The Marriage Contract (11 page)

I had married him in vain.

              But all I wanted to do at that moment- was to enjoy the expensive piece of steak that I probably could never be able to afford. Though everything would be over in the following moment, I wanted to worry about it later.

              “I’ll leave everything right now,” James continued. “This house, this family, this name…it means nothing compared to her—“

              “James, you can’t be serious,” said Bethany, glaring. “She’s just a maid—“

              “Will everyone just be quiet?” Grandfather George’s shout, silenced the room, as everyone’s eyes turned to him.

              George’s wrinkled stare met mine.

              “Do you love my grandson?” he asked.

              It was such a simple question, but also the hardest one I’d ever been asked. Love…I didn’t even know what that meant.

              “I don’t know,” I said.

              James head snapped to mine, his eyes bulging. The silence grew colder, but I ignored everyone else, and focused only on George.

              “When I met him,” I began. “He was a giant, egotistical, jerk, and he still is. There’s nothing flattering about him, except when he smiles, it makes me happy. All I know is that I want to get to know everything about him. We’ve been together only a few months, and I know it was stupid of me to say yes to this supreme idiot, but the thing is, sir…he’s my idiot. Everyone needs a partner, and I’ve found mine. When you ask me if I love him, that can mean so many things, and I can’t give you just one specific answer, because I love everything that makes him…him.”

              I was talking out of my ass, but for some reason, my heart fluttered when I said those make believe words. But, it was probably because I was so into the character I was portraying. Yeah, that must be it.

              Though the table was silent, I felt a bit relieved when George’s lips turned upwards, revealing a hollow smile.

              “You’ve found yourself a good woman,” said George. “Treat her like she ought to be treated.”

              I smiled, exposing both layers of my teeth.

              The sound of footsteps bounced off the walls of the dining room, growing louder and louder, and then, coming to a stop. A chair at the end of the long table, creaked open, as I turned my head towards Richard, who sat.

              His eyes were cold as usual, and unlike James, there was nothing warm about him. He gave me a look, staring intently at me in such a way, I diverted my gaze. A light chuckle escaped his lips, and it was the first time I’d heard him laugh.

              “Welcome to the family,” he said. “Looks I came a little too late for the heartfelt introductions.”

Chapter Eight

              The champagne glass in Richard’s hand clinked against a silver spoon, as I tilted my head, staring at him.  He was a seat apart from me, sitting next to James, who eyed him curiously, as though worried about his motive. Richard’s eyes remained on mine, and I kept his stare, until he winked.

              My cheeks burned, as I dropped my gaze to the half-eaten plate of steak resting before me. Placing my hands in my lap, I began to cross and uncross my fingers against the cotton of my grey dress. My heart drummed a slow beat, as I shook my head, confused by my reaction to his quick, one second wink.

              What the heck was wrong with me?

              James must have noticed my apprehension, for his hand grasped my fidgeting palm, his flesh- warm over mine. I glanced at him, but he showed no reaction, and continued to shoot his brother a suspicious glare.

              My eyes went to Richard once more, and this time, I didn’t look away. His brows rose, and I swallowed a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

              “To the newlyweds,” Richard said, raising his glass. “I always knew you had a thing for red heads, but didn’t think you’d end up marrying one.”

              “Good one,” said Bethany, smirking.

              “Now, Richard, that’s no way to talk,” said Edmund.

              “Your father’s right,” said Rosaline. “If you’ve come here to argue, then you can leave—“

              “It’s alright, Rosaline,” James snapped, squeezing his hand tighter over mine. “I don’t need you defending me—“

              Rosaline frowned. “Darling, I’m on your side. I’m helping you—“

              James’s grip had tightened over my hand, and it felt almost impossible to free myself from his hold. Taking a deep breath, I pulled as hard as I could, groaning loudly in the process.

              Success!

              Oh, crap.

              Like a slingshot, my palm smacked outwards, landing against Grandmother Gweneth’s cheek. She dropped to the ground, and I stood, shocked. My eyes bulged, as I ran towards her, placing my arms around her. Bethany and James ran to her as well, hovering over her like an ominous cloud.

              “Oh my God, I’m so incredibly sorry!” My voice shook, as I tried to steady my hands, carrying her up, and placing her back on her chair. “His hand...it was…no, I mean…nothing! I’m so sorry! Are you alright, Gweneth? No, that’s a stupid question. I’m so sorry! Can I get something for you? Do you need some ice—“

              The side of her lip had turned lavender, as she placed a hand against it, glaring at me. Grandfather George stood, his grey hair shining against the chandelier lights, as he made his way towards me, his palm gripping over a black cane.

              “You need to leave!” Bethany shouted.

              “Oh, goodness,” Edmund whispered. “I’ll go call an ambulance—“

              “Don’t you dare!” Gweneth yelled. “You know I hate those places. I’m perfectly fine, Edmund. I’m healthier than you. Now listen to your mother, and sit back down! Stop over reacting.”

              Edmund opened his mouth, but then closed it, as though deciding it best not to say anything. He sat in his seat, across from me, sending me a cold stare. I looked away.

              Bethany stood behind Gweneth, placing her manicured hands on her step grandmother’s shoulder, narrowing her eyes at me.

“Can we call the police or something?” she snapped, her chest heaving. “This was clearly an assault. She just punched Granny!”

I glanced at Gweneth, who was staring at her plate with a curious glint in her eyes, as though contemplating something. I supposed she was thinking about how to kick me out, and break this marriage, because her grandson had clearly married a psychopath.

And I didn’t exactly punch her, but it was no time to correct anybody, since I was clearly at fault. I sat in my chair, my legs shaking and my eyes beginning to sting from embarrassment.

James! Why did he have to squeeze my hand so damn hard? This was his fault, but blaming him would just sound ridiculous, and make the matter worse.

              “Bethany, sweetie, just calm down,” said Rosaline, sitting poised in her seat. “Dorothy, dear…I believe we’re all waiting for an explanation. Did you have some sort of spasm? Should we call the hospital…perhaps you’re sick…mentally?”

              I shook my head.

              Tears threatened to drop, but I held them back. I stood, pushing the chair back, hearing it creak against the smooth, wooden floor, as I turned towards Gweneth, kneeling before her. I should have run away then, screaming an apology to everyone, but that would be unfair to Gweneth, and would also make me a coward.

              Grabbing the embroidered piece of napkin in the table, I reached my hand towards my glass, taking out an ice cube, and wrapping it over the fabric. Gweneth lifted her eyes towards me, but they were unreadable, and I could only imagine what she must have been thinking.

              But without another thought, I pressed the ice pack against the side of her mouth, letting my tears fall. Grandfather George, who had been walking towards me, suddenly stopped. He stood behind me, balancing his tall, round body against the cane, as the room grew silent.

              “My grandparents passed away,” I told Gweneth, pressing the pack gently against her lips. “But when they were alive, they were kind of like you, except less daring. My Grandmother always told me to never hurt another person, and if I did, I should do whatever I can to make it up to them. So, please…punish me however you like. I can take it. I promise.”

              Gweneth’s eyes softened, as her palm curled over mine, removing it from her cheek. She took the ice pack from my hand, placed it on the table, and smiled.

              “I know it was an accident,” she whispered. “In fact, I saw what James was doing under the table—“

              “What?” Bethany shouted. “James, what’s Granny saying?”

              Grandfather George, who was standing behind me, placed his free hand on my shoulder, urging me to stand. I stood, as he turned me around, placing a hand against my cheek, giving me a warm smile. But in the following moment, his gaze darkened, as he turned towards James, smacking him hard against the head.

              This time, Richard laughed.

              “This is gold,” said Richard. “I’m sorry Granny, but you must admit, this was hilarious. We don’t get too many days like this—“

              Gweneth laughed, snorting in the process.

              “You’re right!” she said.

              James stood, walking around the chair, and standing five feet apart from George, who looked ready to murder him.

              “Honestly, this is getting out of hand.” James’s voice clattered through the air, as he stood, his cheeks turning tomato red. “I’m sorry! I held Dorothy’s hand too hard, and she was trying to get out of my hold, and so she jerked it back—“

              “You piece of crap,” George snapped. “You hurt your Grandmother! And you were ready to get your own fiancé in trouble—“

              “I’m sorry!” James repeated. “I just…I have no excuse. I was too shocked to say anything—“

              “Or too much of a coward,” Richard said, laughing. “Honestly. Granddad was about to get her thrown out the house—“

              “She should have been thrown out!” Bethany yelled. “She still hit Granny!”

              I sighed, standing, and walking towards James. I was still part of the act, and I supposed, I had to act like a supportive wife. But it was his fault. He should have defended me when he saw how everyone was misunderstanding the situation. Standing beside James, I took his hand, cursing myself for having to pretend to be this “supportive wife”. I really just wanted to stomp on his foot, hard, and possibly pull out his hair in the process.

              “Please,” I said, tracing my eyes over everyone in the room. “Don’t blame James. It was an accident. I’m so sorry. If you can forgive us—“

              “Look at that!” said George. “Look at what a great wife you have! I would have had her thrown out of the house, and sent to the police if Gweneth didn’t say that it was in fact my no good Grandson’s fault that he almost killed his grandmother—“

              “Oh, dear,” said Gweneth. “George, I’m fine. I fell down on purpose. Her slap was feather light! I’m a tough woman, you know that George. I thought at least you would follow in on this prank!—“

              “WHAT?” Everyone shouted in unison.

              We all gaped at her, and even Richard looked surprised.

              “I don’t understand,” I said.

              “Mother!” Edmund snapped. “This is madness—“

              “Complete madness!” agreed James. “Explain yourself!”

              “No freaking way,” whispered Bethany.

              “Our house has officially become a circus,” Richard noted quietly.

              “Gweneth!” George shouted.

              Without another word, Edmund strode out of the room in anger. I glanced at Rosaline, wondering if she would follow him, but she merely pursed her lips, looking annoyed. That confused me. Why was she annoyed?

              Gweneth laughed, and stood, doing a jumping jack to show that she’s perfectly fine. She pressed a hand against the side of her mouth, and the purple bruise that I’d seen earlier, smeared against her thumb.

              “Prunes,” she said, pressing her thumb against her lips. “When I saw that Dorothy’s hand was ready to plummet to my face, I grabbed hold of a prune, ready to make this act complete—“

              “No way,” snapped Bethany. “Why is everyone in this household insane? Why? Granny, you went totally out of line!—“

              “Let her continue, Bethany,” said James. “I want to hear this!”