A shower of twinkling lights blanketed the parlor, and waitstaff carried trays full of gourmet appetizers and expensive champagne. Droves of guests surrounded the two bars set up at each end of the room, which she had no doubt served only the finest liquor. And it flowed freely. When it came to schmoozing his supporters, the senator spared no expense. A party like this could bring in millions for his campaign.
“Hello, beautiful,” someone said quietly from behind her, and her heart lifted so fast it stole her breath. She turned to Colin and it took every bit of restraint not to throw herself into his arms. In a tux that was custom fit, his hair combed and his face cleanly shaven, he looked every bit the earl that he was.
“Mr. Middlebury,” she said, nodding politely, offering her hand. “You look very handsome.”
He took her hand, but instead of shaking it he kissed the back, saying softly, “And you look amazing.”
“I guess I clean up all right.”
Suddenly the air in the room shifted, then went ice cold, as if the ghost of Rowena past had just brushed by her, and she knew without looking her father was approaching.
She took a deep breath and thought, Okay, here we go.
“Rowena, sweetheart, what are you doing down here?”
She turned to him. His voice was perfectly pleasant, but his eyes asked, What the hell do think you’re doing?
“Hi, Daddy,” she said in the same sticky-sweet tone he used with her, and she hoped he didn’t hear the nervous waver. At least here, in front of all these people, he couldn’t read her the riot act. Not that he wouldn’t do it later. “I just couldn’t stand the idea of missing another one of your parties.”
She tried not to flinch as he kissed her cheek, and when he wrapped his hand around her forearm, the fingers digging into her flesh were a silent warning.
“Rowena, honey, you should really be in bed.”
“You know, I feel just fine now,” she said, gently pulling her arm back, the smile never leaving her face. “I guess I just had a headache.”
“I was just telling your daughter how beautiful she looks tonight,” Colin said, and for effect, Rowena shot him a look of hostility.
“As opposed to every other day when I look like a troll?”
“Rowena,” the senator said.
Colin just laughed. “It’s okay, senator. It’s a game we play. I compliment her, and she flings barbs. It’s rather entertaining.”
She shot him a look that said she didn’t find it entertaining in the least.
“Would you care to dance, Rowena?” Colin asked, and before she could even open her mouth to answer, her father said, “She would love to.”
He said it for one reason, and one reason only, because he knew she didn’t want to. Or thought she didn’t. It was just another way to put her in her place, show her who had the upper hand.
Cutting off his nose to spite his face.
Colin held out his arm, wearing a dashing smile whose edges dripped with arrogance. “Shall we?”
She hesitantly took his arm, when in reality she couldn’t wait to touch him, to feel his arms around her. Hadn’t she been looking forward to this all day?
He led her onto the dance floor. She tried to appear stiff and uneasy as he pulled her closer, when what she really wanted to do was melt against him, wrap her arms around his neck, pull his head down and kiss him.
He bent close to her ear and said, “You’re good. Even I’m convinced you abhor me.”
“I do hate stooping to his level, though, playing his game.”
“Yes, but you’re so good at it.”
“That’s kind of what scares me. I don’t want to be like him.”
“For what it’s worth, you’ve left him in the dust.”
“Until later when he blows a gasket.”
“The question is, how do you feel now? Are you enjoying yourself? Are you happy?”
“Actually, yes, I am.”
“That’s all that matters, then.” He glanced down at her arm, where her father’s hand had been, letting a sliver of anger slip though the facade. “Your arm is red where he grabbed you.”
“I’m fair-skinned. It turns red easily.”
“He’s a bully.”
“That, too. Maybe next time I should throw my drink in his face.”
“You don’t drink.”
“And ginger ale just doesn’t have the same effect, huh?” She gazed up at him, and despite herself, she smiled. “You make me feel good.”
At his raised brow, she added, “About myself.”
“You should. You’re an extraordinary woman. I see it. Your friends see it. The only ones who don’t are you and your father. What does that tell you?”