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I’m surprised by my brother’s honesty, especially in front of his new girlfriend. We don’t ever really talk about our parents, and how they did a number on all of us.
“I haven’t spoken to them in quite a while,” I admit. “Not since…” My voice drifts and my gaze cuts to Alyssa.
“She knows,” Grant says quietly. “I told her. You can trust her with anything Charlotte. Alyssa won’t say a word.”
“Besides, I signed an NDA.” Alyssa’s expression is somber and I stare at her in shock.
Grant practically growls. “My God, woman. She’s teasing you, Charlotte. I would never have her do that.”
Nervous laughter escapes me and Alyssa reaches out, grabbing one of my hands.
“I’m sorry. The conversation was feeling so serious, but that was probably inappropriate. Please forgive me,” Alyssa says somberly.
“It was actually funny—and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Grant had his previous girlfriends sign an NDA before actually becoming involved with them. Sounds like something he would do,” I tease.
“It’s not right, that they haven’t spoken to you,” Grant says, steering the conversation back to the original topic. “And it’s not your fault, what that man did to you.”
“Ah, but it is. Don’t you see? I got involved with him in the first place, and came back from Paris an absolute disgrace.” I slowly shake my head. “They blame me for getting abducted. What that could’ve done to the family name if it ever gets out.”
“That’s just terrible,” Alyssa says, shaking her head. “How is it your fault that you were abducted?”
“Since you’re not a member of our family, you shall never know what it’s like, being a Lancaster. Having the bloodline,” a familiar male voice says from behind me.
I briefly close my eyes, bracing myself. It’s my father. When I open my eyes, I see Grant glaring at him, clenching his jaw, his mouth thinned into a straight line.
Turning, I smile at my father, who doesn’t react. My mother is standing right next to him, her arm curled through his. A united front always for the public—when they actually go out in public together, which is a rare occasion.
“Charlotte. I’m not sure if red is your color,” Mother says, her eyes wide as she takes me in, her upper lip faintly curling.
I fight the crashing disappointment from her words and can only nod, pasting on a polite smile.
“Jesus Christ, would it kill you to offer up a compliment to the girl every once in a while?” Grant says, his voice full of disgust.
Alyssa doesn’t chastise him for saying it either.
“Where’s your husband?” Father asks me, his voice gruff. “Want to thank him for the invite.”
I glance around the room, searching for his familiar dark blond head, but he’s nowhere to be found. “I’m not sure. Probably talking to someone. Being the perfect host.”
“Isn’t this more his brother’s business?” Mother asks.
“Perry has taken on a bigger role at Halcyon,” I say, feeling defensive. Love how she writes both of us off. “And he’ll most likely get a promotion at the beginning of the year.”
No one says anything until Grant finally opens his mouth.
“Good for him.”
My parents just stare blankly at me.
Funny how enthusiastic my mother was before. Pushing and encouraging me to marry Perry. Excited over the dress fittings and the planning. She put the entire wedding together for me while I walked around in a daze, in total shock over marrying a complete stranger. She wept at our wedding. Told me I was making the right choice and was a beautiful bride.
The moment the most recent incident happened with Seamus, my father expressed his disgust and she sided with him. That was it. Case closed.
And now here I stand with my parents, the both of them watching me as if I’m a stranger. I should be used to this, but it still hurts.
Tremendously.
“Ah, look. It’s a cluster of Lancasters.”
