I continue walking and focus on the empty chair between Hannah and Jessie, that they must have saved for me. All the ladies are in stunning ball gowns, my tight dress makes me look cheap. A man sitting beside Lucas never takes his eyes off me. I think I’m going to throw up. I stand taller and hold my head high as I walk to my chair. I can’t hear Hannah as she greets me with the pounding in my ears. I know I need to calm down. Digging my nails into my palms makes me focus. The pain shoots up my arms, blood pounds in my ears and I look up to have the man who is Lucas’s father stare at me. There is no mistake about who he is. His lips tug up into a half grin, the way he looks at me makes me feel small.
What was going on?
I want to look to Lucas for an answer, but I’m afraid I’ll leap across the table at him. He had tricked me.
“I always think a lady should be fashionably late, but you my dear have sure made your entrance boldly.”
He is speaking to me, waiting for an answer and I am all tongue tied. “Sorry,” I bite out quickly and I swear I hear a few people gasp.
“I will excuse your manners since you missed my introduction. I’m Master Andrew, Lucas' father.”
My throat tightens and squeezes with pure embarrassment. I glance at Lucas, I shouldn’t, I know that, but I’m seeking out help. He’s drinking from a tall-stemmed glass, his eyes distant. Like I’m boring him to tears.
“I do apologize, Master Andrew.” I dig my nails into my hands as I speak.
Hannah’s small hand touches my leg and I know she’s telling me she’s here. I feel like crying. I can feel sweat gathering on my brows. Taking the cloth napkin, I dab it carefully and slowly trying not to draw attention to myself. But Lucas’s father glances at me from the corner of his eye, freezing me to the spot. I drop the napkin on my plate. It looks like everyone has eaten, their plates are already gone.
The door opens and three ladies step in. They don’t approach us, but Master Andrew waves them over. Within seconds they have removed all unnecessary cutlery. One of the ladies stop at my plate.
“You can take it,” I whispered to her, trying to force a smile that is shaky and I’m sure looks pained.
“I’m sorry Ella, but you will have to skip straight to dessert.” Master Andrew addresses me again.
I swallow around the dryness in my throat. “Of course Master Andrew.” I reach for the water to quench my dry throat, the tremble is so obvious, pulling back to hide my hands, I hit the glass of water knocking it across the table. It’s like a stampede of elephants as everyone jumps away from the table like it’s hot lava.
Master Andrew tuts, and over the noise it reaches my ears, as I continue to mop up the water with my napkin.
“Leave it,” Lucas barks at me as the room falls silent. I meet his angry eyes, the depths are endless and dangerous. He works his jaw as he stares at me and I’ve never wanted to slap someone like I want to slap him right now. My hand tightens around the napkin and his eyes trail to my hand before snapping back up to me.
“Clean up this mess.” Lucas’s father calls and the servants start to dry up my mess. The girls are looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. Everyone’s dresses are fine and once again I die at all the stunning gowns.
Hannah’s strong presence is beside me. It’s awkward as we wait for the table to be reset. I can feel Lucas’s eyes on me but I don’t dare look up. Right now I’m just trying not to cry. Why did he do this to me? Was this punishment for Alex?
Once everyone is reseated, dessert arrives and the chatter commences. I pick at my apple pie and cream; it lodges in my throat and when I swallow it feels like dry sand. I spend the rest of the time swirling it around the bowl as Master Andrew boasts about Lucas. What a perfect son he is, how fantastic he is at sports. What a pleasure he was growing up.
There are giggles and even Lucas speaks, gripping my attention. He sounds normal. No barking or anger. His father smiles fondly at him.
“I will of course be taking each lady out on a date.” There is an excitement in the air. Lucas smiles at us all, when his eyes clash with mine, they flash with something before he skips me quickly. Pain sears my stomach.
“I’m very excited to get to spend that quality time with you ladies.”
I want to call him out on his blatant lies. I don’t drink wine, but a glass in front of me tempts me with the promise of numbness. I manage to reach it, pick it up and even drink down half the glass without spilling a drop. I feel the alcohol warm my blood. Placing it back on the table, Master Andrew is watching me. I can see the disapproval in his eyes before he paints on a fake smile and faces all the ladies again.
“I’m not going to lie. But the dates were my idea.” He glances at Lucas and I feel like I’m watching the worst play ever. Lucas is acting like a puppet; he is smiling at his father like he cracked a joke. But why is everyone drinking up the lies?
“I have noticed…” Master Andrew exhales like his next words pain him. “That my son has started to favor one of you over all the others.” I can feel a few glances my way. My heart pounds and when I peek at Lucas, he won’t meet my eye, but he knows I’m staring at him.
“Sandra, my darling, you are stunning, but all the other ladies deserve their chance too.” My mouth fills with saliva.
Sandra? Sandra?
Sandra raises her glass, a smug smile on her face and her eyes shoot to me before returning to Master Andrew. “I will be a lady and allow everyone their opportunity to win Master Lucas’s heart.” She sounds so smug. What was going on? I empty the wine glass, looking at everyone trying to figure out what I missed. My mind is a mess.
“Why don’t we all retire to the drawing room, for a night cap?” Everyone is smiling, standing, but I don’t move as pain continues to rip through me.
“Come on,” Hannah whispers, reaching for me. I don’t dare meet her eyes. I know how kind Hannah is, and I know her eyes must be filled with pity. The room is filled with the different coloured gowns all swishing across the floor. I have never felt so out of place. If this was punishment, Lucas has made his point.
I take another glass of wine the moment I enter the drawing room, everyone is talking about the upcoming dates. The excitement in the room has my skin itchy.
I have to sit as Lucas and his father continue praising the ladies and then praising themselves. I’m not unaware of how I’m skipped each time. His point has been driven home. He made a fool of me and I’m listening. The glass is empty and I need another one. It’s making me feel warm and settles my panic. I want to laugh and call Lucas out on his fraud as he talks about how he played football in college. He is acting … normal.
I’m glancing at the girls who are eating this up. My eyes clash with Lucas and my heart pounds. You won. I hope he can see it in my eyes, that he says he can read so well.
I stand up and a few others glance at me. “May I be excused, Master Andrew?” I can’t sit here any longer. I can feel the tears burn my throat.
He nods at me and turns back to the other ladies, my dismissal quick. Like I’m an annoyance. My heart pounds at each step to the door. It’s freedom from this charade, but once I step outside that door I know I’m going to be alone and devastated with what’s just happened.