Chapter 65
The café’s patio was buzzing with Londoners sipping their mid-morning coffees and nibbling on pastries. Margaux sat across from her mom, trying to focus on her latte instead of the tension simmering between them. The air might have been crisp, but the heater beside them provided a cozy warmth. Unfortunately, not even the charm of the small café could mask how uncomfortable she felt sitting across from her mother.
“So,” her mother began, stirring her espresso with deliberate care, “how was France?” Her tone was as light as her touch, but Margaux could already sense where this was going.
“It was fine,” Margaux said, keeping her reply short.
“Just fine?” Adelaine’s eyebrow arched, her carefully maintained facade of interest already starting to crack. “You spent days with them, and all you have to say is ‘fine’? Were they hospitable at least?”
Margaux sighed. “Yes, Mother. Of course, they were hospitable. It was good to see everyone again.”
“Hmm.” Adelaine took a delicate sip of her espresso. “I suppose they did their best. Though I can’t imagine how they managed. I mean, on your father’s salary…”
Margaux’s grip on her coffee cup tightened. “Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting,” Adelaine said defensively, though the smirk tugging at her lips suggested otherwise. “I’m simply stating a fact. It must have been quite the adjustment for you, going from the comforts of the Hawthorne estate to—”
“To what?” Margaux snapped, her tone sharp enough to turn heads at nearby tables. “To people who don’t throw money at every problem they have? Who don’t treat relationships like transactions?”
Adelaine pursed her lips, clearly unamused by Margaux’s outburst. “There’s no need to be dramatic, Margaux. I’m just saying that they don’t exactly… live up to the same standard. I mean, how could they? They don’t have the means.”
Margaux’s voice rose, the heat in her chest now matching the warmth of the café’s heater. “That means you love to flaunt isn’t even yours, Mother. It’s the Hawthornes’. So maybe spare me the lecture about standards.”
Adelaine’s face hardened, the carefully curated pleasantness replaced with a steely glare. “Watch your tone, young lady.”
Margaux leaned forward, her voice lowering but no less venomous. “You watch yours. You don’t get to talk about them like that. They’re my family, too, and they’ve never once made me feel like I wasn’t enough for them. Unlike some people.”
For a moment, the table fell into silence. Adelaine stared at her daughter, her expression a mixture of anger and something else—something Margaux didn’t want to decode. She sat back in her chair, smoothing the fabric of her coat.
“Well,” Adelaine said finally, her voice tight, “if that’s how you feel, perhaps we should just enjoy our coffee in silence.”
Margaux was about to agree when her attention was pulled to the street. Her eyes widened, and her heart sank.
Striding down the pavement, impossibly poised and annoyingly handsome, was William. He was dressed impeccably, as always, in a long navy blue coat over a gray sweater, the collar of his white shirt peeking out just enough to suggest effortlessness. His docker pants completed the look, and Margaux cursed the way he seemed to stand out even in a crowd.
She silently prayed he wouldn’t notice her.
No such luck.
William’s eyes locked onto hers, his expression lighting up with amusement. The smirk she knew all too well appeared as he changed course, heading straight for their table.
“Margaux,” he greeted, his voice warm and teasing as he came to a stop beside them. “What are the odds?”
“William,” Margaux said through gritted teeth. “What a surprise.”
Adelaine’s head tilted slightly, her interest piqued. “And who is this?”
Margaux hesitated, dreading what was about to unfold. “This is William,” she finally said. “We… worked together.”
“William De la Roche,” he said smoothly, extending a hand toward Adelaine.
At the mention of his full name, Adelaine’s entire demeanor shifted. Her eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in recognition. “De la Roche?” she repeated, shaking his hand with renewed enthusiasm. “Oh, I know your father. A great man. Truly one of the most distinguished gentlemen I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”
Margaux closed her eyes briefly, fighting the urge to groan. Of course she knows his father.
“Thank you,” William replied graciously, his charm dialed up to maximum. “That’s kind of you to say.”
Adelaine beamed at him, clearly smitten. “You’re just as charming as he is. Margaux didn’t tell me she was acquainted with someone from such a prestigious family.”
“That’s because it’s not important,” Margaux interjected, her voice clipped.
William glanced at her, the smirk on his face widening. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. It’s always nice to have good connections, wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Hawthorne?”
Adelaine laughed lightly. “Absolutely. A good connection can go a long way.”
Margaux’s fingers tightened around her cup. “William, what are you doing here?”
“Just enjoying the day,” he said easily. “London has so much to offer. Don’t you think?”
Adelaine nodded eagerly. “Oh, it certainly does. And you must tell me—what do you do, William?”
“I practice law too,” he replied. "Just like my father, the bigger the mess, the more I enjoy.”
Adelaine’s eyes practically sparkled. “How fascinating. You must be very successful.”
Margaux couldn’t take it anymore. “William,” she said, her tone pointed, “we were just finishing up here.”
William glanced at her, clearly amused by her growing irritation. “Were you now? Well, I wouldn’t want to keep you from your afternoon.”
Margaux’s shoulders relaxed slightly, only for him to add, “Though it’s always a pleasure running into you, Margaux.”
He held her gaze, his eyes dancing with amusement, before finally turning back to Adelaine. “Mrs. Hawthorne, it was lovely meeting you.”
“The pleasure was all mine,” Adelaine replied, her smile practically glowing.
William nodded, then glanced back at Margaux one last time. “We’ll see each other soon, I’m sure.”
Margaux forced a tight smile. “We will.”
With that, he stepped away, disappearing into the crowd.
Adelaine watched him go, her expression practically dreamy. “Well, isn’t he just wonderful?”
Margaux glared at her. “Don’t start.”
Adelaine waved her off. “I’m not starting. I’m just saying that it’s nice to see you associating with someone… suitable.”
Margaux stood abruptly, grabbing her bag. “We’re leaving. Now.”
Adelaine followed, her tone still light and infuriating. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, darling. You really ought to lighten up. Perhaps that’s why you’re still single.”
Margaux didn’t reply. She couldn’t trust herself to say anything that wouldn’t cause a scene. Instead, she walked briskly down the street, wishing she could leave her mother—and the entire conversation—behind.