It would probably sound even less glamorous if she admitted she had done that for little money, working for her relatives to earn her right to a sense of belonging.
Note to self, Mel. You never did earn that right and you waited too long to get yourself out of that situation.
A similar set of rites was being played out in this room between Rik and his father.
She turned the highest wattage smile she could muster towards King Georgio. ‘My history is humble, I suppose, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of in coming from everyday stock.’
‘If that “stock” has an appropriate history attached to it.’ Georgio’s eyes narrowed. ‘My son will run a check. I will see this report for myself.’
Like a police-record check or something?
No, Mel, it will be a lot more detailed even than that.
She tried not to bristle at the thought, and at the king’s emotionless declaration. As though he did this all the time and would have no hesitation in eliminating her like a blot from Rik’s radar screen if she didn’t come up to standard.
It didn’t actually matter whether Georgio liked her or approved of her or not, provided she could marry Rik so that Rik could carry out his plans.
I still don’t like it. My family history is my business. I don’t want it exposed to all and sundry.
‘Dominico already ran the check.’ Rik clipped the words off. ‘You may take Melanie at her word, Father. There is nothing in her history to justify the need for you to view the report.’
Mel stiffened inwardly for a second time.
Rik leaned close to her and said softly, ‘I’m sorry. It was necessary. Dominico gave me a very light summary of the report.’
Much of Mel’s agitation subsided. ‘I don’t have anything to hide. I just don’t like the idea…’
‘Of your privacy being invaded.’ The twist to his lips was ironic.
Somehow that irony helped Mel to let the matter go.
Georgio straightened slightly in his chair. ‘I could order a search of my own.’
A chill formed in the edges of Rik’s deep blue irises. ‘But I think you will agree there is no need.’
For a moment as father and son locked gazes the room filled with the powerful clash of two strong wills. It occurred to Mel then that there were matters within such families that were very different from ‘regular’ life. Yes, Rik had ordered a search of her life and history. No, she hadn’t liked hearing that. But if Rik hadn’t done the search, his father would have ordered it. At least this way Mel wasn’t exposed to Georgio reading the entire report.
A moment later Georgio glanced away. Rik had won that round, it was done and the conversation moved on to more general topics.
Rik raised the matter of the truffle harvest. Mel sat quietly listening, but she remained aware of Georgio’s examination.
No way would he have accepted a switch between her and her cousin. He was too observant.
So you’ve done the right thing, Mel, by agreeing to help Rik. And Georgio is a strong-willed man and very set in his attitudes. You’re helping Rik to avoid being pushed into a long-term loveless marriage for the wrong reasons, too.
* * *
‘You have done well this morning, Melanie. I’m proud of you.’ Rik spoke the words and then realised it perhaps wasn’t his place to feel such an emotion in the rather personal way that he did towards his fiancée right now. She wasn’t marrying him for real reasons. She was doing this to help him and she understood that it would all end a few months from now.
Tell her what the buy-off will be in exchange for her assistance.
The thought came, and Rik…pushed it aside once again, for later. He would take care of Melanie, would ensure that she got good assistance to start her on her way with her new life in Sydney when she returned to Australia. When the moment was right to bring the topic up, he would do so. He…felt that she would know inherently that he would…take care of her.
Rik used a key to unlock the door to
Note to self, Mel. You never did earn that right and you waited too long to get yourself out of that situation.
A similar set of rites was being played out in this room between Rik and his father.
She turned the highest wattage smile she could muster towards King Georgio. ‘My history is humble, I suppose, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of in coming from everyday stock.’
‘If that “stock” has an appropriate history attached to it.’ Georgio’s eyes narrowed. ‘My son will run a check. I will see this report for myself.’
Like a police-record check or something?
No, Mel, it will be a lot more detailed even than that.
She tried not to bristle at the thought, and at the king’s emotionless declaration. As though he did this all the time and would have no hesitation in eliminating her like a blot from Rik’s radar screen if she didn’t come up to standard.
It didn’t actually matter whether Georgio liked her or approved of her or not, provided she could marry Rik so that Rik could carry out his plans.
I still don’t like it. My family history is my business. I don’t want it exposed to all and sundry.
‘Dominico already ran the check.’ Rik clipped the words off. ‘You may take Melanie at her word, Father. There is nothing in her history to justify the need for you to view the report.’
Mel stiffened inwardly for a second time.
Rik leaned close to her and said softly, ‘I’m sorry. It was necessary. Dominico gave me a very light summary of the report.’
Much of Mel’s agitation subsided. ‘I don’t have anything to hide. I just don’t like the idea…’
‘Of your privacy being invaded.’ The twist to his lips was ironic.
Somehow that irony helped Mel to let the matter go.
Georgio straightened slightly in his chair. ‘I could order a search of my own.’
A chill formed in the edges of Rik’s deep blue irises. ‘But I think you will agree there is no need.’
For a moment as father and son locked gazes the room filled with the powerful clash of two strong wills. It occurred to Mel then that there were matters within such families that were very different from ‘regular’ life. Yes, Rik had ordered a search of her life and history. No, she hadn’t liked hearing that. But if Rik hadn’t done the search, his father would have ordered it. At least this way Mel wasn’t exposed to Georgio reading the entire report.
A moment later Georgio glanced away. Rik had won that round, it was done and the conversation moved on to more general topics.
Rik raised the matter of the truffle harvest. Mel sat quietly listening, but she remained aware of Georgio’s examination.
No way would he have accepted a switch between her and her cousin. He was too observant.
So you’ve done the right thing, Mel, by agreeing to help Rik. And Georgio is a strong-willed man and very set in his attitudes. You’re helping Rik to avoid being pushed into a long-term loveless marriage for the wrong reasons, too.
* * *
‘You have done well this morning, Melanie. I’m proud of you.’ Rik spoke the words and then realised it perhaps wasn’t his place to feel such an emotion in the rather personal way that he did towards his fiancée right now. She wasn’t marrying him for real reasons. She was doing this to help him and she understood that it would all end a few months from now.
Tell her what the buy-off will be in exchange for her assistance.
The thought came, and Rik…pushed it aside once again, for later. He would take care of Melanie, would ensure that she got good assistance to start her on her way with her new life in Sydney when she returned to Australia. When the moment was right to bring the topic up, he would do so. He…felt that she would know inherently that he would…take care of her.
Rik used a key to unlock the door to
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