Be a Doll(29)

“I can’t possibly criticize Mathis’ apartment,’’ I said and took a sip of the white wine. The taste hitting my taste buds was unmistakable, even for someone who would probably fail a blind test. The Chablis, probably one of my favorite wines, was one of the best I had had the pleasure of drinking. It was easier to focus on the alcohol than on my husband sitting next to me, but not quite touching me.

“Yes, of course,’’ Sylvie said with a gentle smile and then fixed her son who was stonily drinking his scotch. I didn’t have to look his way to know when he brought the tumbler to his mouth as the ice cubes kept on colliding. “Maybe you should give the opportunity to your wife to redecorate your place. The interior fits a single man more than a married couple.’’

“It’s not important,’’ I blurted, but kept my voice at a reasonable volume. The elegant front I had been showing slightly cracked. Sylvie’s and Megan’s eyes latched onto me and where I would have expected wariness I only saw concern. I forced a smile I had been perfecting for years at the Manor to hide behind and once again I saw it working when the women returned it, but to them it truly reached their eyes and brightened their faces. “The decorating is very tasteful.’’

“But maybe—‘’ Sylvie started but didn’t finish as the unmistakable noise of dress shoes hitting the tile floor made itself known. “Oh, perfect! You’re finished right on time, mon amour.’’ She stood up and welcomed her husband who merely nodded at us while still standing.

Promptly, Megan and Mathis went to their feet and I made quick work to follow, attentive to not spill any wine that would fall either on me or on the Persian rug.

“I’m sorry for the delay, but it couldn’t wait,’’ Mr. Grimes said with a voice that didn’t belay his apology. The detachment of this man was uncomfortable, but it didn’t seem to be an odd occurrence. Yesterday, upon meeting him, I had thought he reserved that coldness for me considering the way his son decided to pick his wife, but now I wondered if maybe the issue ran deeper.

“Of course, Dad. It’s fine, we grabbed a drink in the meantime,’’ Megan said softly with a smile to her father that was a bit strained.

The older man nodded and then bypassed me to look at his son. Maybe I imagined it because of my reserve regarding that man, but I thought I saw his eyes narrowing slightly upon meeting his son’s stare. I surreptitiously glanced at my husband.

Mathis’ jaw locked, accentuating the angle. His lips were tightly sealed and his eyes so cold that the word frost could be used to describe them. I shivered slightly and broke the eye contact from his father. My husband turned toward me and brought a hand to the small of my back. I bit my tongue when his palm and fingers seared into me, but not with heat. It felt as if he was frozen, so cold no blood ran through his veins.

“Dinner is ready, ma’am,’’ a voice came from the threshold of the living room, breaking the awkward atmosphere that fell on us all.

Sylvie seemed relieved to get back to her hostess duty as she gently led us to the table in the next room set for five.

With Mathis’ hand on my back drawing out shivers and goosebumps, I lengthened my steps and prayed I wouldn’t fall face first on the floor. And my efforts were for nothing as Mathis’ height gave him an advantage on me. He followed me without much of an issue and led me to a seat. Gentlemanly, he pulled the chair out for me before taking the one on my left.

Once we were all presented with the starter, avocado and shrimp with a sauce that made my taste buds sing, Mr. Grimes dried his mouth with his napkin and took a hold of his crystal glass already topped with a ruby red wine. He took a sip and stared at Mathis. I expected him to address his son, but instead his mouth twisted in what I could only assume was displeasure and something told me with the way my husband tensed further beside me that the wine his father tasted had nothing to do with his facial expression.

“How is your job search going, Megan?’’ the older man asked, right as he delved back in his starter.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Sylvie’s eyes trained on her son and I couldn’t miss the worry marring her otherwise beautiful face. But soon enough, Megan’s sweet voice had my attention as I slowly worked my way through the delicious meal.

“I have an appointment tomorrow morning,’’ she replied noncommittally and for having spent a few hours the previous day with my now sister-in-law, I knew her even voice belayed a lack of enthusiasm that didn’t escape the older man.

His eyes, as dark as his son’s but somehow more distant, latched onto his daughter who stopped eating to drink more of her wine until nothing was left.

“I hope it works this time,’’ he said, now looking back at his plate.

“I’m sure it will,’’ Sylvie butted in and gently squeezed her daughter’s hand with a reassuring smile with all the warmth that her husband lacked. Megan’s returning smile was more subdued, but she didn’t say anything. “Anyway, with my trip scheduled in two weeks I want to enjoy this family dinner as much as possible.’’

Mr. Grimes shook his head and with his perfectly shaved cheeks I couldn’t miss the same small muscle flexing as Mathis when he was annoyed with something, or downright angry. That was an easy mark to zero in on with most men and even if I didn’t know my husband yet, that was something I had picked up on and it seemed this was something he shared with his father, along with several other physical traits.