"I didn't," Victoria admitted. "I just pretended to sleep so I wouldn't have to listen to you rant and rave."
"Nice," Julianna said with disgust.
"Sorry," Victoria said, actually sounding remorseful, and then added defensively, "But Juli, you've been going on about Elspeth's moving to Canada for six weeks now."
"Well, she did. She just packed up and snuck off while we were in Italy. No warning, not even a hint until that phone call."
"She's one hundred forty-two years old, Juli. It was past time she moved out on her own," Victoria said solemnly.
"Yeah, but she could have at least taken us with her."
"And how could she have done that?" Victoria asked with exasperation. "The only reason she managed to move out this time was because Mother was out of the country. If we'd been in England, Mother would have been too, and she would have taken control of Elspeth and stopped her again as she has every other time Ellie's even brought up the idea of moving out."
Mouth tightening, Elspeth closed her eyes. She'd wanted to move out on her own since her fifties, when it began to become acceptable for women to work and live independently. That was early on in the twentieth century. Women had got the vote in the 1920s and had soon started to go for higher education and degrees. More and more women had joined the working force, and started living alone. Elspeth had wanted to be one of those women, but every time she'd brought it up, her mother had talked her out of it.
Elspeth had always suspected her mother had used some mind control to help "convince" her. But those suspicions had always faded almost as soon as she had them, and only cropped up again when her mother wasn't around. Noticing that, Elspeth had, this time, kept her plans to herself, refusing to even think of them in her mother's presence. It was also why she'd planned leaving for when she knew her mother wouldn't be home, or even in England.
And it had worked. She'd had six full weeks of blissful independence, and had loved every moment of it. But that was now over. Her mother had followed her here to Canada, and it looked like she planned to stay.
Thanks to Julianna and Victoria, Elspeth thought with irritation. Honestly! She'd put up with their mother's smothering helicopter parenting for nearly a century and a half, and her sisters couldn't give her more than six weeks before dragging their mother over here after her?
Scowling now, Elspeth continued on into the kitchen and speared her sisters with a glare as she took in the empty blood bags on the table between them. There were ten in all, she saw at a glance. Every last bag she'd had . . . and two more than they'd normally consume in a twenty-four-hour period.
"Oh, good afternoon, Elspeth. How are you feeling?" Julianna asked sweetly.
"Like I should kick your ass," she said grimly. "You couldn't even leave me one bag of my own blood? You knew I was healing and would wake up in pain and needing it."
"Oh, I'm sorry, sister. We didn't expect you up so early. Although we've been up for hours ourselves, it being so uncomfortable on that air mattress," she finished sharply.
"Get used to it," Elspeth responded coldly. "Or better yet, go check into a hotel."
"Girls!" Martine hurried into the kitchen, silencing them with a look, before saying impatiently, "It is beyond me why the three of you cannot get along."
Elspeth scowled, but merely said, "I gather you didn't bring blood with you?"
"No," Martine admitted on a sigh. "But I called Argeneau Enterprises and ordered some. I gather they're busy and weren't going to deliver any until tomorrow, but--" she added quickly when Elspeth gasped in dismay and opened her mouth on a protest "--I called your cousin Bastien. He's having someone deliver a shipment later tonight. Thank goodness he runs the place," she added in a mutter.
Elspeth merely grunted and then turned to scowl at her sisters.
"Your sisters are sorry they thoughtlessly consumed every last bag of your blood," her mother added, glaring at the twins. "They were not thinking."
"Right, and the fact that they glutted themselves on five bags each in a couple of hours when they normally have only three or four bags each in a twenty-four-hour period supports that theory," Elspeth growled and spun on her heel to stride angrily from the kitchen. Fuming, she marched to the hall table, grabbed her keys and purse, and turned to open the door.
"Stop!"
Elspeth stopped so abruptly she almost overbalanced. Throwing out one hand, she caught at the hall table to save herself and then found herself turning to face her mother.
"What is it, Mother?" she asked wearily.
"Come back to the kitchen and have some juice or something. You can hold out until the blood gets here, I'm sure."
Elspeth took a step toward her before the pain cramping her body made her stop and shake her head. She noted the startled look on her mother's face, but simply turned and moved back to the door, muttering, "I'm in pain and need blood now."
She made it out onto the landing before her mother hurried after her.
"You cannot leave."
Her mother sounded shocked, Elspeth noted, and suspected Martine was trying to control her again, but wasn't able to. Apparently, her pain was helping her fight the iron-like control her mother had always had over her thoughts and actions. Interesting, she thought grimly, but merely picked up her pace, afraid her resistance might not last long.
"Elspeth."
She heard the tap of Martine's heels as her mother hurried after her, but didn't even dare look back as she started down the stairs.
"Where are you going?"
"To The Night Club," she answered shortly.
"You cannot," her mother protested at once. "Your friend Meredith invited us to dinner tonight. You do not have time to go out for blood first."
Elspeth stopped again and turned on the step to peer up at where she stood on the landing. "Dinner?"
"Yes."
"And you agreed?" she asked with surprise.
"The girls were hungry and there was no food here," Martine said, taking a step down.
Elspeth scowled. "There is plenty of food here. There are fruits and vegetables, yogurt, eggs, bread, and meat in the freezer."
"Yes, but there is nothing here that your sisters will eat," Martine said with frustration.
"Because you don't cook, and they haven't bothered to learn how to," Elspeth said with irritation, then rubbed her throbbing forehead and said, "You'll have to go to dinner without me."
"What?" Martine gasped with dismay. "Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm not being ridiculous, mother," Elspeth said quietly. "I need blood. It's just good sense that I go and take care of that rather than risk being around mortals in this state."
"Or you could snack on Meredith's grandson," Martine suggested, and when Elspeth's eyes lifted to her with shock, she added, "Just a little to tide you over until the delivery arrives. This is an emergency, after all."
"It's not an emergency," Elspeth growled. "An emergency is when you need blood desperately and cannot get it readily anywhere else but from a mortal donor. I can go to The Night Club and get it."
"Well, then, I will go with you," Martine said at once, moving down another step toward her. "After all, the girls did not leave me any blood either."
Elspeth scowled at the suggestion and shook her head. "You're not--"
Her words died as her mother took another step down, bringing her close enough to reach out and take her by the wrist. The moment Martine's fingers closed around her skin, Elspeth's mind went blank and she forgot what they were arguing about.
She peered at her mother with bewilderment and then heard the outer door opening in the entryway below and the murmur of voices. Turning her head, Elspeth glanced over her shoulder to see Wyatt ushering an older couple into the entry. They brought with them a rush of cool air and a bevy of delicious scents, she noted as her mouth tightened at the sight of the couple.
Elspeth recognized Meredith's sister, Violet, at once. The two women were very similar in looks with trim figures, short
white hair, and large blue eyes. Although Merry's eyes always seemed to be twinkling with mirth and joy. That was not true of Violet, she noted. No doubt thanks to her husband, Oscar, Elspeth thought as her gaze slid over the tall, stick-thin, and mean-faced man.
"Oh, hello," Wyatt said as he noticed them on the stairs. He stared at Elspeth thoughtfully for a heartbeat, and then his gaze dropped to where her mother held her wrist. One eyebrow rose, but he merely said, "Perfect timing. Dinner's ready."
Elspeth's gaze shifted to the paper bags he held up. They bore the logo from a fried chicken franchise, but while they were emitting delicious scents, they weren't the source of the smell that had her stomach cramping.
"Lovely," Martine said behind her. "The girls are starved."
"Well now, Wyatt, you didn't mention we'd have two such sexy broads to dine with," Oscar said, leering up at them. "I wouldn't have given Vi such a hard time about coming if I'd known."
Elspeth saw the way Wyatt's expression tightened, and then the sound of rushing feet drew her gaze over her shoulder as Julianna and Victoria hurried out onto the landing above with excited faces.
"I told you I smelled food," Julianna said with satisfaction as she started down the stairs.
"Fried chicken," Victoria moaned, following her.
Wyatt turned to unlock Meredith's door and then stepped aside to allow Violet and Oscar to enter. When he then shifted his gaze expectantly to them, Martine moved to the side to allow Julianna and Victoria to pass, and then started down the stairs after them, using her hold on Elspeth's wrist to pull her along.
"Thank you," Julianna said as she snatched one of the bags of food in passing. Smiling cheerfully, she said, "We'll take this for you so you can get your coat off."
"Thanks," Wyatt said dryly as Victoria took the other bag. Shaking his head, he waited for Martine and Elspeth to follow the girls in, and then stepped inside and closed and locked the door.
Martine immediately ushered Elspeth and her sisters up the hall toward the kitchen, getting them out of the way for Violet, Oscar, and Wyatt to maneuver in the narrow entry.
"There you are." Meredith smiled in greeting around the open refrigerator door. "Everyone arrived at the same time, I see. What would you girls like to drink? I'm afraid I only have ginger ale or cola when it comes to soft drinks. But I have iced tea, juice, milk, and water or tea and coffee too."
"I'll have water, please, Meredith," Martine announced as Julianna and Victoria set the bagged food on the table and then rushed to join Meredith at the refrigerator. "And so will Elspeth. The twins will have milk."
"Milk with fried chicken?" Julianna squawked with dismay.
"It's good for you," Martine said firmly, ushering Elspeth to the table.
"Yes. It's good for us," Julianna agreed, her expression going blank.
"Milk would be delicious," Victoria added, her own face devoid of emotion.
Meredith's eyebrows rose at the abrupt about-face, but shrugged and retrieved the milk, saying, "Whatever you like."
"Take off your jacket," her mother ordered.
Elspeth automatically obeyed, slipping her jacket off one arm and then pausing until her mother let her go so that she could finish the task. However, the moment her mother released her, Elspeth's mind began to clear. Unfortunately, before it could clear enough for her to think to move out of reach, Martine took her other wrist in hand, silencing her thoughts once more. When her mother murmured, "Hang your jacket over the chair," Elspeth did so without hesitation. She draped it over the back of the chair, and then settled in it.
Martine promptly dropped into the seat next to her, still holding her wrist.
"Here we are then. All present and ready for the grub," Oscar said in a pompous voice as he entered the kitchen. "Thank God it's takeout and not some sad little attempt of yours to cook, Meredith. This should be edible at least."
Elspeth would have scowled at the man if she could have, but instead merely eyed him silently before glancing to Meredith to see the way she had stiffened, her mouth tightening. It was obvious she hadn't invited him to dinner, which Elspeth supposed meant Wyatt had. She had no idea why. Elspeth had encountered the man three or four times since taking up residence in the apartment upstairs. Meredith loved her sister and invited her over for tea weekly. Unfortunately, Violet didn't like driving any more than Meredith nowadays and Oscar had to drop her off and collect her. He didn't bother to get out of the car when he dropped Violet off, but he did come to the door to collect her when she was ready to go home and had invited himself in when he saw Elspeth there. Oscar was an odious creature who bounced between crude jokes and insulting everyone in his presence. He'd also made rather base passes at her. At least, he had the first time. She'd been too startled to do anything about it then, but when he'd started in on that nonsense on the visits since, she'd quickly taken control of his mind and shut him down. From what she could tell, the man was a pig who had made his wife, Violet, miserable for years and now seemed set on making Meredith's life as difficult as possible as well.
Elspeth's gaze shifted to Meredith's sister. Pale and almost shamefaced, Violet cast a quick glance to Merry before looking unhappily away. It didn't take mind reading, or even much thought, to know the woman was feeling guilty for what she'd told her husband and more so for what he'd done with the information. It was also pretty obvious Meredith hadn't yet forgiven her sister for it. Her face was set in a scowl, and the usually polite and generous woman didn't ask what Violet, Oscar, or even Wyatt wanted to drink. She merely pushed the two glasses of milk she'd poured along the counter toward the waiting Julianna and Victoria, and then quickly carried the three glasses of water she'd also gathered to the table. She set one in front of Martine, another in front of Elspeth, and then settled in the chair next to Elspeth with the third glass as Julianna and Victoria followed with their drinks.
"Well," Wyatt said after a brief pause. "Sit down, Aunt Violet, Oscar. What would you like to drink?"
Elspeth was vaguely aware of the couple's answering and Wyatt's puttering around, fetching drinks for them, but most of her attention was on Meredith. With the eight of them squeezed around the round table made for six, it was a bit cramped and Merry was close enough that they bumped arms on occasion. She could also hear her heartbeat--slightly elevated thanks to her agitation--as it pumped the sweet elixir of life through her veins. Blood. Elspeth fancied she could smell it there under Merry's thin, crepey skin. Deep, red, luscious blood that would ease her pain and sate her hunger.
"Elspeth."
Blinking at that sharp voice, Elspeth realized she had leaned toward Meredith and quickly straightened and turned to her mother. She noted her concerned frown, but then glanced around as Oscar said, "Shove over, Vi, and make room so the twins can sit on either side of me. I've always fancied being with twins."
"Stay put, Violet," Meredith growled, her body stiff. "The twins can sit between us."
"Always out to ruin my fun, aren't you, Meredith?" Oscar said, sounding churlish. "What's wrong with the girls sitting with me?" Shifting his gaze to Victoria and Julianna, he offered a lecherous smile and said, "I could be the thorn between two roses."
"You might prick them," Meredith snapped.
"That's the hope," he admitted with a laugh.
Meredith gaped at him with disgust. "Have you no shame? Your wife is sitting right beside you."
"So?" he asked with indifference.
"So?" she echoed with dismay and then glanced at her sister as if expecting her to speak up for herself. When Violet lowered her head, avoiding her eyes, Meredith's mouth tightened. Shifting hard eyes back to Oscar, she growled, "These girls are my guests. Stop acting like an old lecher and let them eat in peace."
Oscar's eyes narrowed and his mouth opened, and then just as suddenly snapped shut, his expression going blank. Elspeth knew at once that her mother had taken control of the man and shut him down before he could behave too badly. She wasn't sure that was a good thing. She thou
ght Wyatt should probably see just what the man was truly like. At least then he'd know just who was carrying tales to Merry's son. Unfortunately, her mother had nixed that, and before Oscar had even said anything really bad. Still it had been enough to make Wyatt's mouth thin out with anger. He apparently didn't think much of his comments, Elspeth decided as she watched Wyatt carry the drinks he'd collected for himself and his aunt and uncle to the table and distribute them before taking his seat.
"Eat your food, Elspeth," Martine said suddenly, and Elspeth glanced down to see with some surprise that her plate was full of food. Somehow a piece of chicken, coleslaw, macaroni salad, and fries with gravy had all landed on her plate. Her mother must have placed it there, Elspeth supposed. Certainly she hadn't put it there herself.
"Eat," Martine insisted quietly. "You will feel better."
Elspeth raised her hand to pick up the piece of chicken, but paused when her mother's hand followed, still attached to her wrist. She stared at it blankly, and then, aware of a sudden silence around the table, raised her head to peer from person to person. The twins were busy piling food on their plate, and Oscar was too preoccupied ogling the twins to notice anything else, but Meredith, Wyatt, and Violet were all peering at Martine's hold on her.
A moment passed in silence when she imagined her mother debated controlling everyone at once, and then Martine's mouth tightened and she released her wrist. The moment she was no longer in her hold, Elspeth's mind began to clear. She almost leapt to her feet at once, but realizing her mother was watching her tensely and would simply grab her again and take control once more, Elspeth forced herself to pick up the piece of chicken and take a bite. It was delicious, but while she was hungry for food, she positively needed blood. Her body was cramping painfully with that need. Trying to ignore it, Elspeth forced herself to eat, vaguely aware of, but paying little attention to, the conversation taking place around her until she felt Meredith stiffen at her side. She tuned in to the conversation just as Oscar said, "Yes, well, as I said, your grandmother's just got to that age where she can't be trusted to handle money anymore."
Elspeth narrowed her eyes on the man, slipped into his thoughts, and had him add what he was really thinking.
"Besides, the old bitch is always interfering. She never liked me. Thought Vi was too good for the likes of me just because I catted around a bit. What man doesn't bang all the bimbos he can, eh?" he asked, and when Wyatt simply stared at him with amazement, he added, "If that wasn't bad enough, now the old bitch has taken umbrage at my hitting Vi once in a while. Like it's my fault the woman's become a dried-up nag in her old age and needs correcting."