The next few weeks were very busy for Buffy. She had a brand new wardrobe from all the top designers: Dior, Chanel and Valentino. There were shoes, bags, hats, lingerie and every other type of accessory anyone could need or want.
She was now officially Elisabeth Anne Mertuil. The family always kept the name even if they married. So when her grandmother married Joseph Summers, she remained Anne Mertuil. Their motto was "The name must survive to prosper."
Her lessons with her grandmother started after the first week. Unfortunately, she didn't fool Nana with her dumb blonde routine; she was a hard taskmaster. Buffy actually enjoyed the lessons but wouldn't let Nana know. That wasn't how you played the game. She wouldn't start school until the next year since only two weeks remained before the summer break.
Anne had a brand new laptop delivered to the house. Anne was delighted to find Buffy knew quite a lot about computers. She guessed listening to Willow had actually soaked in. Buffy searched the net for the latest information on their holding and possible new prospects. They played the stock game and Buffy seemed to have a knack for it. So far, she had made close to a million dollars in fake money. Unknown to her, Anne had bought every stock Buffy suggested. She deposited the money in an account under Buffy's name.
Buffy swam and rode each day. Her grandmother arranged for her to take fencing, martial arts and dancing as well. She wasn't as strong as before but still stronger then most people. Anne offered to call the Council but Buffy refused. She this was her life and she would learn to live with it. No Council. Buffy met with her grandmother every morning; after a late lunch, she spent the rest of the day trying to use up her excess energy. Jean-Pierre was even teaching her to sail the littlest boat.
Suddenly it was the end of the summer; Anne had decided that it was time to throw a gala event. The last few weeks of summer were the busiest in the Hamptons, since everyone would be returning to the city. People wanted a chance to catch up on gossip after vacationing for the summer. Older children were back in the fold ready to be shown off, as the assets, they were.
The invitations had gone out earlier in the week. No one would ever think of not showing up to one of Madam's parties. Madam only held a party for a reason; rumors were flying trying to guess what it was this time.
The papers were all signed and iron clad. No one could ever contest it, even if they tried. Anne smiled wondering how her family would take the announcement at the party. Yes, it will be quite a night. Ma petite will shine. She watched her fence several times and was very impressed at her ruthlessness. Oui, Lizbeth has all she needs to control the family. They'll never see her coming.
An interesting conversation was taking place, in a large town home, in the center, of the upper echelon, of New York. "Mother, what is grandmother up to? Haven't you been out to the house while I was in Europe?" Kathryn Mertuil asked. She could almost pass for Buffy's twin, except her hair was a dark chestnut, cut to her shoulder. Her skin was a pale alabaster; her eyes were a darker hazel.
"No, Kathryn. I told you Anne wouldn't allow it, no matter what I tried. There were even rumors that she was ill but I couldn't confirm it," Tiffany Mertuil replied. She was looking in her vanity mirror. An attractive woman in her early 40's, although she told everyone she was only 35, looked back at her from her mirror. Her first husband had been a Mertuil. When she remarried Edward Valmont several years ago, she kept the Mertuil name. Once a Mertuil, always a Mertuil, Tiffany didn't care if she married fifty times; she wasn't giving up the name she worked so hard for. When Kathryn inherited, it would be worth even more; it would be her calling card to become the most powerful hostess in all of New York. She would make Madam look like a frump in comparison. She smiled at her reflection.
"Are you listening to me," Kathryn screeched.
"Darling, not so loud, we don't want Edward to hear. He is in the study with Sebastian; that horrible boy is in trouble again."
"I don't care, Grandmother was rumored to be ill and you didn't call me" Kathryn's eyes narrowed. Could mother's head be anymore empty?
"I told you I couldn't confirm it. Really, Kathryn, if I can't confirm it, then it just isn't so. Now what are you going to wear and who is going to be your escort?"
"I brought back a new Dior from Pairs. Court will escort me of course. Although, I haven't called him, yet to let him know that I am home," she shrugged.
"Oh darling, I thought you broke it off with him before you left for Europe. He has been all about town with a new girl, Cecile Caldwell. She and her mother are on their way over to meet you. Cecile will be attending Manchester in the fall. Since you are the Student Body President, I, of course, said that you would be happy to answer their questions."
"Of course, we broke up. I just assumed he would want to go on the arm of a Mertuil to a Mertuil event."
A knock sounded at the door. "Mistress, Mrs. Caldwell and her daughter are in the salon, waiting for you and Missy Kathryn."
"Thank you, Mai Li. Tell them we will be right there. Come along dear."
Kathryn walked over to the bathroom. "I need to freshen up, Mother. I will be right there."
"Don't take too long darling; we don't want to appear rude."
Kathryn laid out a line of cocaine from her cross pendant, snorting it quickly. It didn't seem to take the edge off her anger like it usually did. How dare Court cheat on her? No one left her until she was through with them. Court would soon find that out. Checking her face over carefully in the mirror she prepared to join her mother.
"You missed a spot, sis."
Turning she saw Sebastian Valmont standing there. "Sebastian, get out of here. I'm using the bathroom."
"But for what, dear Kathryn? I told Tiff I would escort you to the salon. It seems as penance, I'm to stick by your side; to use you as an example for 'good behavior'," he laughed. "If the parental units only knew, sweet, innocent, Kathryn is a big coke whore. You have slept with more people than me, which I must say, dear sister, is quite a compliment."
"Go to hell, Valmont." Kathryn moved to push her way past him.
"Will I like it there, Kathryn?" he slipped his hand into her shirt to fondle a bare breast. "Why Miss Mertuil you are not wearing the proper undergarment; what would people think?"
"Are you through feeling me up Valmont? There are people here to see me. I'll tell mother to have your father call you off of my heels."
"Oh, you haven't heard the best part. Since you don't have an escort we are going en famille. I'm to be your escort Kathryn; you know a united front and all. Ciao."
"Ooh, just you wait Valmont; you will get yours. Just see if you don't," Kathryn cursed under her breath. "Mother, so sorry to keep you waiting. Sebastian had a question. I would have been here sooner."
"That's alright darling come meet Bunny Caldwell and her daughter, Cecile. This is my daughter, Kathryn. She can answer all your questions about Manchester. She is the Student Body President, after all."
Riding in the car, Kathryn was still furious. She couldn't quit thinking about Court preferring that vapid virgin to her. Looking across from her, she had to admit Sebastian looked delicious in his tuxedo. Kathryn had never forgiven him for forgetting their night together. It was several years ago when she hadn't been so jaded. They had both been drunk; in the morning, she had left him still sleeping but she didn't care. She was an unforgettable fuck and damn proud of it. For him to pretend anything else was an insult of the highest degree.
Not until she gained her current, untouchable power, did he come sniffing at her snatch. Well it would be a cold day in hell before his dick ever sank into any part of her again. Thinking of the past only increased her anger; she needed a hit badly. When were they going to get to the damn house? This champagne isn't doing a damn thing.
Finally the house was in sight, Kathryn sighed. She always got a rush of power pulling into the great mansion. Someday this would all be hers to control, if only the old bat would hurry up and die. There was no one else to take on the family holdings. Her father would have done brilliantly of course, if only he hadn't died.
His brother was a waste of space. In fact, that whole family is just an embarrassment. Thank goodness, they don't come around anymore. Especially, that simpering goody two shoes, Buffy. What a name. An unexpected shiver went down her spine. Come on, Come on. Pull up and open the fucking door already.
Buffy looked at herself in the mirror not really believing it was her. They had put her hair up in a tight bun with short spikes fanning out. Her dress for the Spring Fling was pretty, white and innocent. The dress she wore tonight was anything but that; it was daring, elegant and sophisticated.
It plunged in the front and back held on her shoulders by thin straps. Fitting down her body like a second skin of black jersey with black and diamondette sequins scattered throughout. Flowing straight down her body to pool into a small rounded train, diamond cutouts scattered on the side that seemed to show a hint of skin. Buffy wore no jewelry except for diamond earrings.
Tonight she would accept her grandmother's ring to signify she was her heir. It was a family heirloom. Supposedly, the diamond belonged to Marie Antoinette. Buffy hoped she didn't lose her head tonight. The ring was a beautiful blue diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. It would be on her hand by the end of the evening. The dress was to be the setting for the ring and the new Buffy.
"Ah ma petite you look tre magnifique." Anne said from the door as she entered the yellow and white bedroom. She had braided her hair then wrapped it around her head like a crown; diamonds and pearls seemed to float in the silvered golden hair. She wore an empire waist dress with a long-sleeved bolero jacket. At her throat, a choker of diamonds and pearls wrapped around its elegant length. Anne Mertuil always dressed impeccably but tonight she looked like a queen.
"Nana, you look beautiful" Buffy smiled.
"Merci, are you ready chère? Everyone is here, I will go announce you."
"If you are sure Nana, then I am too. Let's go give them hell. Do you think Tiff will scream, faint or both?"
"Evil child," she laughed "With that woman probably do all three. Now listen at the top of the stairs. You should be able to see and not be seen until it is time."
Kathryn had a happy buzz but still couldn't find the old cow. Damn it where was she? She had to be greeting guests somewhere.
"Ladies and gentlemen your attention please; Madam Mertuil has an announcement to make," Jean-Pierre announced.
Kathryn pushed to the front of the crowd. Straightening her simple black Dior sheath, she looked up. There stood her grandmother the perfect picture of health - damnit.
"Bon jour, everyone thank you for coming. Tonight is a momentous occasion. I will announce my heir."
Kathryn gasped for air. She was already moving across the foyer. Trying not to look like she was rushing, her pace quickened to get reach the bottom of the stairs.
"She has been away but please everyone welcome back"
I've only been to Europe. She must really be slipping. Thankfully, I'll take care of everything. Kathryn smiled taking several more steps, her feet on bottom step.
"My granddaughter"
Her foot was about to make the next step. Wait a minute, you old bat, I'm not there yet.
"Elisabeth Anne Mertuil."
Kathryn stopped dead in her tracks as her cousin glided down the upper stairs to stand by her grandmother. NO! This is some nightmare. I took too much coke; I'm dreaming; I will wake up. She heard a scream and recognized her mother's voice. What is that bitch screaming about? She hasn't lost anything, not like she was going to get anything from me anyway.
Kathryn saw Buffy accept the Mertuil ring; a Buffy she didn't even know existed. This wasn't the silly girl, she had bullied. This was a confident sophisticated equal who looked at down at Kathryn. Something was behind her eyes Kathryn didn't recognize.
Everyone clapped, so Kathryn followed suit as the two made their way towards her. "Hello Kitty-Cat it's good to see some things are perfectly predictable," Buffy's voice had an edge to it.
Kathryn had never been Buffy's favorite person. Whenever she visited during the summers, the brunette did everything she could to make her life a living hell. Buffy decided it was better to start as she meant to continue, especially where Kathryn was involved. The advantage was hers this time around; Buffy knew all the rules of this game. She also knew all of Kathryn's secrets, Nana made sure of that.
There was no way this dumb blonde was going to steal what was hers. "It's good to see you again, Buffy. If you need any help just let me know. I know simply everyone who is anybody," Kathryn smiled. Her good girl routine was safely in place.
"I'll just bet you do Kitty-Cat. I'll keep that in mind. Shall we, Nana?" Buffy turned to her grandmother. They moved off arm in arm leaving Kathryn standing on the steps.
She moved off to the bathroom in a blinding rage. "How dare that bitch! She didn't even know that she should have invited me to join them. Buffy will make us a laughing stock by the end of the evening. Grandmother will beg me to help her clean up the mess she will make."
"Talking to yourself again Kathryn; people are already talking. You don't want anymore nasty rumors do you?" There stood Sebastian. "Man, your cousin is gorgeous; who knew what you could look like with blond hair, golden skin and, oh yeah, a personality."
"Go fuck yourself, Valmont. It won't do you any good sniffing around Miss Perfect. She is a virgin she won't have anything to do with you."
"But just think what fun I would have teaching her. Mmm, the thought of it gets me hard, want to feel? I'm off to introduce myself to the new heir."
Kathryn threw a dish breaking an antique mirror in the powder room. She heard a knock at the door. "Hello is everything okay in there?" a voice called out. She pulled open the door, to find a young good-looking waiter standing there. "It is now," Kathryn pulled him into the room.
After working her way around the room, Buffy excused herself, walking down a hall tapping on a door. Walking in, she stopped at the door, and then started clapping.
Her hand went up to continue stroking him as she looked up a smirk on her face. Expecting to see Sebastian, Kathryn stopped cold seeing her cousin standing there. Looking at herself, she wore only a bra; the waiter's pants around his feet; her hand still around his hard cock. Well, at least he ate me out first.
"Bravo, Kitty-Cat. You even removed your dress, smart girl. Or not, since you didn't lock the door. Not too bright using powder room off the main ballroom either. Looks like Kitty got a little crème on her nose, bad Cat."
The waiter scrambled to pull up his pants. He ran from the room, as Kathryn stormed over to Buffy. Reaching out she grabbed at the blond; she quickly found her face pressed against the now closed door.
"I will only give you one free warning. Don't mistake me for the same girl you used to pick on. I bite back now. So wipe your nose, wash out your mouth, put your clothes on, go back out and if you are a good girl, I won't spank."
"Let me go, bitch. You'll pay for this. Grandmother will hear about this. Just you wait."
"Be my guest. I will be happy to tell her what I saw when I walked in."
"She would never believe you. I have an impeccable reputation, ask her, ask everyone."
"You just keep believing that, Kitty Cat. Your mother's always had delusions of grandeur too. Well, I had better get back to my party before I'm missed. Funny, no one even noticed you were gone."