“Are you afraid?”
“For me?” He blew out a cloud of smoke slowly, nervously, taking the time to plan his answer. “No, I’m not afraid. I’m worried about how you’re going to react, and what you’re going to think when you’ve only got half the story.” He paused again, dragged his hand through his hair and then rearranged it back into place. “Will you promise me something?”
I nodded, “Of course.”
“Come and talk to me. When you’re excused, come and find me and we’ll talk about it. I’ll tell you as much as I can when I know where the boundaries are.”
I nodded. “Trace?” He looked at me again, picking the petals from the rose one by one with his cigarette held loosely between his lips. “Is it bad? Are we bad people?”
Trace’s eyes glistened with hesitation and doubt. Hesitation was never good. Doubt was never far from devastation.
“You can't believe that we are.”
That wasn’t a no. He hadn’t told me that we were good people…he hadn’t even told me that we weren’t bad. He’d told me to refuse to believe we were. How could I do that?
“I have to get ready for dinner,” I said standing up and brushing myself down. “Are you staying here?”
Trace nodded and held his fisted hand out. When he opened it, I took the gum he was offering with a weak thank you.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Don’t run, Trixie. When it all gets too much, you have to rely on us. Come and find me and we’ll deal with it together.”
I turned around and shaky legs carried me back to the entrance of the house. It was still quiet and it was still empty. Ruby had said we had to evolve, that adaptations would be made when something unexpected happened. Trace had said that Ruby had plans and had decided it was time to bring them forward. Why was I part of this plan and why had they waited twenty-five years to bring me in?
I closed the front door behind me and climbed the stairs to my bedroom, further to the west than all the other rooms in the house. I had a queen-sized four-poster bed and the old time mod-cons that came with it. I had a desk like a lot of kids had in their family bedroom, only mine was made of heavy oak and would be considered an antique at auction. I had a double claw-footed armoire, filled to the brim with cashmere sweaters, tailored trousers and tweed suits. I had a dresser; in the top drawer on the right was a pearl necklace, an eighteenth birthday gift from Richard and Mae, and in the top drawer on the left was an amethyst amulet, Ruby’s gift to me on my twenty-first birthday. I rounded the room, remembering all the nights spent here knowing I was safe and loved. I caressed the curtains, ran my fingers down the length of one of the posts of the bed, and stopped by the side of it when I spotted what Ruby had set out for me. It was a simple black backless dress and possibly the most beautiful item of clothing I’d ever worn in this house. It was something I would choose for myself and the last thing I’d expect Ruby to have chosen for me. I scooped my hair up into a bun, took my clothes off and prepared for what was hopefully going to be an informative and, finally, enlightening evening.
I was dressed by 5.45, making sure I would be on time for my grandmother, and looking forward to seeing my mother and father for the first time in two years. I laughed to myself as I took the amulet from the drawer and secured it around my neck. I was terrified. I knew whatever I found out tonight wouldn’t be nice; Trace had warned me of it and I trusted him more than anyone. I had to believe this would be okay, that they had no reason to banish me and I had to believe that the people who had raised me weren’t bad people. I checked my makeup, made sure my hair was in place and left my room, noticing a set of pyjamas just under the bed as I turned to close the door. I knew Mae had put them there; it was always our routine when I’d had an argument with Richard, or Trace and I’d had a squabble. Which meant one thing. She’d prepared me for a fallout tonight.
“Trixie!”
Mae squealed when I reached the bottom of the stairs and ran towards me in a most unladylike fashion, throwing her arms around me in an uncharacteristic display of affection. She understood my situation. She was like me. She was new money, gaining her fortune and earning her wealth and status when she married Richard. As far as I was aware, she was just a working class woman who fell in love and bewitched a man who was further up the ladder of importance than she ever thought possible.
But tonight I was doubting everything I thought I knew and anticipating a shock that would leave me reeling.
Mae took my hand and led me to the dining hall, pausing at the door once I’d stepped through.
“Are you not coming in?” I asked, keeping hold of her hand as she stepped back and tried to let go.
“I’m not. You’re an Ashford, Trixie. This is your first lesson in the history of your ancestry.”
With a gentle push, Mae nudged me further away from her, severing our contact and closing the door before I had time to argue or stop her. Someone cleared their throat behind me and I turned around. The dining hall was filled with men I didn’t recognise, with Ruby at the end of the table in her velvet and silk, a rich purple cloak hanging around her shoulders, sipping on a teacup of earl grey.
“What’s going on?” I asked, taking a step away so my back hit the door.
“Trixie, darling,” Richard greeted, approaching me with outstretched arms. “You look well.”
I accepted his hug, looping my hands under his and holding on tight when he squeezed his arms around me.
“I’m proud of you,” he whispered in my ear. “I always knew you were a princess.”
What in God’s name was going on? Richard released me, taking a gentle hold of my wrist to both keep me steady and prevent me from running, because that’s what I wanted to do. I didn’t know these men, but I saw Trace in the corner with a pensive expression on his face that hinted at worry and regret. He wasn’t helping. He wasn’t making this any easier for me, and I had no idea what I was about to face.
“I want you to meet the other members of the family.”
Richard led me to one of the chairs next to the vacant seat at the opposite end to Ruby, no doubt saved for him.
“This is Elliott, my brother.” He pointed to a man with salt and pepper hair, a sharp chiselled jawline and striking blue eyes. Sliding to the next space to stand between Elliott and another man who I already knew was his son by the same sharp angle of his chin, he continued, “This is his son, Lawson.”
Both men offered their hands and I took each in turn. Their greetings were friendly but formal. They did not feel like family, like two people who were related to the man who shared the same blood, let alone the stray he’d brought into the estate.
“Nice to meet you,” I said with a smile and curtseyed like I’d learnt as a child.
With his hand on the middle of my back Richard led me to the next couple of chairs, where another father and son stood.
“This is Robert, brother number two, and his son, Beckett.”
I shook their hands too, spending longer looking at Beckett because I’d seen him before. At a showcase or a dinner, or I’d passed him in the street, I wasn’t sure, but I knew I’d seen him before. I smiled and allowed Richard to move me on, behind Ruby who kept her eyes on me. I straightened, pulled my shoulders back and elongated my neck sparkling with her gift as I adopted the etiquette I’d been taught and prepared to meet the final present member of my family. There was an empty seat for me, a seat for Trace who had now taken his place and gave me a reassuring smile, another empty seat with no place setting, and then there was a man who was every bit as menacing as he was magnetic. With shocking white hair, gracefully-aged skin and icy eyes, there was something majestic and superior about him. He turned to me and smiled, in both amusement, interest and curiosity.
“Trixie, this is Ambrose, brother number three.”
“Hi, Ambrose,” I said, taking his hand as he encased mine in both of his. “Nice to meet you.”
“It’s lovely to finally meet you, Miss Ashford. I
’ve heard so much about you.”
I winced. I hoped whatever he’d heard was good.
“Trixie, dear?” Ruby said, saving me from the impending awkwardness with this new uncle, and he released me to allow me to turn to her. “Come and take your place. Dinner will be served shortly.”
Taking a deep breath, I walked the length of the table, all eyes on me, including Trace who I centred on to keep me balanced and composed. I felt awkward, like I was on display and being tested. I took my seat between Ruby and Trace, placing a kiss to each of her cheeks before I sat down.
“You look beautiful, Trixie.”
“Thank you, Grandma. This dress is lovely.”
“I thought you’d like it.”
“I do. Thank you.”
“Just relax,” she whispered, leaning closer as the servers began to file in with bowls of soup. “I promise you everything is okay. You’re safe here, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I know that,” I lied, hoping she was too engrossed in bathing under the spotlight to notice my discomfort. “I like being here, Grandma.”
It was true, I was glad to be back and if I was honest, I didn’t want to leave. I was nervous, but this was my home, and it was the only home I’d known since I was adopted. This house was where I’d learned to ride my bike, to apply makeup and walk in heels wearing dresses so tight I could barely draw a breath. This house was where I’d become who I was today and although I could imagine a hundred scenarios I’d rather live through than being barricaded into my own city and forced to fear for my life like common practice, I considered myself lucky. Whatever I would find out tonight, I would listen to Trace and I would refuse to believe we were bad.
There was a commotion in the hallway as the soup bowls were placed on the table. Faces paled, eyes widened and when the door swung open, my muse was standing in the doorway.
“Elias,” Richard said as he, and the rest of the family, stood.
Ruby didn’t get to her feet, but I assumed I hadn’t reached her ranking yet—although I’d had no idea she had a ranking until a few hours ago—so I stood with the men.
“Sit down, Trixie.”
He was staring at me. Through the tunnel of light-haired, light-eyed men who surrounded me and looked at him, he looked directly at me and his gaze never left. He was searching for something.
“Now.”
I dropped back into my chair as he entered the room, slammed the door behind him and caused a loud bang, like a clap of thunder to accompany the storm I could feel brewing around him. I kind of loved it; there was something in his aggression that called to me and caught me hook, line and sinker. There was just something about the way he stood, the way he carried himself with authority and stealthy grace, and the deathly glare in his eyes that made everyone cower. I couldn’t look away. I wasn’t going to recoil, to be afraid and intimidated by someone so dangerously attractive, it was paralysing.
“Elias,” Ruby said, the only one brave enough to address him. “We were not expecting you.”
“William was close to succeeding. Grandma, what’s going on?”
“We’re just having a family dinner.” Ruby stood when Elias reached her and wrapped his arms around her, kissing both of her cheeks. “Why don’t you join us?”
“I’d rather know the purpose of the dinner.”
“Trixie is here for a lesson, son,” Ambrose said as the men finally reclaimed their seats.
I didn’t miss Trace’s sideways glance at me.
“No.” Elias shook his head and I watched his chest rise with a deep breath. “No, she isn’t having any lessons.”
“Like hell I’m not,” I argued, standing up and scuffing the chair back on the waxed floor.
“Sit back down and wait to be addressed, Ashford.”
Elias growled and shot a raging scowl towards Beckett.
“Apologise.”
“But-”
“Now.”
I sat back down, finally cowering because I should have just shut up. It was one of Mae and Ruby’s first lessons in being a lady. Do not speak unless spoken to. Do not offer an opinion without being asked for it. Do not raise your voice to a man of status.
“I won't. I don’t see why we have to be here and why you were granted a holiday from your responsibilities to dirty bed sheets and shame the name that demanded you do it.”
“Beckett,” Robert, his father, warned. “Apologise to your cousin and respect the ladies in this room.”
“I apologise,” Beckett said with contempt. “I was merely providing the first lesson. Do not involve yourself with the business of men.”
“Okay, this meeting is over.” Elias looked at me, clicked his fingers and pointed to the door. “You. Out.”
I took a second to compose myself and stood up again. My thighs felt like they’d done a workout, but I wouldn’t argue this. I would find someone later; the house was filled with family members and with darkness beginning to move in, I knew they would be staying the night, which meant there were plenty of people around who were prepared to fill in some of the gaping craters in my two and a half decades of life.
“Where am I supposed to go?”
“Outside, and wait for me.”
I nodded, bowed my head and passed the table without looking at Richard as he tried to make eye contact, and I could feel Trace watching me. I opened the door just enough to slip out and I stood against the wall, looking between the door and outside. Time ticked by and the door to the dining hall remained closed. No one entered and no one came out. Darkness fell over the grounds and shrouded the house in shadows. I wanted to wait for Elias, to do as he’d asked and respect the rules of the household, but outside called me. It had been two years since I’d stepped out at night without the fear of something pouncing or finding its way to attack me. I stood up from where I’d been crouching on the floor and crossed the foyer to the front door. I opened it slowly, accepting the chilly air with a deep breath and a smile. I knew I was safe here; I always had been.
I was punishing her and it was unfair. It was cowardly to leave her stranded in the hallway, but she should have been taught a lesson. This was the simplest, kindest, most humane, and avoiding her was the only way I was going to not punish her like I’d been taught to.
Instead of leaving my family to their own devices, I cleared the room. My cousins, and Robert and Elliott, left through the door in the far corner that led to the kitchen, and Ruby, my father, Richard and myself stayed behind.
“You’re supposed to be making the transition easier, not making decisions behind my back and executing them while tasking a Tate with the distraction. You thought I wouldn’t notice? You don’t think you’ve taught me better than that?”
I paced the room as they all stayed in their seats and watched. It felt weird knowing I’d been in that position once, listening to the accounts that had been passed down through generations, almost to the exact word. But this was the way it had to be now. It was my turn, and they would respect that.
“Elias,” Grandma said, drawing my attention to her weary state. She was tired and I should have let her go. “Sweetheart, we all think it’s time, and until you take full command, we are willing and able to take the necessary action.”
“And why is shocking Trixie with the truth now, with no planning or discussion of what she’ll find out and how she’ll be introduced, a necessary action to take?”
Richard stood up. He was the one I had to contend with. I had chosen, as my great-grandfather had before me, to take the empire alone. I was the eldest, the first born, and it was my decision to take full control, or to share it with the second born, my new second in command, Trace. I’d chosen to take it alone, not only because I worked better that way, but because I had plans for GRIT and I wanted to spare my cousin the pressures I’d always known the job would entail. Richard resented my decision; he believed I was preventing his son from claiming a title that was his by birth right. I hadn’t and I didn’t plan to, but
that would come later.
“Because, Elias,” Richard said, carrying the heir of authority my father had allowed him a share of. “You were tasked to collect Trixie from the loft and deliver her home. You failed in your task and the only option is to control the damage by feeding her enough information to curb her curiosity.”
“Richard, I spent no more than a few hours with your daughter and I can tell you, she will know she’s been fed carefully constructed explanations to the questions she has a right to have answered.”
“And who decides what my daughter knows and what she doesn’t? She isn’t a part of this.”
“Actually…”
All gazes slid to Grandma who stood too, leaving my father the only chief seated, but I knew that wouldn’t last long. It didn’t; he stood up almost as soon as Ruby had.
“Actually, Richard, there was a reason I ordered Elias to collect Trixie on Tuesday night.”
I hadn’t known it was Grandma’s decision. I may have done a better job if I had.
“I’m sorry, Grandma,” I said, preparing to make an excuse to keep my slate clean with her. “I hadn’t expected Trixie to be so…difficult.”
“Perhaps I should have warned you.” She laughed and took a sip of tea before continuing. “I’ve wanted to initiate Trixie for a while, but I couldn’t find the opportunity. I needed a little artificial intervention. This dinner isn’t a spur of the moment action, Elias. Everything I do and everything that happens with and to this family has a reason. Can you understand that?”
I nodded. I may have been the leader of GRIT, but Ruby was the head of the family and her word was gospel. “Now, Trixie is out there alone, waiting for you like you asked her to. Please go and tend to my granddaughter…her education is in your hands now.”
She was dismissing me. She was asking me to leave, and she was asking me to let Trixie in. She was leaving it to me to bring her into the family. Only I didn’t want her to have anything to do with it. GRIT was no place for a woman and if I had my way, Grandma would step down, too, and pretend she didn’t know all the things she did. That would never happen. It was the women who controlled the family and I expected Grandma had a plan for Trixie Ashford.
Elias (GRIT Sector 1) Page 8