Chapter 262 - Come Along With Me
A canopy was set up in the back garden which was close to the back entrance of the kitchen to help the food being served to remain warm during transportation.
Under the canopy was a large table that could easily seat ten members.
Though not everyone had arrived, there were people who had already taken their seats across the table.
The cover above their heads shielded everyone present from the harsh rays of the afternoon sun while the sides were left open, allowing the fresh breeze to blow their way.
"Where are the children?" The Earl who sat at the head of the table questioned his Butler who stood behind him.
Butler Limo glanced around the table to find that the two St. Claire's siblings had not yet arrived.
"I shall send someone over." He bowed while answering and rushed to find a servant to whom he could assign this task.
Rutherford then turned his sights to the remaining people who were already present at the table.
While the Earl being the Master of this household sat at the head's position, the seat to his immediate right was designated to the man with the highest status in society.
This meant that it was Marques Sullivan Samed who sat in that position and next to him sat the next in line, Captain Desmo Reel.
There were also two young boys at the table who sat towards the right of the Captain.
First sat Topher Tanner and then sat Damien, at the end of the table.
Therefore, the entire right-hand side at the table was occupied by these boys and men leaving the left side for the Earl's family to take their seats there.
Rutherford frowned when he noticed that neither his wife nor his children were anywhere to be seen.
Just as he was about to inquire about his wife's whereabouts, his eyes fell on the figures walking in their direction.
At the front was his lady love, the one whom his eyes would search for whenever she wasn't by his side.
Following her was the maid who was dear to the noble woman's heart.
Rutherford's smile bloomed when he caught sight of his precious wife who stepped in his direction.
He did not waste another second to rise from his seat to escort her to the table.
Upon reaching her side, Rutherford enveloped her shoulders in his arms and smiled down at her.
"My Ray looks dazzling as ever." He complimented her beauty which managed to enrapture him every single time.
Countess Raylene St. Claire smiled at the man who was flirting with her while disregarding the guests who had already arrived for lunch.
Turning her gaze towards the guests, she separated herself from her husband's embrace and smiled gracefully at them.
"Apologies for keeping everyone waiting." She curtsied to greet and apologize at the same time.
"We have just arrived, Countess. You did not make us wait for long." Topher smiled at the elegant lady and glanced at the others for their thoughts.
Everyone nodded their heads in acknowledgment of what the young heir of the Duke had said.
With this short interaction, the Earl led his Countess to her seat at the table which was right next to him.
However, Raylene shook her head and alternated her gaze between the second and third seats at the table.
"This belongs to Howie today." She announced and walked towards the third seat.
'So wise my wife is!' Rutherford did not decline her word and nodded as he pulled the third chair for her.
Once his wife had taken her seat, though it wasn't next to him, he returned to his seat at the head.
'So foolish! She gave away a chance to sit next to the Earl!' One person was gritting her teeth for this missed opportunity.
Paula who stood at the corner after having escorted her Mistress was scoffing at the stupid woman who had kicked away such a great blessing of sitting next to the man.
Rather, she had given up that seat for her son which was foolish in the maid's eyes.
However, what was proper and right in the Mistress' eyes was appearing foolish and ungrateful in the maid's eyes.
The maid lowered her head to avoid letting anyone notice the animosity which was oozing out of her eyes at this moment.
Unfortunately, there was someone who was already watching her with his keen eyes.
Butler Limo sneered when he caught the glint of jealousy and rage that had appeared in the delusional maid's eyes before she looked down.
'I will follow Miss' plan for now.' He convinced his heart which wished to throw the maid out of the estate right this instant.
As he was fantasizing about the day when he could finally kick this horrible woman out of this estate, he noticed a small group coming towards the garden.
His eyes sparkled with excitement when he found that the maid he had sent over to find out the Young Miss' whereabouts had returned with her in tow.
Rutherford and the others also turned to face the group of people who were walking towards them.
The father's wide smile which appeared upon seeing his children had faded when he saw the extra addition in the group.
Yvonne with her maid behind her was walking with Howad on one side and Taylor Tanner on the other.
'Why is he with my Vonna!?' He glowered at the boy who only sought excuses to get closer to his beloved daughter.
His heated gaze was evident to the little girl who did not know what to do in this situation.
After all, meeting the younger son of the Duke on her way to the garden was a pure coincidence for which no one could be blamed.
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Earlier, when Yvonne and the two maids with her had turned around the corner, they caught sight of two boys quarreling.
"This is my house so of course, I will know where the garden is!" One boy scoffed at the other who pouted in return.
"All I wanted to do was walk with you since we've sorted out our differences." Taylor's pitiful murmur made Yvonne feel bad for him.
'He has such a sweet friend and he still acts so cold to him.' She sighed at her elder brother's strange attitude.
If Taylor was the bright and sunny breeze then Howard could be associated with the chilling blizzard winds at this moment.
"Big Brother Howard? Master Taylor?" She called out to announce her presence to the squabbling boys.
This made the boys turn towards her in surprise.
Howard was the first to recover as he turned to his friend with seething eyes.
"Now I understand why you wished to walk with me!" He whispered into Taylor's ear and gritted his teeth when he saw the glimmer of mischief that flashed in the other boy's eyes.
Yvonne had not heard the silent interaction between the boys hence she was unaware of the little scheme that the Tanner boy had played.
"Is Vonny heading towards the garden?" Taylor inquired and clapped his hands when he received a nod from the girl.
Yvonne alternated her gaze between the friends when she found that something wasn't right between them.
'Maybe it is because they quarreled.' She surmised and decided not to come between their fights.
"Would you two like to come along with me?" She offered like the accommodating host and adorable younger sister she was.
The boys' repeated nods made her giggle as she then gestured to them to join her.
Thus, Yvonne along with Howard and Taylor and the maids had arrived together to the garden.
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Now as she stood before her father and every other pair of eyes looking at her, the little girl felt shy for the first time after she had been thrown into this world.
'I should not have agreed to wear this dress!' She chided herself for giving in to the maid's coercion to wear this pink dress.
Keeping her awkward blush aside, she lifted the edge of her dress and curtsied to everyone present at the table.
"Vonna looks like a little doll!" The Earl exclaimed which further incensed the little girl.
'I heard that multiple times on my way here.' She groaned at the repeated praise the Duke's son had for her.
Letting out a dry chuckle, she and the boys with her moved closer to the table.
Soon, every member of the St. Claire's family had strange expressions on their faces upon noticing the seating arrangement at the table.
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