Family is Where the Torment Lies

To my utter contempt, my sister has gone yet again to the bidding of the wine hag, a certain Taryn Vanderhaven who fizzes like cheap wine over the planning of her Spring Opener-- the so-called seasonal opening and event of the year. They invite half the town to the party and then play Lord and Lady of the manor while lesser beings gawk at their excessive indulgences. They parade their children glinting with polish in a charade of idyllic family life, either unaware or unconcerned that their secrets stay hidden only for the grace of my goodwill. I watch the ornamental hag sleek and secure in the fantasy that she governs the whims of our society, she whose family was still scrabbling in the filth when mine were building dynasties. I allow her this charity as it suits my purpose to have someone else be the focus of idle gossip, my intrigues are best suited for discreet moments as it is in these that the moments of real power lay. Had I really wished to impress this town I would only have to place paintings from our compound upon a table to render even the most pretentious of fools speechless however, this moment of hubris is not required as the Dubois are the very pulse of this town.

I am not about to display a century of antiques and antiquities to ignorant cretins whose ambition in life is to own whatever product is the latest fad, as it serves me best when the cattle live in ignorance, they question less and accept more. To show my disapproval I have arranged for my sister to get a rather large delivery of antiques to her quaint little shop as she prefers to frequent the premises as little as possible so forcing her to cope with a large arrival seems appropriate punishment for her unacceptable lust. The shop was a diversion she created once returned from finishing school, mainly to keep our uncle Axel from inviting himself into her bed as he was prone to enjoy the delights of whatever females resided in our compound, regardless of familial ties, a trait which I share wholeheartedly. While she managed to keep out of his way, he was forced to seek entertainment in other quarters and brought home, to the dismay of the family, an ex-stripper- come nightclub manager with the trendy name of Ladonna. A large woman with glistening coffee coloured skin and hair of a deep ebony gloss, she managed to bellow her way through the threats and turmoil to establish herself firmly in the family compound. Axel bless his heart knew a Dubois no matter where he found her. Ladonna might have a few creases but she was a good match to my uncle while showing a remarkable lack of fear of me. I suppose when one has to fight for everything, that battling to keep what you have is not such a scary enterprise. I will drink a toast to her as I consider ways of causing her grief for I am if anything, a man without equal.

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