Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“Sure, why not?”
She nodded politely and withdrew quietly.
I wrinkled my nose. The interior of the house smelled of antiseptic, reminding me of a hospital.
“My mother has an obsession with germs,” Max explained with a shrug.
I took in my surroundings. The hardwood flooring shone as if it had never been stepped on. Huge, museum-quality pieces of European art hung on the pristine walls, and everywhere there was gilt, gold, and wonderful priceless antiques.
“Maximus, you’re here,” Max’s mother called, as she emerged from a doorway on the left. She was wearing pearls, a cream silk shirt neatly tucked into black jeans and skin-colored pumps. She air-kissed Max and fussed over him before turning to me, her expression changing. A cold, unfriendly stiffness slid over her features, making her face appear mask-like.
“Hello, Lillian,” she greeted coolly, as she eyed my dress as if it was something I’d found in a jumble sale.
“Hello, Mrs. Frost. Thank you for having me,” I said politely.
“You’re welcome,” she said crisply, then turned her attention back to her son. “You don’t have long to get ready before we have to leave for the party. Shall I send some refreshments up for you to have while you’re getting ready?”
“Thanks, but Rosella has already seen to that,” he said.
She nodded. “Your father wants a word with you. He is in the library. After you show Lillian up to the west wing, perhaps you’ll go and see him.”
“Of course.”
“Good. I’ll see you both later,” she said, but she only looked at her son.
Max’s mother had been somewhat friendly the first time we met, but that was before she knew I worked for Max. Once she’d established I wasn’t in their class, she had become outrightly hostile.
I followed Max up a grand sweeping staircase and down a long wall-papered corridor with gilded light sconces. Finally, he opened a door to his left and we went in.
The room was beautiful with a huge ornate bed and tall windows that looked out to grasslands as far as the eye could see. There was an ancient oak tree in the distance.
“Did you climb that tree?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I imagined Max climbing the tree as a child. I knew almost nothing about him.
“Make yourself at home. I’ll just pop into the library and see what my dad wants,” Max said from behind.
I turned around and my instinct was to run to him and tell him not to leave me, instead, I hugged myself and said, “Okay. See you soon.”
He smiled and closed the door behind him.
Any other time, I would have been delighted with my surroundings and flopped on the bed. As it was, I felt unwanted and awkward. Max’s mother hadn’t even bothered to pretend she was pleased to have me. I wondered what was the real reason why she put us in this room. Probably because she didn’t want her other guests mixing with me.
The whole weekend stretched out as an unbearable ordeal.
Chapter 38
Lillian
Iunpacked, then ran a hot bath and hung my dress over the steam to make sure it didn’t have any wrinkles in it. As I was unwrapping my shoes, there was a knock on the door. I opened it to a maid carrying a tray with finger sandwiches, a jug of orange juice and two glasses.
After she was gone, I stood at the window looking out at the stunning beauty eating a delicious cucumber sandwich and washing it down with a cool sip of sweet juice.
I decided not to let patronizing Mrs. Frost upset me. After all, it was only one night I’d be staying under her roof. And for one night I could hold my own. My armor was my Lady Diana’s revenge dress and my classy crocodile skin shoes.
I hurried to the bathroom with my makeup kit. After washing my face, I spent the next half hour applying makeup and getting dressed. When I was ready I looked at my reflection critically in the long bathroom mirror. I was pleased to note I didn’t look half-bad.
But it dawned on me that my looks didn’t matter.
As far as Mrs. Frost was concerned, I was trash, and no amount of makeup, expensive clothes and shoes would change her mind, so I might as well forget about trying to impress any of them and just enjoy my time with Max.
The door opened and Max came in.
I walked to the bathroom door and to my surprise, realized that he must have gone to his old room and changed there because he was already dressed in his tux. And he looked magnificent.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
His translucent gaze rippled down the lines of my body voraciously, with unhidden admiration. This was it, I told myself. This was all that was important to me. I didn’t need anyone else’s approval.
“You look amazing,” he whispered.
With a laugh, I took a step back and said in a faux severe voice, “Don’t you dare. I know what that look means, Max Frost. It took me more than half an hour to get myself looking like this.”