Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
This used to be my dad’s office, and his father’s before that and so on down the line, all the way back to my great-great-great-grandfather, Robert Blackburn, who built this house in 1902. Robert was the son of Cyrus who was brother to Elizabeth. The hatred of the Mardraggons for their role in her death was transferred from Cyrus to Robert and down the line. I often suppose many conversations were held at the massive oak desk that sits in the middle of the room about the best ways to ruin that family and their bourbon empire.
I don’t bother taking a seat, instead turning to face Todd when the door closes. “What did you want to talk about that required privacy?”
The attorney levels an apologetic smile. “I think it’s beautiful that your family is here to welcome Sylvie but I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
Frowning, I cross my arms over my chest. “Come again?”
“Sylvie is… how do I say this?”
“You come right out and say it,” I reply in a low rumble of warning to get on with it.
Resolution sweeps across Todd’s face and his chin lifts. “She’s been ingrained to hate you and yours as deeply as any Mardraggon ever has. I think Lionel and Rosemund have upped the spite this past week. Sylvie isn’t just a kid being tossed about among homes. She’s leaving a place that, while it may not be filled with love and warmth, it is what she knows. And she’s been taught that the Blackburns are as near to the devil as it gets.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, scraping a hand through my hair. “What have they said to her?”
“I’m not sure the exact details but the words she has used to describe your family are far from flattering. She is not a shy child and will tell you exactly how she feels.”
“She’ll learn otherwise,” I say confidently. “She’ll see we’re a good family, certainly our reputation—”
Todd holds up a hand. “You don’t need to give me your résumé. It was enough for me that Alaine wanted Sylvie with you. I’m merely suggesting you soft sell this welcome today. I’d have your family leave and you do this one-on-one with Sylvie. She sees all the Blackburns united, it won’t be to offer her solace and love. She’ll see it as an opposing force.”
I can’t imagine it. Her grandparents—my parents—have tons of presents to bestow upon her and my mother wants to get her right into the kitchen to bake cookies. Kat is ready to take her clothes shopping tomorrow, Trey wants to take her fishing on one of the farm ponds and Wade is ready to give her the grand tour on one of the ATVs.
Sylvie will be cherished by all.
“You’re free to do as you choose,” Todd says, checking his watch. “I’m just giving some unsolicited advice.”
I want to argue with him, but I have no choice but to trust he knows my daughter better than I do. My family will be disappointed, but I’m going to do as he suggests and ask them to be scarce for a while. Besides, Sylvie is my daughter and we should have some time alone to get to know each other. I am confident I’ll be able to reach through to her and if I can’t do it alone, I have a lot of determined Blackburns at my back to help.
♦
My family was understanding of Todd’s suggestion that they not be present when Sylvie arrives. My mom, I could tell, was heartbroken as this is her first grandchild, and I know she has built up in her mind a beautiful memory they would create together. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears as she kissed me on the cheek and said, “It’s fine. We’ll all be fine.”
I sure as shit hope so but my stomach is tight with nerves and insecurity as they all leave out the side kitchen door. My siblings are off to work on the farm and my parents are heading to their cottage. They insisted that the Blackburn homestead pass to me when I assumed the official head of the business enterprise. Moreover, I’m the official patriarch now that they’ve retired and are traveling so much, which often includes months at a time in Ireland.
The Mardraggons are almost twenty minutes late when they pull up the long driveway canopied by hundred-year-old oak trees, in Lionel’s Land Rover. Like the Blackburns, they are a family of immense wealth, theirs fueled by their bourbon empire and built bigger by their winery in France. Lionel is flashy and loves his expensive clothes and cars. He is most often seen driving around Kentucky in a two-seater Ferrari, but that isn’t feasible for today’s visit. I can see through the window that Rosemund is with him in the front seat and I assume Sylvie is in the back.