Page 7 of Where He Ended
- Chapter 3 -
Laiken
The kitchen is a flurryof hands and busy bodies.
I catch a snippet here and there. It sounds like they're getting ready for a big luncheon. Spotting Mellie in the corner, bent over a collection of drink pitchers, I hurry towards her. “What is all this?” I ask.
She ping-pongs a look to me, the glasses, then back again. “The result of your little party the other night. The partners from Steel Works Co. are coming over for a luncheon today.”
I thrill with the news. “That's great!”
“In a way,” she agrees, picking out an elegant crystal pitcher. She holds it to the light and squints. “More work for all of us, though. These are powerful men. Master Silas wants this to go well, as do I, but it’s so last minute.”
“Can I help?”
She gives me a curious look. “Wouldn't you rather spend time with your sister?”
All at once I remember who Mellie is. It was too easy to think of her as a friend. But she works for the Bradleys—her alliance is to them. Keeping my face calm, I repeat to myself what Kara said to me yesterday, about us not acting like we're close. “Kara's made it clear she doesn't want to be around me,” I say, shrugging. “I've got nothing but free time.”
Mellie squints, her peach colored lips eventually becoming a tiny smile. It terrifies me that I don't know if it's real or not.Spies,Kara had told me in a hushed tone. Is Mellie a spy?
She probably is.
Every set of eyes in this kitchen is watching me.
Aren't they?
“Okay,” she says, handing me a list from her pocket. “I won't turn down more hands. Do you know how to peel carrots?”
An old memory tugs at my heart. It's of me and my mother standing over our kitchen sink, strings of orange sticking to the basin as we prepare dinner. “Yes. I know how.”
****
THE WORK FLIES BY.Mellie gives me tons of menial tasks to do and I'm happy to take them on. It's like working with Wyatt, only less muddy. Not that I'm not getting dirty; after two hours in the kitchen I've got vegetable pieces and flour stuck all over my hands and hair.
Mellie comes after me with a wet paper towel, wiping away what she can. “Sorry,” she says apologetically. “I wish you had time to clean up better.”
“Why does it matter what I look like?”
She bites the corner of her mouth. “I was hoping you would help me set up things outside. But we're running late, and there's a good chance that Silas and his guests will arrive while we're still working.”
I make a face. “No one will look twice at some random girl wearing a T-shirt and jeans.”
Mellie avoids my eyes. “They might. Last time they saw you, you were shimmering in a gold dress, dancing in the middle of the ballroom. They might wonder why you're slumming it today.”
Grimacing, I wave a hand in the air nervously. “I doubt I left an impression on them.”
“Youkindof stole the show with Dominic leading you across the floor. Or do you not remember?”
I definitely remember. I keep trying to forget it. I haven't talked to Dominic since he cornered me in the sunroom. I've had even less exchanges with Kara. She's shut herself in the bedroom she's staying in. She hasn't even left for food; the maids leave it on silver trays outside her door. She really doesn't want to see anyone—that includes me.
Holding myself to my full height, I grab the basket of tablecloths that Mellie had placed nearby. “I'll still help you, even if the guests think I'm the grossest thing they've seen all week.” I wink and she manages a tiny laugh.
“You don't look that bad, it's just that the serving staff are all wearing such nice outfits. You're going to be a bit of an eyesore.”
I hope she's wrong and that I'll blend into the sidelines instead.
It's overcast outside, the sun peeking through at a couple intervals. The brief taste of winter that accompanied the recent storms has been pushed out by more warmth. Mellie and I cross the grass, making our way to the long table that's been set up. There's a round one nearby with a large umbrella keeping it in the shade. I figure that's where everyone will be sitting.
