Chapter 39

Nan’s POV

“I have a request to make of you.”

“What request?” I ask suspiciously.

I do not trust this man as far as I can throw him. Positive and civil interactions do not usually start with an apology and request. I just want to go to my room and wallow a bit.

But I figure he will leave faster if I hear him out.

“Next week is my mother’s birthday. The big 60. The whole family is expected to be there.”

He rubs his hands together. Up close, I can see that he looks a lot like Lionel. Yet his handsome features do not bring out the same reactions in me as Lionel.

“That’s nice. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see her family celebrate with her.” I comment.

“Exactly. Even more so now that she has another granddaughter to spoil. Mother was shocked to hear that Vera had a missing twin.”

I smile tightly. Weary of the direction of this conversation now that Patti has been mentioned. Sign number two that this request will be unpleasant.

“We will also be inviting most of our friends, and associates. Mother is so well-known and beloved in our community. It will be a rather large party.”

“I don’t really understand what this has to do with me. I don’t mean to sound blunt, but you said you had a request for me?” I interrupt.

“The girls will also be expected to attend. Mother has been overseas for a while but is excited to meet her granddaughter. It will serve as a sort of unofficial welcome home for Patti.”

“And you expect me to watch over Patti? Introduce her to you mother?” I ask.

His reply is sharp, biting. “No. Out of the question.”

I narrow my eyes. “Then what do you want?”

“My nieces insisted you be there, and Lionel is too soft-hearted to deny them. Mother was not pleased. But she agreed for her granddaughters’ sakes.”

I bite my cheek. Holding back my angry retorts. I have a feeling his next words will make me very angry.

“My mother has made a request that you be there in a servant’s role. You are not one of the family, after all. It would be inappropriate for you to attend as a guest.”

His tone is sympathetic and kind. But I see darkness in his eyes. Cruelty hidden out of plain sight.

Its a shallow cut out of the thousand of tiny cuts I’ve endured in my life. No different to all the other little prejudices and rejections I’ve faced. It stings, but no worse than anything else.

Some part of me wonders about Lionel’s stance in this. Did Lionel know this was being requested of me? Did he agree with his mother and brother?

Now that notion burned. My chest twinged at the thought. I glare up at Joseph’s cold eyes.

“I do not claim to be part of this family. But for the girls’ sake, I will be there.” I snap back at him.

He has brown eyes like his brother. But unlike Lionel’s eyes that were such a light and warm color, his were as dark as coal. A void empty of warmth.

A hateful twist of his lips transforms his plastic smile into a haughty smirk. I clench my fists. Think about how good it would be to knock out of one of those pearly teeth.

“To begin with, you will wear the uniform provided to all our servants. You will adhere to the standards of grooming we lay out. I’ll have one of the managers contact you.”

‘I’ll have them talk to you because you aren’t worth my time.’ It is not said, but it does not need to be for me to hear it. I hold a deep breath to combat my growing rage.

‘Come on, Nan. You’ve dealt with worse than a mean old lady and her hateful son.’ I chant to myself.

Then he grabs a piece of my loose hair. Twirls a strand around his finger. I do not move, anger flushing my face.

“Which means you’ll have to tie up this ugly bird’s nest. We don’t want any unseemly sights to distract our guests.” He insists sadistically.

“Of course, not much can be done about anything else with your unfortunate attributes. On that note, you will also stay silent and unnoticed. Unheard and unseen unless spoken too.”

‘Oh goddess, they really must hate me,’ I surmise. ‘I’ve never heard of anything so humiliating in my life.’

“So, I’m to act like an obedient dog for your mother’s amusement?” I grit out.

I throw him a dirty look. Intent on getting my own shots in. Joseph is unphased.

“Not even that. Dogs serve as companions. You aren’t even fit for that.”

“What is your problem with me?” I burst out.

I cannot comprehend all of this hatred being directed at me. It makes no sense to me. I’ve never treated others this way, so why do they do this to me?

‘It’s not fair. I’m always the odd one out, and always for stuff I can’t change. I don’ deserve to be treated like this.’

Joseph tilts his head. Just like Lionel. But more like a twisted fun-house mirror version.

“Problem? I don’t have a problem with you, Nan.” He says softly.

“Obviously you do. You and everyone one else I’ve met. Every single one of you has treated me so cruelly, and for what?”

I do not have fangs or claws to emphasis my point. But I do have my words. It is time that I stop spearing my tormentors from my temper.

He hums thoughtfully. “You’re correct, Nan. You have been treated that way.”

“So you admit it?” I accuse.

“Sure. It’s not like it was a secret.” He replies easily.

“So why? Why is everyone doing this? I have not done anything to them!”

He chuckles in an unfriendly way. “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong.” He remarks.

I am choking on my anger at this point. Ready to spit fire. But he is still calm.

It is infuriating beyond measure. He should be the one upset. He is the one in the wrong.

‘I must be going crazy,’ I think. ‘Trying to talk to someone like him won’t get me anywhere.’

But I ask him anyway. Desperate for an answer. “Why?”

He steps in close now. Leans down beside my ear. Unlike Lionel, the warmth radiating from his body does not comfort me.

“Because a lowly thing like you stepped out of your place. You are not, nor will you ever be welcome in our world.” He whispers.

I am not surprised by this. From the ugly tricks to two-faced attitudes, I had been all too aware. But hearing it said outloud brought a lump to my throat.

‘Does Lionel know? Did he allow this…Did he agree to this?’

I want to ask this. But I am too scared to know. If Lionel knew, it might shatter what little composure I have left.

Joseph leans back. Studies my reaction. I refuse to give him one.

“Nan?”

I hear Lionel’s voice call from down the hallway. Breaking the tension. Unintentionally playing my hero again.

It makes both of us glance that way. Joseph leans out of my space. I am grateful for that respite.

“I’m in the living room. I’ll be there in a minute.” I call back.

Joseph’s body language shifts subtlety. Tense where before he was relaxed. Mouth pressed together tightly.

I stand straighter. Stare into Joseph’s face defiantly. Blustered by the knowledge that Lionel is only a room away if I need him.

“Is that all?” I ask harshly.

“Yes, that was all I wanted to say to you. I just came over to personally make sure you got the message.” He says meaningfully.

He hands me a package. Instructions for a servant’s role and paperwork for the manager. It is insult to injury to my already wounded ego.

He begins to stride away. Borrowed confidence that he does not wear nearly as well as Lionel. Before he goes, he throws one last parting shot.

“In case you did not fully get the message, let me reiterate. Don’t you go getting any delusions of grandeur of joining the upper class, Lionel will not ever accept you as a mate…you will never belong here.”