Page 101 of Duchess Material

“Her fiancé proposed over Thanksgiving while I was there,” Winston said. “It was thrilling, really.”

“Yes. They’ll be married in June. I must go to a bachelorette party in Florida soon.”

Lucy made a face involuntarily. It sounded like a nightmare.

“A hen party,” Winston clarified.

“She as pretty as you?” Richard asked.

“Dad!”

“It’s an honest question. She’s very pretty. Good for you. You’re marrying up in that regard.”

Lucy shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. She turned to Winston. He appeared calm, but she sensed he teetered on the edge of screaming at his father. Lucy squeezed his hand. She’d been here. She knew that feeling all too well.

“What do your parents do?”

“My father retired from the service. He was career,” Lucy answered. “My mother is a homemaker.”

“Oh, well that’s… normal.”

Normal wasn’t good.

“Her family was welcoming and lovely, Dad. They are good people.”

Well, some of them. Winston was too kind, as usual.

Richard crossed his legs and stared across the coffee table at Lucy, eyes locking onto her like a target. “So, do you, as an average American, always date wealthy Brits? Was George your golden ticket?”

Lucy shut down and tears welled. She would never be enough. Even Winston’s father said it. Lucy could not respond. She was losing it. Adrift in her own emotional turmoil, she could only watch on in horror.

“I didn’t bring her here so you could eviscerate any sense of self-worth she has, Dad!”

“Well, you brought her here unprepared. Although, I suspect that is the case across the board. She should put more effort into her act. She does realise that the money is all tied up in your inheritance and it doesn’t work the same way here like it does in the States, right? If she wants an easy life, she should have stuck closer to home.”

“Richard, please,” Elisa pleaded.

“No. it has to be said, Elisa. What is it? Is she pregnant? You made a mistake and are trying to do right by it?”

“Dad, what the actual fuck!? Are you mental?”

“No, just honest.”

“This is not honesty,” Winston said. “This is cruelty. I will not have it! This is why we don’t tell you anything!”

Then, feeling her body in flight mode, Lucy fled. She ran out of the observatory, through the dining room where the staff prepared an elegant lunch which would impress even the King and Queen. She apologised as she bobbed and weaved. It tested Lucy’s castle running abilities, but she eventually made it to the car. Of course, Lucy didn’t have Winston’s keys. This was an epic disaster. Her coat was inside. She shivered. Why on Earth had she agreed to this? Why did Winston choose her? Why did she love him enough to endure this shit?

“Lulu, come back in—”

Lucy turned to see Winston standing in the doorway, flustered. She merely shook her head. The words didn’t come.

“Okay. Uh… just wait there,” Winston said.

Elisa appeared with Lucy’s belongings, looking downright mortified.

Lucy sobbed as it started to sprinkle. She was so angry! Why? Why this? She was miserable. Winston barrelled towards Lucy, her coat and handbag in his hands. The door to the car unlocked and Lucy centred.

Winston put the car in gear. He panicked. Lucy sensed he had no idea what to say.

---