Page 25 of A Linton Scandal

Mihai’s hand tightened on mine. I glanced up at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. I answered, “What would you like to know, Teodor?”

He nodded, patting his wife’s thigh. “See, love, this is how you do it so that Mihai doesn’t feel like you’re interrogating her.”

She snorted. “Fine, do it your way.”

Turning his attention back to me he continued. “I’ve been told only three things, you’re easy on the eyes, have a kind demeanor, and can cook. Outside of this I don’t know anything else, and while it would be easy for me to access this information, I respect my children’s privacy, tell me is all of this true?”

For some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking Mihais parents were adorable. Their son obviously wasn’t a sharer, and from the small times I’d been alone with the man myself, I’d picked up on his limited ability to carry on a conversation. He was the king of giving only twenty percent of information and leaving you hanging for the rest.

I coughed slightly, trying to cover the laugh bubbling up inside. “I’m actually a Chocolatier, I basically make displays and confections made out of chocolate, but I also dabble in pastry making, but as far as cooking in general is concerned, I’m pretty basic.”

“So, you make sweets,” Audrey said, something about the look in her eyes made me nervous.

“Yes.” Feeling a bit shy in explaining what it is I do for a living.

“She also has a YouTube channel where she teaches people how to make certain confectionaries, every time she posts a video it trends in the top ten.”

I looked at Mihai in surprise. I hadn’t been planning on going into too much detail, because, while I felt a certain pride in what I did, I was seated in a room that was probably decorated with items that were worth more than my apartment, my favorite diamond set and kitchen tools together. It felt weird to brag to his parents about my passion.

“Is that so? Well, then I can’t pass up the chance to ask you to help me with something.” Audrey’s next words surprised me, she looked at me with excitement. “Do you mind designing a chocolate display for me? I’m having a luncheon for this Charity Group, and I have been thinking that ice is no longer in.”

I thought it over, it wasn’t like I didn’t have the time to do it. Besides, it would be a great way to earn goodie points with Mihai’s mother. My lips parted to accept her offer, but before I could Mihai spoke first.

“Juliette isn’t the help.” His voice was cool, and the warmth immediately dropped. His eyes were on his mother. “You can find someone else to do it.”

I looked between him and his mother, something passed between them that I couldn’t grasp. Suddenly feeling a bit overwhelmed I stood up. “Excuse me, please, I need to use the restroom. Where is it?”

Mihai’s mother stuttered slightly, “O-h, yes when you walk out take a right and you’ll make your way a bit down the hallway, it should be to your left.”

“Thank you,” I quickly made my exit. I didn’t care if it seemed rude. I needed some breathing room from the tension had seemingly come out of nowhere.

Mihai

The minute Juliette exited the library, I felt the atmosphere shift as my father stood up.

“I’ve lost a uranium mine for a cookie maker.” This was the man I’d expected to meet, not the one who’d smiled in Juliette’s face with false kindness. “Your mother told me I should be patient, but I really can’t understand what you’re thinking, bringing her here. The polite thing would have been to cancel.”

“I didn’t ask for you or mother to pretend to be something you’re not,” I had expected them to show their true faces from the beginning. “It would be better for Juliette if you treated her coldly from the beginning rather than play as if you’re accepting of her.”

Audrey frowned at me. “And have it said that we lack manners? Does she know anything about the world you live in?”

Her expression turned worried. “She’s too nice, and if you hadn’t interrupted she would have agreed.” She shook her head. “Mihai, you don’t have to rush into this.”

“Honestly, brother I’m surprised you’re willing to lower yourself to marry someone with her background,” Castor said, his gaze probing. “In fact, I can’t help but think there is more to this, then your feelings.”

“Save you suspicions for someone who’s at your level, Castor,” I said. “And trust me, Mother, she’s more than able to deal with our people.”

Crossing her arms, my mother scoffed. “Fine, but don’t expect me to hold her hand to navigate through my social circle. Though I must admit, she has sharp eyes, and she wasn’t entirely irritating to talk to.”

“Whether she’s irritating or not, how can we explain him going from a Feraldi, to a nobody,” Teodor demanded in anger. “It doesn’t matter if she’s a nice girl, for those in our circle her presence will be like a slap to their faces. How will I be able to keep my head up, in polite society when they learn her profession, they’ll enjoy gossiping about how our son has no standards.”

“Dad, you’re forgetting something, no matter what anyone says. She’s engaged to a Linton. Who has the courage to speak about one of our own without fearing the repercussions?” Safario smoothly cut in. He sighed, turning his focus on me. “As far as I’m concerned, I think Mihai has not only met your standards but has far outreached them. He has not complained, or demanded anything in return, even when his previous wife proved to be worthless. At this point if he wants to marry for love, then let him.”

Both Teodor and Audrey exchanged a long look before Teodor exhaled harshly. “Fine, I’ll let it be.”

“Good, not that I would have altered my decision but it’s easier to navigate with your support then without it,” I said, because I didn’t require my parent’s approval for my choices.

“Then I guess I should start thinking about the wedding,” my mother said with a sigh. “I’m thinking Ivory…”

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