The Billionaire Band Director

Chapter 16

     Martha spent the rest of brunch lost in thought while Josie and Betsy talked.  Forbidden, Betsy had said.  A relationship with Landry was forbidden.  Did he know that?  She was new to the school, but he wasn’t.  He had been around long enough that Betsy knew of his reputation.  Surely he knew the school rules?  

    Martha remembered that Landry had not known she was a teacher when he first asked her out.  No, not asked- when he won a date with her in a bet.  She was just like any other student’s family member at the time.  Even when she told him where to pick her up for their date, he hadn’t known she was a teacher.  He had thought they were just borrowing the house for a visit, or maybe that she was staying just to be close to Josie.  

    But then, Martha reminded herself, he knew at the end of the night.  She had told him all about the curriculum she was planning and how excited she was to start teaching.  He knew all that, and he still said he would ask her out again.  Was that just an excuse to get her out of the car without a kiss?  No, Martha told herself.  No, that was not just an excuse.  I felt it, and he felt it too.

    Martha felt Betsy’s eyes on her.  Betsy James was no fool.  She had noticed the one topic of conversation that had caught Martha’s attention, and she noticed Martha’s reaction to that conversation.  Betsy James may not have known about Martha’s romantic excursion the prior night, but she could certainly sense what Martha was feeling.

    "Oh but my darlings,” exclaimed Betsy with a clap, drawing Martha out of her haze. “I forgot to tell you.  I have splendid news.”

    Betsy waited to make sure both Josie and Martha were paying attention.  “Our club is having a charity dinner in a few weeks, and I want you to be there!”

    Josie squealed.

    “A charity dinner! At a club!” cried Josie.

    Betsy looked at Josie with surprise.

    “Oh, I am so sorry darling, I just meant Martha.  Of course, I would love it if I could bring you Josie, absolutely love it, but the event is for adults only.”

    Josie looked crestfallen.

    “But don’t worry dear, that’s not all,” said Betsy.  “Donald and I have discussed it, and we have decided to throw a little get together to introduce to you all of our friends.  And you, my dear Josie, are absolutely invited to that.”

    Martha did not like this.  Not one bit.  These were the grandparents who had pretended for twenty-five years that she did not exist.  Now they wanted to show her off to all their friends?  Why?  What kind of game was this?  And Josie- Josie was being dragged into whatever charade Betsy was creating.

    “I’m not sure, Grandmother,” said Martha.  “We just moved, we’re both starting at a new school, it might be a little too much, too soon…”

    “Nonsense” said Betsy.

    “Yeah, nonsense.” Josie echoed.  “C’mon, Martha- it’ll be fun!  Please?  Please please please?”

    Josie gave Martha her saddest, biggest puppy dog eyes.  Betsy watched the exchange closely.  Betsy, who had gotten Martha the job that allowed them to have the new life Martha was now trying to use as an excuse.  Betsy, who could probably have that job taken away before they could even make it back to Dahlia House.  Betsy, who had Josie wrapped around her finger with a few new dresses.

    Martha sighed.

    “Are you sure, Josie?  Are you sure it’s not too much, with the new school and everything all at once?  You’re going to be so busy once school starts next week…”

    “It’ll be fine, Martha!” exclaimed Josie.  “You know I’ve never gotten anything less than an A.  And I’m already a natural at bells after just one night.  Mr. LeBlanc won’t even believe it when he hears me play- oh, Betsy, can we invite Mr. LeBlanc?  Can we? Please?”

    Betsy looked amused, and Martha looked anything but.  What kind of game was Josie playing at?  Was she blackmailing her?  

    “But of course, darling,” Betsy replied.  “You can invite Mr. LeBlanc or any of your other new acquaintances from the academy.  Of course, darling, you can’t be too disappointed if your Mr. LeBlanc doesn’t come.”

    “He’ll come,” said Josie smugly.  “Right, Martha?”

    Martha said the only thing she could to shut up her cousin.

    “Well, Grandmother, if Josie thinks it’s not to much, then yes, we would love to meet some of your friends.”

    Betsy clapped her hands in delight.

    “Splendid, darling! Absolutely splendid!  I’ll have Daisy send over some new dresses for both of you, of course, and I’ll get started on arranging the catering and the flowers… and, of course, the guest list.”

    Betsy gave Martha a knowing smile.

    “I have some people that you will just love, Martha.  Absolutely love.  People so charming that they will make you forget about any new… acquaintances you have.”

    Martha stared blankly at Betsy.  Damn it.