Chapter 7 – Daisy
I love a good mystery.
An hour later, I’ve had a proper visit with Mimi and paid the administration lady her overdue rent. Mimi was happy to see me, asking if I was wearing the dress for a special beau. “You could say that.”
“You look every bit as lovely as Ellie did in it.” I already miss Mom today – I never planned to marry but I always pictured my mother being present for my wedding day if I ever did – and that just hammered it home.
She had asked about my sister, too, as I placed the wilting blue flowers in a spare water pitcher for her to enjoy while they last. “I’m sure she’ll come by to visit you again soon.”
Except, she probably won’t. My twin sister spends all her energy trying to please a man who’s unworthy of her and thinking she’s got it so good just because he doesn’t want her to work outside the home. He likes having his indentured servant and bed warmer at his beck and call too much. We’ve not been on good terms since I told her what Rod said to me the last time I crashed at their place.
I haven’t told them about my stroke of luck yet but I will. Five million. I’m getting my Mimi out of this dump of a retirement home and I’m telling my sister she doesn’t have to stay with that jerk either once I have it. We can be three independent women, living our lives free of men.
After I left Mimi, I went to the little boutique she and Mom used to frequent back when we were in funds. It’s not a place where wives of billionaires shop but Mr. Buy Something That Doesn’t Come Off the Rack can bite my ass. It’s nice enough and I know I can’t keep wearing the same threadbare things or this dress.
Plus, I needed some proper lingerie. Despite Grant not kissing me at City Hall, I’m sure he’ll expect to consummate this marriage. When he spoke of certain required duties, he said it would be nothing difficult or distasteful but I know men. Strangely, though I still shudder in disgust when I think of men who’ve tried to put me on the spot in the past, I don’t feel that way about Grant. Maybe it’s the dashing factor combined with that hottie body.
True, he hadn’t mentioned sex when he laid out his very dry proposal on Friday night. He didn’t evict me from his bed after our agreement was reached and didn’t attempt to join me. He was gone in the morning when I went down to breakfast and found a beautiful bouquet of daisies there . “Our gentleman has developed a fondness for them and no wonder,” Jenna had said knowingly before shoveling eggs and bacon onto my plate. I could hardly contradict her - especially when her bacon is to die for - but she’s dreaming if she thinks Grant is truly attached to me.
Mrs. Keating had mentioned him behaving as a gentleman should in bed. Yet, the more I think about sleeping with Grant tonight, the more I feel a tingle of excitement building inside of me and the more part of me doesn’t want him to be all that gentlemanly. For one year, we’re married. When it’s over, I walk away set for life. Why not explore the things I’ve been denied in the past with a man I’m truly attracted to on terms we can agree on? After all, not wanting to be dependent on a man doesn’t mean I don’t ever desire them.
The shop clerk had initially eyed my white sundress in November critically but the Rolls Royce out front had her treating me like royalty soon enough.
The man at the art supply store next door hadn’t looked at me strangely at all when I recited the things I wanted – a new sketch pad, some good drawing pencils… “And, some paints and brushes. A couple of these small canvases.” I got a little carried away but I can’t wait to paint again.
My mood is buoyant on the ride home and Anders insists on carrying everything up to my bedroom. He’d let out a low whistle when he’d spied me taking the pretty lingerie I’d purchased with tonight in mind out of its bag. Blushing, I’d told him that would be all. Perhaps I need to be careful about how friendly I am with Anders.
I greet Mrs. Keating and Jenna in the kitchen once everything is put away and then head straight outdoors, resuming what I’ve been doing the past several days while my ‘husband’ has been away – exploring more of this beautiful estate.
Luis, the gardener, finds me sketching. He’s so kind and there are no conspiratorial winks from him. Everyone’s kind barring Old Vinegar Fish who seems to be silently judging me every time we interact.
Luis and I stroll down the lane toward the duck pond together to visit my new, feathered friends. “Why aren’t the swans ever at this pond? Or the ducks at theirs?”
“Because they each have their own.”
“Why?”
“They’re like two hostile nations forced to coexist on the same property but not happy about it. Be glad they have their own ponds.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know birds. I know gardening.”
“Well, you know it very well. The grounds are lovely.”
He smiles proudly as I ruminate over the ducks and swans. Two hostile nations forced to coexist. I hope that won’t be true of my marriage. I’m determined to make the best of this year starting tonight.
“What’s over that hedge there?” I ask, pointing. I’ve noted the hedge goes on for a good way in either direction but haven’t explored the other side yet.
“Those make up the maze. Mr. Linus’s grandfather had it made for his children many, many years ago, long before anyone here was born.”
My eyes widen with interest. “A maze? Like in The Shining or something? It must be enormous! Can I go in it?”
“No, sorry.”
“Why not?”
“It’s been boarded up.”
“Why was it boarded up?”
Luis glances away, something sorrowful creasing his tanned and weathered face as he does. “Mr. Linus and Mr. Grant had a big fight.”
“Why?”
“Because of… it’s not my business. Mr. Linus told me to board up the entrance soon after that fight and Mr. Grant was sent away to boarding school.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Mr. Grant was ten.”
“Ten? Just a boy. Where were his parents and why did he fight with his grandfather?”
“Why, why, why,” he replies. “Not for me to tell you, missus. You could ask your husband but maybe just trust me and don’t, okay?”
I nod but, on the inside, I’m ready to explode with more whys.