Masters And Lovers 1-4

Charity dinner night and the four of us make our way to the table, Elizabeth on Richard’s arm, Charlotte on mine. Like Richard, I detest these events, but these days it’s expected of me and at least this evening I have some entertaining company.

But Charlotte looks glum, muttering under her breath.

“What’s bothering you? I thought you wanted to come?”

“I feel like the ugly duckling.”

?

?

I look down at my Jade, exquisite in a plain black dress, cut to her figure and stopping just short of the knee. “Why Charlotte?”

She gestures around the room. “Look at them all, in their dresses and jewellery and.…”

*Sigh*

“Charlotte, look at the other women in this room. They may all have designer dresses and jewellery and bags and shoes. You could have all of that too if it meant a damn thing to you. But it doesn't, and I don't insist, because if you were wearing a sack, you would still outshine every other woman here.”

She rolls eyes at me but looks a little reassured.

Richard harrumphs and I smile to Beth. “Present company excluded of course.” But there’s a twinkle in Richard’s eye.

I turn back to Charlotte. “Besides which, I’m sure you know as well as I do, the ending to the story of the Ugly Duckling.”

I wink at her, and she smiles.

*****

At the large circular table, I have Elizabeth to one side, Mayor Vandervoort to the other. My elegant wife makes a manful effort to smile as she exchanges chit-chat with his wife, Veronica, a couple of seats along. She’s doing a great job. I know she loathes the woman, an overly-made-up blond who nurses the illusion that traffic-stop-red suits her complexion. If you stepped in her personality, you wouldn’t wet your feet.

Beyond her are my old friend, Will Stanton, the Police Commissioner and his wife. Across from us are some of the local Councillors and minor politicians with their assorted females. And finally, there is James, and beside him, looking petrified, is Charlotte.

Completely out of her depth….

…. and her comfort zone….

But the practice is good for her….

When I get her on my Board in a few years’ time, she’ll need to be to grips with this….

However, regardless of the quality of some of the company we are keeping, the food is very good and Charlotte, finally raising a smile, tucks in. Her eyes, I notice, follow Elizabeth as the hors d'oeuvres are served. Her hands hover over the cutlery, before, following Elizabeth, she picks up the tiny rounds of toast and pate in her fingers.

I keep watching, surreptitiously of course.

The soup, a Vichyssoise, is delicious, and after a doubtful moment, while she sniffs then tastes, true to form, Charlotte spoons it up with relish, right to the last drop. Her dish emptied, she tears a chunk from a roll, swiping around her plate, then gulping the bread down in large economical bites as she polishes away the last smear of soup.

After a moment the conversation lulls and she glances up. Everyone is looking at her, watching the performance. Veronica wears a faint sneer.

Charlotte flushes, looking around at the assembly, and then to James who eye-points the remains of the roll in her hand. With a guilty look, she drops it on her side plate.

for the basket of bread. “I’ve often thought….” I take a roll and break off a piece, wiping it into my own bowl. “…. That

the enamel with it. “This is, after all, a charity dinner, isn’t it, for

out, abrupt and

“Quite right.”

“Yes, just so.”

basket of rolls is empty and I

*****

becomes distracted, Veronica probing the detail of the wedding; outfits,

it’s

she was taught on that farm was that you don’t waste food. That it’s bad-mannered not to clear your plate. Between that and starving as

brush it off. “Forget it. I asked you to bring her so she could get

“Really? Should I read something into

about knowing how to behave at a formal occasion. This is good

chewing his

In for a penny….

to run by you.” I glance across to check Charlotte’s attention is elsewhere.

in her hands,

Good practice….

“Go on,” says James.

ago that you’d caught her hacking our

whatever else

you make any attempt

you said you were happy for her to see what

can assume that

with a fingernail. After a long pause, he says, “I don’t

necessarily. That’s not what I’m

scratches his

when she’s had more training, what do you think of the idea of Charlotte

landing with a clatter on his plate. He glances around. “Sorry, folks. Clumsy of me.” Then he turns back to me. “Are

don't like the

He ponders. “In fact, as I think on it…. she'd

devious mind and the sheer

be suspicious on our

“Exactly.”

at a lip, turning the thought over.

I don't see why they

way, then back at me. “No, they wouldn’t conflict at all. One set of skills would boost the other.” He stares at the tablecloth.

“You're her Dom.”

we keep this on the table for the long-term and meanwhile, I can…. guide her along

“And if she's permitted to pursue the interest, you'll know what she's up

He huffs. “True.”

*****

course is

the fish knife?” she hisses. “I thought I knew what

glance down at

Oh, God….

They’re serving oysters….