“Leave her alone.” Jessie looks like she stepped out of a magazine promoting morning wear.
“I better get dressed.” I leave them knowing I shouldn’t be speaking to any of them, anyway.
As I step into the shower I think that maybe having friends would be allowed now since I am no longer fighting for Master Lucas’s hand. Maybe once I explained to my mother what a brute he is, she would understand.
I finally get that feeling as I step out of the shower, a new lease of life. A new purpose.
Ninety percent of my clothes are dresses, which I had thought enchanting, now they all look stupid, like a girl playing dress up. My mother forbids trousers so I pick up a long black full-length skirt and a green shirt. “The same color as your eyes.” I mimic my mother’s voice as I put it on.
God, I couldn’t wait to get away from her. Guilt churns in my stomach. Now, all I want is to hear her voice. I swallow as I let my black hair fall down my back. Minimal makeup and I’m ready to go downstairs.
I check to make sure my room is tidy. I know we have maids to clean our rooms, but at home my mother always made me keep my space clean. She always told me no matter what, never leave the house without making your bed.
My mother swore it helped your brain function better for the day and also taught you self-discipline.
My brain obviously wasn’t running on full steam yet. I didn’t notice Lucas standing outside my room.
“How did you sleep?” My heart gallops and I turn gawking at him like he just stepped out of the wall.
He takes a step towards me and I’m searching the landing for the other girls but the area is empty.
I’m flustered as I stare at him, he is dangerously gorgeous. Once again he wears all black and with inky hair and dark eyes, I know I should run. I lock my knees and raise my chin. Hoping my fear isn’t showing.
“Fantastic,” I lie.
He smirks and steps closer. I want to run, but I force myself to hold still.
“You look nervous.” He comes closer now and I keep my hands clenched behind my back so he can’t see the tremble in them.
“No,” I say quickly.
His smirk widens. “Now, now, Ella, you can’t lie. I told you that already.” He’s reached me now and I flinch as he takes my chin in his hand. “Your eyes tell me what you feel.”
Oh God, I tighten my legs so I don’t fall down.
“Good.” I fake a smile and hope he can read my eyes now as I force as much hate into them as I can.
His laughter has me flinching again. My heart races faster.
“Can I go?” I bite out each word.
His smile dies on his face and my stomach hollows as he releases my chin.
I’ve angered him, his eyes grow darker. “You need to remember who you are speaking to.”
I grit my teeth. “Yes, Master Lucas.”
His smirk is back. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
My heart is in my throat as I stare at him. “No, Master Lucas.” I hope the sarcasm doesn’t fill my words.
“Now you are overdoing it, Ella.” His smirk is still present so I haven’t pissed him off completely.
Footsteps have me looking away from Lucas and towards someone who looks just like him. I quickly look back to Lucas to see his jaw clenched. Turning back to the one who looks just like Lucas, I can’t stop staring. The difference is this one has glasses and a smaller frame, but he is no doubt related to Lucas. He glares at Lucas as he quickly moves down the stairs, Lucas moves past me swiftly and follows, leaving me feeling weak.
It takes me another few moments before I’m able to go downstairs. All the girls are sitting at a large dining table. It runs the full length of the room. They are all seated at the end that’s positioned half in a conservatory that captures all the sun that shines today. The room smells of maple syrup and pancakes. I’m the last one to arrive and feel anxious as I approach the table. Hannah looks up and smiles at me. She’s wearing a red top that’s the same color as her hair. It makes her stand out.
“I saved you a seat.” She pats the seat beside her and I hesitate. I notice Sandra is watching me, her eyes calculating. I force a smile and sit down beside Hannah.
“Thank you, Hannah.”
Her smile widens, her white teeth a flash against her plump red lips.
“What are friends for? Ella, who isn’t Bella.” She chews on her lips like she can’t contain her excitement.
Once I’m seated, I don’t get a menu. One of the servers places a full plate of pancakes covered in icing sugar and strawberries in front of me.
“Tea or coffee?”
“Tea please.” I glance at the server over my shoulder and she nods.
“So Ella, you have been keeping very tight-lipped about your date with Master Lucas.”
I cut my pancake before looking up at Sandra. “It wasn’t a date.”
“Oh, I heard it was.” Vicky is seated beside Sandra. Two peas in a pod.
“You heard wrong, Vicky.”
I return to my food.
“I was there with Sandra and Mary when you arrived back from your date. I saw him kiss you on the cheek.” Bernie speaks from the end of the table. I have to lean in to see her. Mary is bobbing her head in agreement.
I tighten my legs as I think about what I had been doing. Something outside the conservatory catches my eye. It’s Alex, he is walking along the window. He is wearing another top hat, this one is purple, the same as his suit. He looks just like the character from the old Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he has a black stick that has a gold ball on the top. He twirls the stick in his hands.
Alex looks up, I don’t know why, he couldn’t possibly know I was looking at him. He smiles, his eyes meeting mine. I don’t return his smile, I still don’t understand why he didn’t do anything yesterday.
Hannah’s elbow digs into my side and when I look away from Alex and to her, she widens her eyes. “Are you okay?”
I glance at all the girls who are watching me. Like there is something wrong with me.
“Yes.” I cut the pancake with no intention of eating it, my appetite is gone.
“You look so pale.” Hannah moves her head closer to me. Her worry seems genuine. But it’s hard to know in this place. A lump forms in my throat. It’s all too much.
“Excuse me.” I stand up after excusing myself and make my way across the room feeling all eyes on me.
“She’s just an attention seeker.” Vicky’s voice follows me and I walk faster with my head down just wanting to be away from them. I want to be away from this place.
Someone clears their throat ahead of me and I stop, nearly walking into Mark.
“If you could please take your seat, Miss O’Leary.” Now it is Miss O’Leary. I’m staring at Mark, just asking him for a break without asking.
“Miss O’Leary. Take a seat.” He re-words his sentence, like I might understand it better. I turn on my heel and make my way back to the table. I try not to look at Vicky, I can feel her joy at me being told to go back. I sit down and once I do, Mark addresses us all.
“I have some fantastic news. The first ball will be held tonight.”
A squeal of excitement sounds around the table.
“Game on, girls.” Vicky grins at everyone, like she has it in the bag.