Chapter 7
Helpless
The morning’s celebration was ending when Darren and I returned. Breakfast had been served and finished and the maids were busily moving around the room collecting plates. My grandmother waved us over. I followed Darren toward her table, looking over my shoulder at the trail of water we were leaving behind.
The women at her table all broke into fits of giggles as we approached. Again, Darren’s grandmother sprang up from the table. She looked us over.
“Well, you two certainly had a good time, it seems,” she said with another wink. “A little romantic swim?”
Darren and I looked at one another and smiled. I stole a glance at my grandmother. I had been nervous about returning to her gathering soaking wet, and was wary of her reaction, but there was no need for worry I found, she looked thoroughly amused.
“In any case,” she continued. “It has been a real pleasure to meet you Anastasia. You truly are a lovely girl.”
“Thank you,” I answered politely.
“Come on child,” she said beaming at Darren. “Let’s not wear out our welcome.”
Darren nodded. “See you later, Ana. And don’t worry, what happens on the stairs, stays on the stairs,” he laughed.
I felt my face flush once again. If I weren’t careful, my face would get stuck in this shade..
My grandmother stood up next, took me around the room for a quick meet-and-greet with who I guessed were some of the important people I would need to know. Most were very old, and stared at me strangely when I appeared in front of them dripping wet, but bowed just the same, each expressing how exciting it was to have me home in Brighton. That, and again how remarkably I resembled my aunt.
It occurred to me, as I watched everyone file out of the ballroom that it was probably pretty rude of me to skip out on my own welcome party. On the other hand, it wasn’t like it hadn’t been time well spent. Darren was amazing.
My grandmother walked me as far as the stairwell leading up to my mother and aunt’s part of the house. I noticed a hint of emotion in her face once she’d stopped short of the first stair.
“The afternoon is yours to spend however you like. I have some important matters that need my attention, and they will probably take up most of the day. Whatever you choose to do, please try to be finished by six o’clock. I want you to meet me in my study so that we can go over a few things.”
“Okay.”
She gave one more thoughtful glance up the stairs and then turned and headed back toward the ballroom. I upped the stairs at a run, eager to get dry.