'Dinner is served, sir,' he drones in what I’m almost sure is a fake English accent.
He bows a little bit and my eyes narrow at him. I miss Stevens'realBritish lilt.
'Why did you fire Stevens?' I ask, my voice sharper than I intended as my eyes find Andrew once more.
He’s now moving out from behind his desk slowly. My anger doesn’t seem to bother him.
'Because the man couldn't do his job. His leg was practicallyshattered. It was going to be weeks. Besides, this is my house now and I never liked him much anyway.'
I don't say anything. There’s no point in trying to argue. Stevens is out and Lurch is in. Andrew offers his arm to me to lead me to the dining room. I glance back at Shade. I wish I could refuse it, but this is all part of the game. I need to find out…Weneed to find out why he's called me here.
His arm links with mine, and we stroll through the house to the main dining room. I'm struck by the fact that the last time I was in this room was when I was told I was marrying Joe Banderville. I wonder if this dinner is going to be any worse than that one. Without Stevens to warn me, I have no idea what to expect and that puts me even more on edge.
I steel myself to the fact that it's likely going to be something I hate and am pleasantly surprised when we sit down and the first dish is a small brioche bread roll with stuffed mushrooms, which aren't half bad. The second course is roast turkey breast with beans and potatoes and gravy, and the dessert is a wedge of chocolate torte. It’s delicious. If I could get away with licking the plate, I would.
Did Andy choose the menu? Does he remember what foods I hate? Is this an olive branch, or am I reading something into nothing?
I don’t speak during dinner. I never did here. John didn’t like the children talking unless he asked a direct question. When Shade and Andy also spend the entire meal barely saying two words to each other, I realize we’re all still stuck in the way things were when we all lived here together.
I keep an eye on Andrew, but he mostly seems lost in his own world. Maybe, like me, he can’t help but reminisce.
When the final dishes are cleared away, Shade putshis hands on the table and leans forward toward his brother, but I ask the question before he can.
I’m the one he wanted to see. It’s not up to Shade. Daisy the Destroyer fights her own battles!
'What are we doing here?' I ask Andy directly. ‘Why did you want to see me?’
'We’re having dinner,' Andy says with a smirk.
I roll my eyes. 'You know what I mean. We haven't spoken since the funeral. You didn’t invite us here for family time.’
Andrew sits back and steeples his fingers, a move that's very John and immediately has my body tensing and my fingers splaying out under the table.
'Very well. I wanted to let you know, Marguerite, that as with all of my father's other assets, you are now under my guardianship.'
The way he says it.An asset.Like the house, like the businesses. It’s a shock to my system. It takes me a moment for his words to sink in consciously, though my stomach bottoms out instantly, and I think I might throw up everything I just ate.
'What?' I ask faintly.
'I'm your guardian.'
Logically, I know that this shouldn't be a surprise, but I guess I hoped that he wouldn’t bother with me unless he had to, that I could show him that I can stand on my own two feet.
'I don't need a guardian,' I say, standing up. 'I was hoping to speak with you about this. I want you to begin the process of my emancipation.’
Andrew’s chuckle has my jaw locking and my fists clenching at my sides. When he speaks, he sounds a lotlike Stoke.
'Well, no offense, Marguerite, but you're not really cut out for life out there on your own. Of course you're going to say that you don’t need a guardian. However, there's tons of evidence to suggest you do.'
'I don't want you to be my guardian!' I snarl.
He laughs. ‘Well, sorry, but I’m all there is.’
He stands as well and puts his hands up as if to calm me, as if I need to be calmed.
'I just wanted you to come here to let you know that I have great news. I’ve spoken to the Bandervilles and Marcus says they'll still have you.'
I blink at him, stomach twisting. He can’t be saying what I think he is…
