Page 44 of Retribution
‘No, John,’ I interrupt calmly, emulating the good Doctor Stoke. ‘We had a deal. And I don’t belong to Joe. Not yet anyway. Make sure she gives me my laptop. I also want free run of the house and to go outside if I want. And I wantyourcar andyourdriver taking me to Richmond U, not Joe’s.’
‘Joe is afraid you might be a danger to your—’ he begins and I scoff loudly, cutting him off.
‘Please! This is a powerplay and nothing more. If thiswomancontinues to gatekeep what I need to successfully pass my classes, the deal is off.’
John rolls his eyes. ‘And what will you do, Marguerite? Throw one of your little temper tantrums?’
I hold his gaze and see him shift in his chair. I think he’s uncomfortable.
‘Oh, John,’ I continue. ‘Believe me when I say, those were the fits of a tiny child. I can make so much troublefor you, be suchan embarrassment, that Banderville will call off the wedding like that.’ I snap my fingers.
‘No, Marguerite,’ he snarls. ‘You’re wrong. So, get that idea out of your head right now. It doesn’t matter what you do or how you act. The wedding is going ahead. The Bandervilles won’t be backing out. No matter what. Joe will just keep you as a shameful secret in a padded cell in some institution somewhere.’
I don’t let myself feel the fear that begins to bubble up from the recesses of my mind. I disassociate from all of it and plaster my pleasant smile on my face, which seems to take him aback if I look closely.
This doesn’t make sense. He’s not surprised that I might show them that I’m not ‘cured’ at all. That was my coup de gras. There’s something else going on here.
‘Why?’ I ask, staring him right in the eye even though I hate it. ‘Why me? I’m not some high society debutante, some sought-after prize. I’m an autistic woman with no money or prospects, no wealthy, powerful family or allies. I’m amurdererwho spent years in what amounts to an asylum. For all intents and purposes, you purport me to be lacking in pretty much every way. And yet it’s been intimated that the marriage has been planned for a long time. Over five years, at least. Joe already told me he had to be talked into having me for a wife, for me to bear his children.’
I shudder at that one.
‘So, what is it the Bandervilles actually want? What do they get out of this marriage? What doyouget out of it?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he says, glancing away. ‘The Bandervilles need a woman who will marry Joe. The fact, as you might have noticed, is that Joe isn’t a decent man. No reputable family will touch him.’
He leaves it at that, but there’s more that he’s not telling me. I know it. I wonder if Blake would be able to find out.
‘But I’m not a Novelle,’ I say. ‘Not even by law.’
‘You’re enough of a Novelle for him to accept. You were taught what women in our echelons need to know. You’re good enough.’
He sighs. ‘I’m busy. What will it take to get you out of here?’
‘Pretend to fight my corner,’ I say. ‘I’ll be the obedient Novelle Princess, John. All you need to do is stick to our deal. It’s an easy thing for you to do. You said it yourself. Joe won’t back out of the marriage deal. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if I toed the line and just did what I was told?’ I spread my arms. ‘I’ll do that. But you get the nurse off my back.’
I hear his breath exit his nose as he watches me. ‘Stoke did change you at The Heath, didn’t he,’ he mutters. ‘Just not the way he promised he would.’
I say nothing.
‘Fine,’ he grates out. ‘Have her come to my office later.’
I stand with a smile. ‘Why wait?’
I open the door to John’s office. Nasty Nurse is standing in the hall where I left her, looking pissed.
‘Mr. Novelle will see you now, Nurse Smith,’ I say politely with a smile.
The nurse draws herself up straight and holds her head high, walking past me into the office.
John gestures for me to leave, but I ignore him, instead shutting us all in together. I want to hear exactly what my untrustworthy stepfather says to her, what he promises.
‘Nurse Smith,’ John says with a gracious smile.
‘Mr. Novelle,’ she begins, casting a look back at me. ‘I was hired bytheBandervillesto make sure?—’
‘Nurse, we’re all aware of why you were hired,’ John scoffs. ‘I’ll be speaking to Joe in a moment, and he will corroborate everything I’m about to say. Firstly, Marguerite will be permitted her laptop. It was already agreed that she wouldfinish the school year. You will not hinder her ability to pass her classes. Secondly, she is not to be locked in her bedroom. This is her home. She will be permitted to roam the house and the grounds freely.’
The Nurse looks furiously back at me. ‘But?—’
