The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 220

By late afternoon, just before Jamie's friends were due to arrive at the manor, Suzie gathered all the household staff. Pointing to a staff uniform and apron laid out on a table, she spoke in a calm voice.

"As you know, my husband and I had a hidden marriage. The guests arriving tonight are... special. So, for this evening's service, I'll be one of you. Please, just call me Suzie. Don't let anything slip."

The staff exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Aside from Lucy, this was nothing new to them; it had been the same in the past. Though Lucy was puzzled, she followed orders and nodded along with the others.

After the meeting, however, Lucy approached Suzie privately. "Mrs. Baylor, you were just on bed rest at the hospital for bleeding not long ago. You can't overexert yourself tonight."

Touched by Lucy's concern, Suzie smiled. "I know. I'll be careful."

"Of course, Mrs. Baylor," Lucy said respectfully. "I've prepared all the ingredients for tonight. Once everything is ready, I can bring your meal upstairs for you."

"Thank you."

Just then, Ruby came downstairs. Suzie looked up, and when she got a clear view of her sister, she couldn't help but frown.

Ruby was wearing an extremely formal evening gown, the kind Suzie used to wear to high-society galas. For a casual barbecue at home, wasn't it more appropriate to wear something comfortable and relaxed?

"Ruby, are you sure you'll be comfortable in that? That dress has a corset."

Ruby waved her hand dismissively. "Beauty is pain! Just tell me, do I look good or not?"

Suzie sighed softly. Rich people couldn't even have a barbecue without turning it into a major production.

Before she could even sit down, Martha hurried over. "Mrs. Baylor... I mean, Suzie. It's still early. It's a bit warm to be out here already."

"It's fine," Suzie said, her eyes on the ingredients. "I've never grilled before. Could you teach me? If I mess it up, Jamie won't be happy."

It wasn't his happiness she was worried about; it was the million dollars he had promised. She didn't want him to back out of the deal if she failed. She knew how to cook, but she'd only ever been to a few barbecues and had certainly never done the grilling herself.

As she spoke, Martha unfolded a camping chair and placed it by the grill. "Alright then... Suzie, you sit here. This is one of those camping chairs, so it won't get uncomfortable even if you sit for a long time. Also, these containers have all the different foods, already portioned out. I had the chef marinate them earlier, and we've already put everything on skewers. All you have to do is put on these gloves and turn them over on the grill."