Athena’s angry glare once again settled to Roman’s face. “How dare you bring this-”
“Careful wife,” Liam’s voice was a quiet roar, lethal in its softness.
Bristling fiercely, Athena bolted as if it was taking everything she had to hold back her emotions. Somehow, she triumphed and even managed a faint laugh when she looked to Giselle again.
“Let me take you on a tour of the house, bella,” she offered and ignored the others as she took Giselle by the arm.
Rena leaned close to Candace while Giselle strolled toward the house with Athena. “Think G’ll tell her Mr. T already gave us the grand tour?”
Much needed laughter stirred around the courtyard, elevating when Liam joined in. Humphrey and Vale shot the group venomous looks and stormed back across the yard.
***
Dinner was soon announced. The soup course was all Liam seemed willing to tolerate before he decided that a trip to the kitchen was in order. When he suddenly slammed a fist to the dining table and got to his feet, all conversation ceased. Eyes were wide and wary as everyone regarded the man of the house. No one moved. No one except Athena when Liam ordered his wife to follow him.
“Your attention please!”
“Liam-”
“Quiet,” Liam’s voice was level and he didn’t benefit Athena with eye contact. “You knew this was coming,” he added.
“I said, quiet!” Liam roared when the sounds of clattering utensils still carried on the air.
“Now, I’m sure you’ve all been given special...serving instructions regarding our extraordinary group of guests tonight,” Liam called out over the room of cooks and servers. “I’m certain of that because of the shameful displays I’ve just witnessed in my own dining room. Let me make this clear and understand that it will be made clear just this one time- If I witness anymore snubs-such as walking past the empty glass of one guest to fill the glass of one more preferable to you, or ignoring a guest who calls you for assistance-anything-and not only will you find yourselves relieved of duty this night, but you’ll be relieved without references.
If, somehow, you gain another position of note, I will see that you lose it. I suggest you not expect my wife to bail you out if you choose to follow her orders. She signs the paychecks but the money is mine. You can pass on my message to the rest of your co-workers.”
Liam left the kitchen while Athena seethed. Without a word to the staff, she walked out behind her husband.
***
The Assumption feast offered a scrumptious choice of delectables. Appetizers ran a filling spectrum that included peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes all stuffed with a rich mixture of porcini, scallions, reggiano cheese and more. In addition to Panzanella, a salad of bread, tomatoes and other ingredients, there was Escarole and white bean soup.
If the guests were bursting at the seams, they still had to make room for the main course or courses as it were. Ziti with roasted eggplant, baked shells stuffed with a trio of cheeses along with tomatoes and parsley, rice with fresh sage, spaghetti with mushroom ragu and winter squash and lamb stew completed the dynamic meal. Not to be outdone, dessert was a showstopper as well. Ricotta cheesecake, cannoli and chocolate parfait promised to leave the dinner guests fully satisfied.
~~~
“Your dad’s guards must have nerves of steel to stand toe to toe with lions,” Stone said.
Imani had shared a few stories about the more harrowing safaris she had attended with her father and brothers. She’d already dazzled the group for almost an hour with stories of her family and country.
Across the table, Roman was silent and smiling as he watched her charm the room. There was no shortage of questions from the group. Even Humphrey and Vale seemed intrigued. The two didn’t give themselves away by asking questions, though. The same couldn’t be said for their mother who sadly showed her ignorance by doing that very thing.
“How is it possible that any of you could live this way? Slavery damaged that place beyond repair. Everyone there lives in poverty-no better than animals-”
“Thea!”
“It’s alright, Mr. Tesano,” Imani leaned close to Liam who sat at the head of the long table. She squeezed his wrist. “It’s okay, really,” she favored Athena with a soft smile.
“Mrs. Tesano, the slave trade didn’t remove every African from Africa. It is true that poverty has devastated many areas of the continent. Poverty and homelessness are issues you deal with here as well and yet some do manage to lead accomplished, fruitful lives. I understand that it may be difficult to believe, but many in my country have maintained their family lines and re-created themselves and their livelihoods.”
Vale laughed shortly. “Poverty and slavery still took a serious toll-way more than it has here. Do you really expect us to believe you’re that wealthy?”
“Such an idiot,” Gabriel murmured, while eyeing his little brother distastefully. “Do you think they used peanuts to pay for that penthouse and half the floor beneath it at The Palmer?”
“It’s an honest mistake, Gabriel,” Imani came to Vale’s defense that time. “It’s what many in your country would like you to believe of mine.”
“So you’re saying we’re all wrong?” Humphrey chose to intervene. “The famine pictures we always see, all the begging for money? If there are people like you and your family floating around, why is there a need to beg for American money to bail out your masses? Your homeland seems to be little more than a country that can’t control its sex drive and stop having kids.”
“Hump-”
“No Ari,” Humphrey waved aside his brother’s precaution. “Why can’t the Princess and her court take care of their country the way we take care of ours?”
“It’s true, my father is a very wealthy man and he has done much to turn the tide of poverty in our homeland. He has been generous to the point that we and the rest of our village have been tremendously blessed. Still, my father does what he can to put his money to use on a broader scale. We are in the midst of a civil war-a war for our independence, similar to the one your country fought so many years ago. My father has used his money to do many things to aid in that fight, including using his wealth to support troops who guard the ports so that our international shipping obligations are met which keeps our economy afloat. These are efforts that can easily be overlooked especially against the widespread devastation that poverty brings. You might find wiping out that kind of poverty more difficult were your country a ravaged continent, Humphrey.”
Imani’s tone and demeanor exemplified grace and patience despite Humphrey’s insult. “You do realize that Africa is a continent- not a country?” She continued. “A continent that is just under twelve million square miles? The United States is just under three million, you know?”
Stone grinned. “No Imani, no I don’t think my brother knew that.”
“The population of the African continent is over one billion,” Imani continued, her eyes steady on Humphrey’s. “Your country- a population of two hundred million. Mine, nine million.”
Lazily, Humphrey settled back in his chair and lifted his water glass. “So the girl knows her social studies-”
“My point is,” she interrupted cooly and managed admirable politeness, “before you speak of people not controlling their libidos, look at your country’s two hundred million, to my nine million.”
Silence carried until one of the servers arrived to announce dessert was served.
“I believe I’m in love with your girl, Ro.” Aaron said.
