“I know for a fact that if Lucien referred to your Teo as your ‘meal’, you’d challenge him without hesitation. And yet here you sit, at his concubine’s table in her presence and his and treat them both to your insolence. I’ve shown you patience, Cressida, until now. One more demonstration of your lack of regard for this family, it will be me who challenges you.”
Cressida’s brows went up. “This family?”
Magdalene sat back. “Are you not seated at a table with your son, his sister, their grandparents?”
“Are you not inferring that Leah is family?” Cressida shot back.
“If that is what you wish to read into my statement, be my guest. I, for one,” her eyes intriguingly slid to Etienne before going back to Cressida, “hold my concubines in deep regard so I have no issue with that.”
Cressida had no retort. It was clear she didn’t like this because her face went hard and her nose scrunched.
Magdalene dismissed her and looked at me.
“My apologies, Leah. I’m deeply sorry we’ve intruded on you and my son only for you to be treated to this behavior.”
“Good Christ,” Etienne muttered in clear contempt. “Apologies to a concubine?”
I so did not like Lucien’s father.
But with effort I ignored him, held Magdalene’s eyes and said quietly, “Thank you.”
She nodded to me and her face went soft.
I so did like Lucien’s mother.
I smiled at her, picked up my spoon and forced myself to take a bite of dessert. I was right. Lots of whipped cream with a hint of strawberries and chunks of moist, rich yellow cake. I was also wrong. Even the antics of Lucien’s crazy family didn’t make me not enjoy Edwina’s scrumptious dessert.
Edwina was a genius.
I was scooping up more dessert when I heard in my head, I’m proud of you, pet.
I kept my attention on my bowl when I replied, Thank you, darling.
Only when I swallowed my next bite did I look to Lucien.
His eyes were on me.
I grinned.
He grinned back.
I liked that. Therefore my grin got bigger and I gave him a smile I had no idea was dazzling. Not even when Lucien’s eyes warmed and his face got soft upon witnessing it.
Then I turned my attention back to my bowl and thus missed his family again exchanging glances.
Some were relieved. Some were hard.
All were knowing.
* * * * *
It was after dessert and coffee. Lucien had come down to my end of the table to pull out my chair, help me up and guide me out of the room with his hand at the small of my back.
We were walking through the double doors when I saw Magdalene and Isobel were hovering. As was Cressida, if further away. Julian and Etienne were moving to the formal living room which I found a relief.
No lounging in the comfy seating area off the kitchen for Etienne. No way.
I was wondering if I could tell them I needed to powder my nose and Lucien had to help me whereupon I would barricade us in our bathroom until they all went away when Magdalene came forward and wrapped her fingers around my elbow.