good, but you disappeared.’ He tuts. ‘Is that true?'
'Sort of,’ I say, not sure how much to tell him.
'And my brother helped you, right?'
'Yes, but?—'
'You know he's not doing you any favors,' he interrupts. 'He's in your head, making you think things that aren't… He's not good for you at all. And as your stepbrother, it's important for me to look out for you. This is why I think the marriage to the Bandervilles is such a good move for you. They'll make sure you're taken care of.'
In a padded cell, probably.
'I don't need to be taken care of,' I say sharply.
