Page 69
“Come on, let’s get outside and see if the party has started.”
The girls and I follow behind Nathan and Natalie. “The house is so gorgeous.”
“Well, that would all be because of my mother. I haven’t really changed anything since Nate gave it to me. It's lonely here all by myself, most of the time I stay in my apartment in the city. This house is just too big for one person.”
“From what Nathan has told me, I’m sure you living in a house that should be your father’s really chaps his hide.”
“My father,” Nathan cuts in. “Really stopped living here a couple of years before my mother got sick. Yes, technically this was his home, but he kept himself busy in the city and rarely made the drive out.”
“Oh my, it did, Laney. It didn’t matter that he left on his own volition, once the decision was final for me to take the house, that man was on a mission. He tried to move back in once she had passed. It seemed that the drive didn’t bother him once mom was gone.”
“It was something else seeing him turn red in the face when I told him he was no longer welcome in my home. He acted like I cut him off from all the money and never looked back. He spouted so many bullshit logics at me trying to convince me why he belonged in the house. Why the house and all the land was his and not mine.”
“Yes, father didn’t take any of that too well did he? It was my mother’s family who initially owned the entire estate. It's Whitmore land that this house is on, but he insisted that it was his.”
“Is he coming tonight?” Nathan asks.
“I’m assuming he is. When have you known him to miss something like this? It’s you who normally doesn’t do these hoity-toity type of things.”
“Yes, well I guess we all have to grow up sometime.”
“No better time than the present. It’s show time.”
We step out of the house into a mass of people impeccably dressed. The women are all wearing gorgeous gowns, and the men are dressed in very dashing tuxedos. I look over to Nathan, who is dressed in all black. His black tux is over a black shirt and black silk tie. The only color is a red splotch of satin that sits in his breast pocket. I think I may have underdressed for the evening. This is truly my first charity event. My father never dragged me to these things and my mother never offered to take me, even as I become an adult. This has never been my scene.
As we continue to make our way through the crowds, we keep tight hands on the girls who are walking next to us. Natalie walks off to a group of men who are talking amongst themselves. The more people stare at us, the more I begin to feel that maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. I should have stayed home with the girls while Nathan came to support his sister. I’ve never been good with all this attention, and I’m not certain I ever will be. “You look gorgeous, love. Don’t even start to think you don’t measure up, or you don’t belong. You belong here more than most of these people do.”
“I don’t know, Nathan. I feel like I’m going to be sick. I don’t want to have to answer any questions about us, or our marriage.”
“Then don’t. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t, especially because of these people. I could give a rat’s ass what any of these people think. The only people I care about are you, the girls and my sister. Everyone else can take a flying fuck for all I care.”
“The opinions of others are important, especially when you hold such a powerful name. When will you learn that?” I can feel Nathan tense as he turns around at the sound of the voice behind him.
“I’ve learned a long time ago, Father, that I can’t live my life worrying what everyone thinks of me.”
“Perhaps you need to remind yourself who should be important in your life. Then you’ll realize it’s those people whose opinions matter.” He turns to me. I can feel Amanda grip my hand. “You must be the lady who's stirring up all the hype among the press. The one to finally wrangle my untouchable son. Joseph Riley, a pleasure to meet you.”
“Laney Richards, Mr. Riley, Laney Richards-Whitmore.” I extend my hand for him to shake, but before his father can reach for it, Nathan takes it and intertwines his fingers in mine.
“Yes, I see. Aren’t you missing a name in there?”
“Well, I no longer use my maiden name, sir. I don’t see why spouting that I’m a Jacobs helps me be a better person, mother or wife.”
“I was talking about the Riley name. If you have married my son, then my surname should be included in the long list of last names you have accumulated.” He’s a piece of work.
“There’s no need for that, as you know I dropped the Riley name not long after I buried my mother. There’s no reason for my wife or any future children to share a name I know longer acknowledge as my own.”
“Yes, well, you’ve always found a way to discredit me as your father. Why would I think you would allow my name to carry on into your marriage?” His eyes rake over my body. “Now I know what all the hype is about. You’re ravishing, simply gorgeous. I bet that the fire of your hair doesn’t stop on your head, now does it, sweetie.” He gives me a wink while Nathan brings his arm protectively around me drawing me closer. “And I see that you have already adorned her with the family’s jewelry.”
“My mother’s jewelry.”
“Yes, well nice choice. The tassel of that necklace sits perfectly between her glorious breasts.”
“Are you Nafan’th daddy?” Amanda asks.
He looks down at Amanda. “Yes I am, and who might you be?”
“Her name’s Amanda and I’m Addie. Does that mean you’re our grandpa?”
“I guess it does, yes. You ladies are very pretty. You take right after your mother in the looks department don’t you?”
“Don’t, Father.” He puts his hand on his father’s shoulder, pushing him back. “You aren’t their family. I may not have a choice in the matter, but they sure as hell do.” I put my hand on Nathan’s arm hoping to calm him a bit.
“But we don’t have a grandpa, Nathan.” Addie sounds hurt.
“I know, pretty lady, but sometimes it’s better not to have one at all than to have one that isn’t worth anything. This one will only disappoint you, and I don’t want you to ever be disappointed.”
“Oh, Joseph, there you are.” The woman’s voice was deep with a slight rasp to it. By the feel of Nathan’s fingers digging into my shoulder, I didn’t have to guess who it was. Looking over to her I didn’t miss the hatred shining brightly in her eyes.
