I took a gradual breath. “As I’ll ever be.”

24

SCARLETT

Dinner was fancier than any meal I had ever had in my life.

Following Toby by to the eating room, an extended desk stretched out in the course of the room. A number of lit candelabras sectioned off the desk, located between vases of flowers and one reasonably ornate duck. It caught my eye instantly, uncertain why one thing so fancy could be on the dinner desk when it was additionally grotesque in its personal approach. Beady eyes glared out from the porcelain as I made my approach to the high-back chair Toby indicated to.

“Are you hungry?” he requested, pulling the chair out for me. “I understand now that I in all probability ought to have requested you probably have any dietary wants.”

“Hungry and I suppose, nervous,” I chuckled, my thoughts nonetheless dwelling barely on the letters. “However no, I’ve no necessities.”

Earlier than Toby may reply, a younger woman got here operating into the room together with her jet-black hair streaming behind her.

“Daddy!”

She launched herself towards Toby, and he caught her simply in time, giving her a good cuddle. Her crimson polka dot costume jogged my memory of Minnie Mouse, and I smiled to myself when Toby stepped again and held a hand out to her.

“Andrea, that is your Auntie Scarlett.”

Giant eyes turned to me, eyes that had been similar to Toby’s and she or he smiled brightly, pushing her glasses up my nostril.

“The gold digger?” Andrea requested innocently.

Heat instantly flushed my cheeks and my throat tightened however earlier than anybody else may communicate, a 3rd voice minimize by the air.

“Kids do say the darndest issues. So observant, wouldn’t you agree?” Camille Ashbluff walked by the door. Her black hair sat straight down her left facet, and her figure-hugging crimson costume clung like a second pores and skin as she approached.

“However you stated—,” Andrea started, swiftly silenced by a look from Camille. As she approached, my coronary heart resumed its violent hammering. By some means, Toby’s apology and makes an attempt to proper issues hadn’t reached his spouse, or so it appeared. I stood as Camille stopped beside me and held out one elegant, skinny hand.

“I’m Camille.”

“Scarlett.” Her hand was chilly to the contact, and I shook it briefly, however as I attempted to interrupt the grip, Camille held on with shocking power.

“What a quaint little costume!” She pursed my lips, eyes large. “I didn’t know you handmade your garments. How lovely.”

“I—.” I used to be shocked. By some means, as candy because the phrases sounded, their poison was clear. A well mannered insult for well mannered firm; that was how the wealthy labored, in spite of everything. My makes an attempt to right Camille had been ignored as she glided previous and kissed Toby on the cheek whereas he seated their daughter.

“Let’s eat!”

Fifteen minutes later, I wasn’t faring a lot better. The silver platter in entrance of me served extra as a placemat than anything, and when the primary course arrived, a soup of some sort, Camille didn’t disguise her mild scoff after I selected which spoon to select up.

“Not that one, expensive,” Camille stated sweetly, her face emotionless. “That’s a salad spoon.”

“Who eats salad with a spoon?” I frowned.

“Savages, maybe,” Camille laughed, though her smile didn’t meet her eyes. “Certainly you realize the distinction?

My cheeks warmed as soon as extra. No, I didn’t. And Camille knew I didn’t.

“Lay off, Camille,” Toby stated, seated on the head of the desk. “Nobody actually cares what utensil you employ.”

Camille’s eyes snapped to Toby, thinly veiled shock drifting over her options earlier than she nodded. I used to be simply as shocked and shot Toby a grateful smile. Toby completed his spoonful of soup after which pointed at me along with his spoon.

“So, Sebastian tells me you may have a expertise for Graphic Design?”

My brows darted up. Sebastian had spoken to Toby about me? Too caught up in balancing the soup, the spoon, Camille, and now the query, I made a decision to brush that thought apart and refocus. I nodded.

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