“In a couple of hours this will all be over,” she whispered as she left the room, patting her waist bag for reassurance. “You’ll have done your part and then it’ll be up to your sisters. Just a couple of hours.”
Lyra’s words of earlier echoed in her mind then, as if her sister was standing right next to her. Yes, sweetie, and then everything will change.
Chapter Two
“What do you mean you’re not going?”
Sebastian Demetrious sighed into his Blackberry, not wanting to have this conversation at all, yet knowing it was unavoidable. “Exactly as I said,” he replied. “I will not be going.”
The person at the other end of the Blackberry, his Uncle Gosta, sucked in what Sebastian assumed was a shocked breath. “But, Sebastian, you’ve gone every year. Theos, for five years without fail you have never missed this,” he spluttered. “Everyone is expecting you. Lady Williams is counting down the moments until your arrival, which should have been over an hour ago….”
Sebastian ran a hand through his shortish black locks, thinking it was probably time to get it cut again. He was Greek and so his hair had a tendency to curl. He could only allow it to grow an inch or so before it started to do so, and it was pushing beyond that right now. “Five years is enough,” he said, pulling the keys from the ignition of his merc and mentally booking an appointment with his barber. “I have of course sent a sizeable donation in support of the event, but I see no need to personally attend it myself.”
“Then who will go to represent the family?” Gosta asked. “Someone has to, you know they do, and as I said the party started an hour ago, they’ll be sitting down to dinner soon.”
Sebastian bit back the words he wanted to say, namely, I don’t fucking care. “Whoever you think, Gosta.”
The older man sighed. “Hardly anyone will be available at such short notice!”
“I’m sure you can find someone to sit down to a five hundred pound a head meal.”
There was silence for a moment and then, “I cannot change your mind? You have just arrived home, yes? You’re only ten minutes away in that beast you call a car. You could be there in no time.”
“No.”
Another pause. “I suppose I will have to take care of this myself if you’re insistent.”
Sebastian smiled slightly, wondering if Gosta himself would attend the event, and hoping for a moment he would. What a shock the cream of London society would have to see his portly uncle sweep through Lady Williams’ door instead of his own imposing figure. It was almost enough to make him want to attend after all. He shook his head to dispel the thought. “I would appreciate that, uncle.”
“A bit more notice next time would be helpful,” the older man grumbled. “A text message a mere five minutes ago barely counts.”
“Apologies. Efharisto.”
Sebastian clicked the phone off, admitting to himself that Gosta was probably right. But it hadn’t really occurred to him. He’d been leaving the office after a long day at work, planning to get dressed and set out. Only as he’d waited for the elevator he’d realized that actually he did not want to.
Out of nowhere, and in that moment, he realized that he’d come to loathe the functions he’d been required to attend over the last five years. The overly made up women, the men always looking to make a business connection, and though he did support many of the charitable ventures the women of society seemed to come up with, he was sick to death of having to actually go in person. Duty had prodded him, but for once he’d ignored it. He was rich wasn’t he? Shockingly, unbelievably rich. He could do as he pleased—something he hardly ever did. So he’d walked back into his office and sat back down intending to work, to enjoy the peace and quiet of the office devoid of staff.
Only it hadn’t quite worked out that way.
Sebastian dropped his Blackberry onto the passenger seat and frowned, feeling equal parts rebellious and ungrateful. Who was he to moan about his life? It was perfect wasn’t it? He had everything he’d spent the last decade working towards. He had no real worries, few problems. Why should he possibly complain?
Because you’re bored, so damn bored…. The frown deepened as he acknowledged the thought, wondering where it had come from and why it was rearing its head now. It was just that everything seemed to have become so routine. Rarely was he surprised anymore, rarely did he do anything for no other reason that because he wanted to. Well today was the start at least. It was the start of making some changes.
His Blackberry vibrated next to him and he cast it a look. Mellina calling. He sighed. It would be her of course. She was supposed to be his date to tonight’s function and although he’d sent her a text telling her that her company was no longer required, he should have known that would be insufficient for the fiery model, just as it had been for Gosta. No matter, he’d ignore it and she’d soon get the message. They always did in the end.