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Mr. Belfiore coughed loudly. “Yeah, well, let’s not dwell on that subject,” he added in a cheery tone.
Percy nodded, grinning. “Of course. Let’s talk about good things. Y’all recently went to the Irish PGA?”
“Yes, we did,” Mr. Belfiore said with a curve of his lips. He latched onto the topic like a rope and tugged us along as he talked about everything that happened on their recent trip to the golf tournament. Our main course came, and Mrs. Belfiore and I ate while we listened to Mr. Belfiore and Percy talk to each other, which seemed to be how Percy preferred it. That was until therewas a break in the conversation, and Mrs. Belfiore announced, “Adelina speaks four languages and paints.”
I blinked. Her comment surprised me, but I took it as a signal to Grandfather that he must steer the conversation back to me and Percy getting to know each other.
“You have ahobby, Adelina? That’s good,” Percy said with the enthusiasm given to an ugly picture a child made to put on the refrigerator.
“She illustrated a book,” Mrs. Belfiore said, smiling before sipping her water.
I blinked and cleared my throat. “Yes. I did a freelance illustration for a children’s book.”
“That’s…nice. I believe a woman must always keep her hands busy,” Percy added between bites. “Sewing is also a good skill to learn. You wouldn’t believe how many times my Mama had to mend my clothes.”
I smirked.Multi-billionaire mending clothes?It seemed odd, but I gathered the act of doing it was more than necessity. “I’m terrible with a needle and thread.”
“Don’t worry, Mama and my sisters will teach you,” he winked.
“Your mother’s hands were busy with the seven of you and now also with five grandchildren?” Mrs. Belfiore said in a slight tone.
“Yes, Ma’am. Five healthy, beautiful babies,” Percy said and chuckled. “All of us are strong in faith and duties. It’s a shame your family only has Adelina left to give birth to the next generation. But God only gives what we can handle. I know you can’t wait to have some grandkids to spoil on your own, so Adelina and I will not keep you waiting.”
I bristled and held my elbows.Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Percy.
“Bless your heart,” Mrs. Belfiore quipped.
“Constance,” Mr. Belfiore scolded.
She lifted her chin. “I do want grandchildren as we all know. But I don’t want Percy to forget Adelina can be an asset to his judgeship and other political aspirations.”
Percy dabbed his mouth. “It’s okay, Reg. Constance is worried I’ll keep Adelina pregnant and not let her do anything else. But raising children is a full-time job that I respect. However, I assure you that she’ll have some pastimes to do other things.”
I also believed raising children is important, but the way Percy said it seemed more like control.
“That’s enough on that subject,” Mr. Belfiore interjected. “We didn’t bring Percy here to interrogate him.”
“It’ll take a lot more to offend me, Reg,” Percy said in a saccharine tone. “I’m not a tyrant. Heck, I’ll even let Adelina teach people how to draw. That must come in handy somewhere.”
He chuckled, and Grandfather joined in.
I pressed my lips together.I’ll be their baby machine and a sitter for his siblings.Then again, that was the life I had agreed to from the beginning.
Mr. Belfiore changed the subject to the new movies and concerts coming this fall. Grandmother loved documentaries. Grandfather orchestra, and Percy all sports. I didn’t have anything to add to the conversations but no one seemed to mind that I only nodded along. When lunch finally ended, I was relieved, and stood, extending my hand toward Percy after everyone had risen from our seats. “Nice to meet you.”
He stared at it and smiled. “I’m not leaving yet.”
I dropped my hand. “Oh?’
“That’s right. We’d like you to show Percy the new gazebo near the beach,” Mr. Belfiore announced. “This time of the year, the swans are out on the water.”
“Sounds lovely,” Percy said, then took my hand.
Mr. Belfiore’s eyes shifted between us. He smiled, then placed his hand on Mrs. Belfiore’s back, and they left the room.
Percy squeezed my hand to get my attention.
I startled. “What?”