Chapter 21: Bracing for the Consequences

Liam

“I DON’T KNOW what I’m supposed to do at this party. Or even why we’re having it. Grandmother dictated it. You sent invitations and made plans. What am I supposed to do?”

I suppose I was whining. I managed to coax Meredith into the library so we could sit comfortably to talk and sat next to her as she went over Cook’s proposed menu for the buffet and the various seating groupings that would be available for people. We wouldn’t try to seat fifty people in the dining room—or was it seventy now?—but the lounge opened to the ballroom and was large enough for several round tables at which eight or ten could comfortably sit and still have a small dance floor. I couldn’t remember a larger gathering at Buxton House.

“You are, officially, the host. You have been seated at your grandmother’s table often enough that you should know the duties and responsibilities of the host.” She gave me a stern, lecturing tone, somewhat softened by her smile. I deserved the lecture.

“I should welcome each guest, see that they are introduced and refreshed, be genial, and welcome them to the table. Should I propose a toast?”

“No. In this instance it will be more appropriate to turn to your grandmother and let her also welcome the guests. She will propose the toast to you.” Meredith scratched one of the items from the menu and suggested an alternative.

“To me? I’m the host!”

“You are also the guest of honor. Let your grandmother dote on you a bit,” Meredith smiled and squeezed my hand. “Now, there’ll be some guests you won’t know. Most notably, the Winzars and the Kendricks. There’ll be spouses and dates that you don’t know either. I’ll stay just behind your right shoulder to indicate who each guest is as he or she comes through the door. You’ll greet them by name and welcome them to your home. Unless there’s a line pressing to get in, it would be nice to say something personal to each one. Once you’ve appropriately greeted each guest, Erich or Ricardo will conduct them to the lounge and make sure they’re provided with drinks as people gather.”

“What about spouses and dates? You can’t know each of them, can you?”

“No. I’ll let you know by simply saying ‘guest.’ You’ll then ask the one known for an introduction to his or her guest. There are several ways you can do this.” Meredith stood and role-played several different introductions with me. We practiced until she felt I had it right. A formal party. Why must I be subjected to this? Oh, woe is me.

“This will be an exhausting evening.”

“No doubt. But think of the reward you will have at the end of the evening when you find my door open. Of course, you will not open your door if you have seduced another guest to your bed.”

“To my bed? I scarcely even know any of them!”

“Not so! You have seen several of the young women who will attend in their swimwear. Oh, don’t forget Carolyn Dubois from the sorority. And there is a single female Leader who will be seated near you,” Meredith laughed.

“We certainly ... We can’t be expected to ... It wouldn’t be reasonable...”

“I’m teasing, Liam. With a party this large, it would be in exceedingly poor taste for you to seduce a young woman to your bed. Even if one should throw herself at you during the party. I wouldn’t put that past any of them. And possibly some of the older women.”

“Oh, dear! No!”

“Don’t fret. Everyone will be aware all eyes are on them when they are with you.” Meredith continued to laugh at my embarrassment and I relaxed. A little. “Now, about shaking hands with the guests. Gentlemen always offer their right hand and you should take it in a firm but non-threatening grip. If one is boorish enough to attempt to impress his superiority by squeezing too hard, ignore it. Do not enter into a contest. Women are a different matter. Few women grip in a handshake like a man, but if she does, treat it the same way. Most will offer their hand, you will take it lightly, and bow slightly over it. Do not succumb to the temptation of kissing her fingers. Not unless you plan to bed her.”

We practiced the different handshakes. Most of this I’d been instructed in at Elenchus but it was fun to role-play it with Meredith. At last, I dipped my head enough to kiss her fingers. We took a quick look around to ensure we were alone in the library and came together for a genuine kiss. Meredith broke it off and pushed me away just as the door opened and Erich entered.

“You’ve been working very hard. I brought hot tea and cookies for you. You should take a break now and then, you know.”

“Thank you, Erich. I don’t know what I’ll do without you when I move to the apartment.” We each took a cup from the tray and sipped at the refreshing brew.

“Independence, sir. You will learn independence. Look at this as the first, and perhaps only, time no one will be minutely examining your life to see that you do everything correctly. No one will make up your bed each day or lay out your clothes. No one will wash your dishes or cook your meals. Will you rise to the occasion or will you awake one morning to find you live in a pigsty? This is the price of independence.”

“I will try to follow your example, Erich. Thank you.”

“You will do well and we will all be proud of you.” Erich left us alone again and we sat with the cookies and tea.

“How did you know to break our kiss just before Erich entered?” I whispered.

“I would like to profess a fifth sense or secret code but I’m afraid it was merely coincidence. It’s a good reminder to us, though, we are always subject to observation. It is also possible that Erich saw us and was waiting for the kiss to end before he interrupted.”

“Oh. We really must be careful, mustn’t we? I’m so sorry to have embarrassed you, Meredith.”

“If there was a fault, it was as much mine as yours. As long as we are discreet, an accidental observation can be discounted as not having really happened.”

“There will be another time, won’t there, Meri?”

“I hope so.”

“Are you ready for Saturday?” Grandmother sat at the head of the table, as always, while Mother, Father, and I joined her for the Thanksgiving meal. Neither Erich nor Meredith had been invited to this dinner. Meredith had gone home for a large gathering of her family.

“I have practiced, Grandmother. Meredith has been diligent in teaching me proper protocol and how I should comport myself. I find it overwhelming but will do my best.”

“If I may ask, what is the purpose of this gathering?” Mother looked at her mother-in-law questioningly. “It seems to be putting a lot of emphasis on Liam’s rather minor role in surviving being held hostage.”

“Every young man should have a graduation party,” Grandmother said. “Liam will be leaving Elenchus and enrolling at the University. Certainly, we can all be proud of that, n’est-ce pas? The guest list includes all the significant parties in Liam’s childhood and emergence, does it not, Liam?”

“It does, Grandmother. I am very much looking forward to seeing Randy Peters and his wife again. And I understand David Winzar will also be attending. He’s a student at the University and I’m sure he’ll be able to give both Elizabeth Kendrick and me some useful hints.”

“Don’t forget Fergie,” Thomas said.

“Of course not, Father. Mr. Ferguson and I have come to an understanding and there will be no shows of debate, I assure you.”

“That is a relief. I admit, however, that it seems strange to have both sides of such a volatile issue attending the same party. Are you sure this is wise, Mother?” Grandmother nodded at Father’s question and turned it back to me.

“Both sides of the issue developed a deep respect for each other. Much as I did. I spoke with Randy just after he received the invitation and found out he’d been in a meeting with Mr. Ferguson just the day before to sign the ratified agreement. I believe having them both at the party will show they have more binding them together than separating them. The way we’ve defined classes should not mean classes can’t intermingle and learn from each other. I learned a lot from my time as Lonnie’s roommate, from my time as Randy’s hostage, from my time with Erich as my valet, and from my time with Meredith as my assistant and mentor.”

“You’ve had excellent companions. There will be others attending whom you have not seen in a while. What do you think of Donnie and Richard?” Grandmother asked. She took another bite of turkey as she looked expectantly at me.

“We had a pleasant time when we saw each other in August. I remembered Donnie as rather rigid and ready to stand up to a fight at any time. Richard is a bit flighty, but he understands machines and especially weapons like no one I’ve met before or since.”

“I’ve offered Richard a position with the arms company should he decide at any time not to pursue a career in the army,” Father said. “His design work on the new magazine was excellent and I’ll be paying him a royalty on production.”

“That’s great, Father. I’m sure Richard will look favorably on it.”

“And do you understand why Lonnie Porras was chosen to be your companion at Elenchus rather than the others?” Grandmother asked.

“I believe so. Lonnie and I have had many opportunities to talk about it. On that day of my tenth birthday, Meredith stood up to my insolence and bloodied my nose. Richard stood in fear and Donnie in resolution where they were. Lonnie’s concern was for me and seeing that I was cared for.”

“Even I saw that,” Mother said. “Lonnie always knew which side his bread was buttered on.”

“He also displayed the intellectual character to challenge Liam,” Father said.

“I’ve arrived at some conclusions regarding why Meredith was chosen as my assistant and mentor instead of Peggy Anne or Karen, as well. She showed the initiative to correct my behavior and the courage to do so when needed. As they grew up, the three girls chose different paths. I’ve no doubt Karen would make a great advisor, much as Mr. Lenova is to you, Father. But unlike Mr. Lenova, Karen is a Cognoscente. I believe she would always approach things from that perspective and not out of commitment to me. Peggy Anne would no doubt soothe me whenever I was upset, but her guidance would be based on a kind of gentleness I’m not sure I would respond well to. I may have misjudged all of these and ask you to correct me if I have, Grandmother.”

“It is close enough. I believe we are ready for Saturday,” Grandmother responded. “Or as ready as we will ever be.”

“I would much rather negotiate another contract with Mr. Ferguson than host this party. Isn’t a tuxedo too formal, Erich? Surely the Peters and Sturdivants won’t have tuxedos, will they? I hate the thought of what it would cost them to come to this party.”

“Mrs. Cyning has seen to it that costs were covered for all guests. You needn’t worry about that. Now, let me look at your tie. Very good! I had no idea you had learned to tie such a perfect bow,” Erich said.

“Would you believe we had a class in it? Not just tying a bow tie, but seven different knots and when each is appropriate. Four-in-hand, full Windsor, half Windsor, Eldredge, Prince Albert, Trinity, and Murrell. And we received a book with half a dozen others. When am I ever going to use an Eldredge knot? I’m not sure I have a tie of the right thickness to be able to tie it,” I complained. It seemed complaining about the tie was safer than complaining about the party.

“You might be surprised. There are times and purposes for each. What did you use for your meeting with Mr. Ferguson?”

“Simply a full Windsor.”

“Excellent choice. If you were going to a sportier event, however, and wearing your blazer, you might venture into some of the more avant-garde knots.” Erich stood back after buffing a corner of my left shoe. “No, I’m sure you are ready.”

“How soon do I need to be down there?”

“Twenty minutes. You can always arrive early and inspect the setup.”

“No. I need a few minutes alone to collect myself. Do you mind, Erich?”

“Of course not, sir.” Erich left and I locked the door behind him. I stepped into my study and made sure the hall door there was locked as well. Then I opened the door between the rooms. Meredith’s door was closed. I was about to knock before I recollected myself. Lupe might be there and that would be embarrassing. I went to the phone. Meredith’s phone rang three times and I was ready to give up before she answered.

“This is Meredith.”

“Meri, can I see you? Just for a few minutes? I’m so nervous.”

“Of course, Liam. Give me a moment to finish and I’ll open the door.”

I paced the room for at least three minutes before I heard the door click open. Meredith was heart-stoppingly beautiful. She wore a beige evening dress with puff sleeves and a vee neck with a wide sash belt cinched tightly just below her breasts. The full skirt touched the toes of her high heels.

“You are so beautiful!”

“You cut a dashing figure yourself. Now, I’ve not applied my lipstick yet, so you may kiss me but try not to muss my hair or dress.”

“A kiss is all I desire.” I pulled Meredith into my arms and kissed her, pouring my love into the all too brief kiss. It was becoming very easy to kiss Meredith. “Do you suppose we could ask Erich to fix us each a plate of food and have it delivered here so we don’t have to go to this party?”

“Liam, you know better than that.”

“I do, but it doesn’t mean I don’t think about it. I just needed to settle myself. You calm me, Meredith. When I don’t know if I am ready for something, you give me confidence.”

“Look within yourself, Liam. You did not have me by your side when you negotiated on behalf of the workers. You have all that is needed. Now you must put it to work. Go to your study and close the door. I need to apply my lipstick and then I will call you to meet me in the hall. One more kiss.”

Meredith did not let me get too involved in the kiss and pushed me toward the door. I went through and she closed it behind me. I heaved a sigh and sat at my desk to wait for the call.

“Miss Ito, how lovely of you to attend our party. Welcome. And this?”

“Mr. Cyning, allow me to introduce Dr. Levi Abrams. He has been kind enough to escort me this evening.” Hana Ito was as lovely and appealing as the first time I dated her. Lucky Dr. Abrams.

“Dr. Abrams, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you work in the same hospital?”

“No, no. We met at a charity event some time ago. I was immediately smitten with Miss Ito. She will be an invaluable addition to our medical community.”

“I welcome you both. Please allow Erich to show you to the bar for a cocktail.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cyning.” Hana winked saucily and I closed my eyes for a moment before turning to greet the next guests. My parents were standing not far from me, waiting for the arrival of some of their acquaintances. When Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson came in, they were quick to move next to me and conduct the CEO to the bar themselves.

“Senator and Mrs. Porras, welcome to our home. I am so glad you were able to shake free of your busy schedule,” I said to the next arrival.

“I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity, Liam. You and Lonnie have been inseparable for eight years and now I understand you will move on to the University. I do hope you’ll stay in touch,” the senator said.