‘Well, as their bedrooms are right next to ours, it will be easy to spy on them and to know what they are up to,’ I say, grinning at my mother, who smiles back at me.
‘Clever girl,’ she says. ‘You can start right away. We have nothing else to do, anyways. Start spying on them. If you notice any bad behavior on their part, let me know at once. I will know what to do. You can give them a hard time, too, my dear,’ she adds with a sly green.
Chapter 8
Megan
This morning I feel better because I slept at night. I get up, get ready and sneak into Elsie's bedroom. She is already up and combing her hair.
'I wonder how they will behave in the dining-room today,' Elsie wonders aloud, as I go and sit down on her bed, waiting for her to get ready.
'Of course, they are going to pretend like they are kind and likable,' I say. 'They certainly do not want Sloan to know how evil they are.'
'Yes, they are certainly not stupid,' Elsie agrees. 'Let's go and watch their performance,' she adds with a chuckle. I giggle with her.
Elsie opens her door to make sure that the hallway is empty. It is.
‘Great. We shall reach the dining-room safely,’ she jokes. I giggle, as I leave her room with her and head towards the dining-room.
Everyone is already there, except Lorna and Kaithria. Sloan smiles when he sees me and tells us to have a seat. Five minutes after we sit down, Lorna and Kaithria also enter the dining-room, looking nice and kind. I guess if we left Elsie's room five minutes later, we would have to walk all the distance to the dining-room in their unpleasant company. I look at Elsie – apparently she thinks the same thing, as she is smiling at me and chuckling under her breath.
‘Good morning, everyone,’ Lorna announces in a happy voice. ‘What a beautiful day. I hope my wonderful girl’s and this honorable laird’s wedding day will be as beautiful.’
I look at Sloan – he says nothing and looks at me. I am sure Lorna noticed that I and Sloan exchanged glances. She comes and sits right next to me, where there are empty seats. Kaithria sits next to her mother, looking innocent.
‘How is beautiful Lady Megan?’ Lorna asks me sweetly, her face decorated with a kind smile.
I smile back. ‘I am well, thank you. And how are you?’
I know that she wants to show Sloan and his clan how nice and caring she and her daughter are. Well, I can also play the game. Her game.
'I am also well, my dear,' she says and looks at Sloan who smiles at us happily, thinking that everything is all right.
Kaithria smiles to everyone around and answers questions as if she is the kindest creature in the world. I wonder how long they can lie to those people.
When the breakfast is over, and people slowly start leaving the dining-room, I turn to Elsie and whisper:
‘Elsie, let’s go to the yard for some fresh air, also, away from those two.’
Elsie nods. We get up and go, trying to avoid Lorna and her daughter as much as we can. Sloan is still in the dining room with the remaining people.
‘It is a beautiful day,’ Elsie says when we get out of the main door and into the bright sunlight. ‘And at last we are away from them. Did you notice how they behaved in front of everyone?’
‘Of course!’ I say. ‘They try to make an image of nice people, but I am sure it will not last long. Though, however long it lasts, I am going to play along. I can also wear a fake smile and pretend to be nice if I have to.’
‘It will not take Sloan long to realize what is going on,’ Elsie says. ‘They are not nice to the maids, so soon the word will be spread.’
‘We shall see,’ I reply hopefully.
I notice Sloan turn around the corner and walk towards us. He does not seem to be in a hurry.
‘Good morning, Megan, Elsie,’ he says, shielding his eyes with his hand from the sunrays. He looks so handsome.
‘Good morning,’ we say, and then Elsie adds: ‘Oh, there are such beautiful flowers there. I think I will go and look at some of them. Also, I promised Jaimee to get her beautiful flowers, so now is the exact time to do so.’
She leaves us alone without waiting for our reply. I am sure she hurried away to leave us alone on purpose. She wants us to speak in peace and solitary. I nearly smile at my sister's idea. So, now I and Sloan are alone behind the wall.
‘So, how have you been?’ He asks me, looking into my eyes in such a way, as if he has missed me.