I sat up, blood rushing to my cheeks at how I’d reacted to his unwelcome touch. I saw movement behind him. I shielded my eyes from the glare of the sun and saw a young man, late teens or early twenties, walking up. He had sandy blonde hair, much lighter than Vinemont’s, and his features, though similar, were softer, friendlier. He waved.
I dazedly returned it, not knowing what to do. Vinemont turned and saw the newcomer.
“Teddy, go back inside.” It was a command, but lacking Vinemont’s usual viciousness.
“What’s going on, Sin?” The young man kept on his path until he stood at Vinemont’s back. “Who’s she?”
“She’s none of your concern.” Vinemont stood and faced him. “Go on in. We’ll be in for breakfast in two minutes.”
Teddy looked from me and back to Vinemont. “You sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. It’s nothing. Trust me.”
Teddy’s gaze landed on me, no doubt taking in my disheveled appearance. “Okay, Sin, if you say so. It’s nice to meet you, um…”
“Stella. Her name is Stella Rousseau.”
“I guess I’ll see you at breakfast, Stella.” Teddy wrinkled his brow, but eventually took Vinemont at his word. I was glad to see I wasn’t the only one who made the same mistake.
Vinemont ruffled the boy’s hair as he turned to trudge back to the house.
Are you shitting me? A hair ruffle from Vinemont?
“Up, Stella. Now.” A growl for me.
I could either keep fighting and running or acquiesce. Vinemont had already threatened my father again. I believed him. He was serious, lethal. The thought of my father in prison grounded me, reminded me of what I had to do.
I had no choice. I’d signed it away. Running had been instinctive. Now, I needed to calculate, to somehow figure a way out of this mess and keep my father and myself alive.
Vinemont offered his hand with an irritated sigh.
Chapter Seven
Stella
Farns greeted us at the door. He didn’t say a word as we walked by, but he gave me a kindly smile. I followed Vinemont past the now familiar stairs and into the main hallway that led deeper into the house. We passed the dining room from the night before and kept going, the smell of bacon and biscuits increasing the farther we went.
“Try and behave yourself for once,” he grated, and turned left into a sunny breakfast room. The table here was smaller than the dining room’s, able to seat only twelve. Teddy, the young man from the yard, sat toward the far end and chatted with a pretty maid. When we walked in she stiffened and scurried away.
“You know that’s not allowed, Ted.”
“What? Talking to the staff is a bad thing?” He grinned.
“Talking, no. Anything else, yes. You’re a Vinemont. You can’t lower yourself.”
Teddy rolled his eyes. “C’mon Sin, I was just getting to know her a little. No big deal.” He forked a piece of pancake and stuffed it in his mouth unceremoniously. He pointed the tines at me and mumbled something around his food that could have been “who’s this?”
“I told you. Stella Rousseau.” Vinemont motioned for me to sit across from Teddy while he took the seat at the head of the table.
The young maid from earlier brought in two plates already piled high with grits, pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
“If you’d like more of anything, or something different, please let me know.” She curtsied and smiled, showing a youthful beauty. “Would you like coffee, tea, juice, or water?”
“I’d love some coffee.” My system needed a jolt of caffeine to recover from the run.
“Yes, ma’am.” She left and promptly returned with a coffee decanter and cups for both Vinemont and me. She asked my preferences on cream and sugar, but didn’t ask Vinemont. She already seemed to know his desires. Once done, she gave Teddy a small smile and returned through the door behind him, to what I supposed was the kitchen. Teddy winked at me. He was a flirt, for certain.
“Okay, now we’re alone. Tell me what’s going on. You’ve never brought a woman to breakfast. Honestly, I don’t think you’ve ever brought a woman to the house.” Teddy stuffed another piece of pancake in his mouth and smiled.
“If you must know, she’s my Acquisition.” Vinemont took a long swig of the coffee, even though it was still far too hot.
Teddy sputtered around his pancake before swallowing hard and almost choking. His face reddened, his eyes watering. “That’s us? It’s us this year?”
I listened intently as I sampled the array the maid had provided. The food was delicious and much needed. I felt like I hadn’t eaten in days. The information flying back and forth was even more satisfying.
“It is.” Vinemont ripped off a piece of bacon and chewed slowly.
“What is it, really? I know sort of what it is, but not the whole thing.” Teddy looked at me, all his prior flirtation gone.