Page 67 of Boss from Hell

“Thank you, Rosella.”

She turned her attention to Max. “Your mother instructed me to prepare the Princess Anne room for you and Miss Hudson. She thought it would be quieter and more private than your old room. Would you like me to show you up?”

“Nah, we’ll find our own way there. Thanks, Rosella.”

“Shall I get some refreshments sent up for you and Miss Hudson?”

“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