The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(40)

“That sounds perfect.” Bianca beamed a million-dollar smile. “We’ll have Edna come up with an exciting menu and you can teach me which fork to use. It will be such fun.”

“Bianca, why are you trying to distract me?”

Bianca’s eyes widened. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re the one who wanted the dinner party. I’m saying let’s go for it.”

“Yes, and I appreciate that. But you’re avoiding the conversation about last night. We need to talk about it.”

Bianca sighed heavily and dug her spoon into the bowl. “Fine. Talk. I was horrible. What was I thinking? Wrong me. There, are we finished?”

Margot genuinely couldn’t process all the information Bianca was throwing at her. Most of it was in code, but it was there, if only she could figure it out.

She leaned toward her client. “You weren’t horrible at all. You obviously love Wesley and he seems like such a great guy. I’m glad you’re happy with him. And it’s wonderful how you want to make sure you fit in so you don’t jeopardize his job.”

Bianca’s gaze was wary. “But? Because there’s always a but and it’s never good.”

“We all react when we’re nervous. We all have a default position we take to defend ourselves. But for some people, going on the offense is a stronger position. I think you might be like that.”

Margot smiled gently. “If you make the conversation about the other person in a disarming way, you deflect attention and give yourself a chance to regroup. You don’t have to think when you lash out, which means you haven’t done anything to mitigate your anxiety.”

“I don’t lash out,” Bianca snapped. “Who would I lash out at? Alec? Are you saying I’m a bad mother?”

Her reaction had headed the direction Margot wanted, but it was more intense than expected. Yet something else to mull later.

“You’re one of the bravest single mothers I know,” Margot said. “You literally gave your son the world. All the places he got to visit when he was young, all the experiences he shared with you. I know you two were a team. Yet when he was a little older, you let him go to boarding school, even knowing he was going to be so far away. I don’t think I could have done that. I think I’m way too selfish.”

Bianca’s entire body relaxed as her expression softened. “I had to let him go. It was what he wanted.”

Margot smiled. “Yet more love. I admire that and I’m a little envious. My mom took off when my sister and I were still toddlers.”

“Did she really? That’s awful. How could—” Bianca’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. You did that on purpose. You totally changed the subject.”

“Yes. When I did, your energy changed, too. You were able to breathe and be a part of the conversation. You weren’t defensive or angry anymore. You felt my interest and empathy. It’s something I think you could easily learn. You already have acting skills that would be a big help. When you feel stressed or nervous, energy builds up. One way or another, it’s going to dissipate. Why not help that happen in a positive way?”

“Instead of drinking too much?”

“Exactly. Alcohol doesn’t really make the situation better. It simply masks the problem.”

Some of the wariness returned. “You think you’re so smart.”

“I think I know what I’m doing, otherwise why hire me?”

“I’ll consider it.” Bianca rose and carried her melting ice cream to the sink. After setting it down, she turned back to Margot.

“I still want to have the dinner party right away.”

“I’ll talk to Edna in the morning.”

“See that you do.”

With that, Bianca flounced out of the room. Margot stared after her. She would guess they’d moved past the easy, pleasant part of the training and into the more difficult work. On the bright side, she did love a challenge.

  When Margot walked into the dining room for breakfast the next day, she noticed two things at once: that Alec wasn’t reading the paper and that there was a second place setting at the table.

She hadn’t seen him the previous day—her early morning run had meant she’d missed the simple buffet—so today was the first breakfast since their post–cocktail party dinner.

“Good morning,” he said when he saw her. He motioned to the extra place setting. “You’re more than welcome to take a tray back up to your room if you’d prefer, but if you’d like to stay and eat at the table, I would enjoy the company.”

An odd fluttery sensation set up shop in her belly, making her suddenly not know what to do with her hands. Or her brain.

“I, ah, that would be nice. Can you give me just one minute?”

She hurried out of the room and ran back upstairs. After collecting the ledger, she returned to the dining room and set the old leather-bound book next to him.

“I found this last night,” she said as she poured herself coffee. “It dates back to 1912 and details all the purchases made by the monks. There are also some unexpected trades. Did you know the monks raised honey?” She reached for a plate. “I guess I mean they raised bees and harvested honey. Also, they had quite the herd of donkeys that were relatively expensive. Donkeys and honey. Who knew?”