Page 69 of Misrule
Charlotte’s designer clothes might’ve been from a resale shop, but they were still name brand and added to her inherent elegance. On the other hand, Meggie’s outfit had been extremely expensive, but she was still low-class.
Roxy, Meggie, and Bailey sat on the sofa. Two extra chairs had been brought in for Bunny and Zoann—and placed on that side of the room. If Kendall sat on Joan’s side, she would have more space. Besides, that setup would form a nice circle.
Joan had drawn a dividing line between her and Roxy. Kendall was almost certain the chair Charlotte sat in had been meant for herself.
The door opened and the butler who’d led them to the room carried a chair. His silent, efficient movements impressed Kendall as he sat the spare chair next to Charlotte.
“The seat Charlotte took was going to be yours,” Joan confirmed to Kendall.
She offered Joan a gracious smile. Though she didn’t want to offend Charlotte or Joan, hurting Roxy was out of the question. Whether the other women spoke to her or not, they’d agreed to let Kendall plan the weddings with them. They could have just as easily told Roxy it was either her or them.
Kendall sat her glass on the coffee table, then dragged her chair midway between each side, hoping everyone understood.
“Well, then,” Joan started with a little laugh, not giving away her feelings on Kendall’s actions. “First, I’d like to congratulate my soon-to-be daughter-in-law on her recent engagement.” She lifted her glass, waited until the other women did the same with theirs, then took a sip.
“Thank you, Joan,” Roxy responded politely. “Although this is a surprise, considering you had almost three fucking weeks to congratulate me.”
Kendall shifted in her seat, needing to gulp a glass of scotch, instead of a weak champagne cocktail.
“Oh, Roxy, darling, forgive me. I’ve been so busy and Knox took me completely by surprise when he told me and his father he’d proposed to you.”
“How many days did you stay in bed upon hearing the news?” Charlotte asked sweetly. She offered Roxy a false smile. “Knox is her only child and, yet again, she’s losing him to the vagaries of his heart.”
“In a fucking minute—” Roxy started.
“May I say something?” Kendall interrupted. She didn’t want Roxy to burn her bridges with Joan. No matter what, the woman was that asshole’s mother—Roxy’s soon-to-be mother-in-law.
“Yeah,bye,” Roxy snapped, “and take this bitch with you.Shewasn’t invited, Kendall. What the fuck is wrong with you, bringing a bitch that hates me to plan one of the most special days of my and Bailey’s lives?”
“That’s what I wanted to say,” Kendall said quietly. “But first I want to thank you.” She met each of their gazes—Roxy, Meggie, Zoann, Bailey, and Bunny—hoping she conveyed her gratitude. “You didn’t have to include me, yet you did.”
“As long as you’re Johnnie’s wife, you’re part of the family,” Zoann told her, without warmth, her look and her tone telling Kendall she hoped that situation would change soon.
Kendall lowered her lashes. “But I haven’t been invited to the family dinners in weeks.”
“You know when they are held,” Bunny replied with a shrug. “It was up to you to attend or not.”
Meggie sighed, and glided her fingers through her golden hair. “Kendall, please come to dinner tomorrow night. It’ll be at my house, and I’d love to have you.”
Staring at Meggie, Kendall saw the strong resemblance to Emily. Wasn’t it written somewhere that there were seven people in the world who mirrored each other’s looks?
Meggie did look like Emily, which had tortured Kendall for years. But the girl wasn’t Emily. Most importantly, she had a completely different personality, a completely different outlook. She wasn’t vile and evil like Emily. Then, Meggie’s build was smaller. Her hair was lighter. Emily was a honey blonde and her eyes were a darker blue than Meggie’s.
In Kendall’s mind, though, Emily and Meggie had been the same. Kendall had ruined everything because she’d set Emily—and therefore Meggie—as the ideal.
Emily never would’ve extended a dinner invitation to Kendall, under the circumstances.
“Thank you. I’d love to attend,” she answered.
“Well, I hope everyone brought their appetites,” Joan said into the silence. “Tempers are always cooler on a full stomach. Let’s eat, then we can get into the wedding discussion.”
Kendall’s house was beautifully-appointed, just the type of home she’d appreciate, with the airs she liked to put on.
Bitter anger rushed through Knox. Outlaw had bullshitted him with a story about this house being one of the club’s safe houses. Specifically, his family’s.
Riiigggghhhttt, and Knox was the King of England. Artwork, elaborate lighting, and Persian rugs, wasn’t for Megan Caldwell. Even if it was, it certainly wouldn’t withstand the bratty onslaught of Outlaw’s Baby Thug, CJ.
No, this house had been purchased with Outlaw’s diabolical plan for Kendall in mind.
