“I know you’re distraught, dear. Let’s move into the drawing room. I have something important I want to discuss with you.”
I rolled my eyes. “
Why can’t we just sit in here? And what is it we need to discuss?” I asked.
“Well, for starters, we really must do something about your staff. I can’t keep them on here in addition to my own. Won’t you change your mind about keeping them on yourself? You will, of course, be needing a staff you can trust once you’re in your new home.”
“My new home?” I asked, blinking. I had no idea what she was talking about. What new home? I intended on staying right where I was. In the place I felt safest. In the home my father left me.
“Of course, my dear, you’ll be wanting to start your new life in a new home of your own. Or maybe you will want to travel? Whatever you decide, my dear.”
“Well, Mama, I was thinking of asking if I could stay here. We can make some sort of arrangements for Jackson and Miss Pricket.”
My mother looked very uncomfortable.
“Well, the fact is, Cruella, I am closing up the house.”
“What do you mean, closing up the house?” I didn’t understand. I just gave her the house and now she was closing it?
“I mean exactly that.” She poured us both some tea, deciding she couldn’t wait to have Mrs. Web show us into the drawing room.
“But I thought I would stay here. At least for a while longer,” I said. “If you want to travel, I can stay here and take care of the house. I promise I won’t be mean to Mrs. Web.”
“That won’t be possible, Cruella. I’ve arranged to have everything crated and sold at auction. I have two weeks before I have to vacate for the new owners, after which I don’t plan to return to London for quite some time. I’m letting all of the staff go except for Mrs. Web. She is coming along with me as my companion.”
“Two weeks? So you’re not closing up the house, Mama. You’ve sold it. Right out from under me.”
“It’s my house, Cruella. I can do with it as I please.” I was livid. I had just lost my own home and my husband. All I wanted was to stay someplace where I felt safe. I couldn’t believe she’d sold the house so quickly, and without telling me about it. Sir Huntley had warned me this might happen.
“The moment I signed everything over to you, you’ve sold it. I can’t believe I was so foolish.”
I stood up, unable to sit still. I was so angry with her. But there was nothing to be done about it now. There was no sense in fighting about it with my mother at that point. Anyway, she changed the subject and saved me from having to pursue the conversation.
“Speaking of Sir Huntley, I’ve taken the liberty of inviting him over after dinner this evening. I did extend an invitation to dinner as well, but he declined, saying he would come after the dinner hour. He’s eager to speak with you about Jack’s will.”
It seemed my mother was full of surprises that evening.
“I’m not ready to discuss Jack’s will, Mama. I really wish you had asked me if I was up to seeing my solicitor,” I said, slamming down the glass.
“Sir Huntley is more than our solicitor, Cruella. He’s been with our family for a long time. He’s almost one of the family.”
I suddenly burst out laughing. I was in disbelief. Who was this woman? Surely not my mama. “Sir Huntley! A member of the family? Come on now, you despise the man!” I said. “What exactly are you playing at, Mama? I may have suffered a lapse of memory, but I do remember your utter contempt for Sir Huntley.”
“Very well, Cruella. I hardly know what to say to you while you’re in this state. You’re acting so strangely. I’m just trying to make things easier between us. . . .”
But before she could say anything more, Jackson came into the room.
“Are the ladies ready to go into the drawing room? Sir Huntley will be arriving shortly,” he said, giving me a sad look. Part of me wanted to stand up and hug the man. I felt like a lost little girl, sitting in my mother’s dining room. And I felt so alone. Papa and Anita were gone, and now Jack. And Mama was abandoning me. Who else did I have left but Jackson and Miss Pricket? But I couldn’t forgive him for not saving Jack. And I couldn’t stand the pity.
“Are the ladies ready to go into the drawing room?” I sneered. “Seeing as we’re all ladies here, with the exception of you, Jackson, I would say that the ladies are indeed ready to go to the sitting room.”
“Cruella, what is wrong with you?” My mother looked horrified.
“Why do you suppose it’s just we ladies dining this evening? Why do you suppose my husband isn’t here with us?” I knew I was breaking Jackson’s heart, but I didn’t care.
“Cruella, stop this at once. Jackson, I’m so sorry.” My mother was mortified. And part of me was appalled by my own behavior, but I couldn’t stop myself. I was heartbroken, but also annoyed. My earring was bothering me again, and the more it irritated me, the more I wanted to scream. So I took it out on poor Jackson.
It was as if an overwhelming rage was exploding within me, and I was directing it at this poor man, a man who had treated me like his own daughter when I was growing up. But I couldn’t stop myself. I couldn’t forgive him. I couldn’t stop hating him. Even if now was the time I needed him most.