“Sophia should stay in the mistress’s chamber in the master suite in that case,” Salazar said, taking a sip of wine. “Frees up one of the guest suites.”
Dane coughed as his scotch went down the wrong way. Iain pounded his back with enough force to jar his lungs. Bastard. His brother probably still hadn’t forgotten Dane’s crack about his fiancée being a charity case.
“Not so hard, Iain,” Ceinlys said. “For goodness’s sake, be gentle with your brother.”
“He won’t break,” Iain said, but he stopped.
Dane drew in air. “My back might,” he muttered loud enough that only Iain could hear.
Geraldine plowed on. “That’s ridiculous, Salazar. Consider Ceinlys’s feelings.”
Ceinlys raised an eyebrow. Dane shared the sentiment since Geraldine had always made it clear she’d never liked his sister-in-law.
“That’s unnecessary,” Sophia said. “I don’t mind sharing a room with someone.”
“Who?” Salazar waved his fork at his sons. “Dane’s the only one single, and you don’t want to share his room. He’s an asshole. Just ask anyone.”
“Father!” Vanessa said as Barron patted her hand.
God save him from family drama. Dane was going to need to mainline scotch at this rate. “Maybe Elizabeth can share hers.”
“Absolutely not!” Geraldine said before Elizabeth could say a word. “I won’t have that woman’s daughter in the same room with mine!”
At the same time, Ceinlys said, “Stop this nonsense. I agree with Salazar,” drawing a gasp from Vanessa.
Dane stared at his mother. “You do?”
“This is about Mark and Hilary’s wedding. There’s no point in creating inconvenience over appearances.”
“Oh no, we can’t have that,” Salazar said, his eyes on Ceinlys, who smiled serenely at him.
“Don’t be ridiculous. A hotel is perfectly acceptable for Sophia,” Geraldine announced.
“I completely disagree.” Salazar shook his head. “Logistical annoyance. What’s wrong with the mistress’s room anyway? It’s totally separate from my bedroom.”
“Except for the connecting door. And the fact that you’ll be sharing a bathroom,” Mark muttered under his breath as he reached for his drink. He’d barely touched his appetizer.
Thank you, Dane thought. “Just spit it out,” he said, finally tired of the bullshit. “Are you signaling to everyone that she’s going to replace Mom?”
Leave her a rich, young widow… That was the goal, or so Salazar had claimed.
Intellectually Dane knew that wasn’t a horrible outcome for Sophia. She would never fulfill her Olympic dream, but she would have everything else she could want with the Pryce name and fortune. And Salazar hadn’t been the one to ruin her lifelong dream, so even if she ever found out, it would be more palatable. Besides, he’d likely be dead by then.
But the idea of her and Salazar together turned Dane’s stomach. The fact that he couldn’t do anything about it made it a hundred times worse.
Much to his petty satisfaction, Salazar choked on his drink, while Sophia turned crimson. Hilary, Jane and Ginger looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there, except… Couldn’t go anywhere, could they? Hilary’s best friend and maid of honor Josephine just stared with unblinking brown eyes. Barron ate his soup, his attention entirely on the food. Vanessa buried her face in Justin’s shoulder, while he downed his fourth drink. Elizabeth upgraded from wine to vodka.
As Salazar sputtered and coughed, Geraldine reached over and pounded his back with all her considerable might, honed from years of working out.
“I haven’t even signed the papers yet,” Salazar said between gasping breaths.
“Never stopped you before,” Dane pointed out.
“Show some respect, Dane,” Geraldine said.
“I am. If I weren’t, I would’ve used far different language.”
“Do you want to know if I’m sleeping with her?” Salazar asked, his voice hoarse from coughing. “If you do, say so.”
Blake excused himself from the table. “Business call,” he said.
Iain looked after him longingly.
Ceinlys sighed out loud, drawing everyone’s attention. “Does it matter? The divorce is final. Everything else is just a formality.”
Sophia jumped to her feet. “Excuse me. I need some air.”
“Great idea. Take your time.”
She paled at Dane’s cold tone, then walked out, head held high like a foreign dignitary. And despite himself, his gaze followed her. Damn it.