Containment Of Secrets

Chapter 26

(Mallory's point of view) 

 "Is she easy to talk to?" Braxton asks. He escorts me through the ballroom for another night of socializing and interacting with the nobles.

"You'll have no problem with her. You'll knock the socks off her feet."

"You mean heels?"

We walked arm and arm through the ballroom. People were gathered all over the ballroom drinking, talking, and dancing. It did not take me long to spot Aunt Adaline. She is always the one with a whole bottle in her hand. She was definitely the life of the party throughout her lifetime. Even in her older years, she did not miss a beat. She stood in the middle of a circle, laughing at something the guy next to her was saying.

"Is she always like this?" Braxton asks, observing her.

"From what I can remember. She has always been the 'cool' aunt. She never married or had children. She took Michael and I in after our parents died."

"She was the one your parents called when they needed a date night." Braxton teased.

"Yes, she never turned down the opportunity to spend time with us. We could get away with anything when we were with her."

"It was a smart tactic. She could babysit and then leave when she was relieved. She didn't have to deal with hyper children."

"Her philosophy exactly." I replied. The circle seems to dissipate as we draw closer toward it. Something tells me it was due to our arrival. Adaline quiets down quickly when she sees us approaching.

"About time you introduced me to that handsome man of yours. Steven, is it?" She asks.

"Yes, mam. Steven Dreamer." He leans his hand out for her to shake. "It looks to me you have another title to add on, Mallory. He is quite the charmer." She says, studying Braxton from head to toe.

"Now that you have met Steven, I must speak with you on personal matters."

"You think after all these years you have been gone, running to the States, getting married, you can just waltz in here demanding to speak with me?"

I let go of Braxton's arm so I could step closer to her. "Yes. Either you speak with me, or I address you in front of this whole court. Which is it going to be?" I ask, lowering my voice. Adaline looks around the room before looking back at me.

"I have a reputation to uphold as a former queen. I can't spare it to have it shattered in a room full of important people."

I nod my head. I turn to Braxton and say, "I'll handle this. Mingle around with the guests and see if you can find out anything."

"Will do." Braxton then disappears into the crowd. I led Adaline out of the crowded ballroom into a spare bedroom. I close the door behind us as she plops down unceremoniously onto the bed.

"What is it that you want to know, Mal?"

"I spoke with Julie earlier; I need you to tell me what you can about my mother and father."

Adaline seems to straighten herself up at the mention of them. "I should have known." She mutters.

"Aunt Adaline, please, just do this one thing for me." I pleaded with her. She looks down at her hands before meeting my gaze once more. "Mallory, I need you to be honest with me. Are you in trouble?"

"No."

"Do they know?"

"They?" I ask her. She places her hands down on either side of her, smoothing the duvet under her. She then proceeds to stand up, clasping her hands together. I could hear the faint sound of her heels clicking against the wood floor. Her long gold ball gown swishes behind her.