Page 69 of Jane Deyre
Edwina prattles on. “And more exciting news! Blanche will be here on Friday.”
Mr. Rochester’s eyes grow wide. All the color drains from his face. “What? She didn’t mention that.”
His stunned reaction goes unnoticed. An animated Edwina audibly clasps her hands. “So, everybody, we’re going to celebrate with a dinner party. It’ll be just like old times.”
Ms. Fairfax shoots her a sharp look. “Excuse me?”
“Alice, do you suddenly have a hearing problem?”
The social secretary scowls. “I don’t approve. You are in no condition to be entertaining at this level and wearing yourself out. You need to conserve your energy for the gala. It’s only a few months away.”
To my surprise, a shaken and still pallid Ward agrees with her.
Edwina huffs out an exasperated breath. “Puh-lease. I’ve never felt better.” She looks adoringly at Adele, who is sitting to the right of her, and cups her long-fingered hand over the child’s tiny one. “This dear child has brought so much energy and light back into this dreary old house.” Her eyes pan to me; I’m seated next to Adele. “And so has her lovely, talented nanny.”
I feel myself blush. My skin prickles all over.
Ms. Fairfax gives me a contemptuous look. “The only talent that fractious girl has is manipulating that child’s father.”
I feel myself heat. Anger bubbling inside me. I glance at Mr. Rochester, who is sitting across from me. He shifts in his seat but says nothing. Edwina ignores the dig.
“I’ll have Grace pull out all my finest cutlery, china, crystal, and linens. Deck the dining room out with candles and vases of magnificent roses. And have her make one of her signature French dishes.”
She takes a long swig of her champagne. “It’s going to be a sit-down dinner for six. Dinner for six at six. Doesn’t that have such a lovely ring?”
Ms. Fairfax picks at her salad. I’ve rarely seen the rail-thin woman eat more than a few leaves of lettuce. After ingesting a forkful, she returns her attention to Edwina. “So, who might be attending this ‘dinner for six’?”
Edwina takes another sip of her champagne and then rambles off the guest list. “Of course, Blanche. Her assistant, Garrett... he’s such a hoot! My darling godson... my film agent, Max Fuller; it’s been way too long since I’ve seen him and...”
Ms. Fairfax jumps in, a coy smile plastered on her face. “I’ll rearrange my schedule so I can attend.”
“Actually, Alice, there’s no need. I want Jane to attend.”
“What!?” Alice’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets. The truth, reader, I’m more shocked than she is. My jaw goes slack; my mouth falls open. I’m speechless.
“I’m sure she’s never read a book in her life!” seethes Alice. “She’ll be an utter embarrassment.”
I want to tell her that I’m very well read, but I can’t get my mouth to move.
Edwina smiles at me warmly. “Alice,au contraire,I believe Jane will be a delightful, youthful addition. Add so much to the conversation. And besides, I want her to meet Max. He can help her launch her acting career. He knows everyone who’s anyone in this town.”
I exhale a breath. Finally, I manage two small words: “Thank you.”
“You’re so welcome, my dear. It’s going to be divine.”
Ms. Fairfax’s expression has turned rabid. She’s practically foaming at the mouth. “How dare you not include me?”
“Alice, you can have the night off. But I do want you to work with Grace to set the menu—six courses and only the best—and to make the evening perfect. We have a lot to celebrate.”
The social secretary’s face is scrunched so hard it may crack. She throws her napkin onto the table and leaps up from her seat. Hands clenched. Teeth clenched.
“Excuse me.”
As she stalks off, Edwina calls out to her. “And, Alice, one last thing. Please arrange for the mobile cat groomer to come to the house. Pilote must look his absolute best for our guests.”
Disappearing, Ms. Fairfax ignores her and for the first time, I relax. The image of a bow-tied Pilote sitting at the other end of the table flashes in my head.
I stifle a laugh.