Forevermore Read Free Page A

doorway. He was one of the servants who took our luggage from the car.
    “ ’Twas built in 1789,” he continues, nodding out the window toward the ruin. He must notice I still looked startled by his presence, because one corner of his mouth lifts, and he gives a short bow. “I am Jonas, young lady, and I am Glenmorrag’s steward. Let me know if I can be of any assistance at all. Supper will be served in fifteen minutes. And the toilet — err, the bathroom, as you Yanks call it — is just across the hall. There’s a pantry within. It should contain all necessities.”
    “Thanks, Jonas,” I say, relaxing. He seems friendly. Almost grandfatherly.
    He winks, and flicks something from his sleeve. “Lady Elizabeth doesn’t fancy waiting. She gets a bit cross when her tummy rumbles.”
    I nod. “I can imagine that.” I seriously doubt a rumbling tummy is the only thing that makes Elizabeth cross.
    Jonas gives the vaguest of grins, then turns and disappears out the door. I decide I like him. He has a twinkle in his eye that screams rebel to me.
    I quickly freshen up in the bathroom, then make my way back down the dim corridor and downstairs for supper.
    I’m not sure what I was expecting to find in the dining room, but it wasn’t a long, formal table set with silver and fine china. Niall and Mom are already seated, and Mom gives me a comforting smile. Grandmother MacAllister watches me closely.
    “You can take your place there,” she says, inclining her head to a setting.
    “Thanks.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and glance around. Four servers are standing behind the table in a line, waiting. For me, I suppose. I can’t believe there is so much fuss over four people eating dinner.
    Once I’m seated, the food is served: first a course of bland pea soup, followed by beef tips, seasoned potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. It’s fine, but I want nothing more than to sit with Mom in our tiny kitchen in Charleston and eat a burger and fries. All this formal stuff is too much.
    I peer at Elizabeth over the rim of my glass. Her skin is so thin and pale, blue veins peek out from the white face powder she’s applied liberally. She has on a dress and heels. On her index finger I notice an elaborate ruby ring in a square setting, set in gold. It’s the deepest red I’ve ever seen.
    I have on the same outfit I traveled in: big sweater, skinny jeans with holes in the knees, sneakers. I can’t help but wonder if Elizabeth will eventually insist I dress for dinner. I hope not.
    “Is your room sufficient, Ivy?” Niall asks.
    I nod, surprised Niall’s even speaking to me. “Big,” I say after I’ve finished chewing a mouthful of potatoes.
    “Aye,” he answers. A moment later he adds, “There’s an enormous maze out back, in the gardens, that you might like.”
    I’m not sure what to say, so I nod. “Cool.”
    Elizabeth meticulously sets her fork and knife aside,wipes her mouth with the cloth napkin, and turns toward me. I steel myself.
    “There are rules here, young lady,” Elizabeth begins. “Rules which you will be expected to obey.” Her frosty gaze locks onto me. “For one, holes in your clothes at the family table are unacceptable.”
    Knew it. I shoot a glance at Mom, who looks troubled by this statement.
    “And it’s more than clear that you need quite a bit of etiquette training,” Elizabeth adds. Her eyes harden. “Sit up straight.”
    I don’t move. The entire room goes silent as a graveyard. I don’t even know how to respond.
    “Gran,” Niall says to Elizabeth, surprising me again. “ ’Tis no way to start out with Ivy here. Times have changed, you know,” he coaxes. “Ivy’s fine. Now,” he says, changing the subject, “tell my new bride here of your first days at the castle, aye?”
    I look gratefully at Niall, and my mom eases a pleading gaze my way.
    I know Mom. She doesn’t like how Elizabeth just spoke to me, but she doesn’t want to make enemies with her, either.
    Niall’s