A Place at the Table
8
Building a Good Relationship
Meredith
“SO? WHAT’S HE LIKE? You’ve been over there for three weeks now. Is it dreamy or is he still a brat?” Karen asked. She and Peggy Anne had seen me come in Friday afternoon. They were sitting in my room as I folded and packed my life into boxes. I was really leaving Green Hill Women’s College. I had thought I would stay through my baccalaureate, but I needed to get established at the University before my charge arrived in January. But that meant moving out of the room I’d lived in the past five of my eight years at Green Hill. Peggy Anne and Karen roomed across the hall.
“He’s different than he was. I mean, I should hope so. He’s eight years older, just like we are. I don’t know. Those extra two years between his age and mine are a huge gap in experience.” I folded another blouse and sat on the edge of the bed. “There are times when he’s still just a little kid—in a good way. He has a sense of wonder about him that shows in everything new he sees or touches.”
“Is he a good kisser?” Peggy Anne asked. She had a devilish look in her eyes.
“Peggy Anne! What a horrid thing to ask. How am I supposed to know if he’s a good kisser? I’m his personal assistant, not his girlfriend.” Everything had been quite proper since our horseback ride.
“You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. Personal assistant? What eighteen-year-old boy needs a personal assistant?” Karen mocked.
“You’d be surprised. He’s not just lying by the pool all day. He actually goes to work in his parents’ company each day. His father gave him a special investigation to conduct and when he returns at noon, we discuss his findings, brainstorm ideas, consolidate his notes… I even type them and collate them in the mornings while he’s at the factory. And then there are his social engagements.”
“What kind of social calendar does he have?” Peggy Anne asked.
“Well, it hasn’t been much so far. He volunteered at the hospital festival and was a big hit. Especially with my roommate,” I laughed. It had been one of his more lovable days.
“Hana met him?”
“Oh, met him, wooed him, and got him to take her out on an elaborate date for the orchestra and dessert. If you want to know what he kisses like, ask Hana.”
“She didn’t!”
“Didn’t what?” Hana asked as she entered the room. I suppose we’d been a bit loud, but it was almost time for her to go to her shift at the hospital.
“You made out with Liam Cyning?” Peggy Anne asked. We generally considered her the shyest of the three of us girls, but she certainly had a fixation on kissing Liam.
“Maybe not making out. I had just enough presence of mind to break the kiss and dash inside. If I hadn’t assumed Meredith was sitting in the room, I might have dragged him in with me,” Hana said, shocking us all. “I’m afraid, though, that he’s just too young to be serious about. I’m twenty-two and he’s only eighteen. He’s quite intelligent but I’m sure we’d run out of things to talk about quickly.”
“And if you can’t talk, you may as well kiss.”
“You, girl, have a fixation. I need to leave for work. This is a twelve-on, twelve-off weekend. No kisses for me.”
It took me until nearly ten to finish packing and load my car. It would take a second trip as well but looking around my room, I decided I couldn’t really spend the night with all my bedding packed.
I drove ‘home.’ To my parents’ house. I suppose I could have simply moved my room to Buxton House, but that was a move I was not yet ready to make. Although, I discovered I was taking more with me on each trip. Still, I’d need a dormitory room at the University. Once classes started, I was sure Liam and I would both be spending more time in town than at Buxton House. He would still have another term at Elenchus.
I could hear the tones of my mother’s piano as I walked in the door and my nose was welcomed with the sweet smell of fresh cookies.
“Hello, Mama, Papa!” I called. I set a box down and turned to get another from the car.
“You’ve boxes? Are you moving home, sweetie?” Mama said.
“I’m kind of in transition. What I’m definitely doing is moving out of Green Hill,” I said.
“Let me help carry. You must have accumulated a great deal in your years at the college,” Papa said. I loaded his arms and Mama’s before scooping up the next box and locking the car.
“The rest can wait until morning. I’ve just torn apart my room at the college and needed a place to crash. It feels funny to think of going out to Buxton House on the weekend.”
“I’m glad you’ve come home,” Mama said. “We’ve hardly had a chance to talk since you started there.”
“Wait. I have fresh snickerdoodles and cold milk,” Papa said, rushing back to the kitchen.
“Oh, that makes coming home worth it,” I laughed. I hugged Mama and she led me to the sofa.
“Now tell us about your job. You’ve been spending some nights at Buxton House,” Mama said as Papa brought the cookies and milk. “Are they always demanding, like so many wealthy are?”
“Oh, no, Mama. Everyone, including Liam, has been very polite and proper. I have a lovely suite of rooms of my own with an attached office where Liam and I can meet when we need to. We spend most of our professional time in their library, though.” I didn’t mention going horseback riding or walking through the woods.
“We worry, you know,” Papa said. “The Cynings have always been people of fine character—at least Regina Cyning. But sometimes people with money think that exempts them from proper behavior. You should never feel that you are required to do something unprofessional.”
“I know, Papa. In fact, Dr. Parolini and I had a talk about that. But they have also done so much for me that I am grateful.”
“You needn’t be too grateful. Before we accepted your scholarship to Green Hill, it was explained carefully that they were giving six scholarships and that no one should feel obligated in any way by them. We always knew they would choose one of the six as an assistant to Liam if at all possible. But even then, you had the option to turn the opportunity down,” Mama said.
“I wanted this opportunity, Mama. I’ve wanted it since I’ve known about the chance. And even now that I am officially part of their staff, the Cynings are continuing to pay for all six of our tuition and board. Even though I’m moving to the University this fall.” I let that little bomb drop and waited for my parents’ response. It wasn’t long in coming.
“The University? Why aren’t you continuing at Green Hill for your baccalaureate?”
“I will be enrolled at the University so I can be prepared to help Liam when he enrolls mid-term. It will be good for us to be at the same school so I can help with his enrollment, lodging, and incidentals.”
“I worry most about his incidentals. Are you being paid well?” Papa asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I never asked. It would not take much to consider myself paid well since my meals and lodging, tuition and books, car, and even clothing allowance are covered in my usual scholarship. I suppose I shall need to inquire about that. I’ll do it when it’s convenient.”
“Tell us about your day when you are working.”
“I arrive at Buxton House mid-morning on Monday and check notes and messages. Sometimes there is something from the weekend that needs tending to, but I have a number of menial tasks like filing that have been neglected for a long time. Liam gets home from work shortly after noon and we have lunch together.”
“Work? What kind of work does Liam do?” Papa asked. He seemed impressed that Liam had a job.
“His parents have asked him to investigate their arms company and get a general feel for the process and the employees. Something is bothering them about the company.”
“Probably guilt,” Mama scoffed. “Why would anyone choose to be in arms and munitions as a business?”
“Let’s not be judgmental, dear,” Papa said. “We don’t have a mission to judge others.”
“You may be right, though, Mama. They inherited the business, you know. Most of the family industry is in clothing. But Liam is developing a threat matrix and I’ve been able to do a great deal as an assistant. We spend most afternoons discussing what he has discovered in the morning, jotting down notes, and brainstorming next steps. We do have some leisure time. Earlier this week we went for a lovely ride around the estate. I didn’t realize it was so large!”
“So, you are helping him with a job he is employed at. It seems like Thomas and Lydia are getting two people for the price of one.”
“I suppose so, but it has been rather fun and exciting to work on the project. We often have dinner together, served casually in the kitchen. The staff is very nice. It’s almost like being next to your kitchen.” I knew one of my parents’ concerns about the job was that I would be shunned by the rest of the household staff. We’d heard stories of how difficult it sometimes was to be a newcomer in an established staff.
“Speaking of which, you must bring him by for dinner.”
“Really, Papa? You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not. If you keep eating what that fancy French chef of his cooks, you’ll both weigh 300 pounds before you are out of college.” Papa knew the Cynings’ cook and felt a touch of rivalry with him. It would be good to show Liam what Papa could cook.
“Yes. We should get an opportunity to meet your boyfriend away from his palace.”
“Boyfriend?! Mama! Liam is not my boyfriend. No no no. Not my boyfriend. We have a professional relationship. We aren’t dating. In fact, he took my roommate out on a date last week. I know I’ve talked a lot about Liam over the past years, but it isn’t as if I’m in love with him. He is too young for me for one thing. Whatever would we have in common? I’m to be an advisor on how to behave in social situations. I even arranged the orchestra tickets for his date last week. And I had a date as well. With Rich. No, Liam is not my boyfriend!”
“Have you run out of protestations now?” Mama asked after a pause. I blushed. My heart was racing and I’d responded like the twelve-year-old I’d been at Liam’s party eight years ago. I’d popped him in the nose and then Mama and Papa had taken me home. The other schoolmates left as well, except Lonnie. Mama had teased me about liking Liam and not knowing how to act with a boy. That was a little girl crush, and I had denied liking him in the least. But over the past eight years, his name was a common element of our conversation.
“Yes, Mama,” I whispered.
“It is okay to like him and enjoy his company. Probably much easier to do your job if you do. I just don’t like the idea of you being subservient.” Mama hugged me.
“When have you ever known me to be subservient?” I snorted. “I was raised with four older brothers. I’ve learned to hold my own. In fact, I believe that was a key element in my being selected for this role. I don’t know about the boys, but Peggy Anne and Karen would be too easily manipulated. I daresay the boys would have dominated him.”
“And you can withstand his charm?”
“He is charming… most of the time. So far, I’ve been able to subtly guide him. He is a bit… naïve.”
“And you are still seeing Rich Biggers? I thought you put an end to that relationship,” Mama said.
“No. I’m not seeing Rich. I thought we could go out casually and see a movie. I was wrong. I ended my date early and asked him not to call me again.”
“Well, you know your heart and mind, dear. You know you can always talk to us if you need.”
“Oh good, Meredith. I was just thinking of you,” Mrs. Cyning said. I’d just arrived Monday morning and picked up a cup of coffee from the kitchen to take to my office when Liam’s grandmother stopped me. “I was going to get a cuppa myself. Won’t you join me in the lounge?”
“Certainly, Mrs. Cyning. May I get your coffee for you?”
“You aren’t a servant, Meredith. I don’t even ask Ricardo to run silly errands for me. Just keep me company for a few minutes if you would.”
“While I’m pouring my own, how would you like yours?” I asked. She laughed and I handed her a cup of coffee.
“How are you getting on with Liam?”
“I think we’re learning how to work together and beginning to understand the scope of things we can work on. The project at the arms factory has been enlightening for both of us,” I said. We sat in the lounge to sip our coffee.
“One of the things I’ve been concerned with is Liam’s social life,” Regina said. “I don’t actually want to meddle, but it is easy to see that the time he’s spent at Elenchus has left him comfortable around men and backward around women.”
“We have had some awkward moments but I understand from both Liam and Hana that their date a couple of weeks ago was enjoyed by both.”
“That’s good. I’m not implying he’s incapable of enjoying company, but only that there are few opportunities for him to socialize with other young people. I thought perhaps you might suggest he have a casual party this weekend. Perhaps a barbecue on the patio and some friends to swim. You could work together on who to invite, but try to make sure there is a good mix of male and female,” she said. I swallowed. I knew planning events would be a part of my responsibilities but was not anticipating needing to suggest events. Nonetheless, if I could talk Liam into it this afternoon, it would be a pleasant diversion this weekend.
“I’ll suggest it to Liam this afternoon,” I said. “I should find out what notes he’s left for me to work on this morning. He’s very intent on the project.”
“Lincoln Arms and Munitions has weighed heavily on Thomas’s mind for some time. I wish he would put it on the market and divest, but it was Lydia’s inheritance. It is simply very different than their various clothing and textile interests. I’m not sure either of them has the stomach for it.” The old woman paused and shook her head. “I should let you get to your work and I should get to mine. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice, dear. We all want a successful relationship.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate your guidance.” I took her cup with my own to the kitchen and rinsed them before heading to my third-floor office.
“You did a lot of work this weekend,” I said when I joined Liam for lunch. It was now a commonplace ritual to busy ourselves in the kitchen when he returned from the factory. Cook always had a cold lunch prepared for us. We only needed to assemble the component parts. Today, we were enjoying a tuna salad niçoise.
“I didn’t really have much else to do and made notes on a book on gun-making. I’ve seen the process in action, but there are so many steps where something could go wrong, I’m still not following them all. I wiggled around in the storeroom this morning, though, and discovered a stock of some 5,000 rifles that are not even listed in our catalogue and I can’t find in inventory. It might be nothing, but I can’t fathom why we would have a stock of so many rifles with no orders and no catalog. It could be nothing more than an oversight, but I think I’ll need to bring it to Father’s attention.”
“We can work on the questions to investigate after lunch.” We chatted for a bit as we ate and I worked around to the subject of a party. “It has been such glorious weather lately, it seems a shame to waste it.”
“Wanting to go for another ride? I’d be interested in that.”
“Oh, yes. That would be lovely. I was thinking though, that perhaps you’d like to invite a few people for a cookout and swim this weekend. I’m sure I could get Cook to prepare things for a party that aren’t too elaborate. Somewhat like we did in the park for the festival.” I thought reminding him of his prowess on the grill at the hospital festival might go a long way toward encouraging him.
“Hmm. It would be good to see some of the guys over the summer before school starts. Don’t know who’s available, though.”
“If you give me a list of people you’d especially like to invite, I’ll supplement it with a few women. It’s much more fun to have a swimming party if there are both men and women.”
“I’m sure I would only embarrass myself,” he sighed. “It’s difficult to talk to a woman as it is, let alone a woman wearing a swimming costume.” He blushed.
“But it would encourage the men to come if they thought either their dates would be welcome or there would be other women around. You know Lonnie would be far more interested in a gathering if Susan were also invited.”
“I suppose you’re right. I just don’t know any women to invite.”
“Trust me?”
“What? Of course I trust you.”
“Then I will balance out the numbers of men and women. Just give me a list of people you don’t want me to miss.”
“Do you suppose Hana would come?”
I swallowed my catty retort and smiled. “I will be sure to invite her unless you would prefer to invite her yourself as a date.”
“Oh. Um… That seems a bit… no, just as a party invitation. If I’m to be a host, I should be equally attentive to all who are there. It would be much too embarrassing to spend my time… to see… Ah! Meredith, could you please make the arrangements? I’m sure it will be great fun, but I’m simply tongue-tied when it comes to calling people.”
“I believe this could be considered within the realm of an assistant’s duties,” I laughed. “I will, however, want your input on some details. It is your party.”
“Yes, yes. Of course. I don’t think I can concentrate on work at the moment. Why don’t we take the horses out?”
“That would be fun.”
“I’ll call out to Ray and let him know we’ll be out in half an hour.”
The ride was lovely and Liam definitely relaxed the moment he was in the saddle. He’d said riding was what he did to purge his mind. It also seemed to loosen his tongue a bit and I used the opportunity to find out more about his lack of confidence around women.
“I’ve had a superior education,” he said as we rode along. “It seems to have been complete in all areas except relationships. On the list I’ll give you, there will only be three boys. I don’t hang out with many of the fellows. Lonnie, of course, is my roommate. Wonder what he’ll do when I move to the University. Remy Fournier and I became fast friends when he immigrated here three years ago. Fantastic violinist. Roald Adams. Sharp mind. We often debate each other. I always learn something from him. The only others I spend significant time with are on a team or such and inviting one would mean inviting a whole team, which would make for a raucous and boring party, I’m afraid. Or professors. Seems most of my meals are taken up in conversation with one or more professors.”
“While they are no doubt valuable conversationalists, for most persons our age, they would tend to put a damper on things. When was the last time you saw Donnie and Richard?”
“Who? Oh! Defoe and Lingam. We ran into each other a couple of years ago when they were in town for a break. Decided to put in a few rounds at the shooting range. Military school put them way ahead of me in marksmanship. If they are in town, that would be excellent. Aren’t they at the academy now?”
“Well, they may have some time off. I’ll check to see.” We rode in silence for a while, pausing to watch a squirrel chattering at us from a tree limb. Liam’s dog Leonard was alert as if the squirrel posed a clear and present danger to us.
“Meredith.” We’d stopped next to one of the small ponds on the north side of the estate to let the horses have a drink and I could tell Liam was in a contemplative state. “Why is it that I’m so nervous around other women but I feel completely comfortable talking to you? I mean, it’s not like I’m ready to reveal my darkest secrets, but I don’t have a difficulty being with you. I’m not even afraid you’ll sock me anymore.” He laughed but it was a little nervous—like he might still be a little afraid I’d slug him.
“I don’t know, Liam. But I’m glad you feel comfortable with me. I confess, I was a bit nervous being thrown together with you for so much of the day when we started. I’m feeling more comfortable now as well. So far, we’ve managed to build a good working relationship and—I hope—at least the beginnings of a friendship. I guess you can just assume you will be more comfortable with other women as you get to know them better.” The idea of Liam becoming more comfortable with other women was unsettling to me but I determined not to let that become an obstacle between us. Part of my job was to get him better socialized. I would do nothing to sabotage any relationship he developed. I promised myself that.
“I suppose you’re right. But there is something else as well. I feel like we have a common bond that is more than our working relationship. I would like at times—frequently—for us to be able to ignore the idea that I’m an employer. I suppose that’s asking a lot but something about being out here riding horses—even when we aren’t talking or working—feels right. I feel like I can depend on you.”
“I hope that is always the case, Liam. I will always try to be dependable.” I wasn’t going to rush into anything with Liam but, if the situation allowed for it, I was open to being his friend. Or more. I shook that feeling off. Regina Cyning certainly didn’t hire me to seduce her grandson and I would not tread that path.
“Shall we go out for dinner this evening? I’m sure Cook will be okay with us missing whatever he has planned for dinner. The family is always rather casual about when and where they take meals. I’ll give him some warning as soon as we get back to the house. Besides, I still need my driving lesson today.” He laughed and looked at me as though he had just solved a major riddle. Hmm. This might just be a good opportunity.
“I’ve an idea of where we could go for dinner. Before then, I’ll work on our guest list for Saturday. Unless you have other work you’d like to do.”
“No. I’m a bit tired just now. I think I’ll take a nap before dinner. I never thought how tiring getting up to go to a job could be. I need to get used to this!”
“Meredith! Welcome, dear. I didn’t know you were coming in this evening. I can have your usual table ready in just a moment.” The hostess in the restaurant kissed me on both cheeks before hurrying away. In just a minute we were led to a table near the back of the restaurant and on one side.
“You’re known well here?” Liam asked.
“It’s a favorite retreat when I’m at school. I come here frequently.” We were seated at our family table and Jasmine raised an eyebrow. I just shook my head and she left us. It would be a surprise for Liam.
“Since you are so well known here, what would you recommend? The menu looks very good.”
“Oh, it is, I assure you. Everything on the menu is delicious, but in the interest of helping you on your first time here, I would recommend the chicken pot pie.”
“A pot pie? In a restaurant?”
“Trust me. It is my father’s signature dish.” Liam placed his order and then seemed to realize what I’d said.
“Your father? Does he create recipes?”
“Yes. And cooks them. He wanted to serve you a meal sometime but this will be our little surprise to him and he won’t have time to fret about it. He’s the chef here at Rangers.”
“Will you ever run out of surprises for me?”
“I hope we will be able to surprise each other often, Liam.”
We chatted over soft drinks until Papa himself rushed out of the kitchen with our dinners.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming this evening! It’s not nice to give your old papa apoplexy,” he teased. “Mr. Cyning, need I apologize for my daughter suggesting such a humble meal? If there is something else on the menu you would prefer, just say the word.”
“Not at all, Mr. Sauvage. Meredith tells me this is your signature dish and I am looking forward to it.”
“Well, enjoy your meal. If there is anything you need, let us know.” He paused long enough to kiss me on the head and then rushed back to the kitchen.
Liam seemed to enjoy the meal immensely.
“This has been lovely, Meredith. That pot pie was incredible. So many distinct flavors to have all been in a single dish. What is proper for me to tip and how do I settle the bill?”
“Shh. My father would never let a friend of his daughter pay for a meal here. I don’t abuse the privilege, but I eat here often and anytime a friend is with me he or she eats as part of the family. Papa has always asked me to come here whenever I can. Leave a nice tip for our server and let’s depart.” When Liam hesitated with his wallet open, I selected a bill and he left it discreetly on the table. Papa hurried out of the kitchen as we stood to leave.
“Come again any time!” he said. “This table is always open for you.”
We returned to Buxton House and I said goodnight, rather proud of having been able to surprise Liam.
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