Page 46 of Duchess Material

Winston could be heard from the kitchen explaining tea to Jane in detail.

“He’s Lucy’s boyfriend,” Brittany said. “Now, anyway. Per her.”

“Wait, that’s the boyfriend you told us you were bringing at last minute? Like… why the rush?”

“Because he’s barely seen me all fall,” Lucy answered. “I’ve been busy as can be. And I thought it would be good for him to meet everyone. I don’t expect you all to understand but… he’s my boyfriend. We’re a thing.”

“Well, I’m surprised. I’ll introduce him to Tim.”

Lucy nodded, “He’d like that.”

Lucy was interested to see what Winston thought of Jenn’s prick of a boyfriend. He was an attorney with parents who lived in a McMansion. She suspected he would find him to be surprisingly new money and not like him much. However, as Winston was British, he’d never tell that to Tim. He’d ignore it and be polite.

Lucy helped herself to a beer in the kitchen. She could have one. While she did, her father approached. He was already at least three beers deep. Oh, joy!

“Do I at least get a hello from our turncoat?” Dwight asked. “You fancy, high-flying thing? Or is my daughter too good to talk to her old man?”

“Hi, Dad,” Lucy groaned. “It’s not about me being fancy. We just got here.”

“And yet, your sister introduced me to him?”

“She pulled him out there to meet Tim. I wasn’t trying to be rude. I hadn’t made it out there because Mom and the girls interrogated me. Apologies.”

She had been avoiding him and didn’t care about being rude. Lucy loathed her father.

“Well, we didn’t know if you’d ever come back.”

“Of course, I would. I was on the road with Natalie so much. It was hard,” Lucy insisted.

“So, what’s with the guy?”

“He is a long-time friend. We’re dating now.”

“Your mother said you are living with him?”

“I was living with him but we’re together now. We were only friends,” Lucy explained. “No one gets this but it’s the truth.”

“The Caddy out front yours?” Lucy’s grandmother entered the kitchen.

“They were out of everything but the tiniest car,” Lucy lied. “And Winston is tall, so I didn’t want to squish him. I can assure you I don’t drive a Caddy.”

“No, your mother says you drive a Range Rover,” Dwight chuckled. “Slumming it.”

“They’re not as expensive in the UK. I need a car that can haul people and things for work.”

It wasn’t true. That car had been impossible to procure. It had been a big gift from George. She’d kept it after the breakup. Dwight had no idea she and George had ever dated.

“You know that one prince is here, right? You gonna hang out with him?” Dwight asked, as if aware she had just been thinking about George. “He’s the one who’s a f—”

Lucy cut him off. “No. Not at all. However, he doesn’t deserve to be called a slur. It’s despicable. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Well, as long as you’re not one, we’re good, right?” Dwight asked.

Jane rushed to Lucy’s defence. “Unacceptable, Dwight. No. That boy seems sweet. Doesn’t he?”

“He is. And he’s Winston’s second cousin, so you’ll not say things. He’s my boss’s brother. Mind yourself, Dad. If you even can? Maybe slow your roll?”

“Fine, whatever. I’ll be a good boy and not embarrass you in front of your rich boyfriend!”

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